The Belleville Chamber of Commerce welcomed members and guests to a well-attended February Breakfast at Sans Souci on February 25, 2026, for a morning of connection, community updates and insight from leaders at 8 Wing Trenton.
The event began with coffee and conversation, generously sponsored by Starboard Communications – 95.5 FM/Cool 100 and InQuinte – followed by breakfast sponsored by the Centre for Workforce Development. Chamber leadership thanked Sandi Ramsay and her team for not only sponsoring the event, but also for helping reconnect the Chamber with CFB Trenton after nearly a decade since their last breakfast appearance.
The morning’s featured speakers were Lieutenant-Colonel Craig Greeley and Chief Warrant Officer René Gagnon of 8 Wing Trenton.
Lieutenant-Colonel C.A. Greeley, CD, shared insights from a distinguished career that began when he enrolled in the Canadian Armed Forces in 2001 as an Aerospace Engineer. A graduate of the Royal Military College with a Mechanical Engineering degree, LCol Greeley has served with 435 Transport and Rescue Squadron, supported operations in Afghanistan, and worked on the Airlift Capability Project – Tactical in Atlanta on the delivery of the CC130J aircraft fleet. His leadership roles have included conducting airworthiness audits across RCAF squadrons and serving in senior aircraft engineering positions. He holds three master’s degrees, with a fourth in progress.
Chief Warrant Officer R. Gagnon, CD, offered perspective from more than three decades of service, beginning in the Reserves in 1992 before transitioning to the Regular Force as an Aviation Systems Technician. Over his career, CWO Gagnon has participated in major domestic operations including the Red River floods, the 1998 ice storms, the Vancouver Winter Olympics, and most recently wildfire response efforts in Yellowknife and Manitoba. Notably, he played a key leadership role in one of the largest domestic air evacuations in Canadian history, coordinating the safe evacuation of hospital patients and vulnerable residents during the 2023 wildfires. In 2024, he proudly assumed the role of 8 AMS Squadron Chief Warrant Officer.
In addition to the keynote speakers, three members who donated prizes were invited to share brief updates with the room:
The February Breakfast once again demonstrated the strength of connection between local business, the Belleville Chamber of Commerce, community organizations and 8 Wing Trenton. These partnerships continue to support both economic growth and community resilience across the Bay of Quinte region.
The Belleville Chamber of Commerce extends sincere thanks to Greg and his team at Sans Souci for hosting the breakfast, and to the many volunteers and members who make these monthly gatherings a continued success.
The Chamber also shared updates on upcoming events, including:
Register now for next month’s breakfast with Belleville’s First Responders, sponsored by Habitat for Humanity Prince Edward-Hastings.
