Board of Directors
Executive Director
President & Board of Directors
President & Board of Directors
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Sylvia Stark
Executive Director Born and raised in Township of Oro-Medonte. A Philanthropist with a passion to make a positive difference in people’s lives at home and abroad, promoting ethnic diversity within her own career as well as prompting a greater understanding of diversity around the world. Her vast experience and travel include working with the Canadian Forces, the Diplomatic Core and Celebrities of many countries. Sylvia is a renowned internationally speaker, with a degree in marketing and public relations. She started her own company Making a Difference PR. Returning home to Oro-Medonte in 2014 to care for her Mom. Charity work is her passion and includes a variety of projects for Habitat for Humanity, World Vision, Shriners, McMaster, Stollery’s Hospital in Canada, Mother’s Day Telethon, Jerry Lewis Telethon for Easter Seals. Named an Honorary Member of The Royal Canadian Forces in Wainwright Alberta in 2003 and International Woman of the Year in 2014. In 2003 Sylvia launched a petition across Canada that received international status and was instrumental to save a woman’s life in Nigeria. Amina Lawal was sentenced to death by stoning for having a child out of wedlock after being raped. Working closely with Canadian Foreign Affairs, the Nigerian and Canadian Ambassador her and her little girls’ lives was spared by the Shariah Court of Appeal, they no longer live in Nigeria. In 2005 Sylvia Founded the Teddy Bears of Hope Foundation (A Not for Profit), a campaign of Love and Hope from Children in Canada to Children around the world. Children who are lonely, underprivileged, and caught in a web of poverty and despair due to no fault of their own. In 10 years 100,000’s of teddy bears has been sent around the world, including 24,000 to Thailand, 20,000 to Sri Lanka, 74,000 to Afghanistan. She was part of the team on horseback recreating The Pony Express to raise funds for children in Philippines and Cambodia Orphanages. For 18 years Founded and Produced the largest scholarship program in Canada the Miss Canada and Miss Teen Canada International. A program recognized for its service on the National and International Stage. These women made a positive impact on the lives of those they touched as they strived to attain their personal and professional goals through education. In 2019 Publicist Contract for Canadas Walk for Diabetes Canada and JDRF Juvenile Diabetes for Jeff Laybolt who hiked across Canada to raise awareness and funds for the above organizations. In 2019 Project Manager contract for the Walter and Giant Campaign for Parkinson’s Canada. Walter Reich 71 years old cycled across Canada from Tofino BC to Newfoundland. In 2018 Publicist and Project Manager for COPE Service Dogs “Buddy Paddles Simcoe” where a retiring service dog rode a paddle board around lake Simcoe raising funds for Canines in the Classroom program. In 2017 was Publicist for Zach Makes Tracks Campaign for RVH Youth Mental Health a 13-year-old boy who walked from Barrie to Ottawa. |
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Luke Sedgwick
President Glen Oro Farms Owner of Glen Oro Ltd.
Born and raised in Oro-Medonte A world traveler, working in the tourism industry in amazing destinations of the world, returned home to create Glen Oro Eco Retreat on family farm. A graduate of the University of Carleton in Ottawa with a degree in history. |
Tom Stoate
Secretary
The Hitch House- Owner
Raised in Lindsay, Tom’s initial attraction to Oro-Medonte was born in a calculus class at Wilfrid Laurier University in the fall of 1986. Tom’s attention was drawn to a kind, cute, studious girl who called Oro-Medonte home, Heidi McKee. Heidi didn’t exactly reciprocate the attention. Undeterred, Tom launched a pursuit that was peppered with a heavy dose of salesmanship and a sprinkling of small-town charm allowing him to eventually earn Heidi’s attention – nearly 2 years later!
Tom and Heidi moved to Barrie in 1994 after Heidi’s father and founder of The Hitch House, David McKee, persuaded her to join the family business. Several years later, tired of commuting to Toronto and Ottawa, Tom desired a change from the Information Technology industry where he had held increasingly progressive management and executive roles. Certain that his future was in self-employment, Tom started looking at different alternatives and opportunities in the area. Tom’s father-in-law quietly observed from a distance and at the right moment made his offer. A few months later, Tom and Heidi were partners with her dad in The Hitch House. Over the years they have experienced successes, setbacks, navigated the Great Recession, expanded the dealership, as well as surviving and rebounding from a massive fire. All along the way, there was a lot of support from their family, friends, and the community of Oro-Medonte.
In October 2004, Tom and Heidi moved to Oro-Medonte, near the Village of Shanty Bay, to raise their son. Ever since then, as a family, they have loved everything that Oro-Medonte has had to offer – ski hills, hockey, soccer, lakes, country, wildlife, maple syrup, and community…especially community.
Secretary
The Hitch House- Owner
Raised in Lindsay, Tom’s initial attraction to Oro-Medonte was born in a calculus class at Wilfrid Laurier University in the fall of 1986. Tom’s attention was drawn to a kind, cute, studious girl who called Oro-Medonte home, Heidi McKee. Heidi didn’t exactly reciprocate the attention. Undeterred, Tom launched a pursuit that was peppered with a heavy dose of salesmanship and a sprinkling of small-town charm allowing him to eventually earn Heidi’s attention – nearly 2 years later!
Tom and Heidi moved to Barrie in 1994 after Heidi’s father and founder of The Hitch House, David McKee, persuaded her to join the family business. Several years later, tired of commuting to Toronto and Ottawa, Tom desired a change from the Information Technology industry where he had held increasingly progressive management and executive roles. Certain that his future was in self-employment, Tom started looking at different alternatives and opportunities in the area. Tom’s father-in-law quietly observed from a distance and at the right moment made his offer. A few months later, Tom and Heidi were partners with her dad in The Hitch House. Over the years they have experienced successes, setbacks, navigated the Great Recession, expanded the dealership, as well as surviving and rebounding from a massive fire. All along the way, there was a lot of support from their family, friends, and the community of Oro-Medonte.
In October 2004, Tom and Heidi moved to Oro-Medonte, near the Village of Shanty Bay, to raise their son. Ever since then, as a family, they have loved everything that Oro-Medonte has had to offer – ski hills, hockey, soccer, lakes, country, wildlife, maple syrup, and community…especially community.
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Kevin Le
Director UPS Orillia -Owner Education: Studied in The Netherlands and Graduated from Zeeland University of Applied Science under International Business Management Studies Experiences: 17 years experiences in International Logistics Industries mainly in Sea & Air Freight, Trucking, Customs Brokerage, Warehousing, Distributions. During 17 years working in Logistics Industries, I had been working for multinational corporation: 2007 – 2010: Country Manager of City Ocean Group Indochina, an international Freight Forwarding with head quarter in Shanghai and 70 offices around the world, responsibility for Southeast Asia offices 2011 – 2016: Deputy Managing Director of Hanjin Logistics Group Vietnam, a Global Logistics Company with head office located in Incheon, Korea. Responsible for the development of Vietnam’s business and its performance. Member of Global Account Strategy Development Board of Hanjin Group with responsibility of developing global business accounts. One of the big projects during the time was re-design the supply chain of Fashion Brand Forever 21. 2016 – present: Shareholder / Managing Director of Cargo Care Logistics Corporation with head office located in Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam and 5 offices across the countries and representative office in Rotterdam, UK & USA. May 2021: I have decided to move the family to Orillia, therefore acquired UPS Store 107 located in Orillia as the start point, aiming to provide the best quality service not only with shipping but also in printing business. Meanwhile, I had been working on some projects such as “Doing Business in Vietnam” initiated by the World Bank in 2009. Also had acted as consultant for the project “Gateway” of Nova Scotia in 2007 which was aimed to connect the shipping route between Vietnam and Halifax, the project was successfully launched in 2008 and now is one of the major trade routes between Vietnam and Canada ports as well with Canada inland by using CN Rail. |
Eliza MacDonald
Director
Georgian International - Braestone Club - The Ktchn
Director
Georgian International - Braestone Club - The Ktchn
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Wanda Bick
Director Bick & Associates Wanda Bick is the Co-Principal of Bick & Associates, a security consulting company which provided loss prevention strategies and investigations to the warehouse, logistics and transportation industries. Her career began in transportation, moving on to the Government of Ontario where she became Special Assistant to the Premier of Ontario from 1985 – 1990. She was involved in many facets of the Premier’s Office, including liaison with the different Ministries in matters of public relations and coordination of meetings and events. In 1991, she was instrumental with the start up of Bick & Associates, helping to develop policies, administration, coordination of investigations, security audits and acting agent to provide security seals for the transport industry. Wanda’s primary focus today is providing pre-employment screening, including criminal background checks, as well as working with clients on hiring policies relating to security screening. Wanda and her husband Don have lived in Oro-Medonte for several years. |
Councillor John Bard
Oro-Medonte Township Councilor Representative ( appointed by Township)
John Bard grew up on a family dairy farm in the township. Today, John and his wife Rosalee are raising their two teenage children on the same family farm. Family and community involvement are very important to John as demonstrated through over 30 years of coaching 80 local teams in the community.
Locally, John attended Marchmont Public School and Park Street Collegiate Institute. John's post-secondary education includes earning a Bachelor of Science Degree with a double major in Geography and Biology, and a Bachelor of Education Degree from Lakehead University in Thunder Bay. John has been a dedicated high school teacher in Orillia for over 22 years.
John has held a variety of leadership roles including coach, trainer, manager, and Minor Sports Executive Board member. His volunteer experience in Oro-Medonte has solidified John's belief in the importance of teamwork.
John believes recreation and service opportunities Oro-Medonte's beautiful farms, forests, and lakes provide are precious. He is committed to conserving these vital ecosystems and will engage with local residents and organizations to raise awareness and take steps toward the preservation and restoration of these environments.
John is excited to be representing Oro-Medonte in his role as Ward 2 Councillor. He encourages diversity, inclusion, and open mindedness in the community. John values the different perspectives of residents, and looks forward to listening to, and working with local residents to make Oro-Medonte an even better place to live; both now, and in the future.
Oro-Medonte Township Councilor Representative ( appointed by Township)
John Bard grew up on a family dairy farm in the township. Today, John and his wife Rosalee are raising their two teenage children on the same family farm. Family and community involvement are very important to John as demonstrated through over 30 years of coaching 80 local teams in the community.
Locally, John attended Marchmont Public School and Park Street Collegiate Institute. John's post-secondary education includes earning a Bachelor of Science Degree with a double major in Geography and Biology, and a Bachelor of Education Degree from Lakehead University in Thunder Bay. John has been a dedicated high school teacher in Orillia for over 22 years.
John has held a variety of leadership roles including coach, trainer, manager, and Minor Sports Executive Board member. His volunteer experience in Oro-Medonte has solidified John's belief in the importance of teamwork.
John believes recreation and service opportunities Oro-Medonte's beautiful farms, forests, and lakes provide are precious. He is committed to conserving these vital ecosystems and will engage with local residents and organizations to raise awareness and take steps toward the preservation and restoration of these environments.
John is excited to be representing Oro-Medonte in his role as Ward 2 Councillor. He encourages diversity, inclusion, and open mindedness in the community. John values the different perspectives of residents, and looks forward to listening to, and working with local residents to make Oro-Medonte an even better place to live; both now, and in the future.
New Board Members 2024
Bruce Barnes- Par View Property Services
Andrew Emmans- Emmans Law
Jeremy Nelles- StartSmartBusiness.com
Holly Osborne- Braestone Farm
Past Presidents
Matt Young- Webb & Young Realtor March 2023 - January 2024
Lynda Chan- Lynda Chan Photography Interim President January 2024-May 2024
John Crawford- Oro World's Fair March 2022- March 2023
Greg Groen-March 2014-March 2022
Co-Founders of The Chamber
Don Hanney
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Bruce Chappell
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Oro-Medonte Chamber of Commerce Executive Director and Board of Directors have completed training to comply with the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service Ontario Regulation 429-07
