Meet Your 2025 Chamber Board Candidates

I am the CEO of Oak Medical Arts, a locally owned network of pharmacy and clinic locations. I am also a Managing Partner of Cedar and Stone Realty, a Thunder Bay-based real estate development and property management firm. My career has given me a unique perspective at the intersection of healthcare, business operations and entrepreneurship.

Beyond my professional roles, I have served on multiple boards, including provincial pharmacy associations and local community organizations, which has allowed me to contribute to strategic planning, governance and initiatives focused on the members. These experiences have strengthened my ability to collaborate, lead, and advocate for initiatives that support both local businesses and the broader community.

I want to serve on the Chamber’s Board because I believe a strong business community is essential to a thriving Thunder Bay. My dual perspective in healthcare and real estate provides insight into both economic development and community well-being. I view the Chamber as a valuable platform to support local businesses, champion meaningful initiatives, and foster innovation. Serving on the Board would allow me to give back, help shape the future of our business community, and ensure that Thunder Bay continues to grow as a vibrant place to live, work, and invest.

Cody is a lawyer at Cheadles LLP, where he works in multiple areas of law, focusing on municipal law, real estate law, and corporate law. The bulk of Cody’s practice is advising Municipalities on private-public partnerships, by-law drafting, commercial and residential real estate, tax enforcement, and matters related to the Planning Act, the Municipal Act, the Municipal Elections Act, and the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. He also acts for private companies and individuals on Municipal-related matters. He was elected to Thunder Bay City Council (Neebing Ward) for the 2018-2022 term and served on many committees and boards in that capacity.

Cody was born, raised and educated in Thunder Bay and loves being a northerner. He is passionate about continuing to apply his experience in law and politics to advocate for a strong and resilient business community.

Cody currently serves as Vice Chair of the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and Co-Chair of its Governance Committee. He is excited about the prospect of continuing his advocacy for business interests if he is re-elected.

I am the President and CEO of Synergy North, the electric utility for Thunder Bay and Kenora. My wife Patti and I are thrilled to be in Thunder Bay where everyone has been helpful, warm and welcoming.

I have over 20 years experience in the energy industry at electric and gas utilities in Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Florida, New Mexico and now Ontario. I practiced law when I joined the utility in Nova Scotia. I have always looked for ways to give back to the community, and have volunteered with industry associations, performing arts organizations, a Super Bowl planning committee, charities like the United Way, and I had the privilege to serve for two years as National President of the Canadian Cancer Society. I believe teamwork, collaboration and respect are the foundation of strong business decisions and relationships. By working together, businesses can be the engine of growth in Thunder Bay.

My primary job is to ensure Synergy North delivers safe, reliable and affordable electricity, and my mandate includes growing our business to strengthen our community through more investment and employment. As a member of the City’s Growth Task Force and of Ambassadors Northwest, I have met passionate and successful leaders who share the goal of a vibrant and thriving Thunder Bay. I was fortunate to serve on the Board of Directors of the Halifax Chamber of Commerce before moving to Thunder Bay and I know that a strong business community is essential to the success of the city.

My business experience in various cities gives me the confidence to contribute to the Board of the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce. My door is always open and I would be pleased to hear from other Chamber members at any time, and to talk about working together on business opportunities.

I am a Commercial Banker with RBC, specializing in supporting medium-sized enterprises. My role involves financial analysis, lending, and relationship management. I work closely with internal and external partners to ensure clients are supported not only with banking solutions but also with broader needs such as succession planning and employee retention. I’ve been in the banking industry for six years, beginning in retail and gradually moving into commercial banking.

I completed my MBA at Lakehead University, where I had the opportunity to collaborate with diverse teams and build a strong foundation in strategy and leadership. Originally from India, I moved directly to Thunder Bay – a decision that often surprises people, but one that I consider among the best I’ve made. Our community is strong, welcoming, and innovative, and I’m proud to be a part of it.

Having moved to Thunder Bay a few years ago, I’ve been deeply welcomed by this community. Serving on the Chamber’s Board is my way of giving back. My diverse experience – as an international student, retail and now a finance professional gives me a well-rounded perspective on local business needs.

Being a board member would align with values I hold both personally and professionally: placing members’ interests and well-being at the forefront and ensuring transparency in decision-making. The Chamber’s strategic focus on Advocacy, Empowerment, and Engagement is especially important in today’s economic environment. I believe when we advocate for and engage with our community, we help build a stronger, more resilient future – and I would be honoured to contribute to that effort.

I was born and raised in Thunder Bay, and despite living elsewhere over the years, I always found myself pulled back home. My career path has been anything but boring – federal, provincial, municipal service, school divisions, private enterprise – covering everything from mapping and data analysis to policy, design, and IT. The through-line? Finding ways to make things better for people.

In 2013, my love of coffee (and curiosity about small business) became Rose N Crantz Roasting Co. What started as a side hustle in my home quickly grew into a cafe and roastery supplying homes and businesses across the city. Along the way I picked up accounting, marketing, team management, and the art of keeping many plates spinning. My reputation? Fair, open, generous, and maybe a little too caffeinated – but always focused on helping others succeed.

I get a real kick out of helping people figure things out. Call it problem-solving, call it tinkering – whatever it is, it’s what drives me. Over the years, I’ve watched Thunder Bay’s businesses celebrate wins and wrestle with challenges, and I want to lend my expertise to that bigger picture.

As a small business owner, I’ve learned that collaboration beats competition every time. I’ve seen firsthand how strong local connections – whether between small start-ups or larger employers – can make our economy more resilient. The Chamber feels like the right place to keep building those bridges.

I’d like to see Thunder Bay’s business community thrive, not just survive, by breaking down barriers for new entrepreneurs, encouraging “”co-opetition” and strengthening B2B relationships. At the end of the day, I want to help create the kind of business environment where we all win together.

I am the Dean of the Faculty of Business Administration at Lakehead University. Areas of expertise: education, academic administration, and marketing (the discipline my PhD is in).

I was previously at the University of Manitoba for 25 years. During my tenure in Winnipeg, I developed considerable experience interacting and collaborating with the local business community. The last position I held at UofM was Associate Dean of Strategic Partnerships, which involved liaising the business school with the local business community. As part of my position, I worked closely with the Winnipeg business community to seek their input on educational programming, find opportunities for collaboration, and foster a mutually beneficial relationship with the business community.

I have organized my response around the three strategic pillars of the TBCC:

ADVOCACY: As LU is one of the major organizations in the region, I would like to have a voice in decisions that shape the future of the city and region.

ENGAGEMENT: I intend to build a close relationship of the local business community with LU’s Faculty of Business Administration, which currently is quite limited. I would like to significantly increase the interaction to forge new partnerships with local businesses and the City so as to contribute to TBay’s business growth.

EMPOWERMENT: I would like to serve as a liaison between LU and the local business community to align our educational programs, especially those business-related, with the evolving professional needs of the region.

Being part of the Board will allow me to do the above more effectively than from the outside. Thanks for the opportunity to be considered.