At the annual Ontario Good Roads Association conference, Wellington County Operations Manager, Paul Johnson, was elected the 2010 president.
Johnson has been a member of the OGRA board of directors since 2003. In addition to his work with association, he was chairman of the Ontario Road Salt Management Group (ORSMG) has extensive experience presenting winter road maintenance programs across North America.
“I am honoured to become OGRA’s president for 2010,” commented Johnson. “As president of one of Canada’s largest municipal associations, I look forward to working with the board of directors to support municipalities in their efforts to provide efficient and effective transportation infrastructure in Ontario.
“By working collaboratively with the governments of Canada and Ontario, we’ll be able to tackle municipal roads issues with a strong voice and get much more accomplished.”
For over 100 years, the association has represented the transportation and public works related concerns of 445 municipalities and many First Nation communities of Ontario.
The OGRA supports its members in meeting their responsibilities to design, build, maintain and manage roads and structures in Ontario.
“I congratulate Paul Johnson on becoming president of OGRA for 2010,” said Warden Joanne Ross-Zuj. “He brings a lot of experience and insight to the table, and has served the County of Wellington’s roads division well for over 25 years. OGRA will continue to be in good hands in 2010 under Paul’s leadership.”
County Engineer, Gord Ough said, “Paul Johnson has been instrumental in developing significant winter maintenance packages and programs for the County of Wellington. His work has been an example to municipalities across North America.”
Former county engineer and president of OGRA in 1981, Alan Holmes, said “I hired Paul Johnson at the County of Wellington 26 years ago. He has always faced challenges with a competitive spirit.
“He will do a fantastic job as president.”
OGRA is led by 15 directors drawn from member municipalities across Ontario. Directors are either elected municipal representatives or municipal staff officials. Collectively they represent several areas of municipal expertise.
Elections to the board of directors are held at the OGRA annual conference in February.
