For Immediate Release
July 11, 2011

New Leadership at HDGH Foundation
Bill Marra appointed as Executive Director; Richard Vennettilli named as new Chair

(Windsor, ON) – Hôtel-Dieu Grace Hospital Foundation is proud to announce the appointments of Bill Marra as its new Executive Director and Richard Vennettilli as incoming Chair of the hospital’s vital fundraising arm.

The appointment marks a return to HDGH for Marra, who was a founding member of the Foundation and served on the Hôtel-Dieu Grace Hospital Board from 2003 to 2008, including three years as Board Chair.

“I am thrilled and honoured to be given this opportunity to assist our strong Foundation team reach its goals on behalf of patients throughout the Windsor-Essex region,” said Marra.

The selection of Marra follows an extensive search by the Foundation for a new Executive Director mandated to raise funds for priority capital and equipment needs at Hôtel-Dieu Grace Hospital. This includes the Beyond Medicine campaign, which is chaired by Adrian Vido and is aimed at securing funding for a new angioplasty centre that would significantly expand access to life-saving cardiac care technology in Windsor-Essex.

Marra has been a City of Windsor councillor since 1994. He will take on his new position with the Foundation on Sept. 26, and until that date continue in his current role as Executive Director at New Beginnings, which provides residential and non-residential Children and Youth Services in Windsor and Essex County. Marra is credited with providing excellent strategic direction for New Beginnings, which resulted in an increased number of facilities and a heightened presence in the community.

“It is difficult to move on from New Beginnings, where we have a dedicated staff and board committed to providing constructive, positive solutions to youth crime, youth unemployment and at-risk youth,” said Marra. “I will continue to support New Beginnings and help oversee a transition to a new Executive Director for this important local community service provider.”

The Foundation has also confirmed Richard Vennettilli as its new Chair, following an annual general meeting of the Foundation board and staff at the end of June. Vennettilli was also part of a select panel that approved Marra’s appointment.

“We at the Foundation are excited to have Bill Marra come aboard for this important leadership role,” Vennettilli said. “Bill brings great experience and passion to everything he does and we know he will be a driving force for our important Foundation initiatives.”

Vennettilli, a local Windsor business leader and long-time Foundation board member, succeeds Loris Macor, who served as Foundation chair from 2008 until the end of his term last month. Macor continues to serve on the Foundation board.

“I am proud of my time as Chair and look forward to continuing to support Bill, Richard, Adrian, Pat Valleau – who led our team through an important transition period - and the rest of the Foundation team as we continue to highlight the importance of supporting HDGH in providing top quality patient care to our community,” Macor said.

The Hôtel-Dieu Grace Hospital Foundation was created to help Hôtel-Dieu Grace Hospital provide high-quality and compassionate care to its patients and their families. Thanks to the generous support of individuals and organizations from across Windsor and Essex County, the Foundation has successfully raised funds to purchase an echocardiogram machine, a breast specimen analyzer, new cataract surgery equipment, a breast MRI, a Spect CT Scanner, and a number of much needed wheelchairs, in addition to refurbishing several palliative care suites and a family respite room.

For more information contact Steve Erwin, Director of Communications at 519-973-4433.