Board of Directors

Mr. Edgar Francis, Chair

 

The youngest Mayor in the history of the City of Windsor, Eddie Francis was first elected Mayor in November 2003. From bringing accountability and openness back to City Hall, to ensuring that Windsor and Canada had a major role in events like Super Bowl XL, and the Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix, as well as being the first Canadian city to host the prestigious Red Bull Air Race World Championship, Eddie Francis and Windsor City Council have achieved a record of ambitious accomplishments.

Under the Mayor's leadership, City Council commissioned a groundbreaking report which assessed and promoted the need for new inter-modal transportation systems and border crossings that are fully integrated with trade routes across North America and beyond. This report has helped generate debate regarding how to best move goods and people not only across the Detroit-Windsor border, but also across North America.

Before the people of Windsor made Eddie Francis their Mayor, he ran a very successful small family business with his brothers. He was awarded the Windsor Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Award as the Young Entrepreneur of the Year. Eddie graduated with a combined undergraduate degree in chemistry and biochemistry from the University of Western Ontario. He went on to graduate from the University of Windsor Law School and was called to the Bar in 2002. He is a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada. He completed his articles with international law firm, Miller Canfield Paddock and Stone.

Eddie Francis is married to Dr. Michelle Prince, a Doctor of Chiropractic who has a family wellness practice in Windsor. They have two children, daughter Sienna and son Phoenix, and they reside in South Windsor.

 

Mr. Renato Discenza

 

Mr. Discenza is the Senior Vice President of Enterprise Sales for Bell Canada. He possesses a deep understanding of large scale projects and long-term investment strategies and brings a strong mix of both private and public sector knowledge. In addition, he has extensive experience in community and governance activities, including as a Board Member of the Greater Toronto Transit Authority (now Metrolinx), The Change Foundation, Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Corporation, and the Ontario Chamber of Commerce. As the Chief Executive Sponsor for Bell Canada in Ontario, Mr. Discenza is responsible for all stakeholder relations including government, business and community organizations.

 

Mr. Robert Payne

 

Mr. Payne has almost 20 years experience in the international air transportation industry with Fraport AG, the publicly-traded Frankfurt Airport company and one of the leading players in the global airport management industry. Frankfurt Airport ranks among the top 10 airports in the world for both passenger and cargo traffic. Fraport is a pioneer of intermodal concepts (especially air/rail connections) and airport city and sustainablity concepts. He serves as international spokesman and Senior Manager of International Press and Public Relations for Fraport AG. His activities range from corporate media relations and corporate copy writing, to public relations, strategic communications, marketing communications and support, international projects, and strategic development. His work experience outside the aviation industry covers broadcasting as well as high-tech market research and consulting. He brings to YQG strong business knowledge of aviation, Canadian and international gateway initiatives and trends, science and technology, green developments and sustainability, as well as other social and business trends affecting travel and toursim, transportation and logistics, and the European, North Ameican and global marketplaces. He has been widely published in a wide range of international airport, cargo, transportation, travel, and other publications, including in Japan and China.

 

Ms. Deborah Dent

 

Ms. Dent is the Director of Compliance and Customs and National Customs Manager for Panalpina, one of the world's leading providers of forwarding and logistics services, specializing in intercontinental air freight and ocean freight shipments and associated supply chain management solutions. Reporting directly to the Managing Director of Panalpina Canada, she brings over 31 years of experience in customs brokerage, transportation and logistic business and is active in the community serving on the Board of Directors of The Windsor Transportation Club and member of several customs and transportation associations and committees. Over the years, Ms. Dent served on the Board of Directors of the Association of International Border Agencies (AIBA) and President of the local chapter.

 

Mr. Jack Fraser

 

Jack Fraser currently serves as the Group Chief Operating Officer and Financial Director for Travelzest plc, a dynamic travel group, with strong brands in the most attractive, rapidly growing sectors of the travel market. Prior to this, Jack was Chief Financial Officer and Head of Corporate Development for itravel2000. Jack is responsible for spearheading the restructuring of Travelzest online and offline capabilities, corporate governance and reporting, corporate development activities, and the development of the overall strategic direction of the Travelzest Group. Prior to joining Travelzest, Jack developed a cross functional expertise between corporate finance and operational management. Jack enjoyed a 10 year career in the financial markets with RBC Financial Group and BMO Financial Group primarily in the mid-market corporate finance space. He also spent 5 years with two early stage internet startups, first with Activate/CMGi/Loudeye (acquired by Nokia Corp.) located out of Seattle, WA, and then with Fastvibe (acquired by Telus Corp.) located out of Toronto, Canada. Jack also advises various early stage media and technology startups, and sits on the Board of Directors for the Windsor International Airport

 

Mr. Ronald Holden

 

Mr. Holden is the former President and member of the Board of Directors of the Canadian Historical Aircraft Association and Chief Flying Instructor at the Windsor Flying Club, an airport stakeholder. He has over 20,000 hours of flying experience, having also served with the Canadian Forces and retired in 1982 with the rank of LCol. He is a qualified accident investigator and served as Deputy Director Flight Safety for the Canadian Forces. In his career, Mr. Holden was responsible for all air operations and airfield maintenance as the Base Operations Officer CFB Summerside in PEI.

 

Mr. Bill Robertson

 

Mr. Robertson brings a wealth of senior management experience from Nav Canada , Transport Canada and the Military. He recently retired with over 35 years in air traffic control as the former Manager of Windsor and London Control Towers, Waterloo Control Tower, Yellowknife Control Tower and Flight Information Services. He also managed Norman Wells FSS while in Yellowknife. In the past, as Manager of the operational units, Mr. Robertson has worked extensively with Transport Canada at both the Provincial and Federal levels as well as the United States FAA to ensure the safe and efficient operational air service environment.

 

Mr. Drew Dilkens

 

Councillor Drew Dilkens is a lifelong Ward 1 resident. He has a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Windsor and a Master of Business Administration from Wayne State University. Drew is currently completing his Doctorate of Business Administration and holds the professional designation of a Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP), along with training certificates from the Canadian Foreign Service Institute, Canadian Securities Institute and Federal Bureau of Investigations in the United States.
Councillor Dilkens has an extensive history of community involvement in Windsor. He has spent 15 years with the Windsor Police Auxiliary where he holds a Staff Sergeant designation and is currently a Board Member for the Canadian Manufacturing Hall of Fame. He is also a member of the Windsor Roseland Rotary Club and an annual Area Captain in the Windsor Goodfellows Paper drive. Drew has served as Past President to both the Windsor and Essex County Crime Stoppers and Windsor Road Watch program. Councillor Dilkens is also a past Executive Board Member of the Windsor Regional Hospital, a Past Vice President of the Windsor Jaycees and former Chair of the Windsor Red Cross Emergency Services Unit.
Drew is married to Jane Deneau and has two young children.

 

Mr. Ken Lewenza Jr.

 

Councillor Ken Lewenza has been a Daimler Chrysler employee for 12 years and is currently a Workplace Trainer in a joint program of the Canadian Auto Workers Union and Daimler Chrysler Canada Inc. Councillor Lewenza is also Chairperson of the CAW Education Committee and a member of the Executive Board, CAW Local 444. He has taught a Labour Studies Certificate program, a joint program of the Canadian Auto Workers Union and McMaster University. Lewenza is the publisher of an alternative newspaper called The Scoop (circulation 20,000 per month) and is involved in many social justice issues in the community. He also volunteers with Big Brothers of Windsor and Essex County, and the United Way of Windsor-Essex County.

Councillor Lewenza draws on his substantial experience in labour, social justice activism and journalism to ensure that government becomes more transparent, open and inclusive. He is determined to be a strong voice on City Council, keeping residents informed and fighting on their behalf. His aim is to build a just, healthy community and a vibrant, prosperous future for our children.

Ken Lewenza believes communities are not built by politicians but by the voices and actions of all concerned citizens.

 

Mr. Mike Raymond

 

Mr. Raymond is the former Warden of Essex County and former Chairperson of the Western Ontario Warden's Caucus. He has held various political positions inside the Town of LaSalle including Councilor, Deputy Reeve and Mayor. Mr. Raymond's public service includes serving on every committee of the Town of LaSalle and the County of Essex, as well as acting as Chair of the LaSalle Utilities Commission and the LaSalle Police Service Board.

 

Mr. Raymond is a retiree from Chrysler Canada and has held numerous positions within the CAW including National Health and Safety Coordinator for both Chrysler and Casino Windsor and being a member of the CAW Master Bargaining Committee. He was also co-chair of the National Health and Safety Joint Committee, the National Joint Environmental Committee and the National Joint Training Committee.

 

Mr. Raymond has served as a Board member with Essex Power, the Essex County Roman Catholic Children's Aid Society, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and the Windsor Essex Development Commission.

Officers

Ms. Federica Nazzani, President and CEO

Executive Management Team

Ms. Federica Nazzani, President and CEO

Mr. Phil Roberts, Director of Operations

Mr. Al Bradshaw, Director of Safety and Security

Mr. Jim McCormack, Director of Finance
 

Board Administrator

Ms. Jennifer White

Auditors

KPMG, LLP