Current Board Members

Rob Umpherson (Chair) recently retired from a teaching career at the elementary school level. He is an active member of the Perth Citizen’s Band, and joined the Tayside Board in 2007.

Steve Tennant (Vice Chair) joined the Tayside Board in 1989. Prior to retiring, he worked supporting adults with developmental disabilities, and has been active in a number of organizations supporting those in the community, such as Big Brothers/Big Sisters and the Ontario Special Olympics.

Scott Puckett (Treasurer) works as a Financial Planner with RBC and joined the Board in 2007. He currently lives in Perth with his family and enjoys playing golf.

Nicola Edmundson (Secretary) has lived in Lanark County since 1990. She previously served on the Board at Tayside, and recently re-joined in 2015. She has an undergraduate degree in criminology from Carleton University and a law degree from Dalhousie University. She currently serves as senior counsel for Family and Children’s Services of Lanark, Leeds and Grenville.

Veronica Carter (Past Chair) immigrated to Canada from England in 1966 and worked as an elementary school teacher in the area, providing instruction in mainly French and Geography. She became involved with Tayside when her grandchildren attended the TayCare Junior Children’s Centre, joining the Board in 2003.

Donna Davidson works as the Director of Lanark Community Programs, and has served on several Boards in the area. She joined the Tayside Board in 1989, and has an extensive background in farming, teaching, and social work.

Craig Halpenny graduated from the University of Western Ontario with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Philosophy, and completed his law degree at Queen’s University. He joined the Tayside Board in 2007, and currently works for Barker Willson Barristers and Solicitors in Perth.

Mary-Lynn Paul obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree with a specialization in Early Childhood Education from Concordia University, and has been teaching with the Upper Canada District School Board for most of her career. She has taught at the primary level and also worked with special needs children for 10 years. Mary-Lynn joined the Tayside Board in 2009.