The Development and Property Department is comprised of the following divisions: economic development, planning and land division, real property, forestry and trails, and native land claim.A senior leadership role in the organization, with a high degree of government consultation and government relations.The department is responsible for County-owned property, County of Renfrew forests, Algonquins of Golden Lake Comprehensive Land Claim, land planning services, and promotion of economic development in the County, including agriculture, forestry and tourism development. Tourism promotion is done by the Ottawa Valley Tourist Association. Free small business consulting and youth program delivery is done by Enterprise Renfrew County.The department is also responsible for the abandoned K&P rail corridor between Calabogie and Renfrew, and the new Algonquin Trail / Ottawa Valley Recreation Trail between Smiths Falls and Mattawa.

THE POD™ is the 21st Century solution to camping; it is a dome-like structure made entirely of sustainable wood products that offers a comfortable alternative for campers. It is available in two sizes: a smaller unit for up to 4 people, and a larger one that has more room for a larger family. The Algonquin Pod Company has secured limited rights in North America. The Canadian version of THE POD™ is made of materials available in the local market. The Algonquin Pod Company will focus on the smaller unit at the start of operations. “Pod Camping” has now become hugely popular in the European camping market and the Algonquin Pod Company hope to capture and excite the camping market in Canada and the US in the same way. For information on THE POD™, visit www.algonquinpodcompany.com. The Pod is a patented by UK-based Newfoundland Lodges. Pricing for the Canadian and US markets is now available by contacting us directly. To contact Algonquin Pod Company, email info@algonquinpodcompany.com or call 613.756.7920.

The Ontario East Economic Development Commission promotes Eastern Ontario as a centre for investment. Ontario East represents over 200 communities, with more than two million residents. We offer premier market access to the US with superior transportation infrastructure. The region outperforms most others on cost competitiveness. It has a highly-skilled and motivated workforce, world-class academic institutions with vibrant research centres, excellent R+D tax credit programs, investment support programs, leading edge technologies and training, and market ready investment properties. Explore our investment-ready communities and our Eastern Ontario small business support network. We are ready to assist you.

Evolving career trajectory to the top of the municipal ladder...The CAO/Clerk is a motivated individual with superior leadership, communication, analytical, report writing, customer service skills and political intuition, who works well in a high pressure, ever-changing environment. Reporting to Mayor and Council, the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) successfully delivers the highest calibre of progressive, practical and responsive services to the Township of Madawaska Valley residents, businesses and visitors. The CAO contributes leadership, strategy, direction and enthusiasm to the organization and works closely with the Mayor, Council and the management team to develop and implement a compelling vision and strategy, establish targets and set standards of performance.Accomplishments- Spearheaded the first ever long range Municipal Strategic Plan.- Leadership role in municipal-wide reorganization review and strategy.- Designed and created 2015 outdoor marketing campaign and billboard strategy.- Instituted several new and revised corporate policies and procedures, including a communications policy covering all staff and council.- Encouragement of staff initiatives, across varied platforms and departments, including project-based accounting and efficiency measures.

Responsible for the development and implementation of a full range of activities in support of businessacquisition, establishment, retention, and expansion in the natural resources (agriculture, forestry, mining)sectors. Emphasis is on research, provision of professional advice, and implementation of existing andinnovative programs in support of the economic development goals of the County of Renfrew.Accomplishments Successfully developed and organized the Ottawa Valley Reverse Trade Show, bringing government agencies and ministries together with businesses to discuss procurement policies and opportunities.  Development of sponsorship package and private industry partnership to highlight wood industry in the Ottawa Wood Solutions Fair. Development of Ottawa Valley Tourist Association’s Motorcycle Tour route map. Development of Award-winning sector marketing programs: Ottawa Valley Wood and Ottawa Valley Culture (web-based business retention and marketing programs) Design of County of Renfrew Economic Development website; currently under redevelopment. Designed and developed new culinary tourism marketing offering Valleylicious. Successfully organized and participated in Taste of the Valley culinary events across Renfrew County. Initiated County of Renfrew’s Economic Development social media strategy. Ongoing community engagement resulting in increased business attraction and retention (Madawaska Mountain (Madawaska Valley), Business Success Program (county-wide mentoring program), Downtown Eganville Open House (Bonnechere Valley), Sabstock Tourist Promotion (Laurentian Valley).  On behalf of the Ontario East Economic Development Commission, developed, planned and organized the Economic Development stream for the 2011 & 2012 Ontario East Municipal Conference.

Looking to make an entirely different shift in my career...Administer, coordinate, facilitate and promote the recreational, fundraising, cultural and economicdevelopment programs and services in conjunction with Council and Community Committees. A senior leadership role in the organization.Accomplishments Successfully lobbied for additional space for our area’s growing post-secondary institution. Coordination of First Impressions Community Exchange; Summer 2007. Emergency Measures media relations coordinator: level-F2 tornado, August 2006. Secured and administered several grants and programs to enhance programming and facility capital in the area Initiation and on-going control and maintenance of the Municipality’s role in the operation of a ski hill; awarded a 2010 EDCO award in Business Redevelopment for our success. Initiation and implementation of a website strategy, to accompany new marketing materials, to attract visitors and enhance resident information; initiated and administered new social media program(s).  Initiated “Mayor’s Breakfast” initiative to promote ongoing economic development and partnerships in the community. (EDCO award-winning) Initiation, development and implementation of a 5-year Economic Development Strategic Plan for the municipality and the region. Successfully implemented several new parks and recreational strategies for the Township, including youth programming, cost-effect community centre upgrades, enhanced parkland and trail initiatives, new community events and a vanity licence plate program to promote the Ottawa Valley.  Management and enhancement of the area’s largest Visitor Information Centre and historic area.  Initiation of a multi-municipality strategy for doctor recruitment. Successfully provided several local businesses with small business consultations, resulting in over $1,000,000 in loans and grants for new business and expansion plans.

Wanting to spread my wings to other media, my career shifted to the newspaper industry and I began work with the nation's largest daily newspaper.To solidify The Toronto Star’s position as the market’s dominant newspaper by developing “ownership” ofpromotions, consumer/trade shows and events. Directly responsible for the development and execution ofpromotional concepts and ideas, copywriting, ad layout and design.

After PFE, my trajectory took me to the place of being a consultant for smaller and independent film and television studios who required marketing and publicity expertise.Cilents:Red Sky EntertainmentWarner Bros. StudiosTemple Street ProductionsToronto Star

PolyGram Filmed Entertainment (PFE) had just launched in Canada, after a successful European run. The North American expansion was full of promise; a new catalogue, expanded local production, and a run at being a true studio. I was there at the beginning of the Canadian experience, and helped established the studio presence here, and to form the basis of the marketing and publicity team. PFE ceased to exist after the merger with Universal Studios in 1999.Responsibilities: The planning and development of promotional and marketing plans for a wide array of films; includingAcademy Award-winning “art” films, and pop-culture box office successes, such as: “The Big Lebowski”,“Dead Man Walking”, “Fargo”, “The Usual Suspects”, “The Game”, “Bean” and “Elizabeth".

Designed and implemented marketing plans and strategies for commercial and “art house” films; establishedall grassroots marketing (wild-posting, flyers, etc.); researched and contacted prospective promotionalpartners (soundtracks, novel tie-ins, nightclubs, etc.) and utilised them to their full potential. Films to becredited include “The Piano”, “The Crow” and “The Snapper”.