The following is a short biography on the volunteers that manage and direct CRAA. More volunteers are needed and welcome! The more of you that choose to get involved and help manage projects, the more we can accomplish to protect and improve our fishery! E-mail craa to get involved ( info@craa.on.ca ). Some volunteers carry two positions and if so it will be noted in the brackets under their primary role.
John Kendell, Chairman (President)
I became a member of CRAA shortly after it was formed in 1990 and saw the great potential the organization had. I have been President of CRAA since 1993 and Chairman since 1994. I have had the fortune to work with hundreds of wonderful past and present members who share a similar passion for the outdoors and protecting our resources to make them better for the next generation.
Louis Milo, Vice Chair (Vice President)
The son of parents who immigrated to Canada in the 50`s Louis inheritated a keen interest in cold water fishing from his father. Living close to the Credit allowed his father to teach him the love of river angling. His desire to see a world class fishery on the Credit stems from those early 80`s fishing excursions. Louis gained his Masters in Business from the Univeristy of Miami, following that worked briefly in the US banking system.
Pete Pettos, Director (Forks of redit Rehab)
I have been involved with CRAA since the later part of the 1990’s, and from time to time before that. I am a dedicated fly angler and now a sworn spey fisher. I also sit on the board of directors of the TU-Greg Clack chapter and the Atlantic salmon advisory committee.
Joseph Ward, Director (Hatchery Manager)
I am the regional manager for a communications company based in Mississauga and am married with two young daughters. My educational background is from the Sir Sanford Fleming College Aquaculture Program. I studied fisheries at SSFC out of my passion for fishing and the outdoors.
Ken Paterson, Director (Etobicoke Creek)
Fly fisher, fly tier and custom bamboo fly rod builder calling the Credit River my home waters for over 50 years. CRAA representative on the Etobicoke/Mimico Watershed Coalition as part of the Toronto Region Conservation Authority as well as sitting on subcommittees for the South/Little Etobicoke Creek Community Action Group and the Heart Lake Community Action Group.
Mark Polanski, Director (Graphic Art)
Being a member of the Credit River Anglers Association since 2001 I have developed and grown a much more profound view to what conservation really means to me. Growing up in the Credit Valley area the Credit River and its surrounding forests and valleys have always kept me interested in one way or another.
Quinn O’Brien, Staff (Rehab Manager)
Originally from the small town of Aylmer, ON and growing up my whole life there, I have now called the Credit River and area home for the last couple years. I started volunteering with CRAA in 2012 and then joined the tree planting crew in 2013. In 2014 I took over the crew leader position and will lead the crew again in 2015 as well. My duties include: leading the tree planting crew, overseeing all tree planting operations, organizing all orders (trees, supplies etc.) and maintaining strong landowner relationships.
Chanelie Fajardo, Director (Public Relations)
A natural environmentalist & a tree hugger, I have been introduced to CRAA through my fiance who is a passionate fisherman. Through him, he shared the values of the Credit River which I apprehended the need to support CRAA’s objectives and appreciated their conservation work. I enjoy using my marketing skills to help CRAA spread their awareness in protecting & improving the Credit River watersheds.