meet the board.
Southampton Arts is very fortunate to have such a varied and experienced Board of Directors.
Our volunteer board members are the fiduciaries who steer the organization towards a sustainable future by adopting sound, ethical, and legal governance and financial management policies, as well as by making sure the nonprofit has adequate resources to advance its mission.
Fred Kuntz
Chair
Fred Kuntz is an artist and communications consultant. Fred retired in 2022 from Ontario Power Generation (OPG), where he was Senior Manager in Corporate Relations and Director of Communications at an OPG subsidiary, Laurentis Energy Partners. He continues to work in the energy sector through his company, J. Fred Kuntz Communications.
Previously, Fred enjoyed a 30-year career in major Canadian media. He was Editor-in-Chief of The Toronto Star, Associate Editor of the Globe and Mail, and Publisher of the Waterloo Region Record. Prior governance experience includes board roles at Trillium Health Partners (Ontario’s largest hospital),
the Balsillie School of International Affairs, and the Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery, among others. He is a graduate of the Directors Education Program at the Institute of Corporate Directors.
Fred has a degree in Journalism from Toronto Metropolitan University, and was awarded an honorary Doctorate in Letters from Wilfrid Laurier University for business and community leadership. Fred lives in Port Elgin with his wife, Liz. He is a member of the Southampton-based Shoreline Artists group – his art can be seen at www.jfredkuntz.com
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Dave Ballingall
Vice-Chair
Dave is an art enthusiast, and novice artist currently nurturing his painting with the guidance of the Southampton Arts School. He believes strongly in community, and that the Southampton Arts Centre reflect the community. Dave also volunteers at Prance Therapeutic Equestrian Centre, and the Southampton Care Centre.
Prior to retiring to Southampton in 2017, Dave’s professional career was in marketing, including roles as Vice President, Marketing at Rogers Sportsnet, Vice President, Marketing at CTV Television, and Brand Manager at Nestle Canada.
When not volunteering, Dave can be found playing tennis, paddleboarding, cycling, golfing, or curling, right here in Southampton.
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Robert Lompart
Secretary
Robert is enthusiastic about supporting community and cultural events in Saugeen Shores and across the Grey-Bruce region. Living in Southampton, he is very active, owning and managing vacation rental properties, staying athletic through playing tennis, attending fitness classes and co-coordinating squash programming at Lakeshore Recreation Center, and enjoying the spectacular waterfronts, restaurants and cafes around our amazing town.
With 30 years of experience working for a GTA public school board, Robert has an extensive administrative and teaching background in education. His career includes 15 years as a secondary school vice-principal and principal, preceded by an additional 15 years as an Art, photography and yearbook teacher. He also had the pleasure to work as an educator and Art Camp director at the McMichael Art collection in Kleinburg. He has Fine Art and Education degrees from Queen’s University and a Master’s degree in Art Education from the University of Toronto. Currently, Robert works occasionally with the Bluewater District School Board.
Robert loves the arts and is honoured to be a part of the Southampton Arts Centre.
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Gerald Guenkel
Director
Gerald background includes extensive experience as a college educator, industrial forest manager and as a chainsaw artist for 25 years.
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Gerald is a wood carver, living near the Bruce Peninsula by Lake Huron. His specialty is creating sculptures using chainsaws and other power tools. He will also put down the power tools on occasion to hand carve large custom, solid wood doors for clients.
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Throughout his life, Gerald has been fascinated by the human face. This is apparent in his ability to capture facial expressions on paper, small carvings and most recently through his chainsaw carvings and now hand carved doors.
Like many artists, Gerald started his passion as a hobby. His techniques have been solely self-taught over the past nineteen years, and he has developed and modified his skills through the never ending learning process.
Today, Gerald’s work can be viewed at chainsaw carving demonstrations, exhibitions and recognized art and craft shows. He is becoming known for his quality workmanship and has been commissioned to construct pieces for institutions, municipalities and private individuals across Canada and USA.
Gerald has a strong belief that a community that celebrates the arts is a strong community.
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Joyce Carr
Director
Retired from a career in Education and Social Services specializing in persons with intellectual disabilities, the first few years of her career focused on Specialized Education with various Boards of Education. Later in her career she effectively and decisively directed support systems ensuring overall effectiveness in the areas of person-centred planning, community development, networking, service planning, evaluation of outcomes and satisfaction on day to day operations while working within Ministry requirements. She received several awards and recognition for her outstanding contributions in removing barriers for individuals in business. Joyce was raised in a household where volunteering and contributing to one’s community was a way of life.
Joyce was active with the Board of Directors for Adult Education and Learning, and Victorian Order of Nurses, and was Instrumental on the ground floor planning and launching of Ronald McDonald House, London, and Geranium House (Hospice) in Chatham-Kent. She has summered on the shores of Lake Huron, since the early sixties, and is on her third term with the SAC Board, and describes the Art School and Gallery the 'gem' of Saugeen Shores.
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Mary Lou Sinclair - CIH, ROH, CRSP
Director
Mary Lou is a multi-disciplined leader committed to moving an organization forward in health, safety and environmental performance and she has sound knowledge of federal/provincial occupational health and safety legislation and Canadian standards.
Mary Lou has a strong project director tapped to lead cross functional teams in solving complex and high profile issues and has experienced in developing and implementing recognized management systems from the ground up in a diverse organization. She is a dedicated manager, with a strong work ethic, able to motivate and inspire high performing teams.
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Brigita Roube
Director
Brigita Rafaela Roube, with over 12 years of experience in business management in her native Latvia, embarked on a new journey when she arrived in Canada in 1989. In partnership, she co-founded Latcan Corporation, a pioneering telecommunication company, and served as its director until its successful sale in 2010.
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Following the sale, Brigita transitioned into a holistic healing practitioner, embracing a different path aimed at fostering wellness and holistic well-being. Despite this shift, her dedication to business remains evident as she continues to contribute her expertise to Vision Interactive Inc., offering invaluable support in financial management, bookkeeping and accounting services on a part-time basis.
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Beyond her professional endeavors, Brigita is deeply committed to supporting the arts and community initiatives, a passion cultivated since her early years. Her community-minded approach and unwavering support for artistic endeavors underscore her multifaceted contributions beyond the realm of business.
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As a member and volunteer of Southampton Playhouse, and the Saugeen Shores Chamber of Commerce, Brigita Roube actively engages in community-building efforts and lends her expertise to various charitable events. Her rich background in both business management and holistic healing brings a unique perspective to our team of directors, and her steadfast commitment to excellence makes her an integral part of our leadership team.
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William Semeluk
Director
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CONTACT Southampton Arts Board of Directors at board@southamptonartscentre.com