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Mr. Bayer, Chairperson, brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and expertise in advancing economic development in our First Nation communities. Mr. Bayer specializes in Native Law, Civil Litigation, Natural Resources Law, Corporate and Commercial Law at Weaver Simmons, Northern Ontario's largest and most prominent fims where he is a Partner. He has also served as Director and President of the Wabuno Fish Farms, a company owned by the Ojibways of Aundeck Omni Kaning and served on the Serpent River Frist Nation Economic Development Corporation. In 1998, he served for five years as the Tribal Chairperson of the United Chiefs and Councils of Manitoulin where he was responsible for providing leadership on a wide range of economic, social and political issues. Mr. Bayer won a national award from Employment and Immigration Canada and a Premier's Award from Ontario in 1999 and the Cambrian College Alumni Award in 1999. Mr. Bayer holds a Three Year Diploma in Business Administration from Cambrian College, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Laurentian University, a Juris Doctor degree from the Faculty of Law at the University of Toronto, Introductory and Advanced Dispute Resolution Certificates from the University of Windsor and a Certificate in Mining Law from Osgoode Hall Law School's Professional Development Program.
He has served as the Chairman of the Waubetek Business Development Corporation since November 2007. |  | | |
Harry Jones represents the North Shore Tribal Council Region and recently retired from his position with Algoma Steel in Sault Ste. Marie where he was employed as an Electronic Technician for 30 years. Mr. Jones has also been a driving force on the Board of Directors of Batchewana Band Industries where he has served for more than 14 years as both President and Vice-President. His extensive Board experience includes involvement as a school trustee for Sault Ste. Marie, as a director on the Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce, and as a member of the First Nation Industrial Parks Association for Ontario. Mr. Jones joined the Waubetek Board in December 2000. |  | | |
Kathy Bebamash, Secretary-Treasurer, a member of Aundeck Omni Kaning, is currently employed as the Band Economic Development Officer for the Aundeck Omni Kaning First Nation. She has been responsible for several community initiatives including Wabuno Fisheries, the development of the Sucker Creek Economic Development Board and a community eco-tourism project. Ms. Bebamash was a member of the Waubetek Development Group which was the Community Futures Committee that established the corporate arm of Waubetek. She has been with the Board since June 2001. She is also the former Chair of The Great Spirit Circle Trail Inc. and previously served on the Obezhigojig Economic Developers Association Board of Directors. |  | | |
Lucy Francis is a member of the Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve and has served on the Waubetek Board for nearly nine (9) years. It was evident at the start of her involvement on the Board that because of her own extensive and varied work experience she is quite knowledgeable about many businesses and economic sectors. She knows about bulk purchasing, real estate, hospital services, as well as bank services. Lucy was a licenced realtor in Minnesota where she ran a First Time home buyer program. Lucy earned her Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Minnesota where she then enrolled in the pre-med program before deciding to take on work with the Ho-Chunk Nation in Wisconsin. There, she was involved in brokering major deals in property procurement and purchasing. She moved to her home community of Wikwemikong almost 10 years ago where she found her niche and passion as an Employment Counselor with Ontario Works. In her job, she builds working relationships with many businesses and organizations throughout the Sudbury and Manitoulin region to find jobs for community members. Lucy believes in community service and she also serves on the Board of Directors for the Great Spirit Circle Trail as well as the Rainbow Ridge Golf Course in Manitowaning. In serving on the Waubetek Board, Lucy is strong believer in the potentional of our people. |  | | |
Gerald McGregor having been raised to help oversee his family’s marina, retail store and boat taxi service business on the Whitefish River First Nation, Mr. McGregor has much expertise to lend the Waubetek Board which he joined in July 2005. He is also employed with his First Nation as a Maintenance Assistant. Mr. McGregor is also a veteran having served nine years in the Canadian military and was based in Europe and Canada. |  | | |
R. Nikki Manitowabi is currently the General Manager for the Sagamok Development Corporation. Prior to working in Sagamok she worked for 8 years as Chief Financial Officer for Wikwemikong and 7 years prior at the Union of Ontario Indians. She is a member of Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve. Her educational background includes an undergraduate degree in Commerce from Laurentian University and a post graduate degree in Business Administration from Athabasca University. She joined the Waubetek Board in 2011. |  | | |
Kevin Mossip one of the longest serving members on the Waubetek Board of Directors, Kevin Mossip has dedicated fourteen (14) years of service to help support Aboriginal entrepreneurs. Kevin is a member of the Zhiibaahaasing First Nation where he is a member of their Council and he is employed as their Economic Development Officer. Kevin has also worked previously with the Union of Ontario Indians on Self-Government research. |  | | |
Thomas Lambert represents the Northeast Region. Thomas is a Nipissing First Nation member and commenced working for his community in 2006 as the Economic Development Officer. Thomas joined the Waubetek Board in April 2011 and brings experience in human resource training and employment sector having worked for 18 years for HRDC/Service Canada in North Bay, Sturgeon Falls and Sudbury. Mr. Lambert also serves as a founding Director with the Ontario First Nations Economic Developers Association. |  | | |
Jessie Debassige has operated her family business for nearly 30 years on the M'Chigeeng First Nation. There, she runs a convenience store, gas bar and heavy equipment operation. She is also a avid volunteer for minor hockey. She joined the Waubetek Board in July 2011. | |
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