Board of Directors

Al Boughton has been an industry leader for over 45 years. Al retired as Co-Founder of Trailcon Leasing in July 2022 after 50 years in the industry. He now dedicates most of his time to the Peel Police Service Board as well as real estate development in the Peel Region.
Al has been involved with the Ontario Trucking Association for more than 40 years in various capacities including chairman, vice-chairman, board member and on the executive committee. He was also involved with the Transportation Committee and the Airport Committee for the Mississauga Board of Trade for more than 15 years.

In November 2012, Al was awarded the prestigious Shaw Trucking – OTA Service to the Industry Award, representing the highest honour that can be bestowed upon a member of the trucking industry and this was also the first time the award was presented to an Allied Trades member of the OTA.

Bill retired from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources after 30 years, working in all aspects of natural resource management as a registered professional forester, Area Supervisor and eventually District Manager. He graduated in 1977 from the University of Toronto, with a Bachelor of Science in Forestry.

Bill served on the North Bay Police Service Board from February 2010 to June 2019 as a provincial appointee. He was the Vice-Chair for 8 years, a member of the Service’s Environment Committee, and Promotions and Marketing Coordinator for the Special Olympics Ontario 2015 Provincial Winter Games. Bill re-joined the Board in November 2022 as North Bay’s municipal appointee.

Bill is actively involved in several organizations including – Rotary Club of North Bay (2012-2013 President); Rotary International District 7010 (2019-2020 District Governor), currently the Director of Communications/Public Image; Friends of Laurier Woods, Board Member; Warriors of Hope Breast Cancer Survivors Dragon Boat Team, Board Member and Team Manager; Greater Nipissing Stewardship Council Executive; and Discovery Routes Fundraising Committee Member.

Susan Stevenson is currently serving her first term as Councillor for Ward 4, City of London. Susan is a graduate from Western University and was a professional accountant from 1995 – 2020 (CGA, CPA). Susan’s well respected public accounting practice operated in downtown London from 2006 – 2017 prior to her contract with an international leadership seminar company as their Director of Client Services. Councillor Stevenson serves additionally on the Community and Protective Services, Corporate Services, Audit and Governance Committees of Council. As well, she serves on the following external Boards within our community: The London Police Service Board, London Middlesex Paramedic Services, Western Fair, RBC Place and Elgin Water.

Susan has trained extensively in leadership development and teamwork. She is a strong advocate for local businesses, families and the arts.

John was appointed by the Owen Sound City Council to serve as their community representative to the police service board in 2019.  In 2020 John was elected chair of the police services board and has been re-elected as chair each year since.  In 2023 John was elected director of PGO Zone 5 and in 2025 elected Treasurer of the PGO.

Previous to serving on the police service board John spent 16 years with Interac Corporation as their Director of Regulations, Compliance, and Enforcement and for a number of years as chair of the corporations Regulations and Business Group their Security and Technology Group.  Prior to that he spent over 20 years in the financial payments and services industry.

After 20 years of living in Toronto, John retired to Owen Sound in 2017 and takes pride in contributing to the work of the PGO and community safety.

John is, except for a brief stay in Calgary, a lifelong proud resident of northwestern Ontario. Born and raised in Atikokan and is now a long-time resident of Fort Frances. He is a retired business owner who successfully operated retail locations in 6 communities throughout the northwest. During his time in business, he was active on the board of Canada’s largest sporting goods buying group eventually becoming board chair of the organization. He was the recipient of the two highest awards presented by the group.

John has been active in the community over the past 45 years. He was a volunteer fire fighter, member and President of the local Jaycees, chair of a large international bass fishing tournament, chair of a very successful capital campaign for renovations to two local healthcare facilities, member and eventually chair of the Hospital Foundation and member and chair of the local Community Clinic and Family Health Team.

John is currently a first term councillor for Fort Frances and as a councillor was appointed to the Police Service Board where he serves as board chair. He has previously served on the PSB as both a municipal and provincial appointee over the past 2 decades.
John and his wife Debbie raised their two daughters Christie and Laura who have gone onto careers that have taken them out of the area. John and Debbie are extremely proud of their 6 grandchildren.

John’s relief valve is his motorcycle which has taken him from coast to coast a couple of times and deep into the US on several occasions. Ride on!

Dave Donaldson is a community volunteer and former Dean of the School of Business at Algonquin College. He currently sits as the public member of the Ottawa Police Service Board, the Chair of Shepherds of Good Hope (a non-profit which provides shelter and supportive housing support for Ottawa’s highest acuity homeless) and Vice Chair of the Ottawa Safety Council (which provides crossing guard programs for Ottawa, Brockville Etobicoke and Mississauga). His role with OPSB includes Finance and Audit and Policy, Governance and Complaints committees and was one of two Board members who successfully negotiated new collective agreements with the two Ottawa police associations.

His previous volunteerism included Ottawa Markets District Authority, past chair of the Ottawa Chamber of Commerce and the Association of Canadian Business Schools. Previously Dean of Business, Hospitality at Vancouver Community College, his business experience includes Procter and Gamble, Microtel Learning Services, and freelance marketing consulting.

Dave holds a lifetime membership with the Ottawa Chamber of Commerce, has received the Algonquin College President’s Star award and was the inaugural winner of the Community Booster award from the Best Ottawa Business awards. He was awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee medal in 2012 and the Order of the Tulip as a Chamber past chair and he received an Algonquin College Student Association award of excellence recognizing outstanding contribution to student life at Algonquin.

John is a retired York Regional Police officer after serving his community for 31 years. Since his retirement in 2018, John has worked for a Private Investigation Company based out of Pickering Ontario. He and his partner Joanne moved to Trent Lakes where they are enjoying cottage country living. John was successful in his bid for municipal council in 2022 and currently sits as Councillor for the Municipality of Trent Lakes, Harvey Ward. He is also the Chair of the Peterborough County OPP Detachment Board and as of February 2023 was elected as Chair for Zone 3 of the PGO.
During John’s policing career he worked in several investigative units which included drug enforcement/undercover, professional standards and homicide. During his last 10 years with York Regional Police, he held positions of Officer-in-Charge of the Homicide Unit and Officer—in-Charge of Criminal Investigations Branch-Persons and Property Crimes. Having worked in law enforcement for 31 years, John recognizes the need for responsible and informed police governance and believes the work that the PGO has done and continues to do is of great importance. John is a big believer in working as a team and looks forward to collaborating with the PGO and other Zone Chairs and its members to support the PGO and its Vision, Mission and Values, as well as continuing to provide effective police governance to Police Services in Ontario.

Ken Whiteford has been a member of the Woodstock Police Service Board since 2019 and the Chair for the past three years. Actively involved in his community, he has served on and chaired the Woodstock Hospital, the Southwest Ontario Tourism Corporation and the Woodstock Public Library as well as the former Oxford County Board of Education.

Ken is also a long-time member of the Board of Community Futures Oxford and a former member of the Oxford Community Foundation. In his working career, Ken was the Chief Administrative Officer of the County of Oxford for thirteen years after a lengthy stint as a community planner in Oxford, Perth and Grey Counties. Ken has lived in Woodstock with his wife for the past 33 years and is fortunate to have grandchildren close by in Kitchener.

Patrick Weaver is the past Chair of the PGO after serving 5 years as Chair. He is a financial consultant with 35 years’ experience in small business management. Mr. Weaver has been involved in and led a number of community focused initiatives over the last 25 years including a position on the Thamesville volunteer fire department, municipal councillor, United Way Board Chair, Co-Chair of YMCA capital project, and a Board Member with the Entegrus Utility Company. He is presently attempting to retire from the business world under great objections from his wife of 40 years.

Lisa Kostakis is a graduate of York University with a degree in Psychology and a graduate of Toronto Metropolitan University with degree in Social work.

She has over 36-years of experience in the not-for profit sector working and leading organizations throughout the City of Toronto. She has served as Chair in the Kiwanis Boys & Girls Club and was the President of the Kiwanis Club of Toronto. Lisa spent over 25 years with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Toronto and Boys & Girls Clubs of Canada.

Lisa was one of the “Founders/Steering Committee Members” of the Focus Rexdale table, while also serving as the Executive Director of Albion Neighbourhood Services.
Lisa has worked extensively with Toronto Police Service Divisions across the City as well as community agencies and various levels of government in collaborating and partnering to address a wide range of critical issues, including community safety, health and well-being, police-community relations, gang and youth violence prevention, anti-racism efforts, community mobilization, and systemic change.
Lisa was also a recipient of the Queen Diamonds Jubilee in 2013, for her many years of service in the various communities that she has served throughout her career.

Lisa was appointed to the Toronto Police Service Board in 2020 as a provincial appointee and is currently the Vice-Chair of the Board as well as a member of the Board of Directors of the Ontario Association of Police Service Board. As part of her role on the Board, she was also the Co-Chair of the Board’s Mental Health and Addictions Advisory Panel.
Lisa is currently an adjudicator with the Ministry of the Attorney General, Social Benefits Tribunal (Tribunals Ontario).

Karen Fisher has over 30 years of financial services and investment industry experience with a broad background in investment management leadership roles.

Her experience in developing people and overseeing product lines (RRSPs, mutual funds, managed asset programs) while improving operational and financial performance led to progressively senior roles throughout her career, ending her full-time career schedule as President and CEO of Scotia Securities (Manager and Dealer). Ms. Fisher has been involved with company mergers, new products (from design through launch) in addition to executive sponsorship of significant systems improvements and conversion initiatives throughout her tenure in the financial services and investment industry.

With an increased focus on professional board and committee work, Ms. Fisher has acted as Chair or member of eight mutual fund Independent Review Committees since 2007. She currently Chairs the Board of a public utility start-up, Elexicon Group, resulting from a merger in 2019. She joined the Board of Governors (also acts as IRC) for CI Investments and Marret Funds in 2018 and is now Chair of the Independent Review Committees. Ms. Fisher is also a member of the Durham Regional Police Service Board, appointed by Regional Council in 2019 (reappointed January 2023) and a member of the Ontario Association of Police Service Boards, also acting as Treasurer.

Passionate about community involvement, she is currently the Chair and a Board Member for the Clarington East Food Bank (CEFB), and has been a Member of the Investment Committee for the Anglican Diocese of Toronto Consolidated Trust.
Karen successfully completed the Director’s College program through McMaster University and The Conference Board of Canada and gained her Chartered Director’s designation in June 2016.

Nyarayi Kapisavanhu was appointed by Niagara Regional Council as its community representative to serve on the Niagara Police Service Board on February 23, 2023. In this capacity, she has served as Vice-Chair for two terms and is currently Chair of the Niagara Police Service Board. She also serves on the Board of Directors of Police Governance Ontario (PGO), contributing to the advancement of excellence in civilian police governance across the province. PGO is the provincial organization that supports civilian police governance throughout Ontario.

Chair Kapisavanhu is the Executive Director of TOES Niagara and is a globally experienced governance, education, and policy leader. She holds a Bachelor of Education, a Master of Business Administration, and the ICD.D designation. She currently serves as Co-Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee for the National Council of Women of Canada and as a member of the Program Advisory Committee for the Master of Health Care Management and Master of Arts in Applied Social Psychology programs at University of Niagara Falls Canada.

She is the former President of the Niagara District Council of Women, former President of SOFIFRAN, former Board Trustee at Brock University, and former Board Director at YWCA Niagara Region.

Drawing on extensive global leadership experience, her work focuses on public safety, institutional accountability, education, and equity-informed governance.

Harold Gunner is a proud member of the Taykwa Tagamou First Nation and was born and raised in Moose Factory, Ontario.

Harold has dedicated much of his career to public service and community safety. He began his law enforcement career with the Ontario Provincial Police’s First Nations Policing Program and later joined the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service(NAPS) when it was established in 1994. Since 1999, he has served as a Youth Probation Officer with the Ministry, supporting and mentoring young people throughout his career.

A strong advocate for education and community leadership, Harold has served as a school board trustee for more than 24 years, helping to guide and strengthen educational opportunities for future generations.

Harold and his wife have been married for 46 years and are proud parents of three daughters and grandparents to seven grandchildren—four grandsons and three granddaughters.

In his spare time, Harold enjoys hunting and fishing and has been actively involved in youth sports as a qualified hockey coach and referee, as well as a basketball coach. His lifelong commitment to service, mentorship, and community involvement continues to make a positive impact on those around him.

Mayor Rick Dumas is currently serving his fifth term as Mayor. Rick was born and raised in Marathon. Prior to running for council, Rick operated many successful businesses before accepting a position with Marathon Non-Profit Housing as facility maintenance mechanic. He also volunteered and/or ran many organizations including: men’s fastball, men’s commercial hockey, men’s golf, Harley Owners Group (HOG) and youth bowling.

Rick was first elected to council in 1991 during that time he took on many roles and chairing of committees and boards of council. Rick was elected Mayor again in 2006 and then acclaimed in 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022. Rick currently is the President of the Thunder Bay District Municipal League (TDML), a board member on the Northern Ontario Municipal League (NOMA), and represents the Northern Caucus on the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO).

Rick has also been the chair for the Marathon Police Service Board since 2006 to present.

Rick enjoys spending time with his kids and grand kids. Rick likes playing golf and hockey, walking, fishing and taking winter vacations to somewhere warm.

Marc Vaillancourt is a Bonfield PGO member since the beginning of the new council term. He was appointed to the Board by the Mayor. He is married with three children and three beautiful grandkids and is a life long resident of the Township of Bonfield. Before becoming a member of the PGO he was a Member of Council for two terms prior and enjoyed working with the Mayor and Council. He is currently employed with Boart Longyear as a Quality Control Team Lead for the mining exploration manufacturing company for the last 25 years.
He is looking forward to working with the new Board Members and helping out in anyway he can to make our community a safe place to live and raise a family.

Mike Tarnowski is the Mayor of Russell Township and a Councillor for the United Counties of Prescott and Russell. He brings over 25 years of leadership experience across the public, private, and education sectors, with a strong focus on strategic planning, fiscal accountability, and community well-being.

Michael holds an MBA from the University of Guelph’s School of Management and Economics and previously served as a professor and Academic Chair at Algonquin College’s School of Business & Hospitality. He currently serves on several regional boards, including the Eastern Ontario Health Unit, South Nation Conservation Authority, the Russell Police Services Board (as Chair), and the Prescott-Russell Residence.

Fluent in English, French, and Polish, Mike is known for his collaborative leadership style and commitment to transparent, balanced, and future-focused decision-making.

Jim retired from a successful career in the civil construction industry as a self-employed sewer and watermain contractor. He was associated with the London Heavy Construction Association for many years and was President for three terms. Jim served numerous years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Ontario Sewer and Watermain Contractors Association. He was involved in municipal politics for twenty-five years, with the last three terms of office serving as Mayor of Thames Centre. During this period, Jim served four terms on Middlesex County Council and was elected as the Warden of Middlesex County for 2009, 2012 and 2015.

Jim has been a member of Thames Centre Police Service Board since their formation in 2011. He served as Chair of the Thames Centre Police Service Board and is currently the Chair of Middlesex County Library Board. And he is currently a member of The Middlesex OPP Detachment Board, the Zone 6 vice chair, a Dorchester Legion member and the President of the Dorchester Lions club.