Major Changes at the OCRA Board
On June 25th, at the OCRA GM in Hamilton, the face of the OCRA Board changed significantly. We bid a fond farewell to Lorna Plunkett (Fleming) and Yvonne Glenville (Centennial), two long-serving Board members who have supported the work of OCRA for many years … and continue to be on speed dial for their successors! On behalf of the membership, a huge thank you to both Lorna and Yvonne.
Rick Williams (Loyalist) and Susan MacKay (Cambrian) have also decided to step down from the Board. Barb Watts has moved to the Past President role for the 2025/26 year.
As you know from Barb Watts’ letter to the membership last spring, these exits left several big holes in the Board composition and gaps in the knowledge base needed to run the organization. We are thrilled that Chuck Minken (Sheridan) has agreed to step into the Treasurer role and that new Board member, Kirk Patterson (Fanshawe), has agreed to take on the Vice-President position.
As a result of Barb Watts’ significant recruitment efforts, both in advance of the GM and during the meeting, the following OCRA members stepped forward to take on big roles:
James Humphreys (Mohawk) – President
Bev Shugg Barbeito (Centennial) – Secretary
Linda Marshall (Mohawk) – Membership
Rounding out the 2025/26 OCRA Board in a continuing capacity are:
Doug Greenwood (Sheridan) – Director
John Hardisty (Sheridan) – Director
Marilyn McDermott (Mohawk) – Communications
Doug Willford (Humber) – Liaison
Our new President, Secretary and Membership Coordinator will be on a steep learning curve but we’re sure you will agree that they all bring impressive credentials to the table. I know I speak for all current Board members in welcoming them to the team! We all look forward to supporting and teaching them as we move ahead with the business of OCRA.
If you’d like to get to know our new Board members, please read their bios below.
Bev Shugg Barbeito (Centennial)
Over the span of her 33-year career at Centennial College, Bev held progressively responsible administrative positions, starting first as a Communications Officer in the School of Business and culminating as the Manager, Corporate Services in the Office of the CFO. In the latter role, Bev reviewed legal documents and provided guidance to college managers to ensure that the College’s interests were adequately safeguarded. Other important responsibilities included ongoing administration of Centennial’s subsidiaries in Australia and Singapore, and serving as Recording Secretary for College committees, most notably the Audit & Risk Management Committee (a sub-committee of the Board of Governors). Last, but no less important, Bev provided senior-level assistance to the CFO including ensuring effective day-to-day administration of the Office of the CFO.
James Humphreys (Mohawk)
James’ career in the college system spanned nearly twenty-eight years, with various roles across four different colleges: Seneca, Sheridan, Conestoga, and Mohawk. Starting as a faculty member teaching biological sciences (biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, bioinformatics), he held various roles over his career including that of professor, coordinator, e-learning faculty advisor, chair, associate dean, dean, and executive dean in both post-secondary and continuing education portfolios. Over his career, James led the development and launch of three new programs: Bioinformatics, Canadian Health Care for Internationally Educated Health Professionals, and Public Health Nursing. Over the years, he was also involved in various capacities with OCASA, HEQCO, and ONTransfer. James retired from Mohawk College at the end of 2024.
Linda Marshall (Mohawk)
During her 32-year career at Mohawk College, Linda Marshall held a variety of roles, including positions in support staff, faculty, and administration. Her leadership extended across several departments, including Director of Public and Media Relations, Special Events, Advancement and Development, Special Projects, Human Resources, and Student Services. Linda was also an active contributor to many college committees, serving as the Administrative Representative on the Board of Governors. Since retiring, she has remained dedicated to supporting Mohawk College, including serving as Vice Chair of the College’s Foundation Board.
Kirk Patterson (Fanshawe)
Kirk retired from Fanshawe College where he had worked for 25 years as a Co-op Consultant. He continued to work a further 10 years at the University of Waterloo in the co-op field and as a Business Developer. Kirk has developed and secured relationships with an extensive variety of employers in both public and private sectors as well as international opportunities for students wishing to do co-op beyond Canada. During his tenure at both schools, he was an active member of both Federal and Provincial Co-op Associations. Currently, he is a full-time Patient partner, Rotarian, Board member with two health-related organizations and volunteer at RMH in London. He enjoys his gardening, travel, and time with his wife and grandchildren.