Guy Paparella is a seasoned land used development and policy planner that brings decades of experience working as a municipal professional.
For over 35 years, Guy has held a number of senior level positions in various local municipal and regional government settings. With the City of Hamilton, Guy provided leadership and management expertise as the: Director of Growth Planning; Director of Development; Director of Industrial Park and Airport Development; and Director of Strategic Initiatives in the City Manager’s Office. He also dabbled in municipal politics briefly as Chief of Staff to a Mayor of Hamilton. Prior to this, Guy was the former Director of Planning and Development for the Town of Flamborough and Director of Development for the Regional Municipality of Hamilton-Wentworth.
In addition to building a stronger and more vibrant Hamilton through his professional work, Guy has also contributed to the community through the creation of the Paparella Innovative Art Centre. Established in 2008, and operated by the Salvation Army Lawson Ministries, the arts centre is home to the Paparella Innovative Art program. The program provides adults with developmental disabilities, such as Down Syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorder, a place to socialize and meet while they explore their creative side. To honour his efforts in making the community more inclusive for persons with special needs, Guy was honoured by the Hamilton Volunteer Association in 2017 as a Community Builder of the Year.
For his professional work, Guy has also received awards for excellence in planning from the Ontario Professional Planners Institute and outstanding achievement in the betterment of the industry and association from the Hamilton-Halton Home Builders Association.
Guy is a full member of the Canadian Institute of Planners (M.C.I.P.) and a Registered Professional Planner (R.P.P.). He holds a Bachelor of Environmental Studies in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Waterloo and certificates in public administration, economic development, and dispute resolution. He is also a certified instructor with the Association of Municipal Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario, and teaches municipal administration, law, accounting, and finance.
