The Board of Directors is responsible for governing the affairs of the Aurora Chamber of Commerce on behalf of its members. The Board structure and the method for selection are specified in the Aurora Chamber’s bylaws. The Directors are elected by the membership at the Annual General Meeting.
The 2024-2025 Board of Directors were inducted by Mayor Mrakas at the Aurora Chamber of Commerce Annual General Meeting (AGM), held on August 22, 2024.
Harry Asbreuk, Chair
Harry has over 25 years of banking experience with Scotiabank and Meridian Credit Union. He is currently the Branch Manager at the Meridian Credit Union location on Wellington Street. He is also a past Director of the Halton Hills Chamber of Commerce.
Roger Singh, Vice Chair
With over 19 years in the Insurance and Financial Services industry, I take pride in leading a sales force of 50 independent Desjardins Insurance Agents by providing business management consulting with an emphasis on leadership, office management, sales and marketing. In addition, I manage the financial side of our local business, Gowda-Singh Insurance Inc. which is primarily operated by my wife, Samantha Gowda-Singh.
I am a “self-proclaimed” foodie and explorer, and my preference is to always support local. In our free time, you will find Samantha and I trying new foods and experiences, although this is quite the luxury these days as we balance our professional careers and personal lives with our children
Jennifer Walker, Treasurer
Jennifer works with both businesses and individuals to assess their financial needs and goals. She has over 30 years’ of experience and education as a Certified Financial Planner, a Certified Employee Benefits Specialist, a Certified Health Specialist, a Responsible Investment Specialist, a Master Financial Planner – Philanthropy and most recently completely her 3Hs of Financial Planning – Holistic, Honest and Human. These certifications, along with her reputation have made her a sought after advisor and speaker. In her “spare time”, Jennifer is a mother of three children – ok, 2 are technically adults, and is busy with extended family and school activities.
Alex Herrington, Secretary
Alex is the owner of The North Dance Company, a full service recreational and competitive dance studio in Aurora. After graduating from the University of Guelph, Alex followed her passion and made dancer her career. With over 17 years of teaching experience, her students have competed at an international level in Tap and Jazz dance. Opening its doors in 2020, The North Dance Company builds strong, well-rounded dancers who love to perform.
Chris Elwood, Director
Chris has been with Toyota for over 25 years in all aspects of the sales side of the business. He currently holds the position of General Manager at NewRoads Aurora Toyota. Chris and his wife, Melissa, are proud parents of 4 daughters. They like to spend their spare time at the beach in the summer and skiing in the winter months.
Julien Laurion, Director
Julien is a Real Estate Agent and Renovator with Big Tuna Realty.
I am a fan of nicknames and always have been. Why BIG TUNA? Well, I have always swam a little outside the school, and I am a big guy! I am proud of my accomplishments; but, nothing makes me prouder than where I came from and where I am heading.
I am proud to have both worked and lived in this community for over 20 years and I love what I do working as both a Realtor and Renovator. This is my first time sitting on a board of directors and I am beyond excited to learn and continue to give back to my community and support fellow small business owners in Aurora.
John Long, Director
John is the Director of Key Accounts at Smith & Long, a leader in the electrical and mechanical industry since 1930. With over 35 years experience in the Commercial HVAC world, he is an active participant on various industry level committees that foster and promote education, training, safety and industry standards. Over the span of his career, he rose from being a certified HVAC technician, to holding various senior roles in managing frontline employees, operations, sales and project delivery both locally and abroad. John resides in the community with his wife Rose and daughter Rachel.
David Olesen, Director
David, with a dual professional practice as a business, finance and commercial lawyer while also being an advisor to the management of various enterprises, offers a unique and valuable blend of skills developed throughout a successful career working with a vast array of legal clients and business operators from start-ups and sole proprietors through to small and medium sized enterprises engaged across many different industries and countries, at the same time playing a key role in various large scale real estate developments and with a global seed to sale agriculture corporation. The experience and practical knowledge David brings was also greatly enhanced through his time as an executive officer and President of a company that brought forward industrial technology from a concept and prototype through to a successful market launch, as well, David provides key insight into interacting with governments and the public sector having acted as the Director of Policy and Senior Advisor to Ontario’s Minister of Finance.
Marion Tripp, Director
Founder of Virtual Option, an event services producer and provider of live and digital events, Marion is a performance-driven, bilingual (English/French) Event Program and Client Operations Support professional with a passion for consistently planning and executing compelling and cost-efficient business incentive and corporate events that boost company visibility and promote corporate branding while protecting the bottom line. Strengths include high-level interpersonal and leadership abilities to forge and sustain third party partnerships and collaborate with internal teams towards a single focus of delivering event outcomes that meet or exceed client expectations of time, money and value.
Amanda Vesterfelt, Director
Amanda is an accomplished business professional, with a career spanning over 18 years. Her dedication to hospitality led her to Aurora where she has made significant contributions to the growing hotel industry. Currently, Amanda serves as the General Manager of Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Aurora. Outside of work, Amanda’s heart belongs to her husband, two children, and her chocolate Labrador. She is excited to continue her journey in the hospitality industry, adding her own special colour to the vibrant Aurora community.