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
Secretary
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 12 years, a past president and currently secretary 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
Vice President
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.