2024 Panel Discussion - Workforce Strategies
Challenges in workforce recruitment and retention is troubling our industry and it's going to take out of the box thinking and collaboration of industry to showcase the amazing career opportunities at our facilities.
Join us for a panel discussion, and Q&A with leaders who have created, executed and maintained successful workforce strategies. Meet our panelists below.
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Meet the Panelists
Fran Hanover, Economic Development Officer - City of North Bay
Fran, a member of The City of North Bay’s Economic Development Department since 2019, currently coordinates the Business Retention and Expansion (BR+E) program. Most recently, Fran has managed a 2-year Human Resource Support Initiative designed to deliver customized human resource expertise to support workforce development and business growth. Through the program's array of activities and events, participating SMEs gained a comprehensive understanding of HR best practices through robust employer engagement, coaching, and training, thereby catalyzing economic growth and fostering sustainable development within the North Bay community.
Previously, Fran accumulated over 13 years of experience as a business development representative with a leading global logistics provider, equipping her with expertise in national and international trade processes, project coordination, and supply chain management. This experience enables Fran to collaborate effectively across all levels of the local economy, supporting small and medium-sized businesses in various sectors, and working with community partners to drive innovation, job growth, and global competitiveness.
In addition to her professional role in economic development, Fran is actively involved with various community organizations, both as an artist and board member, to support the promotion and development of the creative sector. She champions innovation, collaboration, outreach, and accessibility in the arts, contributing to North Bay's cultural vibrancy.
Fran is committed to advancing North Bay's sustainable economic growth by leveraging its natural resources, fostering entrepreneurship, and helping to cultivate a diverse economy that offers opportunities for all residents. Her dedication underscores a vision of inclusive economic development that enhances the quality of life in the community.
Anne-Marie Cote-Wood, Human Resources Manager, Kruger Products
Anne-Marie was introduced to manufacturing as summer student at the end of high school.
Once she completed her post secondary program, she found her way back to manufacturing, developing her leadership skills, later completing her post grad in HR.
She gained experience working for many great leaders at PepsiCo Foods, Cascades, Lactalis Canada, Nestle, and now Kruger Products.
Anne-Marie loves to challenge the status quo, often asking why things are done a certain way. Her passion is encouraging leaders to challenge their teams to be more inclusive, more effective, and open to new ideas. Post Covid brought new challenges to work teams, encouraging us to rethink how we look at recruitment, giving Anne-Marie the excuse she needed to push leaders our of their comfort zone.
Bob Peters, Manager, Cornwall Economic Development
Bob Peters is the Manager of Economic Development for the City of Cornwall, overseeing Tourism, Community Improvement Programs and the Business Enterprise Centre. He is also the Interim Manager of Planning for the City.
Mr. Peters is responsible for marketing the City to prospective commercial investors and new residents. He works with interested parties to evaluate and facilitate development projects in the City, especially those involving the Cornwall Business Park. A key part of those efforts is the website www.ChooseCornwall.ca
He is an active board member of the Ontario East Economic Development Commission. He regularly speaks on matter relating to economic development and has served in the past as a guest lecturer at St. Lawrence College.
Dan Mellen, General Manager, KI Canada
Dan Graduated in 1982 from The University of Western Ontario with a degree in History and Economics and has spent the last 40 years working in the manufacturing sector.
Dan began his career as a machine operator with the Accuride Corporation in London and was soon after promoted to a supervisory position. After 5 years he left to join CAMI Automotive in Ingersoll. CAMI was a joint Suzuki-GM Venture and it was here that Dan developed his lean manufacturing skills using Japanese methodology.
Over the next 15 years Dan held several high level positions within CAMI including, Assembly Manager, Paint Manager, Quality Manager and Assistant HR Manager.
In 2004 Dan left CAMI and Ontario and moved to Saskatoon where he was the Operations Manager at New Holland until 2009.
Dan is currently the General Manager at KI Canada in Pembroke Ontario. Headquartered in Green Bay Wisconsin, KI is the 5th largest producer of office equipment in the world. KI Has 5 Manufacturing facilities in North America, 4 are in the US.
Dan lives in Pembroke with his wife Lisa and daughter Faith.
Dan is also Treasurer of the West Champlain Family Health Team
In his spare time Dan enjoys being outdoors, target shooting and spending time with his family
