Niagara Health is thrilled to welcome new Board of Directors, Dr. Ron Mergl and Charles Rate, who were appointed during our Annual General Meeting on Tuesday. We are also pleased to announce current Board Member John MacDonald has been appointed Board Chair effective immediately.
John MacDonald is the former Chief Administration Officer for the City of Niagara Falls, having been responsible for the planning, control and management of City government initiatives, and all Corporate and Administrative Divisions. John’s professional career with the City of Niagara Falls spanned over a period of 32 years. Prior to becoming CAO, John was the Executive Director of Community Services. In his retirement, John remains active as the National Director with the Anglican Network in Canada, providing leadership and oversight to all operational and administrative activities. John holds a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Western Ontario, and a Bachelor of Recreation and Leisure Studies from Brock University. He has been involved with various community boards and fundraising organizations. John and his family reside in Niagara Falls.
Dr. Ron Mergl has over 31 years of experience as a veterinarian and is owner, with his wife June, of the Niagara Falls Animal Medical Centre. Ron graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College in 1985 with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree after completing a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Guelph in 1980. Ron also holds a Master’s of Science degree from Brock University (2010) which focused on zoonotic infections (those diseases that are passed from animals to people). Ron has served on numerous boards and his past voluntary governance experience includes President of the Rotary Club of Niagara Falls, Assistant Governor of Area 8 District 7090 of Rotary International, Director with Veterinarians Without Borders Canada, and board member of the Greater Niagara General Hospital, St. Andrews United Church, and Beacon Christian School. Ron spent the last year as a member of Niagara Health’s Quality Committee. Ron and his family reside on a farm in Fenwick.
Charles Rate is Executive Vice-President of SNC-Lavalin responsible for the company’s Operations and Maintenance (O&M) division. His career includes project management, engineering and construction roles on major crown projects in the defence and telecommunications sectors and on infrastructure development projects in Canada, Asia and Europe. He has extensive experience in the implementation of social and transportation infrastructure P3 projects across Canada. As President and CEO of SNC-Lavalin, O&M he is responsible for SNC-Lavalin O&M’s conventional operations and maintenance activities and P3s in the real estate, power, airport, industrial, marine and transportation sectors including asset management, operations and maintenance, project management, energy and environmental management, and logistics support. Charlie is a Professional Engineer, registered in Ontario and is a member of the Institute for Corporate Directors. He sits on a number of boards and committees, including West Park Healthcare Centre, as well as the boards of Protrans BC and CANCAP. Charlie is a resident of Niagara-on-the-Lake.
We would like to thank outgoing Board Chair Barry Wright for his strong leadership, tremendous vision and calming presence which have been instrumental in helping Niagara Health chart a new course. Mr. Wright had held the position of Board Chair since the Board was established in 2012 and will continue to serve as a Member.
Media Contact: Melissa Raftis, Communications Specialist, 905-378-4647, ext. 43872 melissa.raftis@niagarahealth.on.ca
