Meet our 2019 Board!
Left to right- front row
Josh Santa Barbara, Kathryn Underwood, Lois James (Manager), Deanna Ringelberg, Marj Ford (1st Vice-President), Jen Wood (2019 President) ,Tracy Aikema-Robb (2nd Vice-President) Mark Shurvin (Past President 2018), Jennifer Betzner
Left to right- back row
Heather Thompson, Evan Mcknight, Ken Mcknight, Ken Mills, Al Hawkins, Tammie Rivando
Absent: Joe Betzner, Peter Hood
Jen Wood
2019 RAS President
A Trent University graduate and has college diplomas in both Massage Therapy and Paramedicine. She is a Certified Personal Trainer and for the last 19 years has been happily employed by the City of Hamilton as a Paramedic. Jen has been a member of the RAS for 35 years and was honoured to receive the Ontario Volunteer Service Award in 2016. Jen lives in Ancaster, is married to Nick, and they have 2 wonderful children, Lindsay and Sawyer.
Marj Ford
1st Vice President
My name is Marjorie “Marj” Ford. I have been an active member of the Rockton Agricultural Society for over 25 years. I have taken on many roles here with the RAS including starting the collection of preemie baby blankets and antique committee, co-chair of scholarship committee,committee chair for AG ED, the craft building and kitchen chair for dinner theatre. I was also on the hobby committee and was lady chair in 2004. When I am away from the hustle and bustle of RAS life, I spend my time with my boys, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The people closest to me would say I am friendly, passionate and open minded and of course.. funny.
Tracy Aikema-Robb
2nd Vice President
Born in Burlington Ontario. I was so grateful to go from city kid to country kid by the time I was 5 years old. Growing up on a hobby farm in Carlisle was the best part of my childhood. I enjoy anything that has to do with the farm, from taking care of the livestock to bringing in the Hay. I have always attended the Rockton Fair from as far back as I can remember. And 20 years ago I was the first in our family to join the Rockton fair as a member. Since then I have convinced my husband and two girls to join me. Volunteering at the fair and Dinner Theatre.
Mark Shurvin
Past President
A University of Guelph graduate and works in labour arbitration. He joined the Society in 2007, is a two term Director and has been active in the Heavy Horse Section for many years. A lifelong resident of Flamborough, he lives on a Century Farm in the 2nd Con. with his fiancée Tracey. He is a former Chair of the Hamilton Conservation Authority and represented the Greensville area on Flamborough Town Council from 1988 until 2000. He was Flamborough’s last Mayor prior to amalgamation with the City of Hamilton.
Jennifer Betzner
Many may recognize me from my years of acting in the Rockton Dinner Theatre, helping out around the fair during Thanksgiving Weekend, being Joe Betzner’s daughter or more commonly from my reign as Rockton Fair Ambassador in 2012. I graduated from the University of Guelph with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture – which I use daily in my career as a reporter for Farmtario, an agriculture based publication. My favourite activities around fair time are the Ag. Education Day, Ag. Alive Tent and the Beef Show - it’s hard to choose just one. I’m very honoured and excited to be on the Board of Directors as it allows me to expand my involvement with one of the greatest fall fairs in Ontario
Joe Betzner
Allan Hawkins
Peter Hood
Grew up in Greensville, Ontario. Oldest of three children, winner of 1956 Rockton Fair baby contest! My first job was a truck mechanic at Murrays' Mobile Service in Waterdown. From there I went on to work for corporate Mack Trucks Inc, In Toronto. Now I am working for Vision Truck Group in Cambridge. I have lived in Ancaster for 30 years. I have a 26 year old son Jamie, 24 year old daughter Alex and dog named Bear. My hobbies include antique trucks, sailing, cooking & travelling. Over the past several years my grandmother ,aunt, several cousins & friends have been involved in activities at the Rockton Fair, including the Fair Queen.
Evan McKnight
Born on a dairy farm just outside of Rockton, 26 years old. I took Ecosystem Management at Sir Sandford Fleming College as well as Forestry at Sir Sandford Fleming, Worked in Parry Sound District as a Forestry Technician for 2 years performing tree marking, tree planting and timber cruising. Currently working for the Hamilton Conservation Authority at Valens Lake Conservation area as a Conservation Area Technician. My connection to the fair is I was born into a fair family and have been volunteering and helping out around the fair since I was old enough to do so. I was also the junior associate chairperson in 2012 and 2013. My hobbies include, angling, gardening, hiking, growing and learning about trees, hockey, canoeing, disc golf and being an outdoor and wildlife enthusiast. I also enjoy spending time with my wonderful fiance Kelly and dog Gordie.
Ken McKnight
My fair involvement started in 1960 when I was four months old. Since then, I have never missed a year of enjoying the fair. I was a dairy farmer for 35 years. The farm switched to cash crop in 2013 when I also began working in construction. I was Junior Chair Person in 1981 to 1982. Past Chair of Grounds Committee, Guernsey Show, and Past Livestock Coordinator. I am proud of my family's commitment to the fair. I was the first fourth generation president in 2009, and my three sons have all taken on the role as Junior Chair Person. I enjoy golfing with my wife, Judy and going for drives in my 1940 Chev truck.
Ken Mills
Tammie Rivando
Currently the Chair of Parking & Admissions, I have been a volunteer with the RAS for over a decade and have actually lost count. I was born and raised in the area, and while I didn’t grow up on a farm, have family in the farming business which led me to have my own experiences with farming, 4-H, and volunteering. My goal as the Chair of P & A is to ensure that everyone coming to our gates has a great customer service experience when they get there, and it extends to every aspect of volunteer interaction they have resulting in enjoyable memories of the Fair.
Josh Santa Barbara
Lifelong area resident who has been involved in the parking and admission committee for many years. Father of two teenage children. Past President ( 1999-2000 ) of the Rotary Club of Ancaster. Frequent helper of the Rockton Lions Club. Longtime server at the Rockton Dinner Theatre who now bakes pies for the same! Self employed financial advisor since 1992. Owned a farm with Texas Longhorn cattle up until 2013. Loves travel, cycling, pick up hockey, running and cooking. Looking forward to working with other board and committee members to make the fair even better than it is!
Heather Thompson
I have lived on my husband's family farm in this area for 34 years. That's not long, considering the farm has been passed down from generation to generation since 1856. I am retired now from my work in hospitals and a nursing home in Dietary Management. In the past, I have volunteered on the Board of Directors for a Toronto area food bank as well as many years helping new immigrants learn to speak English as a Second Language. You probably have seen me in the Hospitality Room at fair displaying all the wonderful goodies you have brought in to share with other volunteers... Thanks so much! My family looks forward to celebrating Thanksgiving with you and your family this year again! God Bless you for your involvement in a wonderful cause!
Deanna Ringelberg
Born and raised on a dairy farm in Troy, Ontario. 23 years’ old. Very involved at the local fairs showing a 4-H dairy calf; however, now graduated 4-H. Past Rockton School Fair and Junior Department exhibitor. Past winner of Rockton’s Champion Dairy Fitter Competition. Past Rockton Agricultural Society Junior Associate. Past Rockton Agricultural Society Scholarship Winner. Graduated the University of Guelph with a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Food and Agriculture in the spring of 2017. Currently sitting on the University of Guelph Alumni Association Board. Currently employed at TD Agricultural Services as an Agricultural Credit Analyst underwriting credit applications.Past South-Wentworth Queen of the Furrow Spare time is spent playing recreational soccer and traveling.
Kathryn Underwood
Born and raised on my family dairy farm in Troy, ON, agriculture has been a huge part of my life since my early days. I took Sociology and business studies at McMaster University, graduating in 2014. Currently I am working at TD as an Agriculture Analyst underwriting credit applications for local farmers. I have been involved in the fair for my entire life, as an exhibitor and volunteer. The Rockton Ag. Society has given me so much and I believe it is important to give back to your community. My hobbies include volleyball, soccer and travelling with my husband.