Our Mission
Our mission is to help make Amherstburg the best small town in Ontario to live, to visit and to enjoy as judged by its economy, quality of life, environment and inclusiveness.
our vision
Amherstburg - a great place to visit and an even better place to live.
Our Values
Healthy
To work towards an environment that helps maintain or improve overall health (body, mind, spirit) of all citizens and visitors.
Inspiring
To encourage citizens and visitors to do something, learn more, create more, become motivated and feel good about themselves and the town.
inclusive
To be inclusive and welcoming to all by including diversity and tolerance in all aspects of our governance.
Our Team
Lori Wightman – PRESIDENT
Lori Wightman is a resource assistant in the Essex County Library system, having spent 16 years of the last twenty at our gorgeous Carnegie branch. Working in the library which is the perfect career for someone who always wants to be learning and helping. Lori has spent the last 20 years working to bring the best outcomes to the people she represents on Parent Advisory Committees, the Ontario Library Workers Committee and on the Executive Board of CUPE Local 2974.0 - Essex County Library Workers. Lori lives in Amherstburg with her partner Kevin, she is the mother to three amazing children and grandmother to her beautiful and smart granddaughter, Harper and her new grandson, Lucas.
Jen Desjardins-Grondin – VICE-PRESIDENT
Jen Desjardins-Grondin is an Amherstburg native, wife and mother with an enthusiastic focus on the well-being of our residents, local business development and tourism.
A Communications Studies graduate from University of Windsor with over 28 years in management at Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (Stellantis), Jen brings deep leadership experience in the realms of Manufacturing, Global Supply Chain Operations, Customer Service, and for the last 10 years, Brand Development and all disciplines of Marketing.
Jen is co-founder/co-owner of GL Heritage Brewing Company, Amherstburg’s first full-service brewery. In 2018, she was a recipient of the Ontario Tourism Innovation Lab Award for multiple initiatives to bring attention and traffic to Amherstburg. Since then, she has championed many local fundraisers, collaborations and interactive experiences, including the revival of the Amherstburg Farmers Market and the General Amherst High School 100 Year Community Celebration.
DAvid Beneteau – treasurer
David Beneteau is President of CenterLine (Windsor) Ltd, a manufacturer of
turnkey assembly systems for the global automotive industry. David’s
Amherstburg roots go back many generations and four generations of his
family are spread throughout the Town. While David would prefer to stay out
of the public arena, the Amherstburg Community Foundation is a unique
opportunity to work with community leaders who are passionate and committed to realizing community projects that will make Amherstburg an even better place to live.
vacant - Administrative director
Steve Mayo - Director
Steve earned an Hons. Bachelor of Commerce/Economics joint degree from the University of Windsor and began his career in Toronto before moving back to Windsor in 1990. Steve has been involved in local charities, in collaboration with RBC Dominion Securities, benefiting the University of Windsor, local grade schools, our hospitals, other locally focused health care initiatives, and the United Way. Steve and his wife Susan have two grown daughters and have been residents of Amherstburg for 4 years. Amherstburg has made for the perfect home given his love of boating, fishing, golf and history.
Paul McAllister - Director
Paul was born and raised in Amherstburg, he is very passionate and proud of the town's growth. His mother and father have volunteered to help grow and run the Amherstburg Food and Fellowship for over 20 years, Paul has been involved for that time and is now advisor to the board of directors. Paul is a Past President for Amherstburg Heritage Homecoming and a current Mentor for the Freedom Achievers Mentorship program. With an engineering background, Paul has played a major role in the construction of some of Canada's largest projects including Kearl Oil Sands in Alberta and the Eglinton Crosstown in Toronto. Recently he was appointed to the Amherstburg Audit and Finance Committee for the Town of Amherstburg. Paul is passionate about helping others grow however he can, especially locals. Paul is an avid Real Estate Investor and Investor Coach, as well as a Mortgage Agent at Lendcity (Dominion Lending Centre) with a home office on Texas Road and another in Windsor.
Laura D’Alessandro - Director
Laura is a wife and mother of four active children. She is the co-owner of the River Town Times. Born and raised in the small town of Arkona, Ontario, she relocated to Amherstburg in 2006. When moving to Amherstburg it was imperative to her that she put down roots for her family and establish a strong connection to her new home. Community involvement is at the core of who she is. Laura is a past member and president of the Amherstburg Rotary Club, and chair of the Amherstburg Rotary Ribfest until 2018. She is also a former member of the Park House Museum, and the Anderdon Public School Parent Council. She is the current chair of the Outreach Committee at Harrow United Church, and, in 2022, she joined the board of directors for the Miracle League of Amherstburg. Through her involvement with services organizations and her church she hopes to instil her love and drive of community service into her children.
