Committees
Our Mission
Directors
Casey Thomson, President
Casey’s details are coming soon.
Nicole Paara, Vice-President
Bruce Wine Bar & The Cheese Gallery
Nicole is the Co-Owner & Operator of Bruce Wine Bar, The Cheese Gallery, and a Food & Beverage Partner for Beaver Valley Ski Club, as well as a proud member of the Board of Directors of the Blue Mountains Chamber of Commerce.
Nicole has spent most of her career in client service roles across various industries. With a start in the hospitality business from a young age, Nicole then spent the early part of her career in public relations and marketing in Toronto, developing strategic communications plans, event planning and executing multi-platform marketing campaigns for brands such as Dove, Panasonic, Purina and Microsoft. She has won several industry awards for communications and marketing excellence and exceptional client service.
After moving north to Thornbury in 2010, Nicole became the Director of Events, Marketing & Sponsorship for Cedar Run Horse Park, where her role included overseeing the entire event season at the Park, heading up the sponsorship team and directing all marketing activities for the park, including media buying, public relations and social media. Nicole worked with the local BIA, Chamber of Commerce, the Town, and other groups to integrate Cedar Run as part of the local community.
Nicole has returned rather recently to her hospitality roots, taking over as Co-Owner and Operator of Bruce Wine Bar with her partner Shaun Edmonstone. Nicole brings her years of client service, business and staff management, and marketing expertise to Bruce Wine Bar, and to her role with the Chamber of Commerce.
James Wilson, Treasurer
James is the General Manager of Scandinave Spa Blue Mountain, where he oversees all aspects of business operations for one of Ontario’s leading wellness destinations. With over nine years of senior leadership experience in hospitality, tourism, and spa operations, James brings a strong focus on operational excellence, team development, and guest experience.
Since joining Scandinave Spa Blue Mountain in November 2025, James has led several key initiatives to enhance both the guest and employee experience, including facility upgrades, service improvements, and the development of high-performing teams across multiple departments. He is known for his hands-on leadership style, commitment to continuous improvement, and ability to drive meaningful operational change.
James is passionate about the growth of the local tourism economy and is actively engaged in the Blue Mountains business community. He is committed to building strong partnerships, supporting local initiatives, and contributing to the continued success of the region as a premier destination.
Joanne de Visser, Secretary
Joanne is a strategic marketing professional with experience spanning global brands, entrepreneurial ventures, and community organizations. Over her career, she has held senior marketing roles with companies including Coca-Cola Ltd., McCain Foods and Highliner Foods, along with earlier experience in promotion and advertising agencies, and supporting emerging businesses and startups.
Through her consultancy, Navigates.ca, Joanne works with small businesses, entrepreneurs, and community organizations to help clarify strategy, strengthen marketing, and move projects from ideas into action. She is particularly passionate about supporting local business growth and building strong, connected communities.
Joanne is a self-described ‘free range volunteer’, also serving as Vice-Chair of the Blue Mountains Public Library and actively involved in local arts, culture, environmental, and community initiatives.
With deep family roots in Southern Georgian Bay, Joanne is grateful to call Town of the Blue Mountains home and is excited to support the Chamber and local business community as a member of the Board of Directors.
Sean Landreth, Director
Current CEO & Founder of Seasonal Properties, Sean has built businesses across Canada with a focus on real estate, hospitality, and technology. Seasonal Properties’ goal is to redefine how people experience seasonal and monthly rentals — from Canada’s ski towns to unique destinations around the world — with a keen focus on technology and the evolving future of travel, work, and lifestyle.
Sean is also the exited Founder of Property Valet, a vacation rental management company he founded and successfully scaled before exiting the business. That experience helped shape his understanding of hospitality operations, property management, and the growing intersection of real estate and technology.
Beyond entrepreneurship, he is committed to community. He served as Co-President of The Blue Mountains Chamber of Commerce and is Past President of The Blue Mountain Short Term Accommodation Owners Association (BMSTA), working to strengthen local economies, tourism, and responsible growth within destination communities.
Sean is driven by building businesses that create value, support communities, and connect people with places they love. He looks forward to continuing to support The Blue Mountains Chamber of Commerce by acting as a catalyst for community initiative and a resource for new businesses in our area.
Tarynn Lennox, Director
A self-proclaimed Real Estate Junkie, Tarynn brings enthusiasm, tenacity and drive to the world of real estate, and her passion for her profession is evident in everything that she does. Born and raised in the Thornbury Area, she has a true love for the Southern Georgian Bay Area and is a proud advocate of the region.
Graduating with an Honours in Business, Tarynn began her career with Scotiabank as a Financial Advisor. Five years, and two promotions later, Tarynn shifted into the real estate industry in 2015 as a Client Care Manager for an award winning real estate team in Thornbury. Her responsibilities included client communication, marketing and managing team expenses. In November of 2017, Tarynn became a licensed REALTOR®, and was a top producing member of a large team with Royal LePage for her first 3 years.
This early success inspired Tarynn to venture out on her own; creating her own brand, Tarynn Lennox Real Estate, in 2021. Since then she has been recognized for several top tier awards, including a National Recognition of Top 35 Under 35 with Royal Lepage throughout Canada.
Claire Freisenhausen, Director
CRM Lab Archaeological Services
Claire is one of the two Senior Partners with CRM Lab Archaeological Services Inc. now based in Thornbury, with offices in Toronto and Midland. She is a provincially licensed Professional Archaeologist with over 20 years of experience conducting and managing archaeological investigations in Southern, Southwestern and Eastern Ontario. She has extensive experience in carrying out field and research projects, as well as managing Indigenous Engagement on projects. Claire holds a Master of Science in Archaeology from The University of Toronto (2001), and an Honours Bachelor of Arts: Psychology & Anthropology from The University of Guelph (1999).
Claire and her husband relocated to Thornbury with their children in 2016 to be closer to the Mountain, and to feed their collective love of skiing and snowboarding. They have felt so fortunate for the opportunity to raise their family in the natural beauty of the area. Besides an active career and family life, she spends as much of her free time as possible with her horses and dogs, having recently taken up endurance trail riding.
Scott Fleming, Director
Scott is the owner of JA Custom Homes, an accomplished builder located in the Georgian Bay Region that was voted the Reader’s Favourite Award for a builder in 2023. Scott holds a Business Diploma from Sheridan College and was an Honours student in the Ontario Management Development Program at Mohawk College. He also received Honours status in the Construction Estimator program at Sheridan College. With his continuous drive to stay relevant in the business world, Scott has just completed the University of Toronto Business Communication Program to fine-tune his skills in communication, as well as completing Executive Leadership Certificates from both Cornell University and Harvard University.
Scott brings his more than 20 years of sales management experience, his leadership skills and his passion for business to the BMCC Board, and is eager to use his experience and expertise to support the BMCC membership.
Stu Frith, Director
Stu is Director of Business Development at Property Valet and is based out of Blue Mountain.
Stu has been directly engaged in the short-term vacation accommodation business for the past 21 years. Stu started in the industry operating a 20 room short-term stay motel at Blue Mountain. In 2005, when a market opportunity was identified in the region for an organized approach to the marketing and rental of STA’s, Stu formed his own company, VisitBlueMountain. The company grew, over time, to professionally manage over 60 chalets and to become the largest vacation chalet rental company at Blue Mountain. Meanwhile, Stu concurrently worked as an industry point person in navigating the way through several versions of the Municipal Short-Rental Licensing Bylaws. In doing so, Stu became the region’s leading expert on the legislation that governs the Short-Term vacation market at Blue Mountain. In 2019 Stu sold VisitBlueMountain to a competitor. Shortly thereafter Stu joined Vacasa Canada ULC and, over the next five years, had key roles in both senior operations management and Business Development. Stu then joined Property Valet’s management team in a senior capacity as Director of Business Development. Stu is now responsible for Property Valet’s growth and development at Blue Mountain.
Stu was raised here at the base of Blue Mountain and got to live the dream of participating in and experiencing all that this incredible region has to offer to all that come here. Stu is a founding member of the Blue Mountain Short Term Owners Association. (BMSTA) and sat as President for the first five years of the Association’s existence and is currently the Associations Executive Director and sitting Board Member.
Roberto De Sousa, Director
Roberto moved to Collingwood in 2023 to become Director of Food & Beverage at Georgian Peaks Club — a move inspired by a desire to embrace the lifestyle and strong sense of community the region offers. Roberto describes Georgian Peaks as “a unique environment with fast hills, exceptional events, family-driven membership, and a remarkable community spirit.”
Originally from Southeast Brazil, Roberto began his career helping manage his family’s grass-fed beef business while completing a bachelor’s degree in business administration. In 2005, he and his wife moved to London – UK, where he pursued a culinary career, graduating from Le Cordon Bleu and completing a postgraduate degree in Business Administration. His professional journey has since taken him through Dominican Republic, Brazil, Toronto, and now the Blue Mountains area, with leadership roles in luxury hotels, private clubs, and hospitality operations.
Roberto is passionate about contributing to the region’s continued growth and sharing the experience gained throughout his international career. As a member of the Blue Mountains Chamber of Commerce, he values the opportunity to give back to such an amazing and welcoming community.