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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Natasha Gribbon
President
Natasha Gribbon has been an active member of the Granite Club for over 20 years. She was introduced to the sport of curling over 30 years ago and it has been a part of her life ever since. Her dedication and love of the sport has become evident through her various volunteer positions at the Club, including League President, Board Secretary and Director of Statistics to name a few. Her knowledge of the sport afforded her the opportunity to assist with the Women’s Worlds in 2018 and the Grand Slam of Curling in 2019/2022 and it’s her passion for the sport that drives her interest to stay involved on and off the ice. Now, in her current role, she is focused on continuing to support the ongoing work already underway and she is honored to be voted in again as President. Along with her experience, she brings with her a fresh perspective and a drive to support ideas and initiatives to make the Granite Club the most successful athletic center in Northern Ontario that promotes curling, tennis and pickleball. Outside of the club, she is a Senior Policy Advisor with the Ontario Government and a proud mother of two.
Mackenzie Daley
Vice President
Mackenzie again returned to the board in the position of Vice President. As a long time member of the club, Mackenzie has represented North Bay at multiple Women’s, Mixed and Mixed Doubles Provincial Playdowns. She has played in many Northern Ontario Provincial Finals and Semifinals, and came to success in winning the Mixed Doubles Northern Ontario Provincial in 2022. She has volunteered with our many club events including the Grand Slam of Curling in 2019 and 2022 and the Women’s Worlds in 2018. In her spare time she is a Regional Advocate for Cystic Fibrosis Canada, and volunteers with Heritage Gardeners maintaining our beautiful waterfront along Lake Nipissing. She works full-time at Nipissing University as an Athletic Therapist with Varsity Athletics. Recently she completed her Masters of Science in Kinesiology from Nipissing University all while working full-time and giving back to the North Bay community. Mackenzie enjoys being active with yoga, biking, golf, and especially curling.
Jeffrey King
Treasurer
Jeffrey has been a recreational curler at the North Bay Granite Club for approximately the past 10 years and is joining the Board of Directors for a third term time. Jeff and his wife Meagan are the proud parents of 3 boys; Nolan, Lukas and Wyatt. Jeff is currently working as a Business Manager and Comptroller for the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services responsible for the financial oversight of programming across Northern Ontario. Jeff enjoys curling, cottaging, fishing and hunting.
Kendra Clarke
Secretary
Kendra has been an active member of the Granite Club since 2018. She was inspired to join ‘Learn to Curl’ after volunteering with the Women’s Worlds in 2018 and fell in love with the sport. She continues to volunteer with Club events, including the Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling in 2019 and 2022. As the Senior Development Officer at the North Bay Regional Health Centre Foundation, Kendra is one of four Certified Fundraising Executives (CFRE) in North Bay. She is passionate about the charitable sector, from fundraising to organizational management and leadership. She is grateful to be surrounded by generosity every day and to see the impact our community has on charities in our region. In 2022, Kendra was one of only 10 Canadian’s honored with a 40 Under 40 Award through the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP). Kendra’s other hobbies include, hiking with her dog Banjo, scuba diving, traveling, volunteering, and home renovations.
John Palko
Director of Communications
John has been a casual fan of curling for many years before becoming a member of the Granite Club two years ago after participating in the Club’s Learn to Curl program. John moved to North Bay in 2018 to open Gateway City Brewery as the Brewmaster and since then has produced many award-winning and community focused beers including the Granite Club’s very own Solid Hack Premium Lager. In his spare time, John enjoys curling, playing slo-pitch and hobby board games.
Butch Blair
Director of Facilities
Butch is currently and has been a recreational curler at the Granite Club for the past 10 years, Butch joins the Board of Directors as the Director of Facilities. A Civil Engineer by schooling, he worked as an Air Navigator in the Canadian Armed Forces, amassing 4500 hours of flying. Butch enjoyed operational deployments in Sicily, Iceland, Cyprus, Kuwait and Qatar. Over his career he held staff positions as Deputy Commanding Officer 434 Squadron in Greenwood NS, Commanding Officer Acoustic Data Analysis Center in Halifax NS, and 22Wing Air Reserve Flight Commander and Lessons Learned Officer in North Bay. In retirement, Butch likes to fish, kayak, turn wood into wood chips and hangout at the seasonal trailer with his wife Lisa and their ridiculously cute golden retriever Maple.
Steve Featherstone
Director of Membership & Programming
Steve Featherstone has been a recreational curler for about 2 years now after he and his wife registered for a Learn to Curl course during the pandemic. Since becoming involved in the club he has played in many leagues, and bonspiels, as well as assisted in coaching with our Junior Programming. Steve is a graduate of Recreation and Leisure Studies at Mohawk College and of Outdoor Parks and Forest Recreation at Sir Sanford Fleming College. He has played almost everything at a recreational level and loves to be involved within any community. Outside of the curling club he runs the Reptile Adventure Camp, an educational program and summer camp program, along with a few other commitments. He provides private security for events and establishments, is a Municipal Councillor in Bonfield, and a recreational rehab therapist for clients with acute and acquired brain injuries. As the new Director of Membership and Programming, he hopes to bring in new initiatives to make the club even more amazing, while being a liaison for our members.