The Board

Ian Gadbois

President

Ian is a founding member of Ski Heritage East, along with current Board member Lyle Fair and past members, Jean Lepage and Alexa Brewer. Previously involved with the resurrection of the Convent Glen Orléans Woods Community Association, Ian has been interested in community development since his retirement from the Public Service. He is a passable skier, representing the "average old guy" demographic. He has lived in Convent Glen since 1981.

Alan Mortimer

Government Relations

Alan is the ski guy on the Ski Heritage East Board and has lived in Convent Glen since 1982. He has taught skiers from 4 to 64 and coached Nordic racing at the club, provincial and national level. Alan has also worked as a World Cup wax specialist and really likes snow. In addition to his role with Ski Heritage East, Alan is president of the Urban Winter Trails Alliance of the National Capital Region, the group that coordinates activities amongst the region’s six urban winter trails.

Jennifer Rendall

Board Member

Jennifer is the newest member of Ski Heritage East, joining the team following the death of her husband, Reece Rendall, who was an active member of the Board. She has lived in the Convent Glen North area since 2001 and, as a long time active lifestyle enthusiast, has enjoyed the trails over the years for walking her dogs, running, cycling, snowshoeing, skiing, and fat biking. She is very happy to be part of the team working to bring winter active lifestyle opportunities into the community on the multi-sport trail.

Jean-François Born

Board Member

Jean-François has lived in Orléans since 2011. He grew up in the Greater Toronto Area and has
cross-country skied since the days of three-pin boots. His father built trails on a 200 acre family
woodlot in the Muskoka region. Trails were “opened” at each weekend visit by his father. Jean-François became involved with Ski Heritage East because he enjoys the beautifully groomed trails. His boys are learning to ski and dad doesn’t have to open the trails.

Jean-François has been a member of the Mouvement d’implication francophone d’Orléans (MIFO) and Association du patrimoine familiale francophone de l’Ontario boards. His other interests are military history, remembrance and memorialization. In the Ski Heritage East team, his focus is Francophone community relations.

Lyle Fair

Operations

Robin Gibson

Treasurer

Robin joined Ski Heritage East as Treasurer in 2020, with a background in bookkeeping, budgeting, and administration. As a Board Member she handles all of the organizations finances and plays an active role in communications with donors, sponsors and the grooming team. Robin and her family moved to Convent Glen in 2002 to be close to the river and it’s recreation pathways. Previously a downhill skier, Robin began cross-country skiing that first winter in Orléans. It soon became a family affair with the kids taking lessons and racing at Nakkertok Ski Club. Most days you can find her out on our trail with her favourite furry friend trotting by her side.

Drew Deyell

Board Member

The Web Team

Eric Curley

Web Administrator

Julie Agar

Web Content

The Grooming Team

Coming soon!

Past Board Members

Jean Lepage

Past Board Member

Jean Lepage is the visionary that had the concept that has now become Ski Heritage East. Jean put together the original team, including Ian Gadbois, Lyle Fair and Alexa Brewer, and set about making the vision happen.

A retired high school math teacher, Jean has been a resident of Convent Glen since 1982. Jean often dreamed of creating a groomed trail for outdoor enthusiasts in Orléans. His long history with cross-country skiing includes participation in races in Lake Placid, the Laurentians, Gatineau and other ski Loppets.

Several years later, we are still proud to call Jean the Grandfather of the Trail.

Reece Rendall

Past Board Member

Reece Rendall was a founding member of Ski Heritage East and the driving force behind its early success. Reece lived close to the Trail in Orléans for more than 20 years and recalled bushwacking ski trails along the River long before Ski Heritage East began.

He grew up in Orleans, where he developed a passion for cycling, cross-country skiing and motocross bikes. Reece ‘The Rocket’ was a fierce competitor who achieved great athletic success, but he was also humble and loved to share his passion for sports and his healthy lifestyle with everyone around him. He turned that passion into a career as brand manager for Madshus cross-country skis and K2 bikes, which gave him the opportunity to travel all over the world racing, working and making friends. His expertise and connections in the bike and ski community were instrumental to the Ski Heritage East marketing program.

Sadly, Reece passed away in 2022, at the age of 55, leaving a big hole in our organization and our hearts. Board members have named a section of the trail from Tenth Line to Bilberry “Rendall Way” to remember his commitment to the success of the trail.

Alexa Brewer

Past Board Member

Guy Levert

Past Board Member

Guy started cross-country skiing some 52 years ago. He loves the sport and enjoys a sunny day along the Ottawa River or in the Gatineau Park. In his younger days, Guy competed with the Club de ski de fond de Hull and participated in local, regional and provincial competitions. Back in the early 1980’s, he took part in what was called the Sealtest Cups in the province of Québec; a provincial event with events in almost all regions of Québec. Guy developed the very first Ski Heritage East website. He has lived in Orléans since 1991. He retired from the Ski Heritage East board in 2024.