Ford exec new Oakville Chamber of Commerce chair by David Lea Oakville Beaver Staff 5 | Thursday, September 22, 2016 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Ford Motor Company of Canada's Caroline Hughes will serve as the Oakville Chamber of Commerce's next board chair. Hughes, vice-president of government relations for the auto giant, was sworn in at the chamber's annual general meeting Sept. 8. She's been on the Chamber board of directors since 2010 and on the Chamber's Executive Committee as vice-chair of the Chamber board since 2012. "Caroline brings a wealth of business experience and knowledge to her new role that will undoubtedly contribute to the ongoing success of the Oakville Chamber," said Kerry Colborne, outgoing Chamber chair. "For six years, she has provided her expertise to the board as a director and we look forward to her leadership in the coming year." Chamber staff said as vice-president of government relations for Ford, Hughes and her staff conduct strategic analyses and dialogue with all levels of government regarding public policy and economic issues of importance to Ford of Canada and the Canadian vehicle industry. She is also responsible for developing Ford of Canada's long-range forecasts for new vehicle sales in Canada, and for evaluating and reporting Canadian economic trends to Ford's global corporate economics office. Hughes has more than 25 years experience Caroline Hughes submitted photo with Ford, having worked in several capacities within the company's finance and Canadian vehicle sales division. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Michael's College, University of Toronto and an MBA (Finance) from the Schulich School of Business, York University. The Chamber's AGM also saw Colborne complete her two-year term as chair of the Oakville Chamber of Commerce board of directors. Oakville Chamber President John Sawyer congratulated her on all the work she has done. "Kerry's background and experience have helped frame our research, comments and recommendations throughout her two years as chair," said Sawyer. "A significant achievement during her term was the Oakville Chamber earning its accreditation with distinction from the Chamber Accreditation Council of Canada. This level of accreditation has only been awarded to nine per cent of the chambers and boards of trade in Canada. Accreditation recognizes chambers that follow the highest standards of governance, programming and policy." In the 67-year history of the Oakville Chamber, Colborne was the sixth to serve two consecutive terms as chair of the board. She will be recognized at the Annual Chair's Dinner, where Hughes, along with the incoming board of directors, will be introduced to the community. The formal evening includes a networking reception, dinner and a silent auction. The special guest speaker at the event will be Dianne Craig, President and CEO of Ford Motor Company of Canada. "We are excited to have Dianne Craig as our special guest speaker," said Sawyer. "Ford has been an important part of the Oakville community for 64 years and has been a supportive and active Oakville Chamber member for 56 years. Ford is by far the largest private sector employer in Halton Region, so we are pleased to present our members and the community with the opportunity to hear directly from Ford Motor Company of Canada's President and CEO." The 62nd annual Chair's Dinner takes place Tuesday (Sept. 27) at the Oakville Conference and Banquet Centre at 2515 Wyecroft Rd. The event begins at 5 p.m., with a networking reception followed by a dinner gala at 6 p.m. To register visit www.oakvillechamber.com, email jad@oakvillechamber.com, or call 905845-6613. Tickets cost $125 for Chamber members and $175 for non-members. 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