WSL is a legally registered Ontario Not-for-Profit Corporation. Our Board of Directors are
unpaid volunteers who meet monthly to plan, direct and review the activities of the organization.
Our Current Board of Directors are:
Ken Rose
Chairman
Ken emigrated to Canada and to Westport in 1992 from the United States. Ken was an artist nicknamed The Sandman, a craftsperson and an entrepreneur. A decade later he developed with his partner, Deborah Waddell, the stores Lake Effects and Pinecone. In 2016 he became Co-Chair of the Westport and Rideau Lakes Chamber of Commerce. He also is presently a founding member and on the board of Prevent Another Westport Stray (PAWS), the North Crosby Tennis Club, Westport Shares and Westport Senior Living. He has been a recipient of the Westport Senior Citizen of the Year Award and the Lions Club International Lester Jones Humanitarian Award. He is grateful that he wakes up everyday living in Westport and gets to see the sun rise over the majestic Upper Rideau Lake. He has confidence that the endeavours of all the board members, service providers and community members will make Westport and areas a welcoming and safe place to age in place.
JUDY FIELDING
Vice-Chair
Judy Fielding has significant experience in primary healthcare management, having served as Family Health Team (FHT) Manager for the CPHC Community FHT for twelve years, overseeing four sites and 55 staff. Judy was recruited as Executive Director of the Athens FHT, a role she held for eight years. Her previous volunteer work includes many leadership roles, including President of Leeds Grenville Cancer Society, Board Chair of Leeds Grenville Mental Health & Addictions, Westport Arts Council and Westport Blooms. Judy is married to Lawrence and has a son, Andrew, and daughter, Krystle. She moved to Westport eight years ago and takes pleasure in making a positive impact on the lives of others.
BETSY SMITH
Director
Like Bruce Springsteen, I was born in the USA. Unlike Bruce Springsteen, I can’t sing worth beans. Also unlike him, in 1969 I married a Canadian-raised dual citizen and eventually chose Canada. In truth, all my life as I have enjoyed putting down roots, I have also relished being transplanted. Through the years I’ve tried to follow the advice of a silly little song from my childhood (a nod here to Betty Jo MacDougall): “Brighten the Corner Where You Are.” Involvement in community life has always given me far more than it has asked of me and I’ve learned that the old cliche – “it takes a village” – is profoundly accurate. Now Westport is our village, our roots are deepening, and I am grateful for the community WSL has opened up for me.
BOB THOMPSON
Director
Bob retired to Westport with his wife Peggy in February 2018 after living and working in many areas throughout North America. His university education focused on Canadian studies, and for 25 years he worked in Western Canada as a Consultant in Planning, Ports, and Project Management. Bob has a long and varied history of community service and has served on Westport’s Parks, Recreation & Harbour and Economic Development Advisory Committees. He has been deeply involved in the creation of Westport Senior Living to assist seniors in this area, and regularly volunteers with Westport Blooms, the Upper Rideau Lake Association, and the Westport Lions.
Jim Wallace
Director
In the early 2000s, Jim made seven trips to Guatemala building masonry cook stoves with the Guatemala Stove Project, a registered charity based in Perth, and spent three years on its board of directors.
Jim looks forward to helping organize various forms of support for seniors in the area, now that he suddenly finds that he is one himself.
Gary Woodworth
Director
Dr. John Puxty
Director