Board Members

Hi, I’m Cale Fair, Vice President of Black Bear Ridge & proud Board Chair of RTO9!

Professionally, I value building stronger networks and communities, as collaboration and connection are essential for long-term success. Delivering exceptional customer service and guest experiences is equally important, as it reflects a commitment to quality and care. I am also passionate about building strong, well-supported teams that are resourced, challenged, and inspired. I believe in creating a workplace where people enjoy coming to work, have opportunities to grow in alignment with their career goals, and can maintain a healthy balance that allows them to live their best lives.

I am proud to be a Board Director of Habitat for Humanity Prince Edward Hastings & serve on the Industry Advisory Council for Golf Canada.

I love learning, adventure, and building things! From continuing to explore our province, country, and the globe through travel, I’ve now made a career exploring new professions and industries.  In my 20+ year career, I’ve been a news reporter, talk-show producer, e-commerce and manufacturing leader, in the creator space. This new chapter in my biography involves Golf x Hospitality and unique Board roles, which continue to challenge and excite me!

“We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.”

– Winston Churchill

Hi, I’m Loren Christie, Managing Director of the BestCities Global Alliance, a community of 13 DMOs from around the world that collaborate to promote Business Events as a source for positive impact. I am also a consultant with GainingEdge, managing projects in the Tourism, Travel, and Hospitality sectors with a focus on Business Events and 2SLGBTQI+ inclusion.

I am fortunate to have had a career that has allowed me to travel broadly and hear different perspectives from around the globe.

In addition to serving on the board of RTO9, I am part of the Technical Advisory Committee for the Global Destination Sustainability Movement and a member of Destination International’s Social Inclusion Committee.

I have also worked as a freelance travel journalist for the last 24 years, appearing regularly on CTV’s morning show, Your Morning.

“Travel makes one modest, you see what a tiny space you occupy in the world.” 

– Gustave Flaubert

Hi, I’m Karina Belanger, Tourism Supervisor for the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry.

I value collaboration, creativity, and storytelling. My background in tourism, marketing, and economic development has shaped my approach to working closely with partners to find thoughtful, effective solutions and present engaging materials that enhance the visitor experience. I am passionate about creating authentic initiatives that benefit visitors and our local communities while supporting the businesses that make our region unique.

Outside of my core role, I volunteer with the Cornwall Girls Hockey Association, supporting youth development and community involvement.

A unique aspect of my work includes overseeing the operations of the Historic SDG Jail, where I help deliver tours, special events, and unique experiences such as paranormal investigations that offer visitors a truly memorable connection to local history.

“Great things in business are never done by one person; they’re done by a team of people.” — Steve Jobs

Hi, I’m Cheri Kemp-Long. I am a retired federal public servant, now living in Merrickville-Wolford.  When I’m not helping my husband manage our lawn and gardens, or spending time with kids, grandkids, and great grandkids, I am a part-time consultant supporting business, community, and tourism development mostly in Nunavut.

I believe in lifelong learning, giving back to the community, and providing support for business, community, and tourism development when and where I can.

I am the Secretary to the Board of the Merrickville and District Historical Society and participate in activities with the Merrickville-Wolford and District Chamber of Commerce.

I spent 32 years living and working in the Canadian Arctic and travelling across the circumpolar Arctic region, focusing efforts on community, business, and tourism development.  I am currently nearing the end of the coursework for a Master’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies at Royal Roads University and will spend next year working on my thesis to find a practical approach to community tourism development, specifically for small communities in the Circumpolar Region.

“I can do hard things!”

– Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe.  Her presentation at the Economic Developers Association of Canada conference last year was amazing; she is an engaging speaker.  Her strategies for “Everyday Resilience” and managing “Stress Wisely” included some great takeaways.

Bonjour, I’m Cynthia Peters, owner of From the Farm Enterprises Inc. a culinary experiential company. I host cooking classes and guests at my Maison Maitland property in Southeastern Ontario and lead culinary wine & food adventures in Southern France.

I value authenticity and collaboration. My most rewarding moments are when clients express how much they have enjoyed their learning experience.

I’ve been involved in tourism as a volunteer since 2011, including Chairing the marketing destination board of Prince Edward County, being a member of the Bay of Quinte Tourist Council Board and a member of the start-up strategic team for RTO9.  Other current volunteer positions include Opinium Wine Club du Vin and The Bloom Food Fund.

Besides cooking and entertaining, I love to write and have authored The Art of Herbs Cookbook and My French Cookbook.  Relaxing time – playing our 1920’s Steinway piano and singing jazz.

“People who love to eat are the best people.”

– Julia Child

Hi. I’m Donnie MacIntyre, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Limestone Media & Entertainment and its subsidiary, Kingston-based Limestone Animation, Southeastern Ontario’s first fully integrated animation studio. 

Having spent most of my career in the media and entertainment industries of Canada and the United States, I’ve seen firsthand how a vibrant hospitality and tourism sector fuels creative growth. For two years, I served as Film Commissioner for Kingston and the surrounding region, where I worked closely with filmmakers, writers, musicians, and artists who make Southeastern Ontario such a dynamic cultural hub. From award-winning restaurants and world-class accommodations to year-round concerts and community events, this region offers an incredible mix of experiences that continually inspire both visitors and the creative professionals who live and work here. 

My work has taken me to every continent on Earth (except Antarctica… one day!), and I can confidently say that the RTO9 region has all the ingredients of a world-class destination for travellers, entrepreneurs, and businesses across many sectors. I’m excited to work with the board and team at RTO9 to help share our region’s story with the world and to showcase the endless opportunities that make Southeastern Ontario such a remarkable place to visit, invest, and create.
 

“Creativity is intelligence having fun.”
-Albert Einstein

Hi, I’m Heather Robertson, I am the front Office Manager at The Residence Inn by Marriott, Kingston Water’s edge. As the Front Office Manager at the Residence Inn by Marriott in Kingston, I am dedicated to training and mentoring staff to deliver exceptional guest experiences. My commitment to excellence in customer service is matched by my enthusiasm for showcasing the vibrant culture and charm of Kingston and the surrounding region to visitors and newcomers alike.

Beyond my professional role, I am actively involved in Greater Napanee Connect, a volunteer-led initiative focused on community enrichment, civic pride, and collaboration. My drive to foster meaningful connections both within the hospitality industry and across the community reflects my core belief in the power of teamwork and shared purpose.

A lifelong traveller and explorer, I once completed a 160-kilometre trek around Mont Blanc to better understand the traditional journey of cheesemakers and the origins of Comté, a reflection of my curiosity and appreciation for culture, food, and storytelling.

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”

– Helen Keller

I’m Jacob Murray, co-owner and operator of Topsy Farms on Amherst Island.

My days are spent working on projects that I enjoy (even when the work is hard). I drive big machines, so I’m basically a 7-year-old boy smiling behind the wheel of my tractor. I’m responsible for Topsy’s social media and marketing. Professionally, the most important thing to me is keeping the farmland as a farm in ethical and creative ways, aligned with the earthy values of our hippie founders.

I have served as a volunteer firefighter and first responder for 20 years, and have contributed to several community initiatives, including the Henderson Pool Fundraising Committee, the Lafarge Citizens’ Committee, and the Arts and Culture Committee for Loyalist Township.

I faced and survived my greatest fear before starting high school. When I was 13, I wanted to cure my fear of flying, so I went up with my rocket scientist neighbour (single-engine plane), and we crashed on landing. I was airlifted to the hospital in a helicopter.

“They don’t gotta burn the books, they just remove ‘em.”

– Zach de la Rocha

Hi, I’m Kathy Marcelline, a Certified Travel Industry Specialist (CTIS) with the American Bus Association (ABA), honoured to serve on the RTO 9 Board of Directors. My career has focused on strengthening Ontario's visitor economy through marketing, partnerships, and visitor experiences. I value collaboration, thoughtful leadership, and practical solutions that help tourism businesses thrive.

South Eastern Ontario is both a professional focus and a place of personal significance. Having worked closely with regional partners for years, I love exploring its communities and sharing their stories. Today, I connect with visitors as a Step-on Tour Guide and a Toronto Pearson Welcome Team volunteer. 

I am committed to advancing Truth and Reconciliation through continued learning, meaningful relationships, and action. I speak fluent French, officiate weddings, and am exploring my family roots in Lennox & Addington County. 

"Every person and every place has a story worth understanding."

Hello. I am Liam Karry, co-founder and current Artistic Producer of The Kick & Push Festival, a month-long celebration of innovative live performance in Kingston, Ontario. I am also the Artistic Producer of the Kingston Theatre Alliance, as well as the founding Artistic Director of Single Thread Theatre Company, through which I have produced award-winning, immersive, live performance events all over the world.

Within my experiential tourism and hospitality practice, I value the prioritization of authenticity, generosity and community.

I am proud to be a member of several regional Arts & Tourism related boards and committees, including Tourism Kingston’s Attractions Committee, as well as the Arts & Heritage Advisory Committee at the City of Kingston. I am also proud to be a former member of the Professional Advisory Committee for the Hospitality and Tourism Programs at St. Lawrence College.

“A good story cannot be devised; it has to be distilled.”
― Raymond Chandler

Hi, I’m Ross McCarney, Marine Operations Manager at Rockport Boat Line in the heart of the Thousand Islands. As a lifelong local and advocate for sustainable tourism, I’m passionate about preserving the natural beauty of our region while supporting its vibrant communities. I’ve volunteered with the Frontenac Arch Biosphere, coached Little Rocks youth curling, and proudly contributed to Parks Canada’s Youth Environmental Program—each role rooted in my commitment to education, family, and environmental stewardship.

Outside of work, I enjoy building custom computers, collecting vintage vinyl, and once had the unforgettable experience of swimming with sea turtles in Tulum. These moments remind me of why we protect what we love.

 “Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.”

– Albert Einstein