John Birdgeneau, Calgary, Alberta John Birdgeneau is the retired vice President of Technology at Nexen Energy ULC. John s 35-year career in the energy industry included a progression of technical and leadership responsibilities involving strategy, capital budgets, operations and new technologies with Imperial Oil, Numac Energy and Nexen Energy. On an industry scale, he was a member of the Shareholders Steering Committee, Strategy and Governance Sub Committees for COSIA, a collaborative technical innovation alliance. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Geology from McMaster University and is a member of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta. Originally from St Catharines Ontario, he has lived in Calgary since 1979 and enjoys skiing, hiking and travelling the world. John and his wife have been members of the Opimian Society since 2009. Lois-Anne Brebner, Almonte, Ontario Lois-Anne Brebner and her husband, Lee, are past Area Representatives for Halton/Niagara. A director since 2009, Lois- Anne is President of Opimian and a former Trustee of The Opimian Vineyard Trust. Lois-Anne spent over 20 years in senior management positions in the telecommunications industry. Upon retirement from her position as Assistant Vice- President, Government Relations, Bell Canada, Lois-Anne launched a successful management consulting business specializing in government relations, marketing communications, and strategic planning. She has extensive experience on not-for-profit boards, including: appointed by the Minister of Education to the Ontario Parents Council; Director of the Agricultural Leadership Trust of the University of Guelph/OMAFRA; Chair of the Eastern Ontario Selection Committee, Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program; Director of RBC Festival of Classics; Director of Public Affairs Association of Canada. Lois-Anne has completed the requirements for the Advanced Certificate in Board Governance from the OHA Governance Centre of Excellence as well as the Leadership Certificate for Hospital Board Chairs. Lois-Anne is a past Chair of the Carleton Place and District Memorial Hospital.
David Conway, St-John s, Newfoundland David Conway is a lawyer and wine enthusiast from St. John s, NL. He and his wife Courtney served as Area Representatives for over seven years, during which time they were married and started a family. David is currently the chair of the NL Labour Relations Board. Prior to this, he practised in the fields of labour law and administrative law. David graduated from McGill University (B.A., Economics) and the University of New Brunswick (LL.B.), before being called to the Ontario Bar and the NL Bar. David has appeared at all levels of court, including the Supreme Court of Canada. He has presented educational seminars to various groups throughout Canada, is an instructor in the NL Bar Admission Course, and has instructed at Memorial University of Newfoundland. David has significant experience in working with not-for-profit organizations and he has served on various boards. David and his wife Courtney both share a love of wine, dining, travel and being parents to their two wonderful daughters. Carol Fitzwilliam, Montreal, Quebec Carol A. Fitzwilliam is the retired founder of Fitzwilliam Legal Recruitment and Fitzwilliam Third Sector Recruitment, two Canadian executive search firms dedicated to the legal profession and not-for-profit sector, respectively. She has served as a director of several non-profit organizations, including the International Women s Forum, YWCA Canada, YWCA de Montréal and Centennial Academy. She is currently Chair of the Governance Committee of the Board of Directors of the Société du Palais des congrès de Montréal, a provincial crown corporation and Chair of the Board of Directors of Masters Swimming Canada. Ms. Fitzwilliam holds an undergraduate degree in English and French literature from Sir George Williams University and a law degree from Université de Montréal. She is a retired member of the Quebec Bar, a certified director (ICD.D) and a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors.
Terrence Hutchinson, Saint-John, New Brunswick Terrence Hutchinson, Q.C. is a native of Saint John, New Brunswick and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree (Economics) from Carleton University and a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of New Brunswick. Terry was called to the New Brunswick Bar in 1978 and received his Queen s Counsel designation in December 2000. Terry s 25-year practice of law has primarily focused on corporate and commercial law, representing local, provincial, national and international clients in matters including among others, financing, mergers and acquisitions, private equity financing, start-ups, reorganizations, regulatory matters, succession planning, and general legal advice to SME owners and management. Terry frequently advises businesses with respect to governance and board of director issues. Terry is actively involved in community, national and international associations and serves as a Director of Destination Marketing Organization (Saint John Tourism), Director and Vice-President, Turnbull Nursing Home, Director and Past President, Fernhill Cemetery Company. Twyla Laakso, Calgary, Alberta Twyla Laakso is a marketing and communications professional who believes that many challenges can be solved through the use of clear, effective strategic communications. So much so, in fact, that she has spent more than three decades doing just that for some of Canada s most well-known companies and brands. She served in senior roles at some of Canada s most wellregarded advertising agencies before establishing her own business nearly 10 years ago. Twyla believes that serving as a Director with Opimian will allow her to unite her professional experience with her personal passions for great wines and gourmet cookery and she looks forward to making a meaning contribution to the Society.
Neil McClughan, Regina, Saskatchewan Neil and his wife, Ellen, joined Opimian in 1995 and were immediately hooked with Opimian, attending events and ordering wines, eventually becoming Area Representatives for 5 years and establishing renewed interest in local events and growth in membership. Neil is currently President and CEO of a small network technology company connecting research and education institutions to Canada s national research and education network and is also a partner in a management consulting company. Recognized for delivering results and in creating highperforming teams, Neil has extensive senior management and leadership experience encompassing business alignment, organizational effectiveness, business transformation, innovation, customer focus, stakeholder engagement, and partnerships. His experience is garnered from his current role as CEO and over 5 years in the management consulting industry as well as 31 years in the telecom industry leading complex international, national, and provincial teams and programs. On a more personal note, Neil and his wife Ellen both have a passion for wine and food, regularly enjoy entertaining, and Neil has achieved the 2nd level Sommelier certificate from the International Sommelier Guild. Paul Reimer, Calgary, Alberta Paul Reimer has been a member of Opimian since 2004 and joined the Opimian board in 2012. He has been the Board s Vice President since 2014 and currently chairs the Governance and Nominations Committees. Paul retired from a 35-year career in the oil and gas industry in 2014. Prior to retirement Paul was Senior Vice-President of Marketing, Transportation & Power at Cenovus Energy Inc. During his career he held board positions in numerous Canadian and International companies and partnerships. Paul received a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from University of Waterloo in 1981 and a Master of Business Administration degree from University of Calgary in 1997. He is a life member of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta. In addition to being wine enthusiasts, he and his wife Brenda enjoy travelling, golf, cycling, and x-country skiing.
Stan Thompson, Whitehorse, Yukon Stan Thompson earned a CPA/CA designation in Ontario with Thorne Riddell, a predecessor of KPMG, and has been an Opimian member for more than 30 years. His 35+ year work experience was primarily with Consumer Packaged Goods and Resource companies in Canada. He is currently CFO & VP Corporate Services in Whitehorse, Yukon for Northwestel, a telecommunications company serving Canada s three northern territories including northern BC and Alberta. Stan has also held positions as President of a Consumer Health products company and CFO in Consumer Products and Pulp and Paper companies in Ontario and BC. Stan has served as a Board Member and Chair of the not-for-profit Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce. He has also served as a Board member of commercial businesses and trade associations. Stan s experience spans operating branded products businesses, acquisitions, employee buyouts and developing and executing turn around plans for struggling businesses. Barry Wilson, Nepean, Ontario Barry Wilson is a Chartered Professional Accountant and Chartered Accountant with almost 30 years of senior finance and operations experience in both the private sector and the not-for-profit sector. He is an alumnus of Coopers & Lybrand Chartered Accountants (now PricewaterhouseCoopers) where he practised insolvency in his final five years with the firm. Barry has extensive experience in the areas of corporate governance, finance and treasury, risk management and business operations. He has held Chief Financial Officer and Vice President, Finance and Administration positions in various private sector companies in the technology, printing, media and industrial sectors, as well as in not-for-profit sector companies, both government-funded and non-government funded. As a consultant, Barry has also assisted start-up companies to get off the ground by putting in place solid systems of financial control and key financial performance reporting. His experience with building budget and forecasting models, and raising both debt and equity financing, helped them to grow sales to eventually become acquisition targets. Barry has been a member of Opimian since 2008.