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Meet the Board

KBS is a non-profit, independent school governed by a board of directors comprised of members who are responsible for overseeing the operation of the school. Current members consist of both parents of KBS students and public members. The board is responsible for: policy development, approving the annual budget and ensuring prudent fiscal management, hiring and reviewing the Head of School and developing a strategic plan to ensure KBS enjoys a secure future. Four members of the board are providing personal guarantees for outstanding loans used to fund leasehold improvements at our current location.

Howard Gwin – Chair After spending 13 years in senior sales, marketing and operations roles in IBM Corporation and Xerox Corporation, Howard joined PeopleSoft Inc. From November 1994 to January 2000, Howard held a variety of executive management roles and managed a 3000 person team, responsible for all company revenue streams. During his tenure, the company grew from $100M in revenue to $1.3B. Starting in January 2000, Howard was President of Solect Technology Group, a global provider of billing, customer care and service management software for the telecommunications industry. In April 2000, Howard helped orchestrate the sale of Solect to Amdocs Inc., a world leader in customer management billing systems. The transaction (US$1.2B) was the largest ever for a private Canadian software company. Howard serves on the board of several private and public companies and is considered an expert in board governance and board effectiveness. In his spare time, Howard volunteers as the Executive-In-Residence and CEO/Board of Governors’ Coach for Georgian College, in Barrie, Ontario, and advisor to the Mayor of Barrie. Howard was awarded the Georgian College Board of Governors’ Award in May 2006 and the “Dollar A Year Award” from the City of Barrie, in September 2006. Howard has a Bachelor of Business Administration from Simon Fraser University in British Columbia and is actively engaged in family life with his wife Patti, and daughters Sophie and Emily, both of whom are students at KBS.

Sharon Cook Sharon Cook has been in the teaching profession for over 30 years. She has classroom teaching experience at all elementary levels. With the exception of three years spent teaching in private schools in Costa Rica, all her teaching has been in Simcoe County schools. Sharon has been in an administrative role with the Simcoe County District School Board since 1987 and a principal from 1990 until her retirement from Codrington Public School in 2004. Following her retirement Sharon returned to the Board office for six months to assume the acting position of Principal of Character Education and Safe Schools for the County. Sharon holds a Bachelor of Arts from Wilfred Laurier University, a Master of Education from the University of Toronto, principal qualifications and a physical education specialist from York University. Sharon has served on numerous hiring committees, Special Education Identification Committees, curriculum development teams, United Way Campaigns, and mentored aspiring administrators. Sharon and her husband, Harold, have resided in Midhurst for the past eighteen years. Sharon is pleased to serve on the KBS board as a way of staying current and of impacting positively on the educational experiences of our students. Sharon enjoys golf, gardening and skiing and as a lifelong learner; she is presently participating in painting and Spanish classes.

Ashlynne Dale – Secretary Ashlynne Dale is Vice-President and co-owner of Norwood Industries Inc., a manufacturer of portable sawmills and forestry equipment. From Norwood’s Canadian head-office and its U.S. headquarters in New York, Norwood ships equipment throughout North America and to over 75 countries worldwide. Before joining Norwood in 1999, Ashlynne specialized in commercial litigation as an associate with the law firm of Lang Michener in their Vancouver office. Ashlynne is a member of the Law Society of British Columbia and the Canadian Bar Association. She graduated from the University of Western Ontario with a B.A. in French literature and from the University of Toronto with her law degree. Ashlynne’s son, Iain, is currently a student at KBS. Ashlynne, her patient half, Ted, and Iain reside on their hobby farm near Horseshoe Valley along with countless dogs, cats, horses and a bird.

Pat Dasovic Pat Dasovic is the mother of four boys, Braden and Kyle who are KBS graduates, and Mackenzie and Lucas who are presently at KBS. Pat is also Past President of the KBS Parent Council, and the KBS Advancement Officer/Consultant, both of which are part-time positions at KBS. Pat has held other positions at KBS including Parent Council Secretary, Fundraising Chair and, for three years, the Parent Council President position. Parent Council's success over the years has resulted in over $150,000 dollars being donated back to the school. Pat holds a Bachelor of Arts degree, and is currently studying for a Post Graduate certificate in Fundraising and Resource Development at Georgian College. Pat, her husband Rob, four boys and Ali and Zoey (two golden doodles) live in Horseshoe Valley.

Kelly Fletcher Kelly has over 23 years of business and consulting experience. For the last 18 years she has consulted with organizations to create effective employee benefit strategies. With the growing awareness of the impact of the dynamics within the organization on the benefit outcomes, Kelly is currently working on another business venture which will focus on growing organizations through engaged clients and engaged employees. Kelly's clients have ranged from small regional organizations to large national and multinational organizations. Kelly holds a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree from Wilfrid Laurier University. She has attained Fellowship status as a Certified Employee Benefit Specialist through Dalhousie University and completed a Certificate in Corporate Coaching and a Certificate in Adult Learning & Development through OISE at University of Toronto. Kelly and her husband Stuart have two children, Hannah and Eve, attending KBS.

Michael Gleason Michael Gleason is a Pharmacist and has owned and operated pharmacies in Barrie (until recently). He is a member of the Canadian Pharmacists Association, Ontario Pharmacist Association and the Barrie Chamber of Commerce. Michael graduated from Barrie Central and holds a B.Sc.Phm. from University of Toronto. Michael’s family has resided in Barrie since the 1920s. He is married to Angela and they have four children.

Christine Kahler Christine Kahler is a lawyer at the firm of Purser, Dosley, Cockburn & Smith, LLP in Barrie, where she practises corporate commercial law, including real estate and ‘wills and estates’. She is a member of the Canadian Bar Association, the Ontario Bar Association and the Simcoe County Law Association. She is a graduate of the University of Saskatchewan, with both a Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Law. As a new mom of a little girl born in August 2006, Christine is enjoying being a mother and to contributing to the future student body at KBS.

Bruce MacNicol Bruce MacNicol is an Oral and Maxillofacial surgeon who has been practising in Barrie since 1989. He and his wife Cynthia have 2 children (Cheryl and Callum) attending KBS. Bruce has been a member of the KBS board since 2000, serving as the Board Chair for the last four years. In addition to operating a busy surgical practice, Bruce was part of the original ownership group of the Barrie Colts for 10 years and played a significant role in Barrie, receiving an expansion franchise in the OHL. Bruce attended the University of Calgary for his undergraduate studies, earned his DDS degree at the University of Western Ontario and completed his Oral and Maxillofacial surgical residency in Detroit, Michigan, also earning a Masters degree in Science. He is a member of numerous professional organizations and is past president of the Muskoka-Simcoe Dental Society. He regularly speaks on all aspects of Oral and Maxillofacial surgery. His interests include: hockey, skiing, wakeboarding and surfing.

Shawn Murray Shawn Murray was born and raised in Barrie and is a graduate of Barrie Central Collegiate. Shawn obtained an Engineering degree from McMaster University with a specialty in manufacturing. In 2002, Shawn started Murray Demolition Corp. which has grown to become Canada's largest industrial decommissioning company. In 2003, Shawn purchased the majority interest in an industrial services company in Alberta called SRS Industrial. SRS Industrial now employs more than 350 skilled individuals in the Oil and Gas industry in Western Canada. Shawn and his family, which includes two current KBS students, recently purchased an operating equestrian centre in Collingwood.

Tonya Pearce – Treasurer Tonya Pearce is a Chartered Accountant who has been working at Powell Jones LLP in Barrie since 2003. She moved to Barrie at this time, with her husband Mike and adorable cat, Yoda. She has been enjoying the lifestyle in Barrie since her move. She is currently a senior auditor working for a variety of clients from Toronto to North Bay. Although the majority of Tonya’s work is auditing, she is also involved in personal and corporate tax at the firm. She holds her undergraduate degree in business administration from Wilfrid Laurier University, in Waterloo, Ontario, with a minor in psychology. In her spare time, Tonya enjoys cross-country skiing, scrapbooking, reading and home renovation projects.

Rick Schaly Rick Schaly CAT(C), holds a Diploma in Sports Injury Management and is a certified Athletic Therapist. He is the owner of Trainer’s Choice, Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Centres and Mind to Muscle. He is a member of the Canadian Athletic Therapist Association, former member of the Rotary Club of Barrie and Young Entrepreneurs of Ontario. Rick sits on the Board of Advisors for the Sports Injury Management program at Sheridan College and is the Founding member of Sports Medicine Council of Ontario. Rick was a level 6 OHL Referee for 8 years. He is married to Tamara and their children, Taylor and Payton, are current students at KBS.

Mike Stollery Mike Stollery is the President/Owner of M.J.S. Holdings and Management Inc. The company has holdings in new vehicle dealerships and collision centres in central and southwestern Ontario. Locally, Mike is the senior partner of Barrie Ford, as well as a shareholder of South Barrie Collision Centre. In addition to having been a member of various charitable and community boards, Mike has served on numerous committees and advisory boards with Ford of Canada and its parent, Ford Motor Company. He is a member of the Georgian College Auto Show Advisory Board and is a past chairman of Co-Auto Co-Operative, an automotive buying group with more than 500 shareholders. Mike and his wife Lesley have two children attending KBS.

Susan Davidson Susan Davidson is an ex-officio member of the board, and has been in education for 29 years. She has worked in the Independent School system in both Canada and the United States. She has taught a variety of elementary grades and was the Head of the Library Resource Centre at The Bishop Strachan School for 13 years. During that time, Susan had the amazing opportunity to help create a curriculum for a new girls school in the United Arab Emirates. Her expertise was also sought in the area of school design, resource selection and the creation of an outstanding multi-media resource centre. Susan joined KBS at the beginning of year two, teaching a split 3/4/5. During years 2 and 3, Susan continued to teach 3/4 time and work as Director of Studies. In 2003, Susan became full time Director of Studies and in 2005 was appointed Associate Head of School, becoming responsible for overseeing the daily operations of KBS. Miss Davidson has a B.A. and B.Ed. from University of Western Ontario and is currently working on a M.Ed. in curriculum and leadership. She is the proud owner of Chloe and Casey, two little dogs.

Andy Rodford Andy Rodford is the Head of School and an ex-officio member of the Board. Andy has been involved with education for the past 17 years, recently moving to Barrie from Brentwood College School on Vancouver Island and before that Albert College in Belleville, Ontario. Andy and his wife Elizabeth also operated Onondaga Camp, a large children’s summer camp and outdoor education centre in Haliburton, Ontario. Andy has degrees in Biology, Geography and Education. Andy is passionate about all athletics, but has focused on rowing, having participated and coached at various levels, including many years with the Varsity programmes at Trent University and the University of Toronto. Andy has sat on several boards and is currently part of the Advisory Board of “Our Kids Go To School” magazine. His interests include, carving, painting and canoe tripping.

News & Updates

Kempenfelt Bay School has been accepted as a candidate school and is pursuing authorization as an IB World School for the Middle Years Programme for Grades 6 to 8. This highly respected programme founded in Geneva, Switzerland, stresses the interrelatedness of core subjects. The programme provides a frame work of academic challenge and life skills that embraces, yet transcends, traditional school subjects. Intercultural awareness and global citizenship are central to the programme. IB schools share a common philosophy – a commitment to high quality, challenging, international education that Kempenfelt Bay School believes is important for our students.