Niagara College is pleased to announce the election of Del Rollo, vice president of industry and government relations for Arterra Wines Canada, as the new chair of NC’s Board of Governors and Wendy Wing, senior vice-president of finance and administration for Rankin Construction Inc. and Port Colborne Quarries Inc., and president of Rankin Renewable Power Inc., as the new vice-chair. The pair will lead the College’s committed group of volunteer Governors through the 2020-2021 academic year effective September 1.
Rollo has served on NC’s Board of Governors since 2015 and was vice-chair from September 1, 2017 to August 31, 2020. He is a leader in Canada’s wine industry who discovered his passion for food and wine while attending Ryerson University’s Hospitality and Tourism program, and has held several service and management positions at dining establishments throughout the Greater Toronto Area, including the Four Seasons Hotel.
In 2001, Rollo played a pivotal role in seeing the doors to Jackson-Triggs Niagara Estate open with enormous success after receiving a personal invitation from the founders to help launch the estate winery in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
In 2013, he was the recipient of an honorary degree in Hospitality Operations Management from Niagara College, acknowledging his vast experience and expertise in the hospitality industry. Today, Rollo and his wife, Lisa, enjoy a busy family life with their three sons Connor, Walker and Sean, who is currently studying at Niagara College.
“As I enter my sixth and final year on the Board of Governors, I am excited to take on the role of Chair and continue working with the exceptional leaders, faculty, staff and students of Niagara College, alongside our governors who commit their time and expertise to help guide the strategic directions of NC,” said Rollo. “We are excited to leverage the incredible work that has occurred to adapt to the pandemic this year to take Niagara College into the future, as a leader in the recovery efforts of the Niagara region. We’ll also look to extend our work and support globally in the communities where we operate around the world.”
Wing, who joined NC’s Board of Governors in 2016, is a graduate of the Ivey School of Business at Western University. She has more than 25 years of experience and leadership in construction finance and administration and has been involved in the development and financing of renewable energy projects including wind and hydro. Wing is also a proud supporter of the Rankin Cancer Run, an annual fundraising event for local cancer care in Niagara, and has two children with her husband, Chris.
“I am delighted to take on this leadership opportunity with the Board of Governors and to continue working with the welcoming, passionate, and trailblazing faculty, staff and students of Niagara College,” said Wing. “I am proud of the great work the board has undertaken in the past few years and I’m eager to see where the Board and the College will go as we look ahead to the post-pandemic recovery and revitalization of our economy.”
Rollo succeeds John F. T. Scott, who served as chair of NC’s Board of Governors from September 2017 to August 2020. During Scott’s tenure, the College completed several campus redevelopment projects, opened Canada’s first teaching distillery, introduced Canada’s first post-secondary Commercial Cannabis Production program, and recruited the college’s first new president in almost 25 years.
“It is my pleasure to thank our outgoing chair, John Scott, for his service to the College, and to welcome our new chair, Del Rollo, and vice-chair, Wendy Wing, to their leadership roles with the Board of Governors,” said Niagara College president Sean Kennedy. “Our Governors all commit an extraordinary amount of time, energy, and expert advice to Niagara College and are dedicated to our mission, vision, and values. We are grateful to have an exceptional group of community leaders around our governance table and we look forward to the year ahead.”
Niagara College offers more than 150 diploma, bachelor degree and advanced level programs; as well as more than 600 credit, vocational and general interest Part-Time Studies courses. Areas of specialization include food and wine sciences, advanced technology, media, applied health and community safety, supported by unique learning enterprises in food, wine, beer, spirits, horticulture and esthetics. For more information visit niagaracollege.ca.
