Harrow & Colchester South Chamber of Commerce
Welcome to the municipality of Harrow and Colchester South, located in Essex County, Ontario, Canada.
For nearly two centuries, we have maintained a rich history in Southern Ontario that continues to present day. As a southern community located along the scenic shores of Lake Erie, our region features the ideal soil and weather conditions to support many local wineries, agricultural festivals, and recreational activities on the water.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Dennis McLean
President
Dennis McLean is a local farmer with deep roots in Harrow and Colchester’s business and agricultural community. As part of the Chamber, Dennis has taken on the initiative of facilitating and implementing the annual New Year’s Eve Celebration at the Harrow Arena year-after-year. Dennis is passionate about advocating on behalf of businesses and families in the community.
Kristen Merklinger
Treasurer
Kristen Merklinger has 20 years of experience in the financial services industry and has resided in Essex since 2002. Kristen was born and raised on Pelee Island and feels the same sense of small-town community since joining the Chamber in Harrow in early 2022. Kristen has 2 children and enjoys reading, puzzles and spending time with her family, friends, and 2 French bulldogs.
Jill Marontate
Vice President
Jill Marontate has been a citizen of the Harrow community for 49 years.
After 35 years of working in the accounting profession, she retired and is now an employee of Gerald A. Smith Funeral Home.
She is a 30-year member of the Harrow Rotary Club and Past President and has held numerous positions within the club, currently being the treasurer for the club.
At the Rotary District level, she was the District Chair for Rotary District 6400 Interact Clubs and a member of the Conference Committee for Rotary District 6400.
She has been a board member of the Harrow and Colchester Chamber of Commerce for 14 years, a past president and currently Vice President for the board.
Jill has 2 daughters and 3 grandchildren. She loves entertaining with her family and friends and enjoys walking, yoga, and working in her garden.
Mary Beth Little
Director
Born and raised on a farm in Essex County, Mary Beth moved back to the Harrow area in 2008 after a few years of working in the Toronto area, realizing that rural life was the ideal place to be and farm life has its rewards. Being accepted into a community like Harrow has shown how much pride and effort others give to make Harrow and Colchester a better place to live. I am proud to be able to help with the Chamber’s initiative to not only encourage new businesses, but help current ones and provide free events to the community.
Michael Janisse
Director
Emilee Fernandes
Secretary
Mark Clifford
Director
I moved out to Harrow 50 years ago from Windsor, and for the most part have been here ever since. Most of my professional life has been spent in Retail Merchandising and Retail Management. I am passionate about making our Town, the best that it can be, to serve the people who call this our home. My passion is to grow our downtown area, so that people can get what they need in town, instead of going out of town. I am also working to grow recreational Pickleball in the area, trying to introduce more people to the benefits of being active.
Corrine Bridger
Director
Christina Duncan-Bezaire
Director
Nancy Burke
Director
Nancy Burke has over 25 years of experience in the Hospitality Industry. Nancy has taken her passion for wine, books, coffee and community and created Daisy & Co. Wine Bar in Harrow. As a new Director with the Chamber, she looks forward to contributing to the community’s growth and prosperity. She enjoys reading, cooking and running. Nancy recently formed Daisy & Co. In Motion Club, a walking and running group in Harrow. She was raised in Kingsville, spent several years in Windsor, and moved back to Kingsville to raise her 2 children. Nancy now resides in Harrow with her significant other, Jon and their mischievous golden retriever.