(Southwestern Ontario) April 13, 2021 – Following the 2021 Annual General Meeting, Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology (SWIFT) is pleased to announce that the SWIFT Board of Directors elected current board member Gary McNamara as the new Board Chair. McNamara, the Warden of Essex County, will serve for a one-year term effective April 9, 2021. The board extends its sincere gratitude to outgoing Chair David Mayberry who will remain on the Board as a Director.
“I am grateful for this opportunity and am honoured to be stepping into this new role as Board Chair,” said Chair McNamara. “Today more than ever, access to high-speed internet is key to the economic success of Southwestern Ontario and plays a vital role in ensuring an inclusive society with equitable education, healthcare and social services. In a year like no other, SWIFT continues to deliver on it’s commitment to expand broadband service and I look forward to working closely with our board members and staff as we continue our efforts towards a more connected Southwestern Ontario.”
Newly elected board members also include:
- Kevin Marriott, Warden of Lambton County
- Peter Crockett, former SWIFT Board Liaison and recently retired Oxford County CAO
SWIFT would also like to thank Lambton County Councillor Bill Weber, whose term on the Board has ended, for his incredible commitment and dedicated service.
The SWIFT’s Board of Directors are as follows:
Gary McNamara, Warden, Essex County – Chair (newly elected)
George Cornell, Warden, Simcoe County and WOWC Chair – Vice Chair (re-appointed)
John Innis, Finance – Treasurer (re-appointed)
Peter Crockett, Municipal– Secretary (newly elected)
- Allan Thompson (Mayor, Town of Caledon)
- Brent Royce (Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture)
- Chief Denise Stonefish (Delaware Nation, Moravian of the Thames)
- Chris Gerrits (Councillor, Dufferin County)
- David Mayberry (Councillor, Oxford County)
- David Miller (Councillor, Brant County)
- George Bridge (Councillor, Wellington County)
- Jamie McGrail (Councillor, Chatham-Kent)
- Joanne Vanderheyden (Councillor, Middlesex County)
- Kevin Marriott (Warden, Lambton County)
- MaryLynn West-Moynes (President, Georgian College)
- Mitch Twolan (Councillor, Bruce County)
- Robert Foster (Councillor, Niagara Region)
- Roger Watt (Councillor, Huron County)
- Selwyn (Buck) Hicks (Warden, Grey County)
- Sue Foxton (Councillor, Region of Waterloo)
- Todd Kasenberg (Councillor, Perth County)
- Tom Marks (Warden, Elgin County)
- Tom Masschaele (Councillor, Norfolk County)
About SWIFT
Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology (SWIFT) is a non-profit regional broadband project initiated by the Western Ontario Wardens’ Caucus to subsidize the construction of high-speed broadband networks across Southwestern Ontario.
The project was approved for funding under the New Building Canada Fund – Small Communities Fund (NBCF-SCF), a joint federal and provincial infrastructure funding program, and leverages additional funding from municipal partners and private sector investors to improve access to broadband services across the region.
Media Contact:
Melissa O’Brien
[email protected]
Manager, Communications and Stakeholder Relations
Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology
226.256.1640
