Councillors

Mayor
Randy Greenlaw​​

Randy Greenlaw grew up in Hillsdale, Ontario before attending Trent University where he graduated with an Honors Degree in Business Administration and Policy Studies. For over 25 years, Randy worked for a number of corporate leaders such as Labatt Breweries and Akzo Nobel.

Today, Randy and his brother run a successful small business focused on servicing the Central Ontario market. Randy's experiences in the corporate and entrepreneurial world have allowed him to develop strong leadership, clear communication, and a strong business acumen.  These skills were beneficial to Randy in his role as Ward 5 Councillor during the 2018-2022 term of Council.

On a personal note, Randy feels very fortunate and honoured to have the time, passion and life experience to represent Oro-Medonte as Mayor.  With an ambitious vision, Randy is positive that great strides can be made in shaping Oro-Medonte into a Township that is increasingly vibrant, innovative, inclusive and sustainable, while most importantly, maintaining the environment and “small town" closeness and warmth to which we are all accustomed.

Randy, his wife Janet and two children, Jill and Chad feel very fortunate to live, work and play in Oro-Medonte.  As we look ahead with a sense of renewal, the prosperity before us while planning for future generations to come is nothing short of e​xciting.​

​Ward 1 Councillor
Lori Hutcheson

​As a resident of Oro-Medonte for over 18 years, Lori has a great appreciation for the township, its unique communities, and the distinctive attributes of Oro-Medonte’s landscape.

​*Councillor Hutcheson will also serve as Deputy Mayor effective January 1, 2025 until the conclusion of this term of Council.

Ward 2 Councillor
John Bard​​

705-730-8178
john.bard@oro-medonte.ca

Oro-Medonte Council Committee/Board Representation: Oro-Medonte Chamber of Commerce & Tourism; Orillia Public Library

John Bard grew up on a family dairy farm in the township.  Today, John and his wife Rosalee are raising their two teenage children on the same family farm. Family and community involvement are very important to John as demonstrated though over 30 years of coaching 80 local teams in the community.  

Locally, John attended Marchmont Public School, and Park Street Collegiate Institute.  John's post-secondary education includes earning a Bachelor of Science Degree with a double major in Geography and Biology, and a Bachelor of Education Degree from Lakehead University in Thunder Bay.  John has been a dedicated high school teacher in Orillia for over 22 years.

John has held a variety of leadership roles including coach, trainer, manager, and Minor Sport Executive Board member. His volunteer experience in Oro-Medonte has solidified John's belief in the importance of teamwork.

John believes recreation and service opportunities Oro-Medonte's beautiful farms, forests, and lakes provide are precious.  He is committed to conserving these vital ecosystems and will engage with local residents and organizations to raise awareness, and take steps towards preservation and restoration of these environments.

John is excited to be representing Oro-Medonte in his role as Ward 2 Councillor.  He encourages diversity, inclusion, and open mindedness in the community.  John values different perspectives of residents, and looks forward to listening to, and working with local residents to make Oro-Medonte an even better place to live; both now, and in the future.

Ward 3 Councillor
David Clark​​

705-238-7265
david.clark@oro-medonte.ca

Oro-Medonte Council Committee/Board Representation: Barrie Area Physician Recruitment; Economic Development Roundtable; Human Resources

David Clark grew up in Oro-Medonte on his family farm raised by parents, and guided by grandparents, that are long standing and committed members of the community.  The Clark family has deep community roots with generations of family farmers who have made Oro-Medonte home.

David is a graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University (WLU) holding a Bachelor of Business Administration - Accounting Specialization & Co-op.  David is a Designated Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA), with a career as a financial statement auditor, working with a range of clients from multi-national public companies, to small not-for-profit organizations, and municipal clients.  Additionally, David is a former District Controller responsible for financial reporting and oversight of a business with annual revenues of over $60 million, and assets of $35 million.

While attending WLU, David was a member of the varsity men's rugby team, placed 2nd in the distinguished Jeux du Commerce competition, an annual leading interuniversity competition in Eastern Canada, and was a finalist for the International-Collegiate Business Competition, Canada's largest, longest running, and most prestigious case competition hosted annually at Queen's University.

David is a strong supporter of various charity organizations such as Movember, and an active participant in youth sports through coaching baseball, soccer, and hockey.

Having an appreciation for the beauty of Oro-Medonte with everything from community warmth to stunning scenery, David and his wife are grateful to be raising their four children in the township. 

David is honoured to serve in his role as Ward 3 Councillor, and is excited to be part of planning for future generations who will also call our vibrant community home.​

Deputy Mayor/Ward 4 Councillor
Peter Lavoie​​

705-627-2491
peter.lavoie@oro-medonte.ca

Oro-Medonte Council Committee/Board Representation: Economic Development Roundtable; Lake Simcoe Regional Airport; Top Aggregate Producing Municipalities of Ontario

Peter is a professional engineer having practised for 44 years. Since the 1980s he has been involved in community interests and wishes to build on a lifelong dedication to the promotion of safe, peaceful and thriving communities. He will continue this community interest on behalf of Oro-Medonte by representing its residents in preserving the natural and agricultural heritage of Oro-Medonte through responsible residential, commercial and industrial growth.

Peter recognizes that Oro-Medonte has a tradition of civic participation with its municipal government and appreciates the opportunity to ensure that this legacy of engagement can thrive for the benefit of all residents. He intends to put to good use the experience, skills and abilities gained as a community-builder, negotiator, mediator and problem solver.

His goal is to use his professional, business and community experience to help preserve the beautiful, natural character of Oro-Medonte for future generations; and to promote respectful dialogue between Council and the residents of Oro-Medonte.

Peter is honoured to serve in his role as Ward 4 Councillor for the duration of the 2022-2026 term of Council, and as Deputy Mayor for the first two years of the term.​​

Ward 5 Councillor
Richard Schell​​

705-627-7347
richard.schell@oro-medonte.ca

Oro-Medonte Council Committee/Board Representation: Heritage; Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority; Orillia & Area Physician Recruitment

Rick Schell has been a property and business owner in Oro-Medonte for the past 23 years. He and his wife Sylvia reside in East Oro. Rick is a Master Plumber by trade.

Rick's work history in Simcoe County is extensive. He has had the privilege to work on construction of many facilities; including: the Court House in Barrie, distilleries in Collingwood, the original Georgian Mall, several Elementary and Secondary school buildings, and municipal water and sewage facilities in the cities of Orillia and Barrie.

The above mentioned is shadowed by his 26 years' service teaching at Eastview Secondary School in Barrie. Rick holds 5 teaching degrees from Queen's and Nipissing Universities – one of which is a Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Science. Rick has mentored many local young people into the professional trade fields of plumbing, welding and heating. Others have pursued environmental careers after being involved with Rick's Outers Club at Eastview Secondary School, while some former students have advanced their interest into architectural drafting careers.

Rick's total involvement with his student's development has given him the privilege of being invited as a special guest to some of their weddings and graduation ceremonies. He will always remember those students who were never formerly in his classroom, yet followed careers in law, physiotherapy, medical fields, and teaching.

Rick was one of those teachers who gave endlessly to his students. He coached boys and girls rugby, senior boys' basketball, and senior girls' hockey at Eastview Secondary School; along with 13 years coaching rep hockey in the Village of Coldwater.

Rick is a fulltime volunteer for the Oro-Medonte Farmers Market, and the Christmas Mystical Lights event at the Oro Fairgrounds. He is the past Vice-President of the Oro-Medonte Chamber of Commerce, and a former member of the Hawkestone Singers.

Rick has had the pleasure of helping many residents throughout the township, and is honoured to serve in his role as Ward 5 Councillor.​

​Ward 6 Councillor​
Robert Young​

705-790-2796
robert.young@oro-medonte.ca

Oro-Medonte Council Committee/Board Representation: Joint Accessibility Advisory; Orillia & Lake Country Tourism; Orillia District Chamber of Commerce

​Councillor Young moved to Oro-Medonte 20 years ago from Hamilton, Ontario and purchased a farm with his two sons as it was always one of Councillor Young's boyhood dreams to own and live on a farm; the other being to be a police officer. Councillor Young was a police officer for 16 years having served with both the Ontario Provincial Police and the Hamilton Police Service.

As a Hamilton Police Officer, Councill​or Young served in various positions including Race and Ethnic Relations, Intelligence, Community Services, plain clothes units,​ and was Hamilton Police Service's Media Relations Officer wherein he conducted daily press conferences with the media.

Needing a further challenge, Councillor Young took a position with the Ontario Human Rights Commission as an investigator with a Special Task Force travelling the province addressing the back-log of cases in Ontario. As an investigator with the Commission, he reviewed evidence to determine whether or not the evidence warranted a recommendation for a Board of Inquiry. He was promoted to a manager's position and subsequently became a provincial mediator with the Commission.

During Councillor Young's ten years with the Commission, he was seconded to the Office of the Police Complaints Commissioner, Ministry of the Attorney-General, investigating complaints against police officers, and as the Recommendation Coordinator, he reviewed case files recommending changes to police service policies and procedures, if warranted. Councillor Young was further seconded to the Independent Investigation Unit, Ministry of the Solicitor-General and Corrections, wherein he investigated complaints under the province's Workplace Discrimination and Harassment Prevention Policy within the province's correctional facilities.

As a further challenge to himself, Councillor Young left the Commission and joined the Office of the Fire Marshal (OFM), as an investigator (Fire Marshal) wherein he investigated the cause of fires and explosions in the province for five years before retiring from the provincial government. Subsequent to his retirement from the OFM, Councillor Young investigated insurance frauds as an investigator in a specialized investigation unit with an insurance company.

Councillor Young has assisted members of the public for 35 years in various capacities and is looking forward to the next four years to assist members of this community.