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About

Who We Are

The volunteer Board of Directors ensures the various committees, businesses, and organizations in the BIA coordinate in effective and meaningful ways.

As well, the Board oversees the administration of the BIA and provides a forum for issues of most importance to BIA members. Our Board of Directors are committed to improving the local business environment.

The Essex Centre BIA can be reached by emailing info@essexbia.com.

View our Board of Directors

What We Do

The Essex Centre Business Improvement Area (BIA) is an association of business people who have joined together to implement improvements for the more than 200 businesses and services in its jurisdiction.

Operating through a Board of Directors, who own or work in downtown businesses, the BIA’s primary function is twofold: to improve the physical environment of the area, and assist with economic redevelopment of the local business community through area-wide promotion and advertising. Our BIA provides both the organized structure and the source of funds to help improve our business economy and to make our town a better place in which to live and to make a living.

The board meets monthly to discuss long-range planning and to deal with new and ongoing issues.

The Essex Centre BIA Mission

Attract and maintain customers in the area.

Build a positive image for the area.

Effectively promote the BIA.

Provide a direction of accomplishment for BIA members.

Generate greater community interest and pride.

Provide for a greater spirit of co-operation and enthusiasm within the BIA.

Provide and secure sources of funding for undertaking short and long-term projects, planned and carried out in an orderly manner.

Board of Directors

  • Stephanie Winger

    BIA Board Chair

    A Boutique Real Estate Brokerage Inc., Owner

  • Kim Dennison

    BIA Board Vice Chair

    Onyx Fitness Solutions, Owner

  • Gregg Laframboise

    BIA Board Director

    Dove Creek Motor Express, Owner | Torch Family Fitness, Owner

  • Greg Schinkel

    BIA Board Director

    Schinkels’ Meat Market, Owner

  • Andrea Schinkel

    BIA Board Director

    Schinkels’ Meat Market, Owner

  • Mesba Qasim

    BIA Board Director

    Libro Credit Union, Manager

  • Katie McGuire-Blais

    Essex Ward 1 Councillor

    Katie McGuire-Blais is the current Council representative for the Essex BIA. Prior to being elected…

Stephanie Winger

BIA Board Chair

Stephanie is the owner of Ideal and has been a local REALTOR for 20 years and brings a passion for property and community development to the Board.

Beyond her professional endeavours, she is deeply committed to giving back to the community. Volunteering has always been a significant part of her life, as well as exploring and understanding our town’s needs.

She looks forward to continuing to serve with the Essex Centre BIA and making a positive impact with her fellow business owners and entrepreneurs.

Kim Dennison

BIA Board Vice Chair

Kim has been a proud resident of Essex her entire life. To this day, she, along with her husband, Ken, continue to raise their two boys in our beautiful town.

She is the founder of Onyx Fitness Solutions Ltd. – the only 24 hour fitness facility in the area. The gym is a community of encouragement, accountability, and support. It is a safe space where members can feel comfortable meeting their fitness goals without worry of judgment.

With a degree in business, Kim continues to push forward to new endeavors. As of recent, she co-founded, Muscle Geeks, a virtual approach to fitness that includes online coaching, social connection, and a podcast production.

Kim is actively involved in her community through charitable events, local fundraisers, and volunteering her time when needed. She encourages other business owners, and residents to get involved and work together in order to better the community at large.

Gregg Laframboise

BIA Board Director

Gregg and his family moved from Windsor back in 2011 and have been proud residents of Essex ever since. Gregg has a stake in a couple local businesses in Essex and understands the importance that small businesses play in our community, both as an employer and in providing quality diverse services.

Gregg is the Vice President of Dove Creek Motor Express and Torch Family Fitness both located in the hub of Essex. Dove Creek Motor Express provides domestic and international transportation services operating out of its Essex terminal located right in the heart of the Industrial Park. Torch Family Fitness is a well-established club that offers its members of all fitness levels a clean, non-intimidating environment to help improve their health wellness.

Although both business operate in different sectors, the commonality they share is the sense of pride in providing services and employment within the Essex community.

After successfully completing his MBA from Lawrence Technological University a few years back, Gregg joined the BIA in 2021 in effort to increase his community involvement and help carry out improvements that promote economic development within the Town of Essex.

Greg Schinkel

BIA Board Director

Andrea Schinkel

BIA Board Director

Greg and Andrea Schinkel are the owners of Schinkels’ Meat Market. Greg grew up in Essex and was the reason Andrea moved to this lovely town when they married. They bought the established original Schinkels’ from Greg’s father, Gerry, when their eldest daughter was born 24 years ago. Various renovations, a re-branding and a big move down the street have brought them to the point where they are proud to serve the town a larger and wider selection of quality products. They consider themselves blessed to be able to continue to serve this community through their business, as well as being involved in the Essex Centre BIA, their church, sports team sponsorships and other local fundraisers.

Mesba Qasim

BIA Board Director

Currently the Community Manager for Libro Credit Union in Essex. I have been working within the Canadian financial sector for the past 15+ years. I have been instrumental in helping grow and develop sales team in her previous roles within the local markets as well as nationally. I enjoy conducting mentorship duties within Libro credit union and with the local Windsor/Essex community. I am a highly motivated professional undeterred by setbacks. My time within the financial industry has taught me to be extremely adaptable and comfortable with ambiguity and change. In my spare time I enjoy cooking trying out new recipes from different cultures best way for me to appreciate what the world has to offer. My husband and I enjoy going for long bike rides and rollerblading whenever we can.

Katie McGuire-Blais

Essex Ward 1 Councillor

Katie McGuire-Blais is the current Council representative for the Essex BIA. Prior to being elected into office in October 2022, she was the chair of the BIA for 2 years and has been a BIA board member since 2018 as a delegate for Brenko’s House of Pizza.

Katie is very passionate about helping all businesses thrive in Essex and enjoys bringing the community together to support one another.

Katie earned her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Windsor and since graduation has had many different roles, her biggest role has been being a mom to her kids whom she raises with her husband here in Essex.

Katie is involved with many programs in Essex including, ERCA, EWSWA Landfill Liaison, the Essex Fun Fest, The Sip N Shop event, and Santa’s Village.

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