Board of Directors
Effective September 2023
Michele Myrah, President
michele.myrah@marshstreetcentre.com
In March 2021, Michele assumed the role of Treasurer at the Marsh Street Centre. She was a professional accountant who transitioned into human resources early in her career. She's an avid reader and loves the arts — especially live music, dance, and musical theatre. She is an aspiring cyclist and hiker. Michele and her family have been coming to the Blue Mountains area for over 15 years. She and her husband are now thrilled to call Thornbury their home! Michele enjoys participating in all of the year-round activities our region has to offer, and she is looking forward to supporting Marsh Street Centre in its vital role within the community.
Liz Kennedy, Treasurer
liz.kennedy@marshstreetcentre.com
Originally from Toronto, Liz and her husband David were seasonal residents in the area for many years before moving to Thornbury full time in May, 2020. She started her career in banking, but left to manage the financial side of her husband’s business once their children were born. Over the past twenty years Liz has held a variety of volunteer and leadership roles, and has enjoyed organizing many Community and fund raising events.
Erna Scholz, Secretary
ernie.scholz@marshstreetcentre.com
Erna obtained her Architect Technician diploma in 1964 and worked as an architect until 1973. In 1975, she married her husband, who owned a CA and CPA company. She furthered her education by earning a diploma as an accountant technician in 1976.
Erna is the proud mother of Max, who is currently 46 years old. She previously owned a restaurant in downtown Munich with a seating capacity of 130.
In 1980, Erna and her husband purchased a 620-acre farm in New Liskeard and subsequently became Canadian citizens. They established a successful tourist and horse center, where Erna served as Secretary and Treasurer.
Her passion for horses led her to pursue education in the sheep industry and Horse Farrier at the College of Agricultural Technology. Erna also held roles as Secretary and Treasurer for a German/Canadian real estate company and the local horse club.
Throughout her career, Erna excelled as a barrel racer, training horses and mentoring students.
Following retirement and the sale of their farm, Erna and her husband relocated to Thornbury in 2020, where they purchased a property at Thornbury Meadows. They thoroughly enjoy their new home, and Erna eagerly anticipates new experiences.
Erna holds a strong affinity for Clarksburg and the Marsh Street Centre and is enthusiastic about volunteering her time and skills there.
James Lethbridge, Director
james.lethbridge@marshstreetcentre.com
James, a seasoned IT professional, is an expert in the intricate realms of network deployment, virtualization, and server administration. Originating from the picturesque Collingwood area, James boasts a distinguished record in crafting and sustaining highly resilient network environments. Currently serving as a Network Engineer at Brightshores Health System, James brings a wealth of experience garnered from pivotal roles across diverse industries, including healthcare, media, and critical infrastructure. Armed with a degree in Information Technology from St. Lawrence College, James seamlessly intertwines his local roots with a profound understanding of IT infrastructure, security, and risk management, rendering him an invaluable asset for strategic IT decision-making.
Graham Binks, Director
graham.binks@marshstreetcentre.com
Graham has spent the last 30 years in and around Grey County and Georgian Bay. A career in technology brought him to Canada from the UK in 1992. He has served a global client base as Executive and consultant.
Now based out of Meaford, Graham enjoys all that the area has to offer, particularly hiking, skiing, sailing, golf and fly fishing. He is discovering the local music and theatre scene and is excited to contribute to the community
Advisors
Robert Brown, Past President
Robert and his wife Laura have lived in Thornbury since 1997. His earlier experience was in insurance, packaging, and lighting — but his interest in art and music led him back to college to study Visual and Creative Arts and Design at Niagara College. After graduating, he worked as a designer and marketing representative for a magazine in Windsor ON. He later moved to Thornbury, where he opened a sign company in 1998. Robert brings his flare and expertise as a graphic designer to MSC promotions. Robert also enjoys recording music and playing with his band Cabin Fever, and he plays an active role in event management and organizes concerts with local talent at the Marsh as well. The community has enjoyed working with Robert. He's organized several social and fundraising events at the Marsh Street Centre since 2010, and he looks forward to contributing to the community for many years to come.
Gavin Leitch, Legal Advisor
Gavin joined the Marsh Street Centre Board of Directors in the Spring of 2014. Originally from Toronto, Gavin obtained an undergraduate degree in Political Science from the Universite de Montreal (2007) and went on to complete his law studies in Moncton, New Brunswick (2012). On his return to Ontario in 2013, Gavin was called to the Bar and sought to establish himself in the Grey-Bruce area to practise law. Living in Thornbury, he is now an associate lawyer with the firm Schefeile, Erskine & Renken in Meaford. Eager to stay active in the community outside of work, Gavin previously joined the MSC Board to contribute to the Centre’s growth as the cultural heart of our community. You will also find Gavin relishing the great outdoors and enjoying the company of friends over pints in town. Gavin completed his four-year term as a part of the board on June 2018, and has been a valued part of the Marsh ever since.
Al Hagerman, Fire, Health & Safety Coordinator
Al was born in Regina, Saskatchewan, and moved to Ontario in the late 70’s to attend UWO in London Ont. After University, Al moved to the Beaver Valley and immediately fell in love with the area. He set down roots in this amazing community and has never looked back. Al previously worked for the City of Mississauga Fire Dept. as an Officer for 30 years. He also started a Marketing, Manufacturing, and Distributing Company, distributing products all over North America. Al has years of experience volunteering with various programs within the fire Dept. and in the Town of The Blue Mountains. He's been involved with the BVO in Thornbury, as well as Alpine Canada and Alpine Ontario as a Ski/ Snowboard Race Official. Skiing has been a passion for Al and his family, and they have been involved with ski racing at Alpine Ski Club for many years. After years of living in Thornbury part time, AI and Rose finally retired and moved here permanently in 2016. Al enjoys serving the community and making a difference, and we are lucky to have him on the team.
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Keith Broughton, Sound Technician
Keith Broughton, born and raised in Stratford Ontario, has always had a keen interest in audio and electronics. In his early 20s, he was able to translate that interest into touring the rock and roll scene throughout Ontario and Quebec for five years with musicians he had connected with in Cambridge. After touring, Keith settled in Kitchener/Waterloo, working for several sound production companies as a systems designer, builder, service technician and mix engineer. He spent 30+ years honing his craft both in Toronto and on tour working with corporate, theatrical, and musical clients.
In 2018, Keith and his wife, Kat, moved to the Beaver Valley area to settle and semi-retire. He is happy to find a local community and arts centre in Clarksburg, and feels that the Marsh Street Centre is a jewel in the Blue Mountain area, providing many opportunities for community events, concerts and support for up and coming talent. Keith looks forward to passing on some of the skills he has learned, making some new friends, and helping to fulfil the Marsh Street Centre mandate.
Tom Kennedy, Advisor & Lifetime Member
Tom retired from his position as a project, customer service, and resource control manager to assume an active role in the ongoing operations of Marsh Street Centre. Father of two and grandfather of six, Tom loves to work with wood, metal and people. He is an active member of the Beaver Valley Lion's Club, the Royal Canadian Legion and is a team builder/supporter of the Marsh Street Centre.
Tom was re-elected to the Marsh Street board for the fiscal year 2015-16 and has been involved in coordinating the completion of the kitchen renovations and the addition of the patio. As well he has filled the role of operations manager for the Centre and heading up the administration side of the operations committee.
Tom stepped down from the Marsh Street Board in November 2017 but will continue to provide his assistance as an Advisor to the Marsh.