Our Commission

Greg Wight has represented the City of St. Catharines on the Niagara District Airport Commission since 2019. For the first four years, he served as Treasurer, and is now serving as Chair for the 2023-2026 term.

Prior to retiring in 2015, he was employed by Algoma Central Corporation for 35 years, including twelve years as Chief Financial Officer and the final seven years as Chief Executive Officer. During his tenure, he led Algoma through a significant reinvestment program while maintaining strong growth in financial results and shareholder returns. During this period, Algoma was recognized as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies and as a top ten performer in Marine Money magazine’s annual list of the top marine companies in the world.

Since being transferred to St. Catharines in 1996, he has been actively involved in numerous volunteer and community initiatives. These have included serving as a Director of the Niagara Health System; Director, Treasurer, and 2013 Campaign Chair of the United Way of St. Catharines; Fundraising Chair of the Welland Canal Fallen Workers Task Force; Director and member of the Finance and Audit Committee of the Pathstone Foundation; and Director and Chair of both the Audit Committee and Asset Renewal Committee of the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation.

John Ventresca brings over 35 years of aviation expertise to his role as a Senior Leader at the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA). Managing operations at Canada’s largest airport, he is responsible for corporate and aviation safety, security, and performance initiatives.

His diverse background includes managing commercial airlines and air ambulances, along with 12 years as a dedicated professor at Seneca Polytechnic Institute.

John is also a long-standing public servant, having represented the City of Niagara Falls as a board member for 14 years.

Mark Steinman is the Treasurer of Niagara District Airport. He and his wife, Linda, currently live in St. Catharines. Mark has represented St. Catharines on the Niagara District Airport Commission for the past eight years.

Mark had a long career as Chief Financial Officer of many major Canadian public companies, including Stelco and Spar Aerospace.

He has served on many boards in the Niagara region, including the Performing Arts Centre, InCommunities, Brock University and the YMCA of Niagara.

Mona Patel serves as a City Councillor for the City of Niagara Falls and is a member of the Niagara District Airport Commission. In this role, she contributes to strategic oversight, long-term planning, and governance related to airport operations, infrastructure, and future growth.

Through her work on the NDAC, Mona has been involved in advancing discussions around airport modernization, expansion, and improving regional connectivity. She works collaboratively with fellow commissioners, municipal partners, and provincial stakeholders to support initiatives that enhance economic development, tourism, and transportation access for Niagara residents and businesses.

Mona brings a strong governance perspective to the Commission, with experience in municipal budgeting, capital planning, and public accountability. Her focus is on ensuring responsible investment, transparent decision-making, and alignment with broader regional and provincial priorities.

As both a community advocate and municipal leader, Mona is committed to supporting infrastructure projects that strengthen Niagara’s economy while balancing fiscal responsibility and community impact.

A lifelong resident of St. Catharines, Mark Stevens has been married for 37 years and raised two children who both live and work in the city. He has a long-standing record of community involvement, currently serving as a Commissioner with the Niagara District Airport and previously as President of the Grantham Lions Club.

His past service includes Chair of Crime Stoppers of Niagara, member of the City of St. Catharines Committee of Adjustment, Union Steward with UFCW Local 175, Treasurer and Life Member of the St. Catharines Old Boys Lacrosse Association, and a Scouts Canada Leader for over 20 years. He has also coached youth soccer in Port Weller.

In recognition of his volunteer service, he has received multiple honours, including Scouts Canada’s Medal of Merit, the Edward W. Sampson Award, and Volunteer Recognition Certificates from the Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario, and the City of St. Catharines. His commitment to community service continues through his desire to represent St. George’s Ward as a City of St. Catharines Councillor.

Deputy Lord Mayor of Niagara on the Lake, Erwin Wiens is a Commissioner of the Niagara Parks Commission and sits on the Town’s Agriculture and Irrigation Committees. He is a past Director of the Grape Growers of Ontario and a past Director of the Grape and Wine Festival. He is the president of the Niagara Lions Club.

Erwin and his wife, Dorothy, farm 130 acres of wine grapes in Niagara-on-the-Lake. In 2020, Erwin retired from the Hamilton Police after 31 years of service.

Ann-Marie Nitsopoulos is a co-partner of the Old Stone Inn Boutique Hotel, Niagara Falls’ only historic inn offering both accommodation and a full food + beverage experience.

With over 25 years of hospitality leadership, she previously served as Marketing Director for the Heart of Niagara Hotels Group, working closely with InterContinental Hotels Group and Days Inn Canada to shape brand strategy and performance.

Deeply committed to community building, Ann-Marie actively serves on multiple tourism and business boards and committees, where she champions destination development, entrepreneurship, and draws ongoing inspiration from travel as both her passion and creative fuel.

A resident of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Terry Nord has served as a community member for the past three years, contributing to both the Planning and Operations Committee and the Finance and Audit Committee.

He brings over 40 years of experience in the aviation sector, spanning airline and airport operations in both technical and executive leadership roles.

He is an active member of the Civil Air Search and Rescue Association (CASARA), currently serving as Director of Operations for Ontario, and is also a Member at Large of the Royal Canadian Air Force Association.

Trecia McLennon has served as a Commissioner on the Niagara District Airport Commission since 2023, representing the City of St. Catharines as a community member.

She is the President and founder of Ethicul Group Inc., a company focused on advancing ethical and culturally intelligent leadership through technology.

Trecia holds the ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors and brings extensive governance experience from serving on multiple boards and committees. She also holds an MBA earned in the United Kingdom and has studied and worked internationally, including in Mexico, Cuba, and South Korea.

Trecia is committed to strengthening strategic oversight and fostering future-focused leadership in Niagara and beyond.