Lakehead University’s PACED Simcoe to Foster County’s Economic Development

Thursday, February 13, 2014 ­­— Orillia, ON

In the interest of further contributing to the economic growth and development of Orillia and Simcoe County, Lakehead University President & Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Brian Stevenson, today announced the establishment of the President’s Advisory Council on Economic Development for Simcoe County, or PACED Simcoe. This new council is comprised of regional industry and business leaders.

“PACED’s purpose is to advise me on how Lakehead University can fulfil an even more integral role in the economic development of the City of Orillia and Simcoe County,” explained Dr. Stevenson, who will serve as Chair of the new council. “Council members will help me determine where our University can best contribute to Orillia and Simcoe County, and how to measure that success.”

PACED members were selected based on individual skill sets, and include representatives from the City’s and region’s municipal, business, and the Aboriginal communities. Here are PACED Simcoe’s initial members:

  • Donna Hewitt — Director, Corporate & Strategic Initiatives, Township of Oro-Medonte
  • Robert Lamb — CAO, Township of Tay
  • Dan Landry — Economic Development Manager, City of Orillia
  • Will McGarvey — President, Shadowbox Learning Services
  • Rex Meadley — President and Chief Engineer, C.C. Tatham & Associates Ltd.
  • Elisabeth Riley — President & CEO, Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital
  • Dave Ritchie — Councillor, Township of Tay
  • Kevin Wassegijig — Director, Continuous Improvement, Casino Rama
  • Dr. Kim Fedderson — Dean & Vice-Provost (Orillia Campus), Lakehead University
  • Frank Cappadocia — Associate Vice-Provost (Orillia Campus), Lakehead University

Will McGarvey, the recipient of Lakehead University’s 2013 Civitas Award, said, “I look forward to seeing how our group’s recommendations and counsel will help Lakehead University and its president have an even greater impact on the economic prosperity of Orillia and Simcoe County for years to come.”

President Stevenson recently created PACED Northwest to guide Lakehead University’s economic development activities in that region of the province, as well.

 PACED Orillia - Feb 2014

PACED Simcoe’s initial members (Front Row, l to r): Kevin Wassegijig, Director, Continuous Improvement, Casino Rama; Dr. Brian Stevenson, President & Vice-Chancellor, Lakehead University; Elisabeth Riley, President & CEO, Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital; Dr. Kim Fedderson, Dean & Vice-Provost (Orillia Campus), Lakehead University; Dr. Kim Fedderson, Dean & Vice-Provost (Orillia Campus), Lakehead University; (Back Row, l to r: Frank Cappadocia, Associate Vice-Provost (Orillia Campus), Lakehead University; Rex Meadley, President and Chief Engineer, C.C. Tatham & Associates Ltd.; Will McGarvey, President, Shadowbox Learning Services; Donna Hewitt, Director, Corporate & Strategic Initiatives, Township of Oro-Medonte; and Robert Lamb, CAO, Township of Tay.  Missing from photo: Dan Landry, Economic Development Manager, City of Orillia; and Dave Ritchie, Councillor, Township of Tay.

 

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Media: For more information, please contact Communications Officer, Kathy Hunt, at (705) 330-4008 (ext. 2014), or kjhunt3@lakeheadu.ca.

In 2015, Lakehead University will celebrate 50 years of exceptional education. Guided by a new Strategic Plan (2013-2018), our University is known for providing an education focused on independent thinking, unconventional scholarship, and a close sense of community. About 9,700 students and 2,000 faculty and staff learn and work in ten faculties at two campuses, in Orillia and Thunder Bay, Ontario. Home to Ontario’s first new Faculty of Law in 44 years (Fall 2013) and the Northern Ontario School of Medicine's West Campus, Lakehead is among Canada’s Top 10 undergraduate universities (2014 Maclean’s University Rankings), as well as 1st in Ontario and 2nd in Canada for its innovative research (Re$earch Infosource). Our Orillia campus is the first in North America to be built entirely to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) standards. Share your Lakehead story as it relates to our Strategic Plan at www.lakeheadu.ca/presidents-office/nurturing-passion, and learn more about Lakehead at www.lakeheadu.ca.