OUR GOVERNANCE TEAM
Phil St. Jean, Board Chair, is a third-term Picton Councillor. Councillor St. Jean's portfolios have included the Picton BIA, Picton Town Hall, Committee of Adjustment, Audit, Nominating committees and Visit the County interim director. Born and raised in the County, Councillor St. Jean has a deep commitment to the county and is an active volunteer with the Picton Kinsmen, Picton Farmers Market and the Christmas Angel Tree program. As a residential contractor for 19 years he brings his first-hand construction experience to the board.
Sam Grosso is a first term Councillor representing Ameliasburgh Ward, and is appointed to the Built and Cultural Advisory Committee and Traffic Advisory Committee. Councillor Grosso also sits as the Council Representative on the Board of Directors of Visit The County.
Cristal Laanstra, Board Vice-Chair, is a Municipal Manager and Land Use Planner registered (RPP) with the Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI) and is a Member of the Canadian Institute of Planners (MCIP). She holds a Master's degree in Rural Planning and Development and an Executive Diploma in Municipal Management. She is an advocate for interdisciplinary approaches across professions, tapping into innovative solutions to realize housing potential. Her interests lie in effective governance with a focus on clear, transparent, and efficient process. Cristal grew up in Prince Edward County and resides in Sophiasburgh where she and her husband are raising their family.
Kate MacNaughton is a second term Councillor for Picton Ward. Councillor MacNaughton sits on the Accessibility Advisory Committee, Environmental Advisory Committee, Nominating Committee, Picton Recreation Committee, and the Library Board. Councillor MacNaughton is passionate about civic engagement.
Brad Nieman is a third term Councillor representing Bloomfield and Hallowell, and has previously had Agriculture, Prince Edward Lennox & Addington Social Services, Traffic and the Hiring Committee portfolios. Councillor Nieman is a retired Underground Infrastructure Supervisor for Loyalist Township, Brad brings three decades of municipal training and a life time of County experience to the Board.
The Corporation is supported by the following Municipal Staff of the Housing Department.
As Affordable Housing Supervisor, Mx. Ziegler brings thirty years of management experience to housing and homelessness policy and operational design and implementation across the spectrum in rural and urban contexts, as well as sector-specific training for front-line staff. Mx. Ziegler is the Chair of the Housing and Homelessness Action Team of the Community and Safety Well-Being Plan and the Prince Edward Inter-Services Group.