Ron Mottram has been involved with the Bluewater Education Foundation since 2003, including as chair of the building committee for most of the construction of the Outdoor Education Centre's main buildings. He has served as President of the BEF since 2014, leading the foundation through the renovation of the Mason House, completed in 2019.

Ron was born and raised in Liverpool, England. After retirement in United Kingdom (UK) he was asked to work in the USA and that subsequently became Canada. His life and career as a nuclear engineer have given him the opportunity to travel and work in many countries around the world. Before his second retirement, he led the restart of two Bruce A units at Bruce Power which had been laid up for several years.

Ron and his wife Andrene share four children and four grandchildren, all living in the UK. They split time between Port Elgin and the UK to visit children and grandchildren. Ron is committed to continuing to offer and develop outdoor education opportunities for children.

Ron DeVisser has been a member of the board of directors for the Bluewater Education Foundation since 2008 and has recently taken on the role of Vice President. He has also been a part of the building committee within the board of directors, helping to guide the ongoing maintenance and development of our facilities.

Ron and his family are farmers in Brockton, raising turkeys as well as growing cash crops. From a young age, he and his wife Ingrid both knew they wanted to be farmers, and this is what drew them to Bruce County. In the extra time that the busy life of a farmer allows, they are active in their church in Hanover, and Ron is a member of the Board of Directors with the Huron Bay Coop.

Ron believes strongly in the value of experiential education; through his involvement with the BEF he hopes to guarantee future generations every opportunity to get out and learn in the outdoors and in nature.

Kirby Palmer is a behaviour support teacher at Port Elgin-Saugeen Central School, and the creator of a forest school program that operated during the early months of COVID to keep kids engaged with their education in a safe, outdoor environment.

Kirby is an avid camper and enjoys many outdoor recreational activities, and since 2021 she has brought an understanding of the challenges facing educators today, along with a wealth of ideas, to our board of directors.

Peter is the principal lawyer of the firm Loucks Law, based in Chesley. Along with his role as a director with the Bluewater Education Foundation since 2006, he has served as a Chairman on the former Chesley and District Hospital, as well as its successor the South Bruce Grey Health Services. While a member of the South Bruce Grey Health Services, Peter was also a cross board representative to the Hanover and District Hospital Board as well as the Owen Sound Hospital Board. Peter is a current Council member of the Ontario Bar Association, member of the Grey and Bruce Bar Associations, the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association and the American Trial Lawyers Association as well as Canadian Agricultural Farm Advisor Group. He is a former president of the Chesley Kinsmen Club.

Peter and his wife, Ruth, live in Chesley and have five children. In his spare time, Peter is a model-train enthusiast, collects coins, stamps and military medals. In addition, Peter enjoys visiting his children, two of whom reside abroad, one in the United Kingdom and another in the Torres Straits Islands of the northern coast of Australia.

Adam Lesperance joined the Bluewater Education Foundation Board in 2020, knowing kids' early experience with nature will give them the education and love for the outdoors that will ensure our future generations know the value of protecting the environment.

Born in Wiarton, Ontario, Adam is a local real estate agent with Keller Williams who has lived, worked, and farmed in Bruce County his entire life. Adam grew up on his family’s maple/dairy/beef farm in Park Head, and attended Hepworth Central Public School, where his oldest 2 of 3 kids now attend. Attending Sir Sandford Fleming College, Adam has an Ecosystems Management Diploma. After various management jobs with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Ontario Parks, Adam started Woody’s Arborist and Yard Services and Lamblicious (with wife Jessica); after building up the businesses, both were successfully sold in 2018 & 2019.

Adam & Jessica also have recently started the Cedar Wellness Studio, a yoga & fitness studio set in the forest where Jessica teaches classes.

Kenny Kilday joined the Board of Directors of the Bluewater Education Foundation in 2016, at the invitation of President Ron Mottram. Kenny has long been a supporter of the mission of the Foundation and the programming of the Outdoor Education Centre.

Kenny is a welder by trade, and has traveled the world working on CANDU reactors. He started his career in shipyards in Scotland as a 15-year-old and enjoys spending time now sharing the skills and knowledge he has gained through his extensive career, often through programs at LaunchPad in Hanover.

Jen joined our Board of Directors in 2022, and brings a rich and varied background as a fundraiser and community contributor. She currently works as the Events and Activation Coordinator with the City of Owen Sound.

Jen is acting as our interim treasurer while we seek a director who will bring a deep knowledge and understanding of finance in the not-for-profit sector to this role.

Barry has served as a director with the Bluewater Education Foundation since 2014. He believes strongly in the importance of outdoor education and recreation to children, and values the experiences the OEC offers to children of our region.