Meet EDAC’s New Executive Director!

John Regan is the Director of Strategic Innovation and Economic Development for Norfolk County. John joined Norfolk in June of 2023. 

John has been in several CAO roles with small rural communities in Northern and Eastern Ontario. 

John currently serves on the Economic Developers Association of Canada (EDAC) Board as the President and served 9 years on the  Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDCO) board where he was the President in 2017.

John has been very successful in collaborating with Community, Council, Provincial and Federal Governments to significantly move the business of Municipal government, specifically Economic Development and Tourism forward in a timely fashion (yes, it is possible!). 

John has a very diverse well-rounded background that involves over 35 years’ experience that includes a 4-year term as a Municipal Councillor, extensive private sector and not-for-profit experience combined with a broad and vast senior municipal management career. Not to mention the 7 years as a medical / forensic Photographer for Londo Health Science Centre…

 ( ewww😊)

John is dedicated to finding solutions for chronic homelessness and wellbeing in our communities and the profound impacts on quality of place and life for all. John believes that Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are fundamental elements within Municipal Government, especially economic development and tourism. 

John is a very proud Grandfather to Cooper and Apollo and Maeve.

John’s best buddy is his Catahoula Leopard K-9 and his hobbies are woodworking, hiking and camping.