Our Staff

Paul Nichol has always been passionate about rural Ontario. Born on a 5th generation farm in Huron County, he determined at an early age to pursue an education that would allow him to live and work in a rural area. This education includes a Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture at the University of Guelph followed by a Master’s Degree in Rural Development.

Since 1993, Paul has managed Community Futures Huron, an award-winning CFDC located in Brussels, Ontario. Over the years, Paul and his board have piloted many rural development tools such as 10 Steps to Community Action, Business Retention & Expansion and First Impressions. In addition, Paul has been instrumental in building successful rural development organizations including the Canadian Rural Revitalization Foundation, Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health and Canadian Centre for Rural Creativity.

Paul is always eager to share his experiences in rural economic development, hosting study tours from as far away as Australia, Japan, China, Ireland, Brazil, Ukraine, Sweden and Iran. He currently serves as an Adjunct Professor at the School of Environmental Design & Rural Development, University of Guelph.

With the general direction of the Board of Directors, the General Manager provides overall management of corporate operations. The General Manager oversees the day-to-day administration of the organization; manages the Corporation’s investment portfolio; monitors community economic development activities and promotes the Corporation throughout the County of Huron.

Call 226-889-8256 ext. 223 or E-mail: pnichol@cfhuron.ca.

Tina Heathers specializes in small business training and development.  She has been working with business coaching and training for the past 25 years.  A business owner herself for many years, including owning and operating a chain of fashion retail stores, and running her own international training company, Tina now works with Community Futures Huron to assist business owners to grow and develop successful businesses in Huron County.

She has a passion for discovering personal and professional greatness.  Her background includes many years of corporate management, professional business training, personal business coaching and entrepreneurship development.

Her journey began in Stratford Ontario and she followed her career into London Ontario, Kitchener Ontario, Edmonton Alberta, Sint Maarten in the Dutch West Indies and back to Ontario where she began working for the Community Futures Organization.

Tina loves the creative process of growing and developing a small business.  With Community Futures Huron she is responsible for helping business owners become more profitable and create successful enterprises. If you are looking for business training or coaching or for a business loan, contact Tina at tina@cfhuron.ca, call 519-998-3705

Tamara is experienced in diverse business settings, specializing in relationship management and creative planning.

As the sole proprietor of a unique retail social enterprise, Tamara was awarded for her initiatives in entrepreneurship. She is actively involved in programs and services benefiting small businesses.

Throughout her career, Tamara has been involved with not-for-profit organizations in roles of fundraising, event coordination, and volunteer management. She has had the privilege of learning from many respected community board members.

As part of the team at Community Futures Huron, Tamara provides support to clients receiving repayable financing.

Tamara is thankful to call Huron County her home for the past 10 years. Growing up in Waterloo Region, Tamara has also adventured around the world, living, and exploring in more than 40 countries.

She may be reached at tminns@cfh.ca or 519-525-0631.

Born and raised in Huron County!

Brenda has seventeen years of experience in the field of Office Administration with Community Futures Huron. Hired in January of 2000 to cover Office Administrative duties, which include payroll, payables, receivables, bank reconciliations, financials, tracking projects, tracking employees and many more. Throughout her career, Brenda has continued development in the areas of Accounting, Excel Spreadsheets, Payroll and Customer Service and has received many certificates over the years. Brenda holds a Payroll Compliance Practitioners Certificate, PCP from Canadian Payroll Association, Bookkeeping certificate, Microsoft Office certificates, QuickBooks, MYOB, Customer Service Excellence certificate and many more.

Starting in 2017 Brenda has taken on a new role with Community Futures Huron as the Financial Officer. Her new role will also include preparing detailed reports on the Corporation’s loan portfolio including outstanding balances, arrears, legal documentation, monthly reports, quarterly reports and annual financial reports and budgets.

Brenda feels privileged being able to work for an organization, which provides Economic Development and Small Business Loans in the community I grew up in!

Call Brenda at 226-889-8256 ext. 231 or email bmcgregor@cfhuron.ca.

Heather’s skills round out this solid team, bringing her communications and business experience in culture, non-profits and private business to her part-time position. She is also operations manager at the Huron Chamber of Commerce – Goderich, Central and North Huron.

She began her career in the journalism field, ending in 2011 as publisher of an online newspaper. She worked in communications in the energy industry and live theatre. She was general manager of a company that operated a number of assets, including wind and solar projects. 

At various points along her 35-year career in Huron County, she has worked on projects mounted in partnership with Community Futures Huron, including the Blyth Festival’s Deeper Roots Series, Food and Drink Strategy, and Canadian Centre for Rural Creativity.

Heather has a deep passion for all things Huron County; for connecting people in order to strengthen our social and economic fabric.

Contact her at hboa@cfhuron.ca or 519-440-9940.