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Meet OUR Team
Get to know the small team of dedicated volunteers that work hard every day to promote, encourage and improve the health of our community through outdoor recreation along the Ottawa River.
get in touch with your board of directors
Meghan Hanlon
Club President
The President chairs the Board of Directors, providing leadership and strategic direction on governance, operational, financial management, and membership-related matters, and representing ONEC in the community.
Originally hailing from Nova Scotia, Meghan joined ONEC as a sailor in 2016 and quickly fell in love with the Club’s community, spirit, and heritage boathouse. After spending a year as the Sailing Communications Coordinator, Meghan joined the Board as a Director-at-Large in 2017 and was elected President in 2019. As President, Meghan has been involved with developing/implementing ONEC’s 2021-2023 Strategic Plan, building community partnerships, and taking the helm on securing the Club’s return home to the newly renovated River House. Meghan is proud to contribute to ONEC’s position as a community leader in recreational sports for youth and adults.
The President chairs the Board of Directors, providing leadership and strategic direction on governance, operational, financial management, and membership-related matters, and representing ONEC in the community.
Originally hailing from Nova Scotia, Meghan joined ONEC as a sailor in 2016 and quickly fell in love with the Club’s community, spirit, and heritage boathouse. After spending a year as the Sailing Communications Coordinator, Meghan joined the Board as a Director-at-Large in 2017 and was elected President in 2019. As President, Meghan has been involved with developing/implementing ONEC’s 2021-2023 Strategic Plan, building community partnerships, and taking the helm on securing the Club’s return home to the newly renovated River House. Meghan is proud to contribute to ONEC’s position as a community leader in recreational sports for youth and adults.
Phil Hurcomb
Vice President
Phil Hurcomb is club vice-president. As V.P. he is an active member of the Board Executive, covers for the President when necessary, leads strategic planning initiatives and takes on special projects as required.
To say that Phil is an ONEC lifer is darn close to the truth, being a member since the early 1960s. An avid tennis player and court maintenance aficionado, he comes by his passion for the place naturally, with family involvement with ONEC and its predecessors stemming back to the late 1890s!
Phil Hurcomb is club vice-president. As V.P. he is an active member of the Board Executive, covers for the President when necessary, leads strategic planning initiatives and takes on special projects as required.
To say that Phil is an ONEC lifer is darn close to the truth, being a member since the early 1960s. An avid tennis player and court maintenance aficionado, he comes by his passion for the place naturally, with family involvement with ONEC and its predecessors stemming back to the late 1890s!
John Butterfield
Treasurer
As Treasurer, John is responsible for managing the finances of the club and sits on the Executive Committee. The Treasurer takes the lead in setting the annual budget for the club and maintaining the financial records throughout the year, culminating in the production of the annual financial statements.
John has been a member of ONEC since he and his family moved to Canada in 2008, initially as a tennis player but more recently also as a paddler. He has experience in all four of ONEC’s sports. Growing up in England, John learnt tennis and sailing from an early age, and rowed (and coxed) at high school and university. When he moved to Canada, he was introduced to kayaking and canoeing by his wife Karen. John is qualified as a waterfront kayaking instructor and a big canoe intermediate leader. He joined the ONEC Board in 2019, initially as member-at-large with a focus on camp operations, then as marketing and communications director and since 2022 as Treasurer.
He is also on the Board of the Rockcliffe Park Residents Association (RPRA) as Treasurer.
As Treasurer, John is responsible for managing the finances of the club and sits on the Executive Committee. The Treasurer takes the lead in setting the annual budget for the club and maintaining the financial records throughout the year, culminating in the production of the annual financial statements.
John has been a member of ONEC since he and his family moved to Canada in 2008, initially as a tennis player but more recently also as a paddler. He has experience in all four of ONEC’s sports. Growing up in England, John learnt tennis and sailing from an early age, and rowed (and coxed) at high school and university. When he moved to Canada, he was introduced to kayaking and canoeing by his wife Karen. John is qualified as a waterfront kayaking instructor and a big canoe intermediate leader. He joined the ONEC Board in 2019, initially as member-at-large with a focus on camp operations, then as marketing and communications director and since 2022 as Treasurer.
He is also on the Board of the Rockcliffe Park Residents Association (RPRA) as Treasurer.
Colin Léger
Human Resources
As Human Resources Director, Colin provides support when needed to the other Directors and the Club Manager in administrative duties and staff hiring.
Ottawa born and raised, he started as a youth sailing member at 9 years
old. He worked his way through CANSail certification during the day camps until 2014, which saw a transition to the role of sailing
instructor for the next 6 years with ONEC. Overall, Colin has been a
camper, instructor and member for a total of 16 years.
Colin enjoys the outdoor atmosphere and the community the club brings.
He has made many lifelong friends and memories over those years at the Pavilion, Boathouse and on the Ottawa River alike.
Outside of the club, Colin works in the Cybersecurity field and enjoys physical fitness activities.
As Human Resources Director, Colin provides support when needed to the other Directors and the Club Manager in administrative duties and staff hiring.
Ottawa born and raised, he started as a youth sailing member at 9 years
old. He worked his way through CANSail certification during the day camps until 2014, which saw a transition to the role of sailing
instructor for the next 6 years with ONEC. Overall, Colin has been a
camper, instructor and member for a total of 16 years.
Colin enjoys the outdoor atmosphere and the community the club brings.
He has made many lifelong friends and memories over those years at the Pavilion, Boathouse and on the Ottawa River alike.
Outside of the club, Colin works in the Cybersecurity field and enjoys physical fitness activities.
John Moore
Marketing & Communications
John Moore joined ONEC in 2016 and has held various roles at the club since, including chairing the Canadian Sculling Marathon committee.
More recently he joined the ONEC Board as Marketing and Communications Director. In the role he helps spread the word about the benefits of outdoor recreation for all ages and helps to promote and run community programming designed to increase participation for equity-deserving and underrepresented populations in sport.
John is a rowing member at ONEC. He started in the sport as a Novice
rower at the University of Guelph and later
went on to row with the University of Toronto
Crew.
As an outdoor enthusiast with a love for adventure, he can be found exploring out along the Ottawa river most summer mornings with his fellow rowers.
In addition to his position on the Board, he loves to teach the sport of rowing and recently completed his Rowing Canada Learn to Row Coaching Certification.
John Moore joined ONEC in 2016 and has held various roles at the club since, including chairing the Canadian Sculling Marathon committee.
More recently he joined the ONEC Board as Marketing and Communications Director. In the role he helps spread the word about the benefits of outdoor recreation for all ages and helps to promote and run community programming designed to increase participation for equity-deserving and underrepresented populations in sport.
John is a rowing member at ONEC. He started in the sport as a Novice
rower at the University of Guelph and later
went on to row with the University of Toronto
Crew.
As an outdoor enthusiast with a love for adventure, he can be found exploring out along the Ottawa river most summer mornings with his fellow rowers.
In addition to his position on the Board, he loves to teach the sport of rowing and recently completed his Rowing Canada Learn to Row Coaching Certification.
Micheal Hardstaff
Boathouse Director
Mike joined ONEC as a sailing member in 2008, previously being a member of Sail RA since 2001. Since joining ONEC, Mike has served on the Board of Directors for several years, having held the position of Sailing Director for five years, President for one year and the Boathouse Director since 2017.
During these years, Mike has been an active participant with Sail ONEC, including training new sailing members, working on numerous work parties, and working on the Sailing up Committee in support of the Sailing Director
As Boathouse Director, Mike has worked hard to ensure that the Boathouse, and since 2019, our temporary waterfront site continue to provide a clean and safe place from which ONEC watersports and camps can operate successfully. Since 2019 he has worked on the Boathouse Commitee in cooperation with the NCC as ONEC strives to move back into the River House.
In all Mike's time with ONEC, he worked closely with fellow ONEC Board members and the many club volunteers to ensure that that ONEC continues to serve the needs of all it's members, the summer campers, and the community at large while operating in a financially and environmentally responsible way.
Mike joined ONEC as a sailing member in 2008, previously being a member of Sail RA since 2001. Since joining ONEC, Mike has served on the Board of Directors for several years, having held the position of Sailing Director for five years, President for one year and the Boathouse Director since 2017.
During these years, Mike has been an active participant with Sail ONEC, including training new sailing members, working on numerous work parties, and working on the Sailing up Committee in support of the Sailing Director
As Boathouse Director, Mike has worked hard to ensure that the Boathouse, and since 2019, our temporary waterfront site continue to provide a clean and safe place from which ONEC watersports and camps can operate successfully. Since 2019 he has worked on the Boathouse Commitee in cooperation with the NCC as ONEC strives to move back into the River House.
In all Mike's time with ONEC, he worked closely with fellow ONEC Board members and the many club volunteers to ensure that that ONEC continues to serve the needs of all it's members, the summer campers, and the community at large while operating in a financially and environmentally responsible way.
Henri Dreessen
Sailing Director
Henri has been sailing for 12 years now with ONEC. He grew up going to ONEC sailing, rowing and tennis camps summer after summer and passed his CANSail 4 which teaches sailors to perform advanced boat handling manoeuvers in a variety of conditions.
More recently, Henri joined ONEC as Head Sailing Instructor in order to pass along the same great experience he had at ONEC summer camps.
Henri joined the ONEC Board as Sailing Director where he helps to carry on the wealth of traditions and Club regattas that the Sailing membership has come to know and love.
When not down at the Club, he is busy at work as a representative for one of the largest power tool manufacturers in the world and travels across Ontario and Quebec promoting the brand.
Henri has been sailing for 12 years now with ONEC. He grew up going to ONEC sailing, rowing and tennis camps summer after summer and passed his CANSail 4 which teaches sailors to perform advanced boat handling manoeuvers in a variety of conditions.
More recently, Henri joined ONEC as Head Sailing Instructor in order to pass along the same great experience he had at ONEC summer camps.
Henri joined the ONEC Board as Sailing Director where he helps to carry on the wealth of traditions and Club regattas that the Sailing membership has come to know and love.
When not down at the Club, he is busy at work as a representative for one of the largest power tool manufacturers in the world and travels across Ontario and Quebec promoting the brand.
Andre Barnes
Tennis Director
Andre Barnes has volunteered as tennis director since 2009. He joined the ONEC board the same year that Bernie Desrosiers came on as the club's manager. Working with Bernie, he strives to make ONEC tennis a place where all feel welcome.
Andre took up the role because he was inspired by the decades of volunteer work carried out by a beloved ONEC mainstay, George MacKellar. George hailed from Arthurette, NB, and played tennis and sailed at ONEC. George was kind, funny, hard-working, would have a beer with anyone, and is dearly missed.
Andre Barnes has volunteered as tennis director since 2009. He joined the ONEC board the same year that Bernie Desrosiers came on as the club's manager. Working with Bernie, he strives to make ONEC tennis a place where all feel welcome.
Andre took up the role because he was inspired by the decades of volunteer work carried out by a beloved ONEC mainstay, George MacKellar. George hailed from Arthurette, NB, and played tennis and sailed at ONEC. George was kind, funny, hard-working, would have a beer with anyone, and is dearly missed.
John Spika
Rowing Director
John is a longtime rower who has belonged to clubs in Minneapolis, Montreal, Atlanta, Utrecht, Copenhagen and Ottawa; he thinks our venue here is among the best.
As Rowing Director, he is a Board member and chairs the Rowing Committee (RC), which plans the multifaceted rowing program.
John is a longtime rower who has belonged to clubs in Minneapolis, Montreal, Atlanta, Utrecht, Copenhagen and Ottawa; he thinks our venue here is among the best.
As Rowing Director, he is a Board member and chairs the Rowing Committee (RC), which plans the multifaceted rowing program.
Karen Butterfield
Paddling Director
The primary focus of the Paddling Director is to enable access to waterfront activities through Kayak, Standup Paddleboard and Big Canoe programming ranging from skills development courses, clinics and youth summer camps to member paddling and social activities. Karen started canoe camping and kayaking in her youth and since undertaking the launch of kayaking at ONEC in 2021 has obtained Paddle Canada Kayak Level 1 Skills & Basic Instructor as well as Big Canoe Leader certification, while discovering and sharing the delights of urban paddling on the Ottawa and Gatineau Rivers.
When Karen moved back to Canada from London, England in 2008 with her husband John and three young boys, finding a friendly tennis club was one of their first priorities and they’ve been ONEC members ever since - with the boys attending tennis and sailing camps, then volunteering and working at the pavilion and camps. The farthest afield Karen has been paddling (so far) is in New Zealand. When not playing tennis or paddling, she can often be found out and about with ONEC friends on bikes or skis.
The primary focus of the Paddling Director is to enable access to waterfront activities through Kayak, Standup Paddleboard and Big Canoe programming ranging from skills development courses, clinics and youth summer camps to member paddling and social activities. Karen started canoe camping and kayaking in her youth and since undertaking the launch of kayaking at ONEC in 2021 has obtained Paddle Canada Kayak Level 1 Skills & Basic Instructor as well as Big Canoe Leader certification, while discovering and sharing the delights of urban paddling on the Ottawa and Gatineau Rivers.
When Karen moved back to Canada from London, England in 2008 with her husband John and three young boys, finding a friendly tennis club was one of their first priorities and they’ve been ONEC members ever since - with the boys attending tennis and sailing camps, then volunteering and working at the pavilion and camps. The farthest afield Karen has been paddling (so far) is in New Zealand. When not playing tennis or paddling, she can often be found out and about with ONEC friends on bikes or skis.
Jonathan Morris
Board Secretary
The Secretary ensures that the club maintains good minutes. The Secretary is part of the Club Executive Committee which includes the President, Vice-President, and Treasurer.
Jonathan first become involved with ONEC back in 2002 when an influx of rowers joined the club and brought new members and enthusiasm to that sport. He has previously been a club director, Club Treasurer, and has been involved with the Rowing Committee for a considerable number of years. Now recently retired he plans to volunteer more at the club and get back into coaching.
The Secretary ensures that the club maintains good minutes. The Secretary is part of the Club Executive Committee which includes the President, Vice-President, and Treasurer.
Jonathan first become involved with ONEC back in 2002 when an influx of rowers joined the club and brought new members and enthusiasm to that sport. He has previously been a club director, Club Treasurer, and has been involved with the Rowing Committee for a considerable number of years. Now recently retired he plans to volunteer more at the club and get back into coaching.
Patrick Fagan
Director at Large
Patrick joined ONEC in 2019 with his son Thomas. Both learned to sail that summer and have been members ever since. In addition to sailing, Patrick is a huge fan of paddling and even paddled competitively with the Rideau Canoe Club for many years.
With the launch of ONEC Paddling in 2020, Patrick was excited to get back into a kayak and explore the beautiful Ottawa River. He can often be found over by Kettle Island, gazing back upon the Club (like in his profile photo).
Patrick can often be found down at the ONEC waterfront leading the charge with a team of volunteers in order to keep things running smoothly.
He helps with waterfront set up and organization, dock maintenance and sea container installation. Working to make a safe and efficient area.
In addition to his volunteer role on the Board of Directors, he also serves on the Paddling Committee.
Patrick joined ONEC in 2019 with his son Thomas. Both learned to sail that summer and have been members ever since. In addition to sailing, Patrick is a huge fan of paddling and even paddled competitively with the Rideau Canoe Club for many years.
With the launch of ONEC Paddling in 2020, Patrick was excited to get back into a kayak and explore the beautiful Ottawa River. He can often be found over by Kettle Island, gazing back upon the Club (like in his profile photo).
Patrick can often be found down at the ONEC waterfront leading the charge with a team of volunteers in order to keep things running smoothly.
He helps with waterfront set up and organization, dock maintenance and sea container installation. Working to make a safe and efficient area.
In addition to his volunteer role on the Board of Directors, he also serves on the Paddling Committee.
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