Politicial ExperienceMayor City of St. Catharines – 2006 to presentRegional Councillor, Region of Niagara, as a serving City mayor – 2006 to presentElected as Regional Councillor, Region of Niagara – 2000 to 2003City Councillor, City of St. Catharines – 1988 to 1997Political office:• As mayor and CEO of the corporation, responsible for delivery of municipal services, overseeing staff of 680, responsible for a $90-million annual budget and accountable to the public.• As a Regional Councillor, responsible for making decisions on behalf of St. Catharines and the 12 municipalities with Niagara Region, a corporation with 3,600 full-time staff and an $800-million budget.• With the support of St. Catharines Council, spearheaded the development of the downtown Performing Arts Centre, Carlisle Parking garage, new Kiwanis Aquatics Centre and Grantham Library Branch, and artificial turf field. • Took on leadership role to work with Council to ensure the City of St. Catharines is a thriving, prosperous community into the future.• Developed a vision and implemented an action plan to improve infrastructure, create opportunities for private investment as well as retain and attract young professionals.• Worked with upper levels of government to strengthen relations, bring investments to St. Catharines/Niagara and obtain funding for community projects.

ExperienceCurrent: Past Chair, Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities InitiativeAs a Regional Councillor – member of Niagara Region Integrated Community Planning Committee, Public Works Committee and Transportation Strategy Steering CommitteeEx officio of all City of St. Catharines’ committees and chair of mayor’s committeesSt. Catharines Hydro board of directorsNiagara District Airport CommissionServed on:Recycling Council of Ontario, chair; Niagara College’s Centre for Environmental Training, chair; St. Catharines Chamber of Commerce; St. Catharines Transit Commission; Niagara Economic Development Corporation board of directors; Family and Children’s Services Foundation Board; Niagara Grape and Wine Festival; Lincoln and County Humane Society; and the Community Mental Health Program Advisory Committee.Community involvement:• Established the Mayor’s Advisory Committee on Accessibility, Advisory Committee on Black History, Older Adults Committee, Committee on Race Relations, Youth Advisory Committee, and Downtown Revitalization Committee as well as specific task forces.• Worked as a liaison between community groups, City and Regional Council and staff with the City of St. Catharines and Region to assist residents with concerns, bring forward new ideas and give the public an opportunity to voice their feedback on important issues in the community and Niagara region.• Helped to identify gaps and brought partners to the table to problem-solve, encourage appropriate solutions and find ways to collaboratively move the city forward in a positive direction.• Promoted committees, events and activities that were inclusive, celebrated heritage/history and recognized the diversity of the population of St. Catharines and Niagara.

Chosen Profession ExperienceVice-President and Managing Partner, Hanna Paper Recycling Inc. – 1993 to 2006General Manager, Niagara Recycling – 1981 to 1993Senior Consultant, Resource Integration Systems Ltd. – 1987 to 1989Recycling industry:• As vice-president and managing partner responsible for finances, marketing, managing staff and overseeing plant operations.• Dealt with logistics, including scheduling proper traffic flow for movement of materials, implementing equipment maintenance and replacement program and finding potential enhancements to process line.• Assisted customers with onsite visit and advising how on potential efficiencies in their own corporate locations to maximize the value of scrap paper and reduce paper costs. • Promoted and helped to establish better environmental policies and practices with provincial and municipal levels of government to reduce the amount of recyclables headed to landfills.• Encouraged and assisted the public with reduction of our carbon footprint by developing and being a founding member of Ontario’s Blue Box program.• Assisted private sector in determining best practices with recyclables and waste to promote environmentally-friendly policies and encourage businesses to be good corporate citizens.• Developed an understanding of and gained experience with corporate, public and government communications and participation in moving forward with global initiatives.