Board of Governors Members

Ongwanada is governed by a volunteer Board of Governors. The following are profiles of the board members for the 2012/2013 year.

Jack Thompson is a semi-retired radio broadcaster with the local Rogers radio group and can often be heard on The Lake, 102.7 He has served on Ongwanada's Board of Governors since the mid 1990s. He has contributed to Ongwanada's audit, executive, finance and property and research committees. He also serves the community as a member of the Kingston Kinsmen Senators Club, the Free Masons, the Scottish Rite and the Kingston Shrine Club. Jack is married and has two daughters and three grandchildren. He chooses to serve Ongwanada as a way to give back to his community and assist families in need.

Peter Horrocks has been a member of Ongwanada's Board of Governors since February of 1980. He has served on the finance and property, audit, research and executive committees and is currently the chair of the nominating committee. Since 1998, Peter has operated his own business, 3rd Millennium Enterprises, which sells and services dictation equipment. He has been married to his wife Jane for more than 40 years. They have one son and one grandson. Peter says he remains involved in Ongwanada because he feels it is important to help and serve those with developmental disabilities.

David Ariss has been building and shaping Ongwanada for more than 25 years. Although he only joined the Board of Governors in 2008, he was previously involved with the organization as an architect and has worked on several building projects over the years. David is now the senior architect for NORR Limited Architects Engineers Planners in Kingston and a member of the St. Lawrence Valley Society of Architects. At Ongwanada he serves on the client care and planning committees. David says he has always been impressed with the work Ongwanada does and its committed staff. He sees his role with the board as an opportunity to give back to the community he lives in.

Dr. Bruce McCreary has been a member of Ongwanada's Board of Governors for more than 20 years. Until he retired from clinical practice in 2009, he had served as a member of Ongwanada's active medical staff, as a consultant in psychiatry. A member of the Queen's University Department of Psychiatry since 1968, Dr. McCreary's interests included neuropsychiatric genetics, medical training and manpower and, more recently, the prevention of premature deaths in persons with intellectual disabilities.

Bob Seaby is the Executive Director of Ongwanada and Secretary of its Board of Governors. He has a Bachelor of Commerce degree and a Master's degree in health care administration from the University of Ottawa. Following graduation in 1970, Mr. Seaby held a variety of management positions at St. Joseph's Hospital in Hamilton, at the Oshawa General Hospital and at the Adult Occupational Centre in Barrie. He took up his current position as Executive Director of Ongwanada in 1977. Mr. Seaby has served as an active member of several professional and community organizations including the Ontario Association of Developmental Disabilities and the Canadian College of Health Leaders (CCHL). Under Mr. Seaby's leadership, Ongwanada has experienced a rapid transition from institutional care provider to a community-based organization recognized for its innovation and expertise.

Dwight Boyce has been a member of Ongwanada's Board of Governors since November 1980. He serves on the bylaws, executive and planning committees. Dwight ran his own investment business from 1997 until his retirement in 2011 and also previously worked for the Bank of Nova Scotia in Ontario, Ireland and Scotland. He says he chooses to remain involved in Ongwanada's Board because he has a keen interest in serving people with developmental disabilities.

James Macniven joined Ongwanada's Board of Governors in March 2012 and sits on the client care and planning committees. He is retired from a career as a registered nurse and as a civil servant in various roles with the Ontario government, relating to health and community services for children, youth, women and the elderly. Prior to moving to Canada, James was educated in the Glasgow, Scotland and London, England and held careers in air search and rescue and as a registered nurse in general, psychiatric and developmental disabilities care. He and his wife have a son and daughter and four grandchildren. In his spare time, James enjoys reading, painting and golf.

Michael Dominik comes from a family with a lengthy connection to Ongwanada. His father Joseph was a member of Ongwanada's Board of Governors for 28 years. Following Joseph's death, Mike took his place on the board in 2005. He now serves on Ongwanada's finance and property, planning and bylaws committees. Mike works as a mortgage agent for Your Home Team Mortgage and Borrowing Solutions and lives near Napanee with his wife Tricia and their three children. He says he enjoys working with the board and raising awareness of Ongwanada programs. Michael also volunteers for the local Habitat for Humanity chapter and the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation. Ongwanada's Sensory Garden is named after Joseph Dominik, and is a constant reminder to Mike of the rewards of community service.

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