2023-2024
Kelly Latoski
President & Junior Program Chair
Contact: president@pacurling.com
Responsibilities:
President: Chairs the Board of Directors meetings; Acts as a Signing Officer for the Club; Participates in strategic and financial planning meetings and initiatives
Junior Program Chair: Promote curling in Thunder Bay through the Junior Program and Coordinator for Thunder Bay Youth Curling
More About Kelly:
Curling Position: Spare
League: Any
Curling Idol: Jennifer Jones, been following her since she started curling, GOAT of curling, friendly, great role model. When my god daughter Kendra was about a year old, she used to watch curling with me, I told her everything about Jennifer Jones. Her parents had taken Kendra shopping and when every lady that had long blonde hair went by them, Kendra would say mom and dad look Jennifer Jones. Her dad said that Kendra could not watch any more curling with her auntie.
Favourite Curling Shot: Take outs!
Favourite Bonspiel: Superbowl and The Craft Beer Bonspiel
Hobbies: Watching TV – crime series, true or not (it does mess with you), downhill skiing, running
Bucketlist Travel Destination: Go to China and back to Las Vegas to get more tattoos.
Favorite Bands: Bon Jovi, Imagine Dragons
Gordon Williams
Vice President & Finance Chair
Responsibilities:
Support the President and other Board Members; Work with the Club Managers to ensure the overall success of our Curling Facility; Work with all Members to ensure the continued success of our Club; Encourage all Members to work for the Club; Develop a strategy and Execute a plan to recruit new curler.
More About Gordon:
How I Began Curling: I learned to Curl on a 2 sheet Natural Ice Club in Austin Manitoba, My Mother was an avid curler so my siblings and I spent a lot of time at the curling rink.
Favourite Part of Curling: The Strategy, making tough shots to win games, social aspect of the game.
Hobbies: Playing slow pitch, Camping, Family History/genealogy
Bucketlist Travel Destination: Portugal and Newfoundland
Favourite Song/Band: AC/DC Thunder Struck, Highway to Hell, BTO Takin Care of Business, You Ain’t Seen Nothin Yet
Childhood Dream Job: Defenseman for the Chicago Black Hawks, Race car Driver
Liane Fossum
Membership Chair
Contact: membership@pacurling.com
Responsibilities:
I am primarily responsible for communication with our club manager regarding application forms and registration lists. The portfolio report that I prepare includes details regarding procedures and deadlines for member registration and it contains information about membership recruitment and available incentives. For members who require additional time to fulfill their responsibility to pay their dues, the membership chair acts as a liaison for members to access a remittance payment plan through our office manager. I help with locker allocation and providing members with keycards and NOCA. membership information. Additionally, I bring forth questions, comments and ideas from members to the Board of Directors as they arise. I am a long-term director on the board with continued hope to plan future growth and sustainability at PACC.
More About Liane:
Board History: I joined the PACC Board of Directors in 2014 as Draw Chairperson.
Curling Position: Fourth Stone Thrower
League: Tuesday Evening
Favourite Bonspeil: Superbowl – Go Cowboys!
How I Began Curling: I started curling in the junior curling program at PACC. I joined the high school curling team and represented St. Ignatius at OFSAA. I have been to two junior nationals as team Northern Ontario and represented Lakehead University at three nationals. Curling has provided me with great opportunities for travel and to make lifelong friends!
Hobbies: When I am not curling, my free time is filled with coaching, cooking, camping, or hanging with my dogs. I like diverse styles of music. I enjoy travelling.
Favourite Food: My favourite food is pizza!
Randy Robinson
Draw Chair
Responsibilities:
Produce draws for evening curling at the start of the season. Manage WL sheets and create new draws at the end of each series. Track grand aggregate standings throughout the season. Facilitate a winner’s night at the end of the year for squad winners.
More about Randy:
Board History: I was recruited by Liane to take over her position as Draw chairperson with President Maarup. Four presidents later and I’m still learning how to do my job.
How I Began Curling: I curled for three years in the late 80s before children. I returned to the sport in my mid-forties and have been playing ever since.
Curling Position: I’m not consistent enough to play Lead or Second. I’m not accurate enough to play Third. So, by default, I skip on Monday and Tuesday nights. My team wants me to try afternoon curling.
Favourite Bonspiel: Hospitality, especially D event
Hobbies: I love my golf. My two Aces are tops in the family.
Favourites: Food (CRB persians), drink (Labatt 50) and NFL football (Bills).
Jean Louis Lepage
Mixed Chair
Responsibilities:
I am responsible for organising the Mixed Curling League at the club. We host trivia nights, organise prizes and of course club playoffs and championships. In my role, I wish to grow the game more and more every year. Get more new curlers to come out as Mixed is a great way to start in the sport.
More About Jean Louis:
How I Began Curling: I learned to curl in high school, then 20 years later, Bob came to my office and said their evening team needed a fourth, been hooked for the past 14 years.
Favourite Part of Curling: The fun, the camaraderie, the learning, and even the dreaded sweeping… But favourite, complaining about my skip.
Hobbies: Reading, snowshoeing, camping, got back into downhill skiing this year.
Bucketlist Travel Destination: Hawaii
Favourite Song/Band: AC/DC, Back in Black, Being Young and Reckless, and Yes I Was
Childhood Dream Job: Still not sure.
Andréa Hantjis
Marketing & Communications Chair
Contact: marketing@pacurling.com
Responsibilities:
I am primarily responsible for marketing to advertisers, engaging sponsors, maintaining social media and the website, member and public communications, and fundraising. I joined the board in 2022 because I wanted to learn about curling club operations and to be a part of PACC’s growth.
More About Andréa:
Favourite Part of Curling: The continuous challenge. I love that there’s always something new to discover about this sport and how I can improve at it. What I love about curling at PACC is the warm and inviting environment – I felt welcome from day one!
Favourite Bonspiel: The Craft Beer Bonspiel
Hobbies: Reading, hiking, gardening and trying out various crafts. Recently I started getting back into highland dancing!
Bucketlist Travel Destination: Scotland!
Trevor Packota
Building & Property Chair
Responsibilities:
I am responsible for basic maintenance and repairs, and coordination of larger repairs and maintenance with contractors. My goal on the Board is to help get PACC back to financial stability and to eventually create a year-round centre for members.
More About Trevor:
Started Curling: 2016
Hobbies: Travelling and spending time with family
Favourite Bonspiel: Superbowl
Favourite Part of Curling: The strategic nature of the game and also the comradery among fellow curlers
Jodi E. Judd
Ice Chair
Responsibilities:
I am responsible for liaising with the ice staff, though due to the absolute competence of Brent and Justin, I can assist with other duties as needed. This is my first opportunity to serve as a director on the Port Arthur Curling Centre Board, and my hope is to learn how best I can apply my skills and passion to ensuring the continued success of our club for the members and community alike. I hope to find ways to work with the curling community to grow our sport and fellowship at all levels – from the absolute beginner to the elite curler.
More About Jodi:
How I Began Curling: My mother and sister used to curl in the Hill City Afternoon Ladies League the year I was pregnant with my daughter and off work. My father and I used to come to the club to watch them curl and we immediately noticed how warmly the club and members welcomed us. Curling looked to be so much fun to both my dad and I that that year 2 new curlers were born! We played in the Native Bonspiel and joined PACC in 1995, and I have been a proud member ever since.
Favourite Part of Curling: I love the challenge of shot-making and the fellowship of the game. Curling is a sport that allows competitors at all levels to be great, and the sheer joy of remembering the one big shot made by the team (because it takes all four team members to make the shot) is what keeps me coming back.
Hobbies: I am a very proud Koko to 6 beautiful grandchildren born of my 2 beautiful children and I love quiet summer days in the sun.
Bucketlist Travel Destination: When I was a teenager I ran away to Victoria, BC. While waiting outside the Empress Hotel for the Greyhound Bus that was to take me home, I was told about high tea by a hotel bellhop, and it was then that I put high-tea at the Empress hotel on my bucket list.
Favourite Band: I love Janis Joplin and my all-time favourite song is her cover of Summertime. Blues and plaintive vocals are my go-to when I’m up, when I’m down and basically when I’m.
Childhood Dream Job: As a child I dreamed of being a pilot and losing myself in the clouds with the wind beneath my wings.
Greg Desimone
Entertainment Chair
Responsibilities:
Organizing and coordinating events.
More About Greg:
How I Began Curling: My wife dragged me to PACC on a random night of mixed curling when we first started dating and I never left.
Curling Position: Second, with big dreams of being a skip (it’s the sweeping!).
Favourite Bonspiel: Oktoberfest, great way to start the season!
Hobbies: Travelling, camping, reading, golf, paddleboarding, attempting to grow tomatoes with varying degrees of success, and spending time at the lake.
Favourite Food: Pasta makes you fasta!
Bucketlist Travel Destination: Australia and New Zealand
Childhood Dream Job: For a long time I was certain that I was going to be an astronaut, then I came back down to Earth.