Bill Smith, President

Bill worked at CIBC in various capacities for thirty-eight years with the majority of years as a Relationship Manager in Commercial Banking. Bill graduated from Illinois State University (Marketing). Bill has been active in the Oakville community for over 30 years. Bill is currently the President of the Oakville Arts Council and Member of the Oakville Public Library board.  In the past, Bill was also the Board Chair of the Oakville Community Foundation, Member of the United Way of Oakville Campaign Cabinet, Member of the Oakville Community Foundation Advisory Council, Board Chair of Oakville CommUnity Arts Space, Board Chair of the Oakville Waterfront Festival, Board Chair of Celebrate Oakville Festivals, Member of the Town of Oakville Environmental Strategic Plan Advisory Committee and Member of the Town of Oakville Cultural Hub Roundtable. He was also an Assistant Coach, Oakville Soccer Club (Oakville Blaze) 2005-2007; and a Leader in Scouts Canada (1990-2000).  Bill lives in Oakville, is married and has two children.

Julian N. Wise, Vice President

Julian has been in the financial services industry since 1976. He has been Chair of the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts – and was also a member of the Oakville Cultural Advisory Committee. Julian has three children - two of them adults. He, his wife Nandita, and their young daughter live in Oakville.  Julian has lived in Oakville since the 1980’s.

Stephen P. Testa, Treasurer

Stephen Testa is a CA, CPA with extensive corporate leadership experience having worked for companies such as Pillsbury, Smirnoff, KPMG, Robin Hood, Nike and Converse.  His Board experiences is no less impressive: he currently sits on the Norco/Live to Play Sports board and the Ryerson University – Ted Rogers School of Management board. He has also served on the board for Lakeport Brewing, One World Chorus, the Daily Bread Food Bank, Adventure Place - Centre for Autistic Children and the Association for Early Childhood Education.

Catherine Bobesich, Director

Catherine Bobesich has been a resident of Oakville since 1987. With a background in art, design, marketing and business, she has run Wellness By Design for the past twenty three years. In addition to her professional pursuits, Catherine contributes extensively to a wide variety of community organizations in various capacities, including the Wellspring Cancer Support Centre, Kerr Street Ministries, The Cancer Society, and Appleby College, where she was a committed volunteer in a wide range of capacities for seventeen years. Catherine has held several office, committee and board positions in the past 35 years.  She also currently serves on the board of the Zonta Club of Oakville, Zonta District and Oakville Galleries.

Suzy Godefroy, Director

Suzy is currently the Executive Director of the Brampton Downtown BIA. She is a life-long resident of Oakville and has worked with the Oakville Museum and Oakville Downtown BIA as well has having run Godefroy Marketing Concepts and Design. 

PATRICIA SULLIVAN, DIRECTOR

Patricia has been a resident of Oakville for over 30 years. She is a Chemical Engineer from the University of Toronto who has spent more that 43 years in the Oil and Gas Industry.  She is an inspirational senior leader and skillful collaborator.  Through her career she has developed many areas of expertise including Visionary & Inspirational Leadership, a Strategic Focus, a commitment to Governance and delivery of effective Project Management.  She has prior Board experience with both the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra and Economic Development Edmonton.  Currently Patricia is volunteering with the Engineering Faculty’s Admissions Department at the  University of Toronto    Patricia and her husband Graham are proud parents and grandparents with family located throughout the GTA.

ERICK VIDAL, DIRECTOR

Erick has been a key player in the communications and design industry for two decades, leveraging his expertise to create successful strategies for both traditional and digital media. As the founder and creative director of Caju Multimedia Inc., a full-service marketing agency in Oakville, he is constantly pushing the boundaries of creativity. Erick has been an active member of the community by serving on the board of the Oakville Chamber of Commerce, Oakville Arts Council and OFFA (Oakville Festivals of Film and Art) in addition to helping a number of local non-for-profit organizations. In all his endeavours, Erick strives to develop team synergies and cutting-edge marketing materials that stand the test of time.