Item - 2015.CA9.3

Appointees' Biographies:

Cal Bricker

Cal Bricker is Vice President for Quantum Murray LLP, an environmental services company. Cal holds a PhD in Political Science from the University of Alberta. Cal is currently a board member of the Ontario Waste Management Association, where he is the Immediate Past Chair, the Canadian Journalism Foundation, The Toronto Zoo, and the Great Lakes International Air Show. He was a recipient of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, the Canadian Forces Decoration and two commendations for exemplary service.

Ming-Tat Cheung

Ming-Tat Cheung has worked as a clinical cardiologist for over 30 years, including time as a council member of the Ontario Medical Association and chair of department of Medicine at Humber River Regional Hospital. Ming-Tat was instrumental in building the largest Chinese Cultural Centre in North America, is an inductee into the Scarborough Walk of Fame, received the Queen and Diamond Jubilee Awards, and is a recipient of the Order of Ontario.

Vanessa Choy

Vanessa Choy has a diverse education background with experiences ranging from veterinary medicine to engineering. Vanessa currently works as a shelter veterinarian at the Toronto Humane Society, having previously worked at the Toronto and Bronx Zoos. Vanessa has participated in wildlife conservation programs including Envirovet and the Morris Animal Foundation Veterinary Student Scholar program.

Matthew Cole

Matthew Cole is currently a Manager with MNP’s Taxation Services Group. He holds a degree in Bachelor of Management and Organizational Studies from the University of Western Ontario and is a Designated Chartered Professional Accountant. Matthew is also the volunteer treasurer for the Yonge-Lawrence Village BIA and his favorite animal is the polar bear.

Paul Doyle

Paul Doyle has been a member of the Atlantic Packaging Products Ltd. management team for over 21 years and currently serves as the CFO. Paul's education background includes a BA from Western, a MBA from the Schulich School of Business, and CFA, CPA, and CMA designations. Paul has served one previous term on the Toronto Zoo Board.

Tisha Tan

Tisha Tan is a graduate student at the University of Toronto Scarborough and is working towards a Master's Degree in Environmental Science, specializing in conservation and biodiversity. Through Tisha's university career she developed a broad understanding of the role that zoos play in the conservation of endangered species. Tisha hopes to contribute this knowledge and her enthusiasm to the Zoo Board.

Joshua Vinegar

Joshua Vinegar has been a board member of The Toronto Zoo since September 2011. He's currently employed as a Marketing Manager for CAPREIT one of Canada's top 50 Employers, also Canada's largest apartment landlord. Josh's interests are in customer service, market research, revenue management, and marketing analysis. Outside of his daily career Josh is involved with several boards and associations.

Benjamin Wulffhart

Benjamin Wulffhart is an optometrist by profession and has extensive experience in the medical technology field. Having retired in 2010, Benjamin served on the Toronto Public Library Board from September 2011 to February 2015. As the preservation and well-being of animals is close to his heart, Benjamin hopes to put his prior experiences and knowledge to good use on the Zoo Board.

The Civic Appointments Committee recommends that:

1. City Council appoint the following candidates to the Toronto Zoo Board, at pleasure of Council, for a term of office ending on December 31, 2016 and until successors are appointed:

- Vanessa Choy

- Matthew Cole

- Tisha Tan

- Benjamin Wulffhart 

2. City Council appoint the following candidates to the Toronto Zoo Board, at pleasure of Council, for a term of office ending on November 30, 2018 and until successors are appointed:

- Cal Bricker

- Ming-Tat Cheung

- Paul Doyle

- Joshua Vinegar

3.  City Council appoint Councillor Raymond Cho as Chair of the Toronto Zoo Board of Management, for a term of office ending on December 31, 2016, and until a successor is appointed.

4. City Council direct that the confidential information contained in Confidential Attachments 1, 2 and 3 remain confidential in their entirety as they relate to personal matters about identifiable individuals being considered for appointment to the Toronto Zoo Board.

Candidates' Biographies:

Cal Bricker

Cal Bricker is Vice President for Quantum Murray LLP, an environmental services company.  Cal holds a PhD in Political Science from the University of Alberta. Cal is currently a board member of the Ontario Waste Management Association, where he is the Immediate Past Chair, the Canadian Journalism Foundation, The Toronto Zoo, and the Great Lakes International Air Show. He was a recipient of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, the Canadian Forces Decoration and two commendations for exemplary service.

Ming-Tat Cheung

Ming-Tat Cheung has worked as a clinical cardiologist for over 30 years, including time as a council member of the Ontario Medical Association and chair of department of Medicine at Humber River Regional Hospital.  Ming-Tat was instrumental in building the largest Chinese Cultural Centre in North America, is an inductee into the Scarborough Walk of Fame, received the Queen and Diamond Jubilee Awards, and is a recipient of the Order of Ontario. 

Vanessa Choy

Vanessa Choy has a diverse education background with experiences ranging from veterinary medicine to engineering.  Vanessa currently works as a shelter veterinarian at the Toronto Humane Society, having previously worked at the Toronto and Bronx Zoos.  Vanessa has participated in wildlife conservation programs including Envirovet and the Morris Animal Foundation Veterinary Student Scholar program. 

Matthew Cole

Matthew Cole is currently a Manager with MNP’s Taxation Services Group.  He holds a degree in Bachelor of Management and Organizational Studies from the University of Western Ontario and is a Designated Chartered Professional Accountant. Matthew is also the volunteer treasurer for the Yonge-Lawrence Village BIA and his favorite animal is the polar bear.

Paul Doyle

Paul Doyle has been a member of the Atlantic Packaging Products Ltd. management team for over 21 years and currently serves as the CFO.  Paul's education background includes a BA from Western, a MBA from the Schulich School of Business, and CFA, CPA, and CMA designations.  Paul has served one previous term on the Toronto Zoo Board.

Tisha Tan

Tisha Tan is a graduate student at the University of Toronto Scarborough and is working towards a Master's Degree in Environmental Science, specializing in conservation and biodiversity. Through Tisha's university career she developed a broad understanding of the role that zoos play in the conservation of endangered species. Tisha hopes to contribute this knowledge and her enthusiasm to the Zoo Board.

Joshua Vinegar

Joshua Vinegar has been a board member of The Toronto Zoo since September 2011. He's currently employed as a Marketing Manager for CAPREIT one of Canada's top 50 Employers, also Canada's largest apartment landlord. Josh's interests are in customer service, market research, revenue management, and marketing analysis. Outside of his daily career Josh is involved with several boards and associations.

Benjamin Wulffhart

Benjamin Wulffhart is an optometrist by profession and has extensive experience in the medical technology field.  Having retired in 2010, Benjamin served on the Toronto Public Library Board from September 2011 to February 2015.  As the preservation and well-being of animals is close to his heart, Benjamin hopes to put his prior experiences and knowledge to good use on the Zoo Board.