Board of Directors
The Marsh Street Community Centre is dedicated to the enrichment of the community's cultural life by providing space suitable for a wide variety of gatherings for people of all ages and backgrounds
Erna obtained her Architect Technician diploma in 1964 and worked as an architect until 1973. In 1975, she married her husband, who owned a CA and CPA company. She furthered her education by earning a diploma as an accountant technician in 1976. Erna is the proud mother of Max, who is currently 46 years old. She previously owned a restaurant in downtown Munich with a seating capacity of 130. In 1980, Erna and her husband purchased a 620-acre farm in New Liskeard and subsequently became Canadian citizens. They established a successful tourist and horse center, where Erna served as Secretary and Treasurer. Her passion for horses led her to pursue education in the sheep industry and Horse Farrier at the College of Agricultural Technology. Erna also held roles as Secretary and Treasurer for a German/Canadian real estate company and the local horse club. Throughout her career, Erna excelled as a barrel racer, training horses and mentoring students. Following retirement and the sale of their farm, Erna and her husband relocated to Thornbury in 2020, where they purchased a property at Thornbury Meadows. They thoroughly enjoy their new home, and Erna eagerly anticipates new experiences. Erna holds a strong affinity for Clarksburg and the Marsh Street Centre and is enthusiastic about volunteering her time and skills there.
Florian Lenders,
Vice President
florian.lenders@marshstreetcentre.com
Florian has been a supporting member of the Marsh Street Community Centre and its evolution since 2013. As a three-time Director and past President (2016-2018), Florian was instrumental in the introduction of the concert fundraising program, the development of Marsh Street Rocks and as a project manager and volunteer on several projects to revitalize the Centre. Florian started his career as a Marine Engineer in the Canadian Navy and then as a certified Power Engineer for large commercial real estate development companies in Calgary. Over the course of his career, Florian went on to develop several successful consulting and training companies and has served on senior management teams at large industrial software companies. As an entrepreneur and business owner, Florian brings many years of sales, marketing, project and people management to the MSC. Currently retired, Florian lives full-time in Meaford and part-time in Calgary with his partner Jessica. They both enjoy hiking, skiing, cycling, camping and travel and are active with family and friends in the communities around Georgian Bay. Giving back to the community and supporting local artists and musicians is a fundamental part of their lives.
Deborah Neilson,
Treasurer
deb.neilson@marshstreetcentre.com
Deborah Neilson dropped out of art at the University of Alberta on the last day a tuition refund was available in order to take up a more lucrative calling as a ski lift operator. After testing out potential careers as a Jasper ski bum, an outfitter’s cook, a bartender and printshop artist, Deborah ended up practicing law for 20 years. She joined Tribunals Ontario in 2016 as an adjudicator and retired in 2024 at which time she started volunteering at Marsh Street Centre. Deborah now gets distracted by doing various crafts as a form of procrastination from engaging in oil and watercolour painting.
Frank Duyvelshoff,
Director
frank.duyvelshoff@marshstreetcentre.com
Frank Duyvelshoff joined the board of The Marsh Street Centre in 2024. Frank became a fulltime resident of Clarksburg in 2021, moving here from Oakville. Having retired from the corporate world, he now spends his time keeping active with golfing, travel and exercising, and does acrylic painting on canvas in his spare time. Frank focuses on marketing and fundraising for the Marsh Centre. He’s always looking for creative ideas for the Marsh Centre. Reach out to him if you’ve got an idea you’d like to explore.
Bonnie DelBianco,
Director
bonnie.delbianco@marshstreetcentre.com
After many years of living in Toronto and visiting The Town of Blue Mountains regularly, Bonnie and her family now call Clarksburg home. Bonnie worked in the Corporate Events field producing business meetings and conferences for the past 30 years. She now enjoys semi-retirement and spending more time with family & friends, yoga, skiing, volunteering at the Marsh Centre and taking advantage of all the area has to offer.
Graham has spent the last 30 years in and around Grey County and Georgian Bay. A career in technology brought him to Canada from the UK in 1992. He has served a global client base as Executive and consultant. Now based out of Meaford, Graham enjoys all that the area has to offer, particularly hiking, skiing, sailing, golf and fly fishing. He is discovering the local music and theatre scene and is excited to contribute to the community.
Tom Kennedy,
Advisor & Lifetime Member
tom.kennedy@marshstreetcentre.com
Tom retired from his position as a project, customer service, and resource control manager to assume an active role in the ongoing operations of Marsh Street Centre. Father of two and grandfather of six, Tom loves to work with wood, metal and people. He is an active member of the Beaver Valley Lion's Club, the Royal Canadian Legion and is a team builder/supporter of the Marsh Street Centre. Tom was re-elected to the Marsh Street board for the fiscal year 2015-16 and has been involved in coordinating the completion of the kitchen renovations and the addition of the patio. As well he has filled the role of operations manager for the Centre and heading up the administration side of the operations committee. Tom stepped down from the Marsh Street Board in November 2017 but will continue to provide his assistance as an Advisor to the Marsh.
Tim Bristow,
Director
Bio Coming Soon
Advisors
The Marsh Street Community Centre is dedicated to the enrichment of the community's cultural life by providing space suitable for a wide variety of gatherings for people of all ages and backgrounds
Robert Brown,
Past President
Robert and his wife Laura have lived in Thornbury since 1997. His earlier experience was in insurance, packaging, and lighting — but his interest in art and music led him back to college to study Visual and Creative Arts and Design at Niagara College. After graduating, he worked as a designer and marketing representative for a magazine in Windsor ON. He later moved to Thornbury, where he opened a sign company in 1998. Robert brings his flare and expertise as a graphic designer to MSC promotions. Robert also enjoys recording music and playing with his band Cabin Fever, and he plays an active role in event management and organizes concerts with local talent at the Marsh as well. The community has enjoyed working with Robert. He's organized several social and fundraising events at the Marsh Street Centre since 2010, and he looks forward to contributing to the community for many years to come.
Gavin Leitch,
Legal Advisor
Gavin joined the Marsh Street Centre Board of Directors in the Spring of 2014. Originally from Toronto, Gavin obtained an undergraduate degree in Political Science from the Universite de Montreal (2007) and went on to complete his law studies in Moncton, New Brunswick (2012). On his return to Ontario in 2013, Gavin was called to the Bar and sought to establish himself in the Grey-Bruce area to practise law. Living in Thornbury, he is now an associate lawyer with the firm Schefeile, Erskine & Renken in Meaford. Eager to stay active in the community outside of work, Gavin previously joined the MSC Board to contribute to the Centre’s growth as the cultural heart of our community. You will also find Gavin relishing the great outdoors and enjoying the company of friends over pints in town. Gavin completed his four-year term as a part of the board on June 2018, and has been a valued part of the Marsh ever since.
Al Hagerman,
Fire, Health & Safety Coordinator
Al was born in Regina, Saskatchewan, and moved to Ontario in the late 70’s to attend UWO in London Ont. After University, Al moved to the Beaver Valley and immediately fell in love with the area. He set down roots in this amazing community and has never looked back. Al previously worked for the City of Mississauga Fire Dept. as an Officer for 30 years. He also started a Marketing, Manufacturing, and Distributing Company, distributing products all over North America. Al has years of experience volunteering with various programs within the fire Dept. and in the Town of The Blue Mountains. He's been involved with the BVO in Thornbury, as well as Alpine Canada and Alpine Ontario as a Ski/ Snowboard Race Official. Skiing has been a passion for Al and his family, and they have been involved with ski racing at Alpine Ski Club for many years. After years of living in Thornbury part time, AI and Rose finally retired and moved here permanently in 2016. Al enjoys serving the community and making a difference, and we are lucky to have him on the team.
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Keith Broughton,
Sound Technician
Keith Broughton, born and raised in Stratford Ontario, has always had a keen interest in audio and electronics. In his early 20s, he was able to translate that interest into touring the rock and roll scene throughout Ontario and Quebec for five years with musicians he had connected with in Cambridge. After touring, Keith settled in Kitchener/Waterloo, working for several sound production companies as a systems designer, builder, service technician and mix engineer. He spent 30+ years honing his craft both in Toronto and on tour working with corporate, theatrical, and musical clients. In 2018, Keith and his wife, Kat, moved to the Beaver Valley area to settle and semi-retire. He is happy to find a local community and arts centre in Clarksburg, and feels that the Marsh Street Centre is a jewel in the Blue Mountain area, providing many opportunities for community events, concerts and support for up and coming talent. Keith looks forward to passing on some of the skills he has learned, making some new friends, and helping to fulfil the Marsh Street Centre mandate.
Craig Smith,
Marsh Street Rocks Lead
Craig Smith is a true musical explorer and pathfinder, a versatile artist who dons multiple hats in the world of music. An accomplished songwriter, multi instrumentalist, confident live performer, recording artist, and highly sought-after producer, mixer, and sound engineer, Craig's musical journey is as diverse as it is impactful. Based in the picturesque Georgian Bay area, he has made this region his creative home, where he passionately records and produces music. Renowned for his distinctive blend of laid-back folk and pop music, Craig's compositions are characterized by their passion for atmospherics and emotional songwriting. His music and performances encapsulate the essence of vintage rock, soul, and R&B, all viewed through the lens of a modern-day singer-songwriter. Drawing inspiration from legendary artists like Neil Young and David Bowie, Craig values the integrity of following one's artistic instincts over being confined to a single genre. With an extensive musical background, Craig has toured internationally, released three solo albums, and co-founded the folk-alternative band ONTARIANS, whose debut album, "The Greatest Short Story Never Told," received critical acclaim in 2021. ONTARIANS new album “More How It Is” is release in September, 2024. Additionally, Craig takes the lead as the songwriter, guitarist, and vocalist for the neo-soul, Motown-inspired band Queen M. Furthermore, he's set to release "Frozen Light," his eagerly anticipated third solo album in spring 2025. In a unique twist, Craig's musical journey recently took him to Antarctica as the ship's entertainer and part of an expedition team, where he completed four tours from South America to Antarctica over a two- month period in late 2022 to winter 2023. Back on more familiar ground, he is the co-founder of The Happiness Mafia, a concert-producing venture responsible for the successful Four Winds Music Fest in Durham, Ontario, which hosted its second annual festival at Riverstone Retreat in July 2024. Not only is Craig an accomplished artist, but he's also a community-minded individual who proudly leads and instructs groups of kids and adults through the Marsh Street Rocks music program, teaching them how to play in a band. Throughout his multifaceted career, whether he's in the studio producing music for other artists, performing solo or with his bands, or planning the next big musical event, one constant remains - Craig exudes a warmth and honesty that permeates everything he touches, everyone he meets, and every song he sings.