A page of Education about our Volunteer Board of Directors, their backgrounds, professional qualifications and other skills that professionalize Ontario's Trails.
Dan Andrews, B.Sc, HBOR, Land and Resource Planning Technician, at the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority.
Dan Andrews has been with the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority since 2012.
In his current capacity, Dan provides strategic direction for the Conservation Lands portfolio in the areas of conservation areas planning, management and visitor experience enhancements. In his role at the authority related to the trails sector, Dan brings a collaborative approach to project management and engages external partner support to enhance the 100km+ of trail in the conservation areas system.
With Dan’s approach, trail enhancements have been achieved with improved accessibility, signage and nearbyamenities for the 200,000+ annual visitors.
Dan’s successes at the Lake Simcoe Conservation Authority are built upon 25 years of professional outdoor recreation/trail experience including universal assessment, national/international trail information exchange, trail community capacity building, regional trail networking, trail project analysis, and funding support. A graduate of both Fleming College and Lakehead University in the schools of Outdoor Recreation, Parks and Tourism/Natural Science; as well as, continued outdoor skills training, Dan has forged a career aimed at improving access to our shared outdoor spaces.
Over the years Dan has participated in the development of Best Practices for Trails, including the publication - Trails for All Ontarians, co-designer of Regional Trail Committees, and the TCT-Ontario Economic Impact Analysis led by PwC. Dan has also engaged in provincial level trail sector advancement as a representative to the Ministerial Advisory Committee for the Ontario Trails Strategy, input into the Ontario Trails Act and as an expert advisor to the Provincial Trail Classification System.
Previously Dan was the GM for Trans Canada Trail Ontario and the National Coordinator of Trail Programming at Go for Green. An avid volunteer, Dan has been a member of the Ontario Recreational Canoeing and Kayaking board, enjoyed previous participation on the OTC board and continues to coach paddlesport to youth at risk, alongside his family members.
Wayne Terryberry - McMaster University, Vice President
Wayne is the Coordinator of Outdoor Recreation and Natural Lands McMaster University and a longtime volunteer with the Ontario Trails Council, Hike Ontario, Cootes to Escarpment Ecopark, Hamilton Burlington Trails Council and many other non-profit organizations.
A gifted leadership facilitator and seasoned wilderness guide, he is a true adventure professional.
Specializing in canoe tripping, wilderness hiking, climbing and natural history interpretation, Wayne enjoys helping people gain outdoor recreation skills and a passion for the outdoors.
https://www.facebook.com/wayne.terryberry.9
Paul Toffoletti - Urban Planning (Retired), SecretaryPaul lives in the City of Burlington and retired from working at the City of Hamilton as an Urban Planning Technician in 2021.
He is a Hike Ontario Certified Hike Leader and enjoys hiking, cross country skiing and riding his bike on rail trails and multi use paths.
He has been volunteering on the Board of the Iroquoia Bruce Trail Club for the past 25 years in various roles.
He just finished a three-year term as Club President and looks forward to continuing helping with trail maintenance and land stewardship projects.
He was also on the Board of the Bruce Trail Conservancy from 2012 to 2017.
Presently, Paul sits on the Cootes to Escarpment Ecopark Management Committee, the Hamilton Burlington Trails Council and the Halton Region Natural Areas Advisory Committee.
Terri LeRoux - Credit Valley Conservation Authority - Past President
Terri LeRoux has been the Executive Director of the Credit Valley Conservation Foundation (CVCF) since July 2005. In this capacity, Terri works collaboratively with the Board of Directors ensuring that financial support from CVCF permits Credit Valley Conservation (CVC) to make continuous progress towards the achievement of its mission. Specifically, Terri formulates and executes comprehensive fund development strategies that enhance revenue from major donors, foundations, government agencies, and corporations
Personally obsessed with Ontario’s trail network, Terri has been an active relationship builder, leader, and strategist with organizations such as Hike Ontario, National Trails Coalition and the Ontario Trails Council. In her role with CVCF / CVC, she led a successful ten-year campaign that raised more than $2 million dollars and constructed 10 kilometers of fully accessible perimeter lakeside trail at Island Lake Conservation Area.
As the current project manager of the Credit Valley Trail, Terri is leading the creation of a Trail Master Plan for a continuous 100-kilometer trail predominantly following the main Credit River valley in Ontario from the Headwaters in Orangeville to Port Credit at Lake Ontario.
The co-author of two publications, Best Practices for Increasing Walking and Hiking on Ontario’s Trails and the Hike Ontario Young Hiker’s Program, Terri was the recipient of the Hike Ontario Volunteer of the Year Award in 2009. Prior to non-profit management, Terri worked as a Provincial Park Warden, Fisheries Officer and as a member of the Emergency Response Team in Ontario’s Provincial Parks (Presqu’ile and Algonquin).
https://www.facebook.com/terri.leroux
Patrick Connor - B.A. Hons, S.S.A., C.A.E., Dipl. M.M. - Executive Director - Ex-Officio
For 30 years Patrick has led significant social safeguard initiatives for safer streets, improved community health, and welfare, as well as completion of hundreds of national and provincial trail planning and development projects. Key achievements include securing $10M+ in funding for Trans Canada Trail (TCT) lands through the National Trails Coalition project of 2009-16 that resulted in thousands of kilometers of TCT trail refurbished and maintained for continued public use.
Since 2003, Patrick has worked closely with TCT to complete the Ontario section of the trail. A convenor of conferences, publisher of papers, and enactor of change, Patrick is equipped with extensive trail development experience aided by a unique practice-based methodology and a keen understanding of trail planning processes and stakeholders in Canada.
In 2012, Patrick was awarded the QEII Diamond Jubilee Medal for Service to Canada. Dedicated to working locally, provincially and nationally to assist in widening community development and strengthening the communities that agencies serve, Patrick believes in an accepting and tolerant Canada, supported by healthy vibrant communities within it. He is a CSAE Accredited Non-Profit Executive, President of the Canadian Trails Federation, Chair of the National Trails Coalition, A Member of Economic Developers Association of Canada and other community justice and betterment initiatives.
Alastair Baird, Manager, (Retired) Economic Development, Manager, Ottawa Valley Tourist Association - Director
Kelsey Johansen PhD candidate, University of Waterloo - Director
I am a Lecturer in the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies in the Faculty of Health at the University of Waterloo teaching in therapeutic recreation, outdoor recreation and tourism development.
For the 2019-2020 Acadmic year, I was appointed as Lecturer in the School of Outdoor Recreation, Parks and Tourism at Lakehead University teaching in the areas of therapeutic recreation, nature-based adventure therapy, recreation and leisure program planning, risk management and outdoor recreation.
From July 2016 to June 2019, I was an Instructor in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management at the University of Manitoba (Winnipeg, Canada). I sole-taught and developed many courses in Recreation, Leisure, Sustainable Tourism, Inclusive Physical Activity, and Therapeutic Recreation. I also served on the Undergraduate Curriculum Review Committee and the Indigenous Engagement Circle within the Faculty. Through an Adjunct Appointment with the Faculty of Graduate studies at UM, I continue to supervise students in the Faculty's Masters programs.
I undertook a PhD at University of Otago under the guidance of Associate Professor Anna Thompson (Otago), and Professor Tara Duncan (Dalarna). My research examines the culture of World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF) participation in New Zealand and explores the culture of WWOOFing in New Zealand, the convergence and divergence of host and guest values, and the role of food in the WWOOFing experience. My completed thesis underwent external examination and I will graduate in 2021.
Additional research interests include self-care and positive coping strategies for in-service Therapeutic Recreation students, rural community development through trail tourism and festivals, risk management in trails and therapeutic recreation, the impact of funding models on access to sport and recreation opportunities for indigenous youth, and the use of contested narratives in interpreting battlefield tourism sites.
Igor Hoogendoorn, IMBA Canada, University Lecturer - Director
Andrew Macpherson, OALA, Division Manager - Parks Planning & Operations, Environment & Infrastructure, City of London - Director
Garrett Hutson, Ph.D Brock University, Director Ontario Climbing Alliance, Director Ontario Trails.
Dr. Hutson’s scholarship centers on outdoor recreation resource management, outdoor leadership, and person–place relationships. His current research projects primarily explore how human dimensions of place can inform sustainable outdoor recreation practices.
Dr. Hutson helps to facilitate sustainability initiatives and research between the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, the Niagara Parks Commission, and the Ontario Climbing Access Coalition.
Dr. Hutson also teaches extended outdoor experiential field courses and finds it a privilege to explore Ontario landscapes with Canada’s future outdoor leaders.
Dr. Hutson is a Participating Faculty Member of the Environmental Sustainability Research Centre.
Dave Naulls - Trail Enthusiast - Director
Bob Freeman, Policy Advisor Ministry of Tourism Culture and Sport (Retired) - Director
Bob Freeman grew up in Streetsville where he played hockey in the Streetsville Minor Hockey Association.
He also played box lacrosse and soccer. In high school he played football and track and field.
He received an Honours degree from University of Toronto and has post graduate studies in journalism, advertising and applied social research.
Bob took up long distance cycling and hiking in the 80s and held memberships in the Toronto Bicycle Network, Bruce Trail Club and the High Park Hiking and Cycling Clubs.
Working with the Ontario Ministry of Tourism and Recreation, Bob completed sections of the Ontario Trails Plan, including work on Activity Guides and the Trail Classification System.
Bob has hiked in Alberta, Newfoundland, Utah, Arizona and several Caribbean islands.
Bradley Fauteux - Professional Land Manager - Director
Bradley Fauteux (Brad Fauteux) is an accomplished leader with more than sixteen years of senior management and executive-level experience. Brad has specific experience in the areas of service delivery, organizational design, business development, relationship management, and financial management.
Brad Fauteux earned his Bachelor’s degree in 1995 at Wilfrid Laurier University in Ontario. He then continued his education by earning a Management Certificate from the American Management Association International, completing those studies in 1999.
During the course of his career, Brad has taken on management positions with a gradual growth of responsibilities. Beginning in 2009 and continuing for the next three years, Brad served as the Director and Acting Superintendent at Private Career Colleges Branch/MTCU, where he led an overall organizational redesign of the branch.
A lifelong environmentalist, following his time with Private Career Colleges, Brad became the Managing Director of Ontario Parks and the Ministry of Natural Resources. Brad was responsible for 2,500 employees in that role and oversaw a $90 million operating budget and a $1.5B capital portfolio. As Managing Director, Brad worked with more than 300 separate intergovernmental, community, Indigenous and private sector partners to serve over 10 million clients every year.
Over the course of his career, Brad has won a number of awards, primarily in the areas of environmental policy and practice and tourism. Brad has earned the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario Award in 2015 and the Tourism Marketing Partnership Award from the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario in 2014, among numerous other honors.
Brad has also served in volunteer roles that enriched both his personal life and his professional work. From 2013 to 2015, he served as the Peterborough Public Service Campaign Manager for the United Way of Peterborough in the area of poverty alleviation.
Currently, Brad serves as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Trillium College. He also acts as a consultant in natural resources management, applying his years of experience and service in the field. In this consultant role, Brad currently provides strategic guidance for the Credit Valley Trail Strategy in Ontario and the Conservation Areas Master Strategy for Credit Valley Conservation Authority.
Natalie Faught, Senior Coordinator, Credit Valley Trail and Indigenous Engagement at Credit Valley Conservation - Director
Natalie is an avid hiker and exploring residing in the Hamilton area.
As newcomer to the OTC board, she brings valuable experience in the field of community-based conservation and has a passion for heritage preservation, stewardship and environmentalism.
In her current role with Credit Valley Conservation (CVC) Natalie facilitates engagement with Indigenous partners and leads the coordination of CVC’s collaborative legacy project, The Credit Valley Trail.
