Today, the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) and Council for the Township of Edwardsburgh Cardinal are pleased to announce Leslie Drynan as the incoming General Manager (GM) for the Port of Johnstown (POJ), effective October 21. She will replace outgoing GM, Robert Dalley.

Dalley has been in the role for the past 16 years and announced his gradual retirement plans in May. He will stay on as GM through the end of this year. Drynan will then officially assume the GM role on January 1, 2025, when Dalley will move into a part-time mentorship and project management role to support Drynan on the leadership team.

Drynan has spent her entire career in the Eastern Ontario municipal sector, and has worked at both local and upper-tier levels. Currently, she is the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) for the Township of Elizabethtown-Kitley. Before that, she was a Clerk / Deputy CAO, first for the County of Lanark and then for the Municipality of South Dundas, among other roles. She is an active member of the community, having sat on the Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital Board of Directors and being the Chair of the Community Advisory Board for Lanark County Mental Health.

“I look forward to officially welcoming Leslie as our incoming General Manager,” said POJ Chair and Deputy Mayor, Stephen Dillabough. “She brings to the table a great deal of experience and energy. And through our conversations, what sticks in my mind is that Leslie has the proven leadership and capacity to translate vision into reality. We are about to develop the Port’s next strategic plan, and I know we will benefit from Leslie’s forward-thinking, collaborative approach and commitment to empowering teams to lead the expansion and growth needed to take the Port to the next level.”

Ms. Drynan led Elizabethtown-Kitley’s planning, execution and delivery of their 2022-2026 Strategic Plan. The plan includes significant focus on enhanced human resources, important infrastructure investment and ensuring long-term financial sustainability. Many of the targets identified in the plan are being achieved well in advance of deadlines.

“I couldn't be more thrilled that Leslie is joining us,” said Edwardsburgh Cardinal Mayor Tory Deschamps. “We continue to build a world-class team working together to create a township that is the envy of others. Leslie will be a crucial piece of that team. Her vision, passion, and commitment aren't just words - they're the driving force behind real results. I’ve witnessed first-hand how her extensive municipal experience and strong leadership skills have made a real difference in the community. I’m very excited to see what Leslie’s skills will do for the Port.”

Drynan’s broad academic achievements support her reputation as results oriented and innovative. She holds a Masters in Public Administration and a designation as a Certified Municipal Officer. She completed the Executive Municipal Leadership Program through Ivey Business School. She has a Diploma in Municipal Administration through the Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario, as well as an Executive Diploma in Public Administration & Municipal Management from the University of Western Ontario. All of this builds on her Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Trent University.

“I first want to thank Council and the Township’s leadership for their confidence in me. I’m thrilled to be joining the Port of Johnstown as it embarks on a new chapter,” said Ms. Drynan. “I have an unwavering commitment to excellence, and I can’t wait to lead the team through the development and execution of a new strategic plan. I look forward to working with our industry partners and the many communities we serve to ensure the Port continues to be a force for economic development and prosperity in Eastern Ontario.”

To learn more about Ms. Drynan, view her bio here.
Visit www.portofjohnstown.com to learn more about the Port.

Media contact

Sean Nicholson
Chief Administrative Officer
Township of Edwardsburgh Cardinal
snicholson@twpec.ca
613.658.3055 x 104

Mayor Tory Deschamps
Township of Edwardsburgh Cardinal
mayor@twpec.ca
613.803.2505

Port of Johnstown

The Port of Johnstown is strategically located on the St. Lawrence Seaway system, 100 kilometres south of Ottawa, 330 kilometres east of Toronto and 208 kilometres west of Montreal. It is also located at the junction of two major Ontario highways, Highways 401 and 416 and on the Toronto-Montreal railway corridor. This gives the port several ways to access eastern and western Canadian markets. The nearby international bridge allows for convenient access to New York State. The Port is well-positioned to take advantage of economic development opportunities for the region.