About Us

Our Board and Volunteers

BOARD

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Officers:

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Judith Decou, President - Judy is a sessional instructor at the Odette School of Business at the University of Windsor. She has owned property in Chatham-Kent for many years and moved here permanently several years ago. She has an MBA and PhD and brings her strengths in Digital Marketing, Management and Information Systems to OVCLT. She has previously served on non-profit boards and in organizational leadership.

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Marcie Ellis, Secretary - Marcie Ellis is a graduate of Wayne State University with a Bachelor of Science in Education. Throughout her career she has worked in varying environmental science industries. Her roles within these industries have been focused in data and finance. Her passion for involvement in the community, has seen her volunteer with local hockey and special needs organizations. Her involvement with OVCLT reflects her desire that home ownership should have an affordable solution for all, and not a select few.

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Barbara DoForno, Treasurer - A lifelong resident of Chatham, Barbara has worked in all three sectors of the community –business, government and charitable/nonprofit. She has served as a retail store manager, as a Race Relations Policy Co-Ordinator for the Chatham-Kent Police Services and as a nonprofit staff member with United Way and the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Barbara brings expertise in real estate and budgeting to our small home initiative. She has also demonstrated a passion for social justice and the environment in all of her work and volunteer positions and is committed to helping make Chatham-Kent an even more inclusive community.

Directors: 

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David Morrison - David Morrison has spent over 25 years as a Program Manager leading major projects for automotive manufacturers in Canada the US and Mexico. In addition to serving on the OVCLT board he has focused on assisting children in need locally and internationally. As a foster parent David and his wife Tracy provided a safe and nurturing environment for many at risk youth in Chatham-Kent over the last 10 years. In addition, he held board positions with RISE House International (formerly Hime for Help) in Haiti and served as President of the Canadian Relief Fund for Chernobyl Victims in Belarus (CRFCVB). David was born in Chatham, raised in Wallaceburg and resides in the area with his family.

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Dave Cullen - Dave moved to Chatham in 1999 for work, knowing nothing about the community beyond the Wheels Inn. Through the years, Dave cofounded the Young Professionals of Chatham-Kent and the Ground Floor. He also spent time on the Community Strategic Planning Commitee. Now a not-so-young professional, Dave is still proud to call Chatham-Kent home while recently re-entering the consulting world, Dave pairs his passion for the community  with an interest in net-zero  building to OVCLT, hoping to innovate in ways that can be used in future both locally and abroad. 

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VOLUNTEERS

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In addition, we thank the following volunteers, who have contributed specific expertise since OVCLT’s inception, as key players with this initiative:

• Rose Linseman: Project manager (Intern Architect) 

• Ron Male: Construction manager (Design Build/Estimator) 

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• Brad Campbell: Founding Director

• Gabriel Clarke: Environmental assistance

• John Clark: Legal assistance

• Shawn Douglas: Environmental assistance

• Gary Eagleson: Landscaping

• Terence Johnson: Social enterprise investor

• Karen Kirkwood-Whyte: Clerical assistance

• Michael Lowther: Financial assistance

• Christine Muckle: Financial assistance

• Steve Pratt: Founding President

• Jon Quaglia: Legal assistance

• Dava Robichaud: Fundraising and special events

• James Snyder: Community development/government relations

• Andrew Tompsett: Marketing and communications

• Gary Zock: Business plan development and life lease consultant

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     Currently active volunteers​