Town of Pelham announces new Director of Community Planning and Development

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 10, 2024

Pelham, ON – The Town of Pelham is pleased to announce the appointment of Pam Duesling PhD, MAES, BES, MCIP, RPP, Ec.D., CMMIII, to the position of Director of Community Planning and Development, effective July 29, 2024.

Ms. Duesling brings over 25 years of extensive experience in municipal development, land use planning and policy planning. In her current role as General Manager of Development Services for the County of Brant, she is responsible for the oversight of all projects and initiatives of the Development Services Division, including the Official Plan Review, the Tree Conservation By-law, a Site Alteration By-law, in addition to various policies and by-law implementation. 

“On behalf of all of Council, I would like to extend a warm welcome to Ms. Duesling,” said Town of Pelham Mayor Marvin Junkin. “Pelham is home to unique rural and urban landscapes and with continued growth and change expected in the coming years, Ms. Duesling’s expertise will play a critical role in guiding the direction of the Planning and Development division in the Town.”

Throughout her experience in municipal planning departments, she has led official plan review projects, a natural heritage study, secondary plan projects, and also oversaw the Committee of Adjustment and Environmental Advisory Committee. 

“The senior leadership team are looking forward to working with Ms. Duesling, who, through the rigorous hiring process, demonstrated her integrity, change management experience, strategic thinking and project management skills; she has a proven track record of exemplary work,” said Town of Pelham CAO David Cribbs. “We are proud that Pelham continues to attract and hire high-quality individuals to serve the community.”

With an extensive academic background, Duesling has achieved a PhD in Rural Planning from the University of Guelph, where her focus was on the balance of on-farm diversified uses and agricultural preservation. In addition, Duesling also holds an Honours Bachelor of Environmental Studies in Urban and Regional Planning, a Masters of Applied Environmental Studies in Local Economic Development from the University of Waterloo, a Diploma in Public Administration from Western University and a Masters Certificate in Municipal Leadership from the Schulich Executive Education Centre at York University. 

"I am excited for the opportunity to work in the beautiful community of Pelham and looking forward to being involved in various agricultural and residential developments,” said Ms. Duesling.

Ms. Duesling will oversee Community Planning and Development, with responsibilities that focus on enhancing the quality of life in Pelham through the provision of development review and compliance functions, building services review and approvals, land use policy development and implementation, zoning by-law review and implementation, heritage planning, and municipal drainage.

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For media inquiries, please contact:

Leah Letford, Communications Specialist | 905-980-6653 | lletford@pelham.ca 

Photo of Pam Duesling PhD, MAES, BES, MCIP, RPP, Ec.D., CMMIII