Contact RiverBend Golf Community

Simon is a member of the PGA of Canada and the Club Management Association of Canada (CMAC). After earning his degree from Bishop’s University, he began his career in golf. Before joining RiverBend as General Manager in 2010, Simon served as Head Professional at Greenhills and Glen Abbey, Director of Operations at Grandview Golf Club, and Executive Professional at Deerhurst Resort. After nearly 10 years in Huntsville, Simon and his wife, Laurie, were happy to return to London.

As General Manager, Simon is committed to ensuring an exceptional experience for RiverBend residents, members and guests. Working closely with the Club’s management team, he oversees clubhouse food and beverage services, fitness facilities, golf course and ProShop operations, community grounds and security.

Simon has also contributed his time and expertise to numerous boards and advisory committees, including CMAC, the PGA of Canada, the PGA of Ontario, the Huntsville Chamber of Commerce, the Huntsville Economic Development Advisory Committee and the Fanshawe College Advisory Committee.

Simon’s door is always open, and he welcomes residents and members to stop by with questions, comments or community feedback.

Tara is a customer service specialist with over 15 years of administrative and customer service based work experience. Tara has a flair for effective communication and is no stranger to a busy office environment.

At RiverBend Golf Community, Tara provides support to the General Manager and acts as a liaison between RiverBend members, managers and supervisors. In addition to managing the day to day operations of the Clubhouse Administration Office, Tara is happy to help out with all member inquiries including; new accounts, member statements, annual dues, the RiverBend website, community events, etc.

As RiverBend's resident fitness expert, Kristen VanBerkel provides residents and members with fun and dynamic ways to stay in shape. Kristen has nearly 20 years of experience in the fitness industry, and our residents tap into her knowledge on a regular basis.

Kristen offers a wide range of fitness activities for a variety of fitness levels. If you're looking for the personal approach, Kristen is also a certified personal trainer and can build a program that's just right for you and your fitness goals.

Shawn joined RiverBend in February 2016, bringing with him over 23 years of experience in the Food & Beverage industry. In 2007, Shawn began working in the private golf club industry with ClubLink and spending time at Station Creek in Stouffville & The Country Club in Woodbridge. Most recently he was Clubhouse Manager at Whitevale Golf Club, a private equity club in the Pickering area. Shawn is a member of CSCM (Canadian Society of Club Managers) and had a 10-year career as a competitive flair bartender, resulting in 2 top 5 finishes at the World Bartending Championships. Shawn’s role at RiverBend is to oversee the Food & Beverage operations in the Clubhouse and enhance all aspects of the resident, member and guest experience. He has a passion for the industry with a key focus on attention to detail.

Kyle joined the RiverBend culinary team in July 2022. He has been cooking professionally for over 17 years. Kyle’s influence and drive to become a professional chef first began with his parents. He grew up in Dorchester, where his family did a lot of gardening and would always experiment with what they grew. Kyle started at a small pizzeria in Dorchester while taking the Culinary Management Program at Fanshawe. He describes his ideal cuisine as “elevated comfort food” and also has a wide variety of experiences, cuisines and cooking methods to draw from. Kyle came to RiverBend from his most recent position as Executive Chef at The Parlour Inn in Stratford, Ontario, a Vintage hotel property. Kyle is excited to share his experience, creativity and passion in his position as Executive Chef at RiverBend!

Nathan was born and raised in London, Ontario. He has felt a passion for the culinary arts ever since cooking side-by-side with his mother and grandmother as a young boy. In 2017 Nathan began working at The Black Trumpet Restaurant on Richmond Row, where he continued to expand his culinary horizons by working with a number of great chefs and mentors along the way. Nathan graduated from Fanshawe College’s Culinary Management program in 2018 and is also a graduate of Western University, class of 22. After a brief time at Garlics of London he joined the RiverBend team in September of 2020 as a first cook, transitioning into the role of Sous Chef in June 2022. Nathan was eager to step into a more involved role with the culinary team and looks to continue on with popular RiverBend favourites as well as bringing some creative innovation to the clubhouse dining experience.

Alyssia is from the small town of Elliot Lake and joined the RiverBend team in 2018 as a server. She has over ten years of experience in the customer service field and studied Culinary Food and Nutrition Management. With her positive attitude, enthusiasm and conscientious work Alyssia transitioned into the Food and Beverage Event Coordinator role in 2021. Alyssia’s main focus is to provide a top-notch customer experience for members, residents and guests.

Lesley joined the RiverBend team in 2011 as a Food and Beverage Supervisor. Lesley brings over 25 years of experience in the Food and Beverage industry at the supervisory and management level. She is responsible for all aspects of the day to day operations of the dining areas. Lesley’s main focus is to create a positive atmosphere and an outstanding dining experience for all residents and members.

Emily has been part of the RiverBend team since 2021 when she started as a server. She brings several years of service experience with her as well as an education in food and beverage management. Her love of food at a young age led to a career in the industry. Emily brings great enthusiasm and a dedication to learn to her role as Food and Beverage Supervisor.

Lisa joined RiverBend in October 2016 and is extremely happy to be part of the Sifton family and the RiverBend Team. She has a diploma in Police Foundations from Fanshawe College and nine years of experience in the field of Security including roles as Security Guard, Supervisor and Manager and now Head Concierge. She is a big animal lover with a particular soft spot for dogs – so make sure you stop on by the Gatehouse with your canine friends and get a treat! As Head Concierge, Lisa brings more to the position than good Security practices. She is aware of the importance of providing excellent customer service and meeting the needs of the public. Lisa works closely with the Concierge team, providing a smiling and helpful presence at the Gatehouse to welcome all residents, members and guests.

Jerry has spent the better part of 20 years working outdoors. He has a diploma in Horticulture/Nursery as well as Landscaping and Greenskeeping from Lambton College.

Jerry and his crew maintain RiverBend's beautiful streetscapes and gardens and ensure our residents' yards and flowerbeds are kept attractive and green. In the winter months, Jerry and his team ensure RiverBend's streets are plowed and walkways are clear. RiverBend's residents find Jerry a wealth of knowledge regarding the flowers, shrubs and trees in the community. He takes great pride in helping to make RiverBend one of the most exquisite communities in southwestern Ontario.

Matt was born in St. Mary’s and now resides in Lucan. He graduated from Medway H.S. and attended Conestoga College for Accounting. Matt came to RiverBend in 2021 from another division of Sifton Properties, Berkshire Residential Rentals, where he spent nine years working his way from a seasonal position to Outdoor Maintenance Supervisor. At Berkshire Matt looked after landscaping for just under 1900 units and also coordinated other exterior projects as needed. Matt enjoys playing golf, hockey and slo-pitch during his off time as well as watching and/or talking about any other sport in the world. As RiverBend’s Assistant Community Grounds Supervisor, Matt assists Jerry Hakkers and the team maintain our beautiful community grounds.

Rebecca was raised on a farm near Ailsa Craig and now resides in London with her family. After ten years of working in the floral design industry, Rebecca enrolled in the Horticultural Technician Apprenticeship at Fanshawe College. She graduated in 2022 with both Dean & President’s Honour Roll and was awarded the TLC Landscape Achievement Award Scholarship. She has also achieved the highest honours in Floral Design from the Canadian Academy of Floral Art (CAFA). Rebecca has a great interest in conservation and is involved with the Pollinator Pathways Project. She was most recently the Head of the Perennial Department and Perennial Grower at Parkway Garden Centre. Rebecca is also a musician and spends her free time playing guitar and singing in bands around town. As RiverBend’s Horticulturist Team Lead, she oversees the gardening team and assists Jerry Hakkers and Matt Bailey maintaining our beautiful community grounds.

Kevin Collier is an enthusiastic member of the RiverBend team, with a passion for the industry and the traditions of the game of golf. Kevin is a graduate of McMaster University and Pennsylvania State University, Golf Course Turfgrass Management. In 2007, Kevin was a finalist for the Canadian Golf Superintendents Association - Future Superintendent of the Year Award. He was also the recipient of the Hugh Kirkpatrick Bursary Award from the Ontario Golf Superintendents Association.

Kevin has worked at many other fine golf courses including; King Valley Golf Club, Augusta National Golf Club, Glencairn Golf Club, and Riverside Golf Club. At RiverBend Golf Community, Kevin oversees the entire golf course team and the management of day to day golf course maintenance

Logan first joined the crew at RiverBend in 2014 when looking for a summer job. He was born and raised here in London and has predominantly lived in the northwest end of the city. Logan enjoys anything outdoors related such as fishing, backpacking and biking so working on a golf course was a great fit. After many years of learning the ins and outs of Golf Course maintenance and working with the great team at RiverBend, Logan developed a passion for the industry. He attended Guelph University for Turf Management and uses his knowledge and hard-working attitude to deliver an exceptional product for RiverBend members.

Tyler joined the RiverBend team in 2015. He was born in Sarnia, ON and was raised in the small town of Petrolia, an hour west of London. In 1997, Tyler turned professional and developed his skills at West Haven Golf and Country Club, Essex Golf and Country Club and Highland Country Club. Over his 30 years in the golf industry, Tyler has gained invaluable experience allowing him to provide members and guests with a high level of service. Tyler has a tremendous love for the game. He enjoys the modern technology and trends of today’s golf world, as well as the history and great traditions that make golf so unique. At RiverBend, Tyler takes pride in working alongside a talented team of people who all share in the goal of providing a first class golf experience.

Gareth Raflewski was born and raised in Northern Ireland, where he developed a love for the game of golf at any early age; he was a scratch handicap at 17 years old. He became a Golf Professional in 2003, playing on both European and Canadian tours. Gareth has spent a significant amount of time teaching the game of golf. He began working at RiverBend in 2010. Gareth is the winner of the 2015 PGA of Ontario Teacher of the Year award, as well as the 2016 and 2017 PGA of Ontario Coach of the Year award. He is an expert in short game and putting, and currently has the pleasure of working with a number of players on the LPGA tour. Gareth loves sharing his passion for the sport with the membership at RiverBend while focusing on skill development. He tailors lessons, clinics, and on course coaching to the needs of individual players of all ages and skill levels.

Born and raised in small town Saskatchewan, Ty graduated from Grant MacEwan University in Edmonton in 2001 and turned professional the same year. After 10 years in Alberta working at Jasper Park Lodge and Silver Springs G&CC, Ty and his wife moved to Australia where he managed the recreation department of two different golf resorts, Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast and RACV Healesville Country Club near Melbourne. After making the move to London, Ty was the Head Professional at Forest City National before accepting the Hardlines Manager position at Golf Town. Ty joined RiverBend in 2018; he is excited to be a part of the team and use what he has learned over the past 17 years as a PGA member to enhance the member experience. This includes teaching lessons and clinics, custom fitting clubs, organizing golf events and managing the day to day operations of the ProShop.

Dale joined the RiverBend team in 2025. He was born and raised in London, Ontario, where he attended King’s University College from 2014 to 2018 and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminology. Dale enjoyed a successful junior golf career highlighted by winning the Tyson Tour Order of Merit and finishing runner up at the Canadian Optimist Junior Golf Championship in 2013. He spent his last ten years at West Haven Golf and Country Club where he turned professional and developed a passion for working in the golf industry. Dale has a real love for the game and prides himself in delivering a first class golf experience and fostering a welcoming environment for members, guests and fellow co-workers. He’s excited to be a part of the amazing team at RiverBend as he further develops as a golf professional.