Tracy Van Kalsbeek
Chair
Executive Director, Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest
Tracy has spent most of her career in leadership positions within the charitable and non profit sector – with a visit to the corporate world.
She is currently the Executive Director of Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest. Tracy is an avid volunteer within the community and sits on many boards and committees.
David Brenneman
Vice Chair
CAO, Township of Woolwich
David is the CAO for the Township of Woolwich and a graduate of the University of Waterloo. He joined the Township of Woolwich in 2007 – in time to be a founding Board member for Explore Waterloo Region. David is actively involved in the KW Community Foundation.
Roly Webster
Board Member
Director of Athletics & Recreation, University of Waterloo
Roly has spent his the past 30 years working in higher education. He is currently the Director of Athletics & Recreation at the University of Waterloo. Roly is also an experienced leader and has volunteered with the KW Community Foundation, the United Way, KidSport, and is also on the Advisory Committee of the EWR Sport Hosting Office.
Tim Anderson
Treasurer
CAO, City of Waterloo
Tim is the CAO for the City of Waterloo and a graduate of the University of Guelph. Tim joined the City of Waterloo in 1990 and became CAO in 2010 and the Board of Explore Waterloo Region in the same year.
Trish Gerth
Secretary
General Manager, African Lion Safari
Trish Gerth is General Manager at African Lion Safari, with 15+ years’ management experience in the leisure, travel & tourism industry. Trish brings her skills of Operations Management, Customer Service, Marketing Strategy, Hospitality Industry, and Tourism Management to the Board. Trish graduated with an Honours Business Administration degree specializing in Human Resources from Wilfrid Laurier University.
Trish is an active board member for various organizations including Canada’s Accredited Zoos and Aquariums, Explore Waterloo Region, Hamilton Halton Brant Regional Tourism Association, as well as an active parent on Holy Spirit Catholic School Advisory Council.
Chris Wood
Board Member
General Manager, Region of Waterloo International Airport
Chris Wood landed at the Region of Waterloo International Airport in September of 2009 taking on the role of Airport General Manager. Chris was previously employed by the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) for 12 years. Chris’s aviation career began more than 25 years ago at the Region of Waterloo International Airport where he spent a summer working at the Waterloo-Wellington Flying Club as a ramp attendant. He currently lives with his wife and two teenage children in Ayr, Ontario.
Mark Bingeman
Board Member
President, Bingemans
Mark is the President of Bingemans, a hospitality and entertainment company providing more than 80 years of service in the Waterloo Region. Mark’s passion and vast experience with hospitality complexes, marquee events and continued involvement with economic development within the Region provide a great asset to WRTMC.
Dan Chapman
Board Member
CAO, City of Kitchener
Dan was appointed CAO of the City of Kitchener in September 2017. He joined the city in 2005 as director of financial planning, and was most recently deputy chief administrative officer responsible for finance and corporate services.
David Calder
Board Member
City Manager, City of Cambridge
David Calder is currently the City Manager with the City of Cambridge. Most recently, he served as the Chief Administrative Officer with the Town of Tillsonburg and President of Tillsonburg Hydro Inc.. He was previously General Manager of Corporate Services with the City of Waterloo and Director of Public Access and Council Services/City Clerk with the City of Cambridge. David is a graduate of the Leadership Waterloo Region Program and has also served on the Kitchener Waterloo Community Foundation Board of Directors. He joined the Explore Waterloo Region Board of Directors in March 2020.
Mathieu Goetzke
Board Member
Commissioner for Transportation Services, Region of Waterloo
For over 20 years, Mathieu Goetzke has worked in urban planning and design, and transportation, on both sides of the Atlantic. In his native country of France, Mathieu worked with the City of Lille on urban regeneration projects, helping to transform the City. After immigrating to Canada, Mathieu worked as vice-president of planning at Metrolinx to move people on transit across the Greater Toronto area. Mathieu then brought his experience to Region of Waterloo as Transportation Commissioner to help create a more accessible, healthier and safer transportation network and support a growing and dynamic region.
At present, he is acting CAO for the Region.
Joanna Loebach
Board Member
General Manager, St. Jacobs Market District
Joanna is currently the General Manager of the St. Jacobs Market District – that largest tourist attraction in the region. She has over 15 years of experience in operations management working for a large global consumer goods manufacturer and at the Lazaridis School of Business & Economics at Laurier University running an accelerator program for small businesses.
Pejman Salehi
Board Member
Executive Dean, Conestoga College Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning
Pejman Salehi is the Executive Dean of the School of Applied Computer Science & IT and the School of Creative Industries at Conestoga College. Pejman brings his experience as an academic leader as well as his background in the tech industry. He believes that developing talent in the innovation and creativity sectors will help drive Waterloo Region to a more prosperous and vibrant future.
Greg Clark
Board Member
Acting CAO / Director of Corporate Services/CFO, Township of Wilmot
Greg Clark is currently the Acting CAO / and the Director of Corporate Services/CFO at the Township of Wilmot. Township of Wilmot, a rural municipality within the Region of Waterloo. He currently leads the teams that manage the Townships Finances, Legislative Services and IT Support.
Prior to joining Wilmot he was the Director of Capital Assets and Projects at the City of London, and prior to that he spent over a decade at the City of Guelph in roles leading capital planning and budgeting.
Greg graduated from McMaster University with a Honours Bachelor of Commerce in 1999 and attained his CPA (CMA) designation in 2010.