Our Team

The Board is made up of local community members skilled in various areas including project development, leadership, entrepreneurship, and other areas of expertise. Prudent, responsible and sustainably-run, this Board is working to create a secure and enjoyable lifestyle choice for our local seniors.

Under the supervision of the Board is an insightful collection of specialty advisors, associated consultants and local businesses, whose contributions are continually aiding the development of this unique rural seniors housing opportunity within our community.

Pennock Village is a true community-driven initiative. While the prospect of getting the ‘shovels in the ground’ is still on the horizon, we continue to grow a dedicated core team of people and businesses that contribute to that reality. The names of many are listed below, but there are many more who have given of their time & efforts in select areas of expertise, driving the development of Pennock’s beginnings and present-day progress. 

Interested in offering your own services / skills to the development of Pennock Village? Please contact our Chair, James Collie, at info@pennockvillage.ca

James Collie Chair

James is the initiator & developer behind Pennock Village who, together with the Board, is bringing the vision of a friendly, quiet senior community to life.
James has deep ties to both the rural life and life in northwestern Ontario: He was raised on a tobacco farm in southern Ontario, worked in Manitoba, Saskatchewan (first as a baker for Robin’s Donuts, and later as a partner in the company), and then he and his wife Inez moved to her hometown of Thunder Bay in 1990 to further develop the business. They raised their family in the Slate River Valley, valuing the rural lifestyle and strong sense of community there.
James continued his work with his partners in Northco Group, a property management and commercial development company in Thunder Bay. With Pennock Village, James is pairing his longtime affinity for semi-rural Thunder Bay with his decades of experience in property management and commercial development.

Harold Heerema Vice-Chair

Harold is a lifelong resident of the Thunder Bay area. He was the previous owner/manager of Unitized Manufacturing (1997) Ltd., where he had been employed since 1972. Being involved in the local construction industry allowed Harold to develop solid relationships with building contractors, building officials (for the city of Thunder Bay and outlying municipalities), architects, engineers, and private individuals. Through working with these people and organizations as a builder & supplier of engineered wood products, Harold gained extensive knowledge in the wood industry within Thunder Bay & the surrounding region. This has provided him with valuable experience as an acting Board member in Pennock Village’s present development.
Retirement for Harold has allowed him to spend more time with his four sons and their families (eleven grandchildren), while maintaining and enjoying his cottage on Lake Shebandowan. He and his wife, Geri, currently reside in Oliver Paipoonge.

Bruce Vanderwees Treasurer

Bruce was born and raised in Murillo, and grew up working at the family farm & business. He took over the family business as a partner at a young age, and continued working there for 35+ years. Currently, he still puts in a few hours each week.
Bruce also has a background in small business development and has diverse interests in local and global affairs. Along with an open mind to new ideas, Bruce finds satisfaction in helping small non-profit businesses with their financial bookkeeping & records. His skills in these areas have proven him a valuable member of the Board, where he stands as treasurer.
Bruce currently lives with his wife, Debby, in Murillo. He enjoys travelling and spending time with his family.

Carole Long Secretary

Carole is currently a Business Advisor at Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre, who also helped lead a Focus Group Study for Pennock Village while in its early planning stages. She has taken a keen interest in its entire development process.
Carole’s sharp wit and ability to build resourceful connections has proven her to be a valuable member on the Board. She has been tasked in the role of Secretary, ensuring clarity in communication without losing depth.
Originally from Thunder Bay, Carole now resides in Kaministiquia where she enjoys watching local wildlife, tending to her many houseplants, and working on her culinary skills.

Devon Myers

Devon is a local entrepreneur and business owner at Evergreen Pharmacy. When he’s not managing the day-to-day operations at Evergreen’s Rosslyn location, you can find him playing hockey, cooking or spending time with his family at their cottage.
Born and raised in Thunder Bay, Devon prides himself in providing quality healthcare services to the local community. During the past seven years Devon has gained rapport with the residents of Oliver-Paipoonge allowing him to provide insight that is reflective of his patients needs. His combined experience as both a pharmacist and business owner allow him to bring a unique perspective to the Board. Devon is excited to contribute to the development of Rosslyn, and looks forward to seeing the surrounding communities strengthen and grow.

Peggy Brekveld

Born and raised in the Oliver Paipoonge area, Peggy and her husband, Gert, own a dairy farm near Murillo.
Currently, Peggy is the executive director at The Gathering Place, a community centre in the Westfort area. Peggy also serves on several boards including Agricultural Adaptation Council, Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council, and Oliver Paipoonge Committee of Adjustment. She is also past president of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture.
Peggy brings to the Board a knowledge of governance, advocacy work and rural priorities.
You will often see Peggy walking along country roads. She also loves to sing.

Special Advisors

Contractor
Fred Cramer | Wilco Contractors Superior Inc.

Business Advisor
Glenn Burton | GLB Management Services

Branding & Communications
Miranda van den Berg | Slate Valley Studio

Social Media
Stacey Collie

Consultants

Gary Zock | President, Zock & Associates (1994) Inc.
Read his full bio here

Kaitlin Roka | Cheadles Law

Jay Storeshaw | Partner, MNP Accounting

Randall Johns | Ericksons Law

Syl Menic | Menic Planning Services