The board consists of volunteer members from the area. Their responsibilities include general operation, development of corporate policy, strategic direction, budgeting and the Investment Fund. There are a total of nine seats on the Board. There is also a minimum of two standing committees reporting to the Board of Directors of the Corporation. The first standing committee is the Investment Committee. The second standing committee is the Community Development Committee. Other committees are struck upon the direction of the Board of Directors to carry out any further duties the Board deems necessary for the corporation to execute its mandate.
Board Recruitment
CDC Board members are recruited through an open process that includes the following steps:
Positions are advertised in the local newspaper
Expressions of interest and resumes are reviewed by a selection committee
Applicants are screened for the community they represent and relevant skills
Candidates receive an orientation package at meeting with executive director
Selection to the Board is by resolution
Current Board of Directors
Jerry Dolcetti, Chair
Jerry Dolcetti is retired from the position of Commissioner of Engineering and Planning for the City of Sault Ste. Marie and is a registered professional planner. He is also Chair of the Board of Directors for the Sault Ste. Marie Airport Development Corporation. The Corporation owns and operates the Sault Ste. Marie Airport, and has a board of directors and a staff of 22.
Jerry has been a member of the Community Development Committee of the CDC and a board director since 1995.
Rachel Tyczinski, Vice Chair
Ms. Tyczinski is the current City Clerk for the City of Sault Ste. Marie. She also held the positions of Deputy City Clerk, Manager of Quality Improvement and Corporate Affairs Officer for the City of Sault Ste. Marie. She was also the Administrator of Prince Township. She received the designation of Certified Municipal Officer in 1998. Her community work has included being a board member of Sault Ste. Marie Naturally Green, Administrative Officer of the Prince Township Volunteer Fire Department and a member of the Community Development Committee of the Community Development Corporation of Sault Ste. Marie & Area.
Heather Bot
Heather Bot is the Executive Director of Ontario's Algoma Country travel association. As the lead staff, she represents the Association in varying capacities from building strong working relationships with Association partners to ensuring the Association fulfills its mandate and champion on behalf of the tourism industry in Ontari's Algoma Country. A proud Northerner, Heather was born and raised in Sault Ste. Marie.
Jason Gauthier
Chief Jason Gauthier from Missanabie Cree First Nation was elected as a Councillor in 2010. He was elected as Chief in 2013, re-elected in 2016 and again in 2019. He has an honours degree in Sociology with Certification in Social Welfare. He has published articles in Law Journals and sat at the interim Grand Chief of Mushkegowuk Tribal Council. He sits as a member of the Royal Society for the Advancement of the Arts in London England, and is a current member of "Actra", the union of Actors in Toronto. He holds a CVOR (Commercial Vehicle Operators License) as well as certification in computer hardware, software and networking.
Stephanie Pagnucco
Stephanie Pagnucco is Director of Communications and Stakeholder Relations at Sault College and a recognized leader in civic and economic development. She serves as Chair of the Sault Ste. Marie Social Services Administration Board and Housing Corporation, overseeing essential services such as Ontario Works, Early Years, Housing, and EMS across the district. She is also President of the Economic Developers Council of Ontario, advancing professional development and policy advocacy for economic growth province-wide.
With a degree in technical writing and literature from the University of Western Ontario, Stephanie has held progressive roles in government and regional development with the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Sault Ste. Marie Mayor’s Office, and the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming. She is a certified Canadian Marketing Management Professional and holds an Economic Development Association of Canada designation.
Her leadership is defined by collaboration, strategic vision, and a deep commitment to strengthening communities locally and across Ontario.
Sean Meades
Sean has over 15 years of community based research in Sault Ste. Marie & Northern Ontario. His background includes research assistant then Director of Research at NORDIK Institute, followed by years as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Community Economic and Social Development at Algoma University, and Department Chair since July 2023.
Sean is interested in strengthening the local entrepreneurial ecosystem and contributing to community economic development initiatives.
Bill Pasiak
Bill Pasiak is a Certified Management Accountant experienced in investment review, strategic planning, and productivity improvement. He has held budgeting and controllership positions in both the public and private sectors.
Bill has been a life-long volunteer and continues giving his time and expertise for a variety of causes. In May 2010 he received a 20-year Volunteer Service Award from the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration for his ongoing contribution to the United Way's Community Investment Committee.
Terry Rainone
Mr. Rainone received his Master of Business Administration degree from Lake Superior University in May 1992.
He is currently the President and Owner of Terrain Construction Management Inc and has owned or been involved in many businesses and activities over the last several years including Palmer Construction Group Inc., McRain Developments Inc., Rain-One Investments Inc., Bruce Street Storage, Phillips Bay Resort and others.
Active in the community he has served on many boards in various capacities, including the Sault Area Hospital, FJ Davey Home for the Aged, Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce, Sault Ste. Marie Homebuilders Association, Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corporation and the Source Water Protection Committee for the Sault Ste. Marie Area.
Mr. Rainone served as Executive Director of the Community Development Committee from October 1994 until April 1996. Since that time he has been a member of Investment Committee of the CDC and a member of the Board of Directors for several years.
Resource members
Nevin Buconjic, FedNor.