Board Members
Chair – Ted Williamson
Ted is a landowner along the Manitou River (sites M48 through M52) who’s high priority sites were scheduled for rehabilitation work in the summer of 2005. Ted was born and raised on Manitoulin Island where he spends most of his free time. As a senior maintenance supervisor with Inco, Ted has worked on mine closure and rehabilitation projects and understands the value rehabilitation projects have on the environmental health of communities as a whole. Ted became the Chair of Manitoulin Streams in the fall of 2011. |
Vice Chair – Brian Rammako
Brian had been involved with Manitoulin Area Stewardship Council for many years, and now has been on the Manitoulin Stream's board this last year. He is a successful business owner of Rammako's in Sudbury and owns a home and land on Manitoulin. Brian has been a welcomed energy brining ideas such as the last successful "Jackets & Jeans" gala fundraiser held in June 2016, now planned as an annual event. |
Treasurer – Algis Tribinevicius
Al Tribinevicius lives on a farm in Sandfield township. Two intermittent streams on the property feed into the Manitou River, and before the land was cleared, undoubtedly were spawning streams running cool water shaded and cooled by majestic timbers. Al taught elementary school for 37 years, served on municipal council for 11 years, keeps bees, and is a licensed radio operator at station VE3AIB. Al believes that we must be stewards of the land. He is proud to be a member of Manitoulin Streams from its inception a number of years ago. |
Board Member – Delmer Fields
Delmer has been a Manitoulin Streams Board Treasurer since 2009. He is a life-long committed volunteer and community member in the Assiginack area and is a retired mechanic. Delmer and his wife Leslie are well known for many community events such as the annual Assiginack easter egg hunt. |
Secretary– Elsa Lindfield
Elsa is a new member to Manitoulin Streams. She was born and raised in Sudbury. Her parents immigrated from Finland and instilled a love for the outdoors; including hunting, fishing and hiking. It was a way of life from a young age. For the last 12 years, she is a business owner working as a Medical Billing and Coding specialist. As a long-time volunteer with various youth sports programs, she thought it was time to expand to share her passion for nature and conservation. |
Board Member – Neil Debassige
Neil was born on Manitoulin Island and raised on the M’Chigeeng First Nation. Neil attended McMaster University in Hamilton where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1994 and then attended Brock University where he received a Bachelor of Education degree the following year. Neil returned home in the fall of 1995 to accept a teaching position at Lakeview School where he taught Math, Science and Physical Education to grades 6, 7, and 8. After teaching for 5 years he started his Masters Degree in Educational Leadership with San Diego State University which he completed in 2004. From 1999 – 2003 Neil accepted the high school Principal-ship position at Francine J. Wesley Secondary School in the fly-in First Nation community of Kashechewan, on the coast of James Bay. His return home in 2003 took him to another Principal Position at Wasse-Abin High School in Wikwemikong. The Principal position at Lakeview was then offered and accepted from 2004 until present. Neil was the Principal/Education Director in his home community of M’Chigeeng from 2006 until 2013. He has since returned the single role duties of Principal of Lakeview Elementary School. Both Neil and wife, Dianne, own and operate a small tourist based cottage rental business and fishing charter operation called Island Sunrise Cottages Fishing and Hunting Outfitters. Neil is also the owner and host of an upcoming outdoor program to be aired on WildTV (Fall 2015) called Fuel the Fire TV. It is a 13 episode series that tries to capture some of the beauty that can be experienced in the outdoors. Neil is an avid sports enthusiast, proud parent of two beautiful girls, and outdoorsman. Neil has made time to volunteer and has coached many different sports teams from Tyke to Jr. A hockey, elementary and high school basketball, volleyball and soccer. He enjoys fishing, hunting, snowboarding and everything outdoors. |
Board Member – Lynn Hughson
Lynn is a new member to Manitoulin Streams and was born and raised on Manitoulin Island. He worked for Ontario Hydro forestry for 31 years on Manitoulin, Timmins, Sudbury and retired back on Manitoulin in 2000. He worked part time for Orangutan Tree and Yard Service for several more years. Lynn and his wife Norma have some bush property near Manitowaning and spend a lot of time there improving the property, and making maple syrup in the spring. He is also a member of the Little Current Legion and the Little Current Fish and Game Club. |

Board Member - Robert Florean
Bob started out working for the MNRF in 1975 as a Fire Crew member and expanded his experience in Forestry. He came to Espanola in 1999 as the Fish and Wildlife Technical Specialist and in his final years before he retired he worked as the Manitoulin Stewardship Coordinator.
After Bob retired, he started his own environmental consulting company, LaCloche Ecological Services and continued volunteering with many not-for-profit organizations (Manitoulin Streams, the United Walleye Club, Little Current Fish and Game Club etc.). Bob and his wife now reside in Espanola, Ontario.
Bob volunteers much of his time helping with funding applications, providing technical support and educating volunteers and youth to be future stewards of the land. Manitoulin Streams is a successful working entity today due to his efforts and vision he once had a long time ago. We are very happy to have Bob return as a board member.
Bob started out working for the MNRF in 1975 as a Fire Crew member and expanded his experience in Forestry. He came to Espanola in 1999 as the Fish and Wildlife Technical Specialist and in his final years before he retired he worked as the Manitoulin Stewardship Coordinator.
After Bob retired, he started his own environmental consulting company, LaCloche Ecological Services and continued volunteering with many not-for-profit organizations (Manitoulin Streams, the United Walleye Club, Little Current Fish and Game Club etc.). Bob and his wife now reside in Espanola, Ontario.
Bob volunteers much of his time helping with funding applications, providing technical support and educating volunteers and youth to be future stewards of the land. Manitoulin Streams is a successful working entity today due to his efforts and vision he once had a long time ago. We are very happy to have Bob return as a board member.