Board of Governors

His birth certificate says William, but he will quickly ask you to call him Bill. Tall, with a slim build, Cambrian College President Bill Best looks as comfortable in a suit and tie as in hiking boots and jeans. He navigates through crowds with an easy smile and quiet confidence, and like a true Maritimer, is an eager and effortless orator. His smile broadens whenever he speaks of his wife and three children.

Best hails from Nova Scotia, but spent more than 20 years living and working in New Brunswick in postsecondary education in a variety of leadership roles, most recently at the New Brunswick Community College (NBCC) in Fredericton. He has held the positions of Interim President and CEO (2009), Vice President Finance and Administration, Vice President Academic and Student Development (2010-14), Dean and Professor. Best led the amalgamation of the New Brunswick community college system, which included six individual institutions, into a single crown corporation, and was responsible for implementing an $80-million (CAD) infrastructure expansion.

In addition to his leadership skills, Best brings with him entrepreneurial experience, business acumen and a keen interest in research, which are certain to be great assets to the Sudbury community. With a focus on student success, professional collaboration and academic differentiation, he will oversee Cambrian’s new five-year strategic plan, which will concentrate on nurturing sustainability and confirming the College as a northern leader.

Best assumed leadership from Interim President Sonia Del Missier on August 5, and shortly thereafter, identified his key priorities: (i) to foster a dynamic learning environment; (ii) to strengthen strategic partnerships; and (iii) to engage community partners in order to contribute to the socio-economic growth of northern Ontario.

Best holds a Master of Education from Acadia University, as well as undergraduate degrees in education and in business administration from the University of Western Ontario and Acadia University, respectively. He, his wife and their three children chose Sudbury as their new home for its northern setting, the opportunities that Sudbury offers for quality education, and its wealth of family and lifestyle opportunities. Avid four-season outdoorspeople, the Best family enjoys ATV-riding, snowmobiling and water-skiing, as well as competitive sports such as basketball, volleyball, track and field, rowing and gymnastics.

Glen Retty was born in Sudbury and graduated from the University of Western Ontario in 1980. He received his Accounting designation from the Certified Management of Accountants (CMA) Ontario in 2009.

Most of Glen’s career was in the automotive industry, where he held senior positions in Operations and Finance, working for manufacturers supplying parts to the tier 1 automotive industry. Glen has managed operations in Canada, the United States and Mexico.

Glen returned to Sudbury in 2010, joining Xstrata Nickel as controller. In 2011 Glen was promoted to his current position as manager of Financial Accounting, responsible for all finance/accounting functions for Sudbury operations.

For the past three years, Glen has been active in the Sudbury CMA by serving as a sub-committee member and vice-chair to promote professional development in the accounting and business community.

Ron Sarazin is employed at Gezhtoojig Employment and Training in Sudbury as the Special Projects Coordinator. Gezhtoojig is an Aboriginal employment agency that promotes the development of a skilled Aboriginal workforce for the needs of our industry partners.

Ron is Chair of the Anishnaabe Affairs Committee at Cambrian College, a member of the Powerline Technician Committee at Cambrian College, and a board member of the Workforce Partnership Board for Sudbury and Manitoulin. Ron sits as a member and Co-Chair of the Aboriginal Apprenticeship Board of Ontario and is Co-Chair of the Aboriginal LINK committee that is currently developing a network of skilled Aboriginal workers for the demand from industry employers. Ron works with the area secondary school OYAP coordinators and is a member of the Rainbow District School Board’s OYAP Local Advisory Committee

Ron has over 25 years of experience in employment counselling and project development both in the Federal and Aboriginal employment development initiatives, with a primary focus on apprenticeship and trades. Ron is an Honors graduate from Cambrian College’s Business Administration program and has previous work experience in the mining industry.

Presently, Ron focuses on developing industry partnerships and working with trainers/educators to align training initiatives with industry needs.

David McNeil is a Registered Nurse who graduated from Laurentian University in 1988. He has a graduate degree in Health Administration from the University of Ottawa and his professional designation from the Canadian Council of Health Services Executive. David is currently a PhD candidate in Laurentian University’s School of Northern and Rural Health.

David is vice-president of Clinical Programs and chief nursing officer at Health Sciences North, a position he has held since 2001.

David has held the positions of director of Capital Planning and Support Services at the former Sudbury Regional Hospital, professional practice consultant and staff nurse at the former Laurentian Hospital and Network North and part-time professor in Cambrian College’s School of Nursing. David has also worked as a staff nurse in the remote Aboriginal community of Attawapiskat.

David is immediate past president of the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario and a board member of the Canadian Nurses Association.

Nicole Beauparlant is a Cambrian graduate who began her career at the college in 1991.  She possesses broad and deep knowledge of current and past challenges and opportunities at Cambrian. She also has a thorough understanding of postsecondary administrative and academic processes.

Nicole has held leadership roles across a number of divisions, including Finance, International, and in the Office of the Registrar. She is known for applying an analytical and collaborative approach to find solutions that prioritize students’ interests. Nicole also serves as Co-Chair of the Internationalization Working Group, which is tasked with achieving many objectives contained in Cambrian’s Strategic Plan.

She has also served on the Committee of Registrars, Admissions & Liaison Officers; the Admissions Issues & Policies Sub-Committee; the Registrarial & Information Systems Sub-Committee; and the Ontario Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators.

Bruce Bichel is responsible for Vale’s Production Services and Support operations in Ontario. In his role, he oversees the Central Engineering, Divisional Shops, Transportation, and Capital Project Execution for Mines and Surface Plants.

He began his career in 1989 as a metallurgist in Flin Flon, MB at the HBM&S’s Smelter and over the next 7 years progressed through various production related roles. In 1996, he joined INCO working in various refinery and smelter operations and project roles. Bruce and his family relocated to Indonesia from 2005 – 2009 to work at Vale’s nickel operations. In 2011, he assumed responsibility for the Ontario Smelting and Refining operations. Bruce currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors for The Northern Centre for Advanced Technology (NORCAT).

Bruce has a Chemical Engineering degree from the University of Saskatchewan (1989) and is a registered Professional Engineer in Ontario.

Marc Boudreau is a Professional Engineer and co-CEO of BESTECH. Established in 1995 by Marc and his business partner, Denis Pitre, BESTECH is one of Canada’s leading firms, specializing in engineering, automation, software development and product innovations. Both Marc and BESTECH have been recognized for their ingenuity and strong commitment to customer service and community development.

Marc is passionate about using innovation to help industry improve productivity, profitability and safety. He is a member of the Ontario Mining Association, Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum, and the Professional Engineers of Ontario, and is chairman of the board for the Mining Innovation Rehabilitation and Applied Research Corporation.

Marc is also past president of Sudbury Area Mining Service and Supply Association and past director of the Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce.

John Cochrane brings to the Board a background that combines strong community involvement with diverse professional experience in the public service sector, labour community and the mining industry. John has worked for Canada Customs and Revenue Agency, United Steelworkers Local 6500, and with Inco (Vale) in the maintenance department.

John has devoted much of his time to the community. He was a director with the Elizabeth Fry Society, a director on the board of FedNor, a founding member and first chairperson of the Northern Diabetes Health Network, a commissioner with the Ontario Human Rights Commission and vice chair of the diabetes advisory committee, Ontario Ministry of Health. Currently he is a director of the Sudbury Credit Union.

For his work in advancing diabetes care and for his focus on issues in northern Ontario healthcare, John received the Ontario Medical Association Award in 1994.

Cheryl Ann Corallo is the Superintendent of Business and Finance and Treasurer of the Board at the Sudbury Catholic District School Board.  Cheryl Ann has had the opportunity to work with numerous sectors during her tenure in with Public Sector Accounting with Ernst & Young, KPMG and Freelandt, Caldwell, Reilly.  She spent some time as a self-employed consultant and spent ten years with FedNor in a senior position prior to adjusting her focus from economic development to education when she joined Sudbury Catholic.

A Certified Public Accountant, Cheryl Ann graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Arts in Commerce and Economics.  Cheryl Ann actively pursues her own professional development and has most recently completed the Ontario Supervisory Officers Executive Leadership Program through the Rotman School of Business.

Cheryl Ann has spent many hours volunteering over the years with School Councils, has volunteered as the Treasurer for the Ride for Sight (in support of Retinitis Pigmentosa research) and is a former board member with the Copper Cliff Skating Club.

Bernie Freelandt has been a partner with Freelandt Caldwell Reilly LLP since 1991. Prior to that, he was a partner at Peat Marwick Thorne.

His areas of expertise include personal and corporate tax compliance, estate and succession planning and personal financial planning.

Bernie is an active member of the community, having served as president of the United Way, Greater City Chamber of Commerce and the Sudbury and District Chartered Accountants Association. He was also a board member with the Children’s Aid Society, Sudbury General Hospital, Crime Stoppers and Network North.

A former Cambrian College professor, Kati is Laurentian University’s first manager of energy and sustainability. She brings to the Board a solid knowledge of sustainability and the environment. Her previous positions include quality assurance coordinator and senior environmental analyst and section leader at Vale. She also helped develop two courses at Cambrian: Air Pollution Abatement and Air Quality Monitoring.

Kati has a Bachelor of Science – Honours Chemistry degree from Wilfrid Laurier University, a Master of Science – Chemical Sciences degree and a Master of Business Administration degree from Laurentian University.

Kati is highly involved in the Sudbury community, with volunteer positions on the Science North Business Affairs Committee, Cambrian’s Program Advisory Committee for Environmental Monitoring and Impact Assessment and the steering committee for the Greater Sudbury Community/Municipal Energy Plan.

Jo-Anne Palkovits is the President and CEO of St. Joseph’s Health Centre and St. Joseph’s Continuing Care Centre, as well as the Administrator of St. Joseph’s Villa and Villa St. Gabriel Villa. She is also an adjunct professor at Laurentian University’s School of Nursing and Huntington University’s School of Gerontology.

Joanne has degrees in kinesiology and nursing, in addition to a Master’s degree in Human Development. She is a Certified Health Executive with the Canadian College of Health Leaders.

Joanne has sat on numerous community boards, including the United Way Fundraising Cabinet, the Sudbury Community Foundation (Chair), Ontario Association of Not-for Profit Homes and Services for Seniors, Réseau Access Aids, and Ontario Midwifery Community Network, in addition to many other professional committees and associations.

Daryl Park was born and raised in Sudbury and attended Sheridan Technical School and Cambrian College. He is a licensed industrial mechanic (millwright) Red Seal and worked in the automotive manufacturing sector with Neelon Castings for 23 years. Prior to this, he worked at Inco (Vale) for nearly 10 years with both the Field and Mines Exploration Departments.

Daryl began his career at Cambrian College in 2005 as a professor in the Industrial Millwright program. He is committed to lifelong learning and enjoys working with tomorrow’s leaders in the mechanical trades.

One of the initiatives he’s most proud of is the development of Cambrian’s Material Handling Circuit, which is the only one of its kind at a Canadian community college. The circuit provides hands-on experience to Millwright students.

Paul Pedersen has been at the helm of the Greater Sudbury Police Service since May 5, 2014. He came to Sudbury from the York Regional Police Service. During his 35 years in policing, he has moved through progressively senior leadership positions, including Investigative Services and Community Services.

Paul holds a Master of Public Administration from Western University, as well as a diploma in Adult Education from St. Francis Xavier University. He has taught at Sheridan and Seneca colleges.

Since assuming his new position, Paul has embraced Sudbury and has been an enthusiastic supporter of many community organizations. He is vice-chair of the Sudbury Food Bank, on the Board of St. John Ambulance and the St. Joseph’s Foundation, a member of the Rotary Club and has participated in countless community events and fundraising initiatives, including the Polar Plunge for Special Olympics.

Marina is a Cambrian College student in the second year of the Community and Justice Program.

Marina graduated from St. Benedict’s Secondary School in 2016 and is an active member of her community through her volunteer work as a coach/trainer for the Sudbury Lady Wolves organization and through her participation on the Greater Sudbury Police Chief Youth Advisory Council.  In 2016, Marina was recognized for her volunteer work by receiving  the Sudbury-Ontario Volunteer Service Award.

Marina has played competitive hockey for 13 years but also has a knack for soccer and baseball. Marina has an interest in working with marginalized populations and youth at risk.

Cheryl Recollet’s ties with Cambrian College run deep. The alumna graduated in 2000 with a diploma in Native Lands Management, and while she was a student at Cambrian, was vice-president of the Cambrian Native Students’ Association. After graduating, Cheryl worked for three years in the College’s Wabnode Centre for Aboriginal Services as the Aboriginal Peer Mentor/Co-ordinator.

In her current position as Wahnapitae First Nation’s director of sustainable development, Cheryl is responsible for developing community-based environmental projects, programs, plans and policies. She volunteers as founding president of the Aboriginal Environment Leadership Circle.
Cheryl holds a Master of Science degree in Environmental Assessment from McGill University, as well as undergraduate degrees in Geography and Anthropology from Laurentian University and an Executive Certificate in Conflict Management from the University of Windsor.

Jessica Valiquette is a Buyer in the Purchasing Department at Cambrian College.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree (Laurentian University), Certified Employee Benefits Specialist Designation (IFEBP/Dalhousie University) and is currently working toward her Certified Public Procurement Professional designation.

Jessica started at Cambrian College in 2009 as a part-time clerk in the IT Department, before assuming the full-time Buyer role in August 2017. Jessica currently sits on the College Council and the Working Group for Strategic Initiative 6.3.

Jessica is the Communications Director for Opera Gala…Opera for a Cause, a charity event in which she also performs as an orchestra member. She has previously served as Vice-President of Business and Professional Women Sudbury, and was an inaugural executive member of the Ward 8 Community Action Network. When not participating, Jessica continues to volunteer at various fitness events in the community including the Northern Cancer Foundation’s Trek for Cancer, the Hypothermic Half Marathon, and the SwimRun Challenge.