Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology, Inc. (SWIFT), a municipal led broadband project initiated by the Western Ontario Warden’s Caucus (WOWC), announces the expansion of its Board of Directors as it appoints 13 new members, with 10 returning directors, to allow for an increased representation from both WOWC and SWIFT’s municipal capital partners.
SWIFT’s Board of Directors, originally governed by 15 members, is now comprised of 23 elected directors including appointments from all WOWC member municipalities (15), representatives from three of SWIFT’s municipal capital partners, namely Town of Caledon, the Region of Niagara, the Region of Waterloo, as well as five independent industry representatives.
“The newly expanded Board will enable greater dialogue and information sharing with increased representation from the project’s member counties and municipalities,” says Board Chair David Mayberry. “The experience and skill set our new members bring to the table are a strong asset to SWIFT and its Board.”
As majority stakeholders in the project, the enhanced Board now enables WOWC and SWIFT’s capital contributing municipal partners to take a more active role in governing the SWIFT initiative. The newly expanded Board will ensure increased political oversight, accountability and partner engagement at the regional level.
The SWIFT’s Board of Directors include:
David Mayberry (Councillor, Oxford County)- Chair
Mitch Twolan (Warden, Bruce County and WOWC Chair)- Vice Chair
MaryLynn West-Moynes (President, Georgian College)- Treasurer
Brent Royce (Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture)– Secretary
- Allan Thompson (Mayor, Town of Caledon)
- Bill Weber (Warden, Lambton County)
- Bob Campbell (CEO, Connecting Windsor Essex)
- Chief Denise Stonefish (Delaware Nation, Moravian of the Thames)
- Chris Gerrits (Councillor, Dufferin County)
- David Miller (Councillor, Brant County)
- Gary McNamara (Warden, Essex County)
- George Bridge (Councillor Wellington County)
- George Cornell (Warden, Simcoe County)
- Jamie McGrail (Councillor, Chatham-Kent)
- Joanne Vanderheyden (Councillor, Middlesex County)
- Robert Foster (Councillor, Niagara Region)
- Roger Watt (Councillor, Huron County)
- Selwyn Hicks (Warden, Grey County)
- Stephen Young (IT Manager, Thames Valley District School Board (Retired))
- Sue Foxton (Councillor, Region of Waterloo)
- Todd Kasenberg (Councillor, Perth County)
- Tom Marks (Councillor, Elgin County)
- Tom Masschaele (Councillor, Norfolk County)
About SWIFT
Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology Inc. (SWIFT) is a non-profit regional broadband project initiated by the Western Ontario Warden’s Caucus (WOWC) to subsidize the construction of an open-access, high-speed fibre optic broadband network in Southwestern Ontario, Caledon and the Niagara Region.
The project’s approach strives towards the overarching goals of narrowing the digital divide and making small-town Ontario more competitive in the information economy.
For more information about SWIFT, please contact:
Media Relations
Melissa O’Brien
Communications Manager
[email protected]
