Ed Desson, General Manager
Ed oversees day to day operations at the A/OFRC head office in North Bay. He is the primary contact for client and funding relationships both at the provincial and federal levels, reporting directly to the A/OFRC Board of Directors. Prior to becoming General Manager, Ed provided technical and data management support to A/OFRC staff and clients over a span of 8 years.
Ed began his fisheries career working in the Contaminants Surveillance Program with Fisheries and Oceans Canada out of Burlington. He then moved to the Ministry of Natural Resources Fisheries Assessment Unit network, with stops in the Kawartha Lakes, Lake Huron, and Lake Nipissing, over a span of 10 years. Two years working as a private environmental consultant then led to his eventual employment with the A/OFRC.
Ed’s strengths lie in project planning, the technical aspects of fish population and habitat assessment, training, and data management. Ed’s passion is in technical innovation, adapting new and old ideas for use in modern fisheries science. He was instrumental in the development and perfecting of the Bathymetric Automated Survey System (BASS) which allows for the generation of accurate geo-referenced, bathymetric charts in the field.
Cynthia Roy, Office Administrator
Having joined the A/OFRC in 1999, Cynthia provides financial, administrative, and support services to the staff and Directors of the Centre.
Cynthia offers extensive experience working in professional office environments for the past eight years. A graduate of Canadore College of the Applied Arts Small Business Management Program, Cynthia continues her involvement with the College as an alumni advisor for that program.
Perry McLeod-Shabogesic, Community Liaison Specialist
Born and raised on (N’biising) Nipissing First Nation he is a member of the Anishinabek Nation. Perry has served on Council for his First Nation and has sat on many boards and committees. He has also been a contributor to the "Anishinabek News" covering a wide variety of topics that affect both the Native and non-Native communities. Over the years, Perry has facilitated countless cross-cultural workshops in First Nations, schools and for many Native and non-Native organizations and educational institutes across Ontario.
Perry previously worked as the "Traditional Healing Coordinator" for Nipissing First Nation where he gained much knowledge in the area of traditional harvesting techniques for edible plants, medicines, game and fish. Perry also has a strong knowledge base of traditional protocols and teachings. He brings a communications background to the CLS position and experience previously working for the Union of Ontario Indians (UOI) in the Inter-Governmental Affairs (IGA) department where he served the 41 member First Nations of the Anishinabek Nation.
Maureen Peltier, FIsheries Biologist
Maureen Peltier holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree in Zoology from Laurentian University. Her home community is Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve. Maureen joined the A/OFRC team as a fisheries technician in the summer of 2001 for the Joint Whitefish Index Netting Study. She participated in sampling, netting, and data collection activities. As an A/OFRC biologist she will analyze and interpret data for staff field representatives and community technicians and play a role in designing and reviewing fisheries assessment projects.
Kim Tremblay, Fisheries Biologist
Kimberley, who is originally from the North Bay area, has much work experience and personal commitment to fisheries. “It is a commendable cause to work towards sustainable fisheries, by strengthening the relationships with those groups who are responsible for the management of the fisheries, mainly the First Nations and the government” Kimberly states.
She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies (Honours) majoring in Environmental Protection with a minor in Water Resources.
In the past, Kim has worked for Environment Canada, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR), Zoology Department University of Guelph and finally the Cooperative Freshwater Ecology Unit out of Sudbury Ontario where she had been employed until being offered the biologist at the A/OFRC.
Sarah A. Couchie, Fisheries
Biologist Intern
Previously, Sarah was employed by the Temagami Stewardship Council, where she worked as a
Creel Survey Technician. There she Interviewed walleye fishers, presented
survey findings to stakeholders and documented detailed information for a fish
spawning and Habitat survey. She also worked for
Nipissing First Nation as an Aboriginal Junior Ranger. There she was educated in forestry practices, identified tree
species, animal tracks, and fish; while, clearing brush and maintaining park
trails. Sarah brings with her experience field project planning and execution, working experience with
a multitude of sampling gear, fish indexing techniques and habitat evaluations,
project reporting and presentations, computer skills in Microsoft Word, Excel,
Power Point & FISHNET, proficiency using GPS on land & water as well as
a good working knowledge of GIS. She graduated from Trent
University in April 2008 from the Environmental and Resource Science with a
honours degree. In 2008 Sarah received the Environmental Protection/Compliance
Technician diploma from Canadore College in North Bay, Ontario.
Becky Hamilton, Clerical Assistant
Becky joined the A/OFRC team, in a part-time position, in October of 2008, with a background knowledge in fisheries management, from a 12 year career with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources Fish and Wildlife Program. She worked for the OMNR in Temagami and North Bay in various positions up until her retirement in 2006.
Her attributes include clerical and communication skills in a fast paced environment. Having learned much of this while working as an Assistant Fire Clerk/Radio Operator for seven years with the OMNR Fire Management Program, Becky brings a wealth of knowledge and experience with her. Other areas of expertise cover Administrative and financial skills including human resources, accounts payable, accounts receivable during eight years as a Support Services/Payroll Clerk with the OMNR.
Becky attended Canadore College of Applied Arts and Technology where she graduated with a Diploma in Administrative Secretarial Skills. She also has her Restricted Radio/Telephone Operator’s License and is trained in First Aid and CPR.
