Chatham- Kent – The Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority (LTVCA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mark Peacock, P. Eng., to succeed General Manager Don Pearson.  Don will retire at the end of 2017 after forty-two years of public service, the past five years with the LTVCA.  “Don was a force for positive change at the Lower Thames and joined us at a critical time in our history.  We wish him the best in his retirement,” said Linda McKinlay – Chair of the LTVCA.

“The selection committee were unanimous in finding Mr. Peacock to be the most suitable candidate to succeed Pearson,” noting the strong interest in the position from a number of very capable applicants.  As Director of Watershed Engineering and Technical Services for the Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority since 2000, “Peacock brings an extensive knowledge of all facets of watershed planning and management to the Authority,” explained McKinlay.  With more than 25 years of experience in conservation and watershed management with four Conservation Authorities, Mark Peacock will be a good fit with the LTVCA in his new position. “I am looking forward to working with the members, staff and communities of the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority, and to the new challenges of a large watershed with a variety of complex water quality, flooding, erosion and natural heritage issues.”

In his role with the Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority, based in Port Hope, Ontario, Mark has forged excellent working relationships municipal staff and councils; resulting in the Conservation Authority being viewed as the environmental department for the municipality.  He has served on numerous technical teams at the provincial level including drinking water source protection and water budget coordination.  He also participated on a number of peer review committees including one looking into remedial works addressing flooding in the City of Peterborough following extreme precipitation events in the early 2000’s.

In July of this year, Peacock spoke at the International Workshop on Climate Change and Flooding hosted by the National Research Council of Canada in Ottawa, on how the Nation Building Code should be revised to address a changing climate. “As Conservation Authorities, it is important that we consider the challenges that our watersheds will be facing over the next few years – none greater than climate change. Locally, it will be important for Conservation Authorities to support their municipalities as they deal with this issue.”

Mark is also active in numerous community organizations including the Port Hope and Northumberland County Community Health Center, where he is currently Chair.  Mr. Peacock earned an Honours Degree in Water Resources Engineering from the University of Guelph in 1988 and has an Honours Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Toronto (1984).

For more information contact:

Linda McKinlay – Chair of the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority at 1-519-687-3400 or

Don Pearson, General Manager at 519-354-7310 ext. 224

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“LTVCA acknowledges the financial support of our 10 watershed member municipalities,

our many granting partners and dedicated volunteers”