Tom Fuerth, Chair

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Tom Fuerth is a retired Electrical Engineer and sessional instructor at the University of Windsor. Tom also has dedicated over 20 years to public service, first as a Councillor/Deputy Reeve/Deputy Mayor for Sandwich South, then as a Councillor in the Town of Tecumseh. He has chaired many organizations, including the Library Board, Community Health Committee, Police Service Selection Committee, Fire, Planning and Personnel Committees, and the Public Relations Committee for Hotel-Dieu Grace Hospital. Tom also served as Chair of the Essex Region Conservation Authority, and is currently a Director for the Ontario Great Lakes Renewal Foundation and a member of the Tecumseh Police Service Board. This strong background in public service and leadership combined with his experience in developing consensus and team building are strong assets that Mr. Fuerth brings to the Source Protection Committee.

Charles McLean

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BIO Coming Soon!

Thom Hunt, MCIP, RPP

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With over 20 years of professional planning and public policy experience, this city planner's expertise will certainly benefit the Source Protection Committee. Thom is a past Conservation Planner with the regional Conservation Authority, and the former Manager of Project Green — a Sustainable Green Community Initiative of the Province. Thom is currently the Manager of Planning Policy for the Planning Department at the City of Windsor. "I am dedicated to the protection of safe drinking water for all residents, and am looking forward to the work we do resulting in major water quality improvements for the region," he says.

Gord Queen

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Councillor Gord Queen is retired from Hydro One with experience in Distribution, Transmission, Supply Planning, and Customer Service. Gord also served as a School Trustee with the Essex County Board then the Greater Essex County District School Board prior to assuming his role as a Councillor for the Town of Kingsville. A member of the Union Water System Board, he appreciates the need for quality water for this and future generations to enjoy. "The Committee has an important role that impacts on present and future generations," he says. "I see the need for good planning and water as an asset that we have the opportunity preserve, and encourage others to do the same."

Mario Sonego, P.Eng

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Mario Sonego, P.Eng.: Mario is currently the Chief Building Official/City Engineer, and during his career, has had a wide range of experiences that will benefit the Source Protection Planning process. He has participated in all aspects of municipal servicing and services, has been a Development Engineer and has years of experience in approving development proposals. "I am honoured to be appointed to such a committee," he says. "I plan to work toward bringing attention to the issue of protecting drinking water at its source and promoting its importance to the public."

Lou Zarlenga, P.Eng

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As the Manager of Public Services for the Town of Amherstburg, Lou wants to ensure that the Town of Amherstburg and indeed, the entire region, can continue to enjoy clean, safe water for the future. His previous experiences include heavy construction, the project engineer for roads, storm and sanitary sewers, water main works and as a drainage specialist. "I am very glad to lend a hand and my experience to this project," he says. "I expect that my background in municipal land drainage and construction will prove helpful in protecting our drinking water sources."

John Barnett

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A sheep and cattle farmer from Kingsville, John has served as the Past President of the Essex Christian Farmers, Past Vice President District One Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency, and is a 4H Leader. He is also a support of the Friends of Wigle Creek, is a member of ERCA's Agricultural Liaison Committee and a proponent of establishing a local food network. With all this experience at hand, it's no wonder that John was chosen by the agricultural community to be one of their two representatives. "I am very excited about being involved in protecting one of our most vital resources: clean water," he says. "My father predicted many years ago that in my lifetime, we'd be heavily involved in water related issues. I am hoping to actively promote what's best for society as a whole while remembering how important water is to productive, sustainable rural agriculture."

Hans Peter Pfeifer

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A viticulturist from Harrow, Peter studied Viticulture and Enology in Germany, and has been actively involved in grapegrowing and agriculture for nearly 30 years. He is looking forward to being involved in the process to protect drinking water at its source. "I want to ensure that our water remains a high quality renewable resource."

Larry Verbeke

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Operating a third generation family farm producing vegetable crops, Larry Verbeke of Leamington is one of two agricultural representatives on the Committee. As past chair of the Fresh Vegetable Growers of Ontario, the Essex County Associated Growers, and the Essex County Farm Safety Association, as well as a current member of the Essex County Federation of Agriculture, Larry is well positioned to represent this sector. "I am pleased to be part of this long overdue program," he says. "Agriculture is a driving force of this county, and we produce one of the world's safest food supplies. We should also have the safest water. I want to help my fellow farmers promote and implement safe water use. It's up to all of us to protect what we need the most: water."

Jim Vincent

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Jim, Canadian Salt's mine manager, has more than 20 years of industrial and mining experience. In addition to being a Chemical Engineer, he is also currently completing is MBA at the University of Windsor. He is currently a Board member with Mirarco, the Mines and Aggregates Safety & Health Association and the Ontario Mining Association. Of his appointment to the Source Protection Committee, he says: "I am looking forward to the opportunity to contribute to the protection of our region's drinking water sources, to fulfilling the committee's mandate, and having the process move forward."

David Watsa

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David Watsa of Colchester has a broad range of relevant experiences from which to draw. As a consultant for the aggregate industry, his line of work involves the recycling of broken concrete. He is also President of the East-West Tractors Inc., Past President of Southwest Tractors Inc., Past President of Kingsville Golf and Country Club, and the current Chair of the Colchester Harbour Steering Committee. "I'm thrilled to be part of the committee and to share my vast range of experience," he says. "My greatest hope for the committee is that we will provide a plan that protects our drinking water resources without having a negative effect on businesses or consumers."

Robert Auger

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A lawyer who resides in LaSalle, Rob has been in private practice since 2001 and specializes in Real Estate, Municipal and Corporate law. As past president of the Amherstburg Rotary Club, Rob also has a strong sense of community volunteerism. He is extremely pleased to be provided with the opportunity to contribute to such an important initiative. "I hope to enhance my understanding of water protection and conservation issues, and to have the opportunity to help create greater public awareness about the issues," he says.

Tim Mousseau

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Tim was recently employed as a Senior Project Manager for Stantec Consulting Ltd. in Windsor. Formerly, he was the Director of Public Works for the Town of Lakeshore. In that capacity he was responsible for the administration of all road, water and wastewater operations for a municipality with a population of 30,000. The Town of Lakeshore owns and operates two water treatment plants, a pollution control plant and two sewage lagoon systems. The road network consists of approximately 600 kilometers of roads and related bridge and railway crossing infrastructure. Tim was also Administrator Clerk Treasurer of the former Town of Belle River, as well as Manager Secretary Treasurer of the Belle River Hydro Electric Commission and the Lakeshore Hydro Electric Commission prior to amalgamation in 1999.

Prior to his over twenty years of municipal experience, Tim was self-employed as a drainage Contractor for 9 years and completed several small drainage, watermain and sewer repair projects in Essex County.

Andrew Pula

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Over the past decade, Andrew participated in the Massassauga Provincial Park Water Quality Study, the Detroit Heritage River Project, and worked on Environmental and Geotechnical Engineering projects with Golder Associates before becoming an environmental geography secondary school teacher. He is very pleased to be part of the Source Protection Committee and looks forward to working with such a diverse group on this project. "I hope to provide a significant contribution to the overall process," he says. "I also hope that the work accomplished over the next five years will make a difference for the residents of this area."

Ashley Stevenson

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Having earned her Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science with an emphasis in biology from Dalhousie University, Ashley is looking forward to working with the committee to positively impact the environment and protect the drinking water sources in our region. As a resident of Wheatley, Ashley has gained field experience at the Harrow Research Station through summer employment. "I hope to be able to bring new insight to the committee and to encourage others in the community to become involved in this initiative," she says. "We all have to do our part when it comes to conservation and protection."

John Stuart, P.Eng.

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In addition to being a Chemical Engineer and the Director of Water Production for the Windsor Utilities Commission, John is also a rural landowner who has experience as a site engineer for several rural-based agri-food industries. His background also includes serving as the site manager for three of Ontario's largest water production facilities. "I am extremely honoured to be part of the committee, given the selection process and quality of the candidates that have chosen to be part of this important initiative," he says. "I hope that I can act as an information bridge to the community as a whole in order to convey the technical analysis required to identify intake protection zones and vulnerable areas, the by-laws that will be required to protect these areas, and the impact that this process will have on the community."