Chamber welcomes a few new faces to the board table

North Bay & District Chamber of Commerce
News Release

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Annual General Meeting & Gala – November 21, 2008

Following the by-law procedure this year’s Chamber election results for the Board of Directors of the North Bay & District Chamber of Commerce are as follows:

2009 Board of Directors:

Jim Boucher
Barry Bousfield
Ralph Celentano
John Crescenzi
Glenn Cundari
Claude Daigle
David Dugas
Charles Elliott
Rick Evans
John Gallagher
Mark King
Jake Lacourse
Sean Lawlor
Tricia Marshall
Sharon McQueen
Chris Minor
Nicole Neff
Tom Palangio
Marc Paxton
Erin Richmond
Peter Rooney
Jeff Serran
Derek Shogren
Irene Smit
John Strang

Note: Executive Committee members (President, Vice Presidents and Treasurer) will be elected by the 2009 Board of Directors at a meeting on Thursday, December 11, 2008.

President’s Award

At the discretion of the President each year, an award may be given to a well deserving person, business or group, however it is not something done each year. This year President Glenn Cundari wanted to recognize two extraordinary people in our community. President Glenn Cundari presented two President’s Awards to Dr. Dennis Mock of Nipissing University and Barbara Taylor of Canadore College for their unique partnership and what the education centre brings to our region in economic benefits, facilities and education for our youth, and community involvement as a whole.

President Cundari stated “simply put, Chamber members have added to their bottom line with the work both Dennis and Barb are doing, not only for their students but our region. They have not only made a difference economically, but together, contribute to the overall self-esteem of North Bay and area. It’s my distinct pleasure to recognize them.”


Nugget Business of the Year
– J.S. Redpath Limited
Category (16+ employees)
Accepting the award are: Dave Hansman, Senior Vice President and Martin Hunka, CFO

Brief profile:
Number of employees in North Bay office & shops total is 194; total employees worldwide is now at 4,300. J.S. Redpath head office is located in North Bay.

Financial Growth and employee growth has been substantial over the past three years. They are in the process of constructing a new office building at the waterfront to suit their expanding needs. They plan on keeping many of the items their employees currently enjoy (such as gymnasium, fitness centre, outside patio/green space, etc.) as well as a few added extras to continue to be an employer of choice.

Over the past year, they have made advancements in innovation with the Redbore 100, the most powerful raise drill in the world; the Shuffle Nest System; and the Redbore 50UR, an up-ream raise drill for block cave mines – all designed and manufactured right here in North Bay. Their capital investments increased by 84% in 2007 due to the purchase of Deilmann-Haniel South Africa, a mining contractor in South Africa, now named Redpath Mining South Africa. On October 1, they also purchased Eroc, a mining contractor in Australia, now named Redpath Australia.
They are a safety leader in their industry and are recognized around the world for their achievements – Safety – First, Last and Always.

Community Involvement: They are very involved in our community with donations and support given to many local charities and events e.g. North Bay General Hospital, The Capitol Centre, The Gathering Place, Summer in the Park, Families First New Year's Eve Celebration, North Bay Food Bank, various children's sports teams and activities throughout the year, etc.


Nipissing University/Canadore College Small Business of the Year
– Near North Laboratories Inc.
Category (1-15 employees)
Accepting the award is: Brenda McLay

Brief Profile: Near North Laboratories Inc. currently employs 12 full time & 3 part time staff.
They have had 33% Employee Growth in the last 3 years and have expanded into an additional 1,500 square feet (first physical expansion in 18 years).

Community Involvement includes staff participating in various groups/activities such as:
Sustainable Community Advisory Committee for City of North Bay; Ducks Unlimited North Bay Chapter/Trout Unlimited North Bay Chapter; Volunteer for guest lectures & presentations - Canadore; Canadian Ecology Center Environmental Protection Program Advisory Committee (Canadore).

** For the two Chamber “ business of the year” categories above, nominees are judged on the following criteria: Financial Performance, Demonstrated Innovation, Employment Growth, Market Development and Community Enhancement.


Betty Alcorn Memorial Award – “Director of the Year”, presented to co-winners this year, Sean Lawlor and Derek Shogren

Mary Ellen Horner Memorial Award – “Volunteer of the Year” presented to this year’s winner, Paul Daigle of Kennedy Insurance

*** For the memorial awards listed above, the recipients have been deemed “as having best exemplified dedication and diligence during the current year and laboured untiringly for the good and welfare of the Chamber and community".

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