The Management Team
Mary Stewart | General Manager
Former manager of the acclaimed Lynn Crawford restaurant Ruby Watchco, Mary delivers a great food and beverage experience; As a musician, she has performed at HRL and knows the music community; Oversees all aspects of HRL’s operation, including programming.
Adrian Watson | Chef
He knows great food preparation; Adrian has a solid background, most recently as sous‑chef at The Chase; Click HERE for a full profile
Michael Occhipinti | Music Programmer
Accomplished guitarist and composer/arranger, who freely moves between jazz, chamber music, world music, r&b/funk; Nine-time Juno Award Nominee; Leads several acclaimed groups including The Sicilian Project, Shine On: The Universe of John Lennon, The Triodes and a 16-piece group Neufeld-Occhipinti Jazz Orchestra; Michal’s Thoughts HERE
Brad Ariss | Communications Manager / Assistant Manager
Founder and Lead Creative at Neon Cactus Collective, a branding and design collective based in the GTA; Recipient of Barrie Tourism Champion Award; Musician; Lover of Music
Our Volunteer Board of Directors
Barbara Jesson
Founder at Jesson Communications; Past President of the Empire Club of Canada; Director of the Theatre Museum Canada.
Brian Iler (Chair)
Lawyer, Co‑founder of Iler Campbell LLP, Community Organizations Activist , Co‑founder of the Northwind Folk Festival
Brian Litvin (Treasurer)
Accountant; Musician; Founder of Brian Litvin and Jabulani
David de Launay
Musician; Former Ontario Deputy Minister of Indigenous Affairs and of Northern Development and Mines
Jennifer Collins (Vice‑Chair)
Arts Administrator; Former Executive Director at Pax Christi Chorale; Resident of the High Park Neighbourhood
Jim Thomas
Jim Thomas; Jazz Flautist; Former Ontario Deputy Minister of Labour and Management Board; Owner of Strategic Planning and Consulting Firm
Past Volunteers on our Board of Directors
Grit Laskin
Luthier Guitar-Maker; Musician; Co‑founder of Friends of Fiddlers’ Green; Co-founder of Borealis Records; Co-founder of the Canadian Folk Music Awards; Member of the Order of Canada
Howard Gladstone
CEO of Torus Power; Musician; Rolling Stone Published his 1969 interview with Robbie Robertson.
Judith Laskin
Founder of the Canadian Folk Music Awards (CFMA)
Rob Young
Marketing professional, Senior Vice‑President, PHD Media, musician.
Ross Robinson
Music Promoter and Founder of Bluesin’ Toronto
