Duncan Hawthorne 2012 – Chair
Duncan Hawthorne is President & CEO of Bruce Power, Canada’s first private nuclear power generator and the largest nuclear complex in the world. Duncan began his career as a craft apprentice in the Scottish electricity industry and now has more than 30 years of experience in the power generation business; one of his greatest achievements to date is the acquisition of the Bruce nuclear facility and the formation of Bruce Power.
For the last 10 years, Duncan has been an extremely generous supporter of Easter Seals Ontario through private donations as well as corporate-led initiatives. In 2006, he founded the Spirit of Giving Dinner, and in 2007, Duncan was honoured at Easter Seals’ Toronto’s Tribute Dinner. Over the past five years, Duncan has been instrumental in raising significant funds for Easter Seals through the Toronto’s Tribute Dinner, the Spirit of Giving Dinner and capital contributions.
In 2010, a personal donation from the Hawthorne family resulted in the opening of the Duncan & Lesley Hawthorne Cabin at Camp Woodeden in June, 2011. In 2013, the Hawthorne family made an additional gift toward a new project at Camp Woodeden, which will open in 2014.
Nelson Millman 2008 – Past Chair
An avid golfer, Nelson Millman is a Broadcast Executive. Previously he was the Executive Producer at Rogers Sportsnet and the Vice-President / General Manager / Program Director for Toronto’s Sports Radio THE FAN 590. In addition he was the Executive Producer of Studio Productions for Sportsnet. Nelson was also the Executive Producer of Radio for the Vancouver 2010 and London 2012 Olympic Games.
Nelson continues to be the Vice-Chair of the Conn Smythe Sports Celebrities Dinner and Auction in support of Easter Seals – a position he has held for more than 13 years. Nelson was and is responsible for the transition of the Conn Smythe Sports Dinner new title sponsorship to Rogers in 2008 and for the 5 years prior he ensured that Rogers contributed to the event at a lead sponsorship level. Nelson has made a personal financial contribution to Easter Seals for the past 15 years. Nelson is married and has two daughters.
Doug Ackhurst 2010 – Vice-Chair
Doug spent his 40 year career in management positions within the Radio Broadcasting business in Quebec and Ontario. He served as Vice President/ General Manager for Telemedia Ontario radio stations, until his retirement in 2004. He participated in many broadcast-oriented Boards including FACTOR, Canadore College and Centennial College. He was active in industry organizations and served as President of the Ontario Association of Broadcasters. Doug was born in Peterborough, Ontario and was educated in Montreal where he earned a BA from Concordia University. He is married to Muriel and they have 2 children: a son in Toronto with two children and a daughter in Ottawa with four children. Two of the grandchildren have cerebral palsy from birth and are Easter Seals campers. Doug is an active grandfather, very interested in specials needs. He and his family are generous supporters of Easter Seals Camp Merrywood. In retirement he is active with condominium management, as chairman of Swan Lake Village in Markham, ON.
Brian Armstrong QC, ICD.D 2012 – Vice Chair
Brian Armstrong is a corporate director who also serves as Vice Chair of the Board of Ontario Centres of Excellence. Brian has over thirty-five years experience serving on boards of various corporations including volunteer and community associations, not-for-profit organizations and a major crown corporation.
He is the former Executive Vice President and General Counsel for Bruce Power.
His extensive experience in private law practice prior to joining Bruce Power includes specializing in energy and public utilities regulation, airline and highway transportation, automobile insurance, municipal land use and development, expropriation and environmental matters.
He also served as the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer of one of Canada’s premier public affairs / public relations organizations.
Brian is a graduate of Osgoode Law School, earning a JD (formerly LL.B.) degree, having previously earned a B.A. (Hons) in Political Science and Economics at Trinity College, University of Toronto. In addition, Brian is a graduate of the Directors Education Program of the Canadian Institute of Corporate Directors and the Rotman School of Management, having been awarded the Institute’s ICD.D designation. Brian was appointed a Queens Counsel in 1981.
Allan Krochmalnek 2010 – Treasurer
Allan is a Senior Partner at Ernst & Young with more than 31 years of experience in providing assurance and business advisory services. Allan is a senior assurance partner responsible for services provided to several not-for-profit organizations, pension fund accounting and in all areas of Real Estate including development, commercial, residential and condo conversions. In addition, Allan has experience with owner managed business dealing in retail, distribution and services.
Allan has been a member of Easter Seals Ontario Audit Committee since 2008 and he is a past member of the Practice Inspection Committee, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario. Professional qualifications include a Bachelor of Commerce, Chartered Accountant, member of the Ontario Institute of Chartered Accountants and a Licensed Public Accountant.
Robert Berkovitz 2003
Robert Berkovitz has been a practicing chartered accountant in public practice for 37 years and currently maintains a practice as a sole practitioner. Robert also spent 2 years as Vice-President, Finance of a national retailer. In addition to having served as the chair of Easter Seals Ontario Robert also sits on the board of directors of Easter Seals Canada and has in the past served as Chairperson, Finance Committee Chairman and head of the strategic planning and implementation group of Reena, an organization serving developmentally disabled adults in the Greater Toronto Area. Robert also led a task force, on behalf of all organizations in Toronto serving the developmentally disabled sector, to re-design intake and the effective delivery of services.
Debbie Braun 2011
Debbie Braun is the mother of Lucas Braun, one of the 2010 Easter Seals Ontario Provincial Ambassadors. Her association with Easter Seals Ontario spans many years and in 2010 her association expanded to include speaking engagements at events in support of Easter Seals. As an enthusiastic and concerned advocate for children with physical disabilities, Ms. Braun has previously served as a Board member and Vice-Chair of the Canadian MPS Society and for 5 years was a member of the Lucknow Central Public School Community Council in Lucknow. Debbie has worked as a Veterinary Technician for over 22 years, currently practicing at the Ripley Huron Veterinary Clinic. She lives with her partner Jay and her four children, two of whom have physical disabilities, in the southwestern Ontario community of Whitechurch.
Mike Kelly 2009
Mike has been involved as a dedicated volunteer with Easter Seals in the Windsor area for 15 years. He attended the University of Windsor in the 4 year Honours Business Program. After university, Mike entered the medical supply business with Ingram’s Home Healthcare and rose to the ranks of Vice-President and General Manager. It was at this time that Mike became involved with Easter Seals as a title sponsor with the Telethon and as the Wheelchair Club Sponsor. Upon leaving the medical supply industry, Mike became a licensed Realtor in the Windsor area and has enjoyed Real Estate sales and development. He has been and continues to be instrumental in the success of the Easter Seals Telethon in Windsor since being recruited and brings to his role a strong working knowledge of Easter Seals.
Alex Lolua 2012
Alex Lolua is currently the Director of Government and Public Relations for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Construction Council of Ontario. Previous to his role with IBEW CCO, Alex worked as Director of Government Relations for the Ontario Building and Construction Trades Council of Ontario. Alex has decades of fundraising experience and previously served in senior roles at Queen’s Park at the Legislative Assembly.
Scott Morrison 2008
Scott Morrison is a 32-year veteran hockey journalist and recipient of the Hockey Hall of Fame’s 2006 Elmer Ferguson Memorial Award. He is Executive Producer, Hockey with Sportsnet and an analyst and commentator on the network’s Hockeycentral and news shows.
A highly respected hockey journalist, the Toronto native began his career at the Toronto Sun in 1979. After spending more than 11 years as a hockey writer and columnist at the paper, he became Sports Editor in 1991 and led the section to being named one of North America’s top-ten sports sections in 1999 – the first sports section in Canada to receive the AP Sports Editors North American Award. In 2001, he joined Rogers Sportsnet as Managing Editor, Hockey.
Scott worked as a commentator at Hockey Night in Canada for five years before returning to Sportsnet.
Scott has authored several best-selling hockey books and served two terms as President of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association.
Always a leader, Scott has chaired the Conn Smythe Sports Celebrities Dinner and Auction in support of Easter Seals since 1995. He has sat on the Conn Smythe Committee for a total of 18 years.
James Scongack 2010
James Scongack is currently the Vice-President of Corporate Affairs at Bruce Power responsible for external communications, stakeholder relations, community relations, aboriginal affairs, employee communications and environmental stewardship. James has been a strong supporter of Easter Seals through his involvement with six successful Toronto Tribute Dinners and the annual Spirit of Giving Fundraiser in Port Elgin.
James joined the Easter Seals Board to support the organization’s fundraising efforts that directly support families and specifically, the capital campaign for the refurbishment of Camp Woodeden, in London, ON. James also serves as Chair of the regional physician recruitment committee for the municipalities of Saugeen Shores and Kincardine and is a member of the Energy Council of Canada Board of Directors.
James holds a Master’s Degree from the College of Management and Economics in Leadership and an Honours Degree from the University of Guelph. James, his wife, Jennifer, and their daughter call Port Elgin home.
Frank Squizzato 2008
Frank Squizzato is an entrepreneur with over 30 years experience in the computer industry. He is involved in the high tech community with many interests. Frank is the co-founder of the Computer Charity Golf Classic for Easter Seals, an event that has benefited Easter Seals for 28 years. He is currently director/partner for UpMarket, a computer products sales and marketing firm and a director/partner for Woodlandia, an equipment sales company. Frank has personally made Easter Seals his Charity of Choice and has been a member of the President’s Circle since 1994. Frank lives in Toronto with his wife, Denise, a Registered Early Childhood Educator for special needs children, and his two daughters.
Joe Trovato 2007
Joe Trovato is currently a Psychoeducational Consultant at ErinoakKids, Centre for Treatment and Development, a children’s treatment centre for children and youth with physical and developmental disabilities. He is also the parent of a child with both physical and developmental disabilities. Mr. Trovato has extensive experience in various education and community-based settings and also brings to his role a diverse background in government relations, having formerly held the position of Senior Policy Advisor to the Minister of Children and Youth Services.
Dr. Paul Truelove 1993
Dr. Truelove joined Easter Seals Ontario’s Board of Directors in 1993. He was the Chair of the Board from 1997 to 2000. In 1997, he served as Acting Executive Director during Easter Seals’ restructuring. Dr. Truelove is a Chiropractor in Toronto and has been in practice for 32 years. He is a member of The Rotary Club of Toronto, where he has been a Director of the Club’s Board and has chaired several committees. Dr. Truelove has also served on several not-for-profit Boards including Ray McCleary Towers, a residence for seniors. He is the current Chair of the Off Centre Music Salon. Along with past provincial ambassador, Sarah Dell, he formed the Truelove-Dell scholarship endowment for post secondary students from the greater Toronto area.
