Amanda grew up in a small town on the other side of Toronto before moving away to Waterloo to attend Wilfrid Laurier University. There, she obtained her Honours Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Psychology as a Research Specialist. She eventually moved to Chatham-Kent to be with her now husband and has been here for the past 14 years. Amanda has previous experience in a clinical setting at St. Clair Child and Youth Services as well as several years at a youth detention facility for male young offenders. After spending 12 years at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Chatham-Kent, Amanda took on the challenge of incorporating a local BGC (formally known as Boys and Girls Club) and has since been growing the organization in the Chatham-Kent community.
Amanda also fills up her time with part-time work. Previously she was a Musical Director at a local ministry and is now a Children’s Director for their children and youth programming. When not working she enjoys her time with her two daughters, Lillian and Edyn, playing the piano, and baking up a storm! As a self-taught baking enthusiast, she hopes to pass on these skills to her children.
Amanda looks forward to being a member of the Board and hopes to make new connections while simultaneously providing support to others.
Todd, a seasoned automotive industry professional with 28 years of experience, proudly serves as the General Manager and Operating Partner at Chatham Honda. Hailing from London and St. Thomas, Ontario, Todd has the pleasure of contributing to Chatham Honda's success for the last decade.
In addition to his managerial role, Todd is a Certified Automotive Sales Process Trainer providing comprehensive training to sales professionals across Ontario and New Brunswick. His expertise extends to dealer management, strategic planning, and dynamic marketing initiatives.
Beyond the boardroom, Todd finds joy in mountain biking, hockey, and indulging his passion for high-speed thrills on the track. Despite his busy professional life, Todd cherishes time with family.
Eager to make a broader impact within the business community outside of Chatham Honda, Todd is looking forward to his new role with the Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce.
Sarah was born and raised on her family’s cash crop and vegetable farm between Chatham and Thamesville. She graduated in 2021 from the University of Guelph’s agricultural business program receiving a Bachelor of Commerce. Sarah moved back to Chatham-Kent knowing it would be her forever hometown with her high school sweetheart and now fiancé, Bailey. They are happy to be building their life together in the community they both know and love.
Following university, Sarah joined the team at Farm Credit Canada as a Relationship Manager. She is a passionate advocate for Chatham-Kent agriculture and enjoys being able to foster growth and provide support for the industry through her role with FCC.
Sarah is happy to have the opportunity to be involved in the Chamber and is looking forward to building relationships within the community!
Scott was born and raised in Chatham and is an inductee of the Chatham Sports Hall of Fame as a member of the ‘01-‘02 JMSS basketball team. He played basketball at St Clair College before pursuing a career in professional sports and working in the front office of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. He has worked as an official stat recorder at the CFL combine and has instructed at the off season camps of top CFL players. With baseball being his top passion, he eventually left the football club to join the baseball start up of a leading sports technology company. Now residing back in Chatham, Scott works as a Financial Planner for TD Wealth. Aside from his work in investments, Scott has been leveraging his vast experience on the business and operations side of both professional and amateur sport to be an integral part of the Chatham-Kent Barnstormers IBL baseball franchise, acting as both Corporate Sales Rep and Assistant General Manager.
As a third-generation entrepreneur in her family’s business, Sarah takes great pride in continuing a legacy in Chatham-Kent. Sarah’s grandparents built a successful swimming pool business that served the community for over 30 years, which her mother later took over. Sarah started working in the family business at just 10 years old, learning firsthand the values of dedication, customer service, and entrepreneurship.
After earning a Business Administration – Marketing diploma from St. Clair College, Sarah pursued further studies at Wayne State University before returning to Chatham to contribute to her family’s business roots. Sarah’s career journey has been a blend of business development and property management. She spent nearly five years in a Business Development role at the Bradley Centre before transitioning into property management.
In 2016, Sarah’s mother launched Paragon Property Management & Maintenance, and she joined the company in 2018. Since then, the business has grown from managing 100 doors to nearly 500, specializing in residential and commercial rental properties throughout Chatham-Kent. As Director of Operations & Sales, Sarah’s focus on strategic growth, client relations, and ensuring high-quality service for the property owners and tenants.
Sarah has been involved with the Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce for over a decade, serving on various committees and currently in her fourth year on the Board of Directors. Supporting local businesses and our community is a core value for her and my family.
Jon started practicing law in Chatham-Kent in 1994 with his partners Gabe Benoit, John Van Raay, Sergio Spisani, and Stephen Fuerth.
Jon is a big personality with much experience in many areas of the law. Jon will extract relevant legal issues from clients, provide them with his opinion as to the outcome, the steps required to achieve their goal, and the likely costs of proceeding.
Jon manages the firm’s real estate department. He has guided developers through the creation of many of Chatham-Kent’s residential and commercial subdivisions. He acts for builders, commercial property owners, and residential home buyers and sellers. With more than 10,000 deeds registered, Jon is a local wealth of knowledge about closing a real estate transaction in Chatham-Kent.
Jon also manages the firm’s family law and estate litigation departments. Jon focuses on the legal issues over the drama. Jon will explain how the law applies to your circumstances and the various steps it takes to bring a conclusion to the legal problem. Jon has significant training in mediation in addition to considerable Superior Court of Justice trial experience.
Jon is married to Christina, and he has two wonderful children Noah and Jack. Jon is occasionally found lumbering around the local high school track where they call him “gramps.” Jon served on the first Chatham-Kent CCAC Board of Directors, the Board of Directors for the Chatham-Kent Children’s Services, and the Lambton Kent District School Board, Special Education Advisory Committee. Jon is presently a member of the local Canadian Association of Farm Advisors (CAFA).
Matthew Nahdee is an Anishinaabe serial entrepreneur, educator, and community leader from Bkejwanong territory, now referred to as Chatham-Kent. He co-owns and serves as Vice President of Corporate & Regulatory Affairs for the Chatham-Kent Barnstormers. Nahdee has held leadership roles such as Executive Director of the Can-Am Indian Friendship Centre, and has taught at Fanshawe College and Western University.
Passionate about Indigenous youth empowerment, he launched the Native Land Project in partnership with East Woodland Brew Co., serves on the Board for the Bkejwanong Trust, Powwow Pitch and Family Services Kent.
Nahdee's multifaceted career reflects his dedication to advancing Indigenous communities through education, entrepreneurship, and cultural initiatives.
Kaitlin Goulet is the Executive Director of the Historic Downtown Chatham Business Improvement Area (BIA), where she leads initiatives aimed at revitalizing and promoting the heart of the downtown. With a strong background in the non-profit sector, Kaitlin brings valuable experience from her work supporting youth and developing community-based programs.
As a driving force behind signature events like RetroFest™, Kaitlin plays a key role in organizing large-scale community gatherings and implementing downtown improvement projects that foster local pride and economic development. Her passion for community engagement also extends to her role as a Board Member of the Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce, where she contributes to the region’s broader business and civic initiatives.
Born and raised in Chatham, Kaitlin is deeply connected to the area and enjoys exploring local events and expressing her creative side through dance. Her commitment to collaboration, growth, and community spirit defines both her professional and personal life.
Nick Gonzalez serves as the General Manager of Postma Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical, one of Chatham-Kent’s leading mechanical contractors. Over the past 8 years, he has helped grow the company from 30 to over 100 employees while leading major operational and cultural improvements.
A U.S. Air Force veteran with a background in construction and finance, Nick brings a strong foundation in leadership, people development, and business strategy. Passionate about community growth, he also coaches senior boys basketball at Chatham Christian School.
Nick is committed to making Chatham-Kent a place where families and businesses thrive.
Matt Bechard has always had a strong passion for real estate. Growing up, he would do everything he could to convince anyone available to spend hours playing Monopoly — a passion that eventually translated into a real-life career in real estate investing and sales. Much like in Monopoly, whenever Matt landed on a property, he saw opportunity. Today, he is not only a REALTOR® but also an active real estate investor, having acquired and managed rental properties throughout Chatham-Kent and the surrounding area. His hands-on investing experience gives clients valuable insight into the market from both an investor and homeowner perspective.
Matt holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree with a specialization in Accounting and has also worked in sales for a Fortune 500 company, where he developed strong negotiation, communication, and management skills. His analytical mindset, business background, and attention to detail allow him to confidently guide clients through one of the biggest financial decisions of their lives.
As the owner of Match Realty Inc., Matt is known for being hardworking, approachable, and client-focused. Beyond real estate, he is passionate about giving back to the Chatham-Kent community and takes pride in supporting the growth and success of the area he calls home. Whether helping first-time buyers, families, or fellow investors, Matt is committed to protecting his clients’ best interests and helping them achieve their real estate goals with confidence.
Rebecca Smyth serves as the Physician Recruitment Coordinator and Community Engagement Specialist with the Chatham-Kent Ontario Health Team, where she works closely with healthcare partners, municipal leaders, and community organizations to support physician recruitment and retention across Chatham-Kent.
With a background in leadership, community engagement, and partnership development, Rebecca is passionate about building strong relationships and creating opportunities that strengthen healthcare access and community wellbeing. Her work reflects a strong commitment to youth empowerment, equity, and supporting inclusive growth across Chatham-Kent.
A proud seventh-generation farmer, Rebecca is deeply rooted in agriculture, family, and community. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and their three daughters, being on the farm, and playing slo-pitch.
Rebecca is excited to serve on the Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce Board and contribute to the growth and success of the local business community.
Jim Brackett was born and raised on a mixed farm near Rondeau Provincial Park in Chatham-Kent, Ontario. Agriculture has been central to his life and career. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Crop Science from the University of Guelph in 1978 and went on to build a long career in the agricultural industry.
Jim worked for 20 years with Pioneer Hybrid Limited as a sales manager and also worked with BASF in the Chatham-Kent area as a sales manager. Throughout his career, he remained connected to farming, continuing to farm on the side while working in the agriculture sector.
Jim has served the Kent Federation of Agriculture for the past five years in several leadership roles, including director, treasurer, vice-president, and now president, currently serving his second year in that role. He also sits on the Conservative Chatham-Kent–Leamington EDA and recently joined the Chamber of Commerce as a director, where he serves on the agriculture committee.
Outside of agriculture, Jim has been a lifelong competitive curler, playing the sport for more than 55 years. He has competed in many provincial finals and at the Canadian championship level, including the Brier. Jim has also served on curling club boards, worked with the province instructing coaches in the sport of curling, and spent more than 10 years as the varsity curling coach at St. Clair College in Windsor.
Jim brings together a lifetime of agricultural experience, community leadership, board governance, and competitive sport, with a strong commitment to serving rural communities and the farm families of Chatham-Kent.
