For Immediate Release
AYLMER, ON – The Mennonite Community Services Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Eddy Rempel to the position of Executive Director, effective August 2, 2021. Rempel is no stranger in the community, having spent most of his life in Aylmer. He is owner of Rempel Properties, founder of Mennonite Heritage Tours, and a volunteer with local churches and charities.
The MCS Board is confident that Rempel has the right qualities, skills, and passion to lead MCS as it continues to grow.
Rempel is passionate about creating a welcoming community for all newcomers arriving annually, many of whom support the flourishing agriculture industry and small business sectors in Elgin County. He is especially committed to helping ‘his people’, the Plautdietsch speaking Mennonites, who have been settling in the area since the 1950s.
An engaging storyteller, Rempel was chosen to represent Talbot Trail Toastmasters in regional speech contests five times. Toastmasters is dedicated to developing speaking skills and leadership. He was a significant driver behind the 2002 production of Mennonite: Faith or Tradition?, a community stage production about the intersection of belief and convention among Mennonites. He was one of the contributing historians for the script and a producer.
As a dedicated supporter of MCS, Rempel has distinguished himself as an avid networker and connector of individuals and groups. He has served as consultant, board chair, and presenter at various community events.
Rempel obtained a Bachelor of Religious Studies from Steinbach Bible College, a Bachelor of Mathematics from the University of Waterloo, a Master of Science in Statistics from McMaster University, and is completing a Master of Sociology at Western University focusing on immigration to rural Canada.
Eddy Rempel replaces Abe Harms, who retires in August following 22 years of dedicated service. A public retirement celebration is planned for August 19, 2021 at the MCS Plaza located at 300 Talbot Street West in Aylmer.
On behalf of all MCS staff, we congratulate and welcome Eddy Rempel to the role of Executive Director.