Our Staff
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Jonathan McClelland, CEO
Jonathan has been the CEO of the Cumberland Business Connector since June 2017. His background in Business Management and Community Economic Development has been gained working in rural Nova Scotia. He understands the challenges that business owners and managers face in running a business in a small town or rural region. Bringing people together to gain additional insight and find solutions to complex problems is something that he enjoys. Developing partnerships and collaborating with like-minded organizations and individuals has led to significant progress in Economic Development initiatives throughout the Cumberland Region. Jonathan credits the strong team at the Cumberland Business Connector, both board members and staff, as one of the most significant contributors to the Connector’s success. He received a B.Sc. in Agriculture with a major in Economics from the Nova Scotia Agricultural College in Truro, NS. He enjoys working with businesses across different business sectors, and with entrepreneurs as well as established businesses. |
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Sylvia Day, Communications & Special Projects Lead
Sylvia has many years of experience working in marketing and event planning across Canada. She also has extensive experience working with youth, and will play a key role in running the Cumberland Business Connector's youth events. Sylvia studied International Business with a concentration in Spanish at Saint Mary's University. She came to Rockley, Cumberland County 12 years ago, and it has been home for her ever since. Some of Sylvia's favourite things to do include: spending time in nature, gardening, connecting with her large family, and watching her son play basketball. |
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Gilles Gallant, Business Development Officer
Gilles leads our Accelerator Program which provides extensive business advice and coaching support to businesses that have the potential to rapidly scale up. Gilles grew up as the son of an entrepreneur, he saw his father invest, operate and partner in a handful of businesses. Being a hard worker and never backing down from a challenge, Gilles has had a career spanning different industries such as: retail, manufacturing, construction, automotive, electronics, and fundraising in the non-profit sectors. Also, Gilles was a provincial coordinator for a mentorship program to support university students and startup businesses with their struggles and to help them grow. Gilles has lived and worked in Alberta and NWT before returning to the Maritimes almost 13 years ago to start a family. Gilles grew up and still lives in a rural area with his wife, Monique, 11yr old son Etienne, and their dog Murphy. Aside from working, Gilles has a passion for photography. |
Our Board of Directors
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Don McCormack
Chair, Executive HR (chair), Job-Ready Workforce Committees Principal, NSCC Cumberland Campus Don McCormack has been the Principal at NSCC Cumberland Campus (Amherst Community Learning Centre and Springhill Campus) for the past 14 years, bringing many years of educational expertise to the College. Since beginning his career with NSCC, Don has helped the Cumberland Campus-Amherst Community Learning Centre grow from a 900 square foot building to 42,000 square feet, offering more opportunities to the residents of Cumberland County. Don enjoys working hand in hand with the community and industry partners to better serve Cumberland County residents while transforming one learner at a time. Don currently sits on the board of directors for the Cumberland Business Connector, and is Chair of the Human Resources committee. |
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Michael Stack
Past Chair, Executive Committee Vice President, Aquisitions, BrokerLink Michael has over 20 years of insurance, senior management and leadership experience on both the insurer and brokerage side of the insurance industry. He is a graduate of Dalhousie University and a Canadian Accredited Insurance Broker (CAIB). He’s a former partner and CEO of Archway Insurance Inc., which he led and helped grow into one of the region’s largest and fastest growing insurance brokerages. Michael is currently VP Acquisitions of BrokerLink Insurance Inc., a national insurance brokerage and one of the largest of its kind in the country. Michael has always had a keen interest in his community and has been a director and past President of the United Way of Cumberland County, Chair and served on the Cumberland Healthcare Foundation Board, along with being a founding member, director and executive board member of the Cumberland Business Connector since its inception. Michael is an Amherst resident and is married with two young children. He enjoys spending his free time at the family cottage along the Amherst Shore or otherwise playing golf, volunteering or travelling abroad. |
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Lacey Fisher
Vice Chair Finance (chair), Audit, HR Committees Owner & Broker, RE/MAX County Line Realty Ltd Born and raised in Sackville, NB; Lacey is a full-time Mom, community member & business owner. She and her husband Jacob own Timberwood Farms Ltd. & RE/MAX County Line Realty Ltd. in Cumberland County NS. Lacey's Business Management & Corporate Financial background allows her to provide clients/boards/groups with a multifaceted person who is dedicated to them, utilizing business strategies and marketing strength to an industry capacity. Her educational background assists, while providing clients with the duty and care they deserve, ensuring a focused, professional, honest, and sincere approach, as this is and will always be the foundation of her business. Lacey's educational and professional direction focuses on connecting to clients through volunteer work within my community, memberships, board of directors, etc. As such, all have assisted her to become the business owner she is today. Lastly, as a lifelong learner, Lacey enjoys training and attending events that are put on to expand her business concepts. Lacey is considered to be a skilled leader with an enthusiastic, motivating personality and a solid business and personal portfolio that's always open to new ideas. As an individual and an active member of her community, Lacey truly loves giving back and assisting where she can. Some involvement includes: Past President Amherst Rotary Club, Past President Canadian Simmental Association, Treasurer Amherst Rotary Club, Board of Directors Cumberland Business Connector, Past Vice President & Current Treasurer Maritime Simmental Association, Vice President Amherst Minor Basketball Association, Board of Directors ARHS Band Association. Director Maritime Quarter Horse Association, Vice President Cumberland County 4-H, Coach or manager of various sports & equestrian teams with her daughters. |
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Matt Cormier
Secretary/Treasurer Matt is a Partner in Cormier Weatherbee Chartered Professional Accountants located in Amherst, NS. Matt joined the business in 2018 after working for Boudreau Albert Savoie and Associates. Prior to this, Matt worked as a Controller at Dayle’s Maritimes Ltd. Some of Matt’s other interests include serving as Treasurer of the Rotary Club in Amherst. He has also been heavily involved in youth sports in the local area. |
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Cheryl Richard
Director Owner, NAPA Auto Parts, Various Locations Cheryl is an entrepreneur raised in a business household. Having travelled the world and living in different parts of it, Cheryl decided to come back to her roots in Atlantic Canada and acquired not one but two NAPA Auto Parts Associate Stores. Just a few years after the acquisition of these two NAPA Stores, she acquired a third and fourth location, one in Amherst and another in Parrsboro. Cheryl is a dynamic professional who is not afraid to dive in and be part of the team with her staff. She sees the potential in her staff and in the communities she serves. Cheryl demonstrates solid ability in leading strategic organizational planning and execution. She empowers her team through positive reinforcement. Fully bilingual in both French and English, Cheryl is dynamic, passionate, recognized for her compassion, versatility, work ethic, management abilities, and team-oriented attitude. Some of Cheryl`s hobbies include golfing, biking, travelling, and being part of Women`s Association Programs. |
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Nancy Burgess-Graham
Director Nancy currently calls Pugwash home and works in Planning and Development with Cross Roads Company Group since opening its doors in 2020. Her previous experience includes working for the Nova Scotia Department of Economic, Rural Development, and Tourism. Board and Committee experience on regional initiatives includes the Pugwash Area Chamber of Commerce, Pugwash Farmers Market, Northumberland Shore Community Development Association, Cumberland Tourism Advisory Committee and the Bay of Fundy Partnership Council. She and her husband are also entrepreneurs owning Coastal Stair Solutions creating customized beach stairs for Northumberland Shore clients. |
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Jonathan MacMaster
Director Jonathan is a graduate of the Automotive Business School of Canada and Northwood University in Michigan. After graduation in 2006 he returned to his hometown of Amherst to continue a career in the auto industry and has led his teams to new heights ever since. With a passion for volunteering and giving back to this incredible community, he has been a part of many local groups and organizations including the Cumberland Habitat for Humanity board of directors, the After The School Bell Food Program, and is currently on the board of trustees at Trinity St. Stephens United Church, as well as joining the Cumberland Business Connector in 2023. Jonathan also works closely with the other Amherst and area auto dealers and the Nova Scotia Auto Dealers Association. The Auto Sector is a major employer in the Cumberland Region with many dealerships, garages, body shops and auto parts stores supplying services to local residents while creating good paying jobs in Amherst and throughout the Cumberland Region. |
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Jim Prince
Director Jim's experience in Commercial Lending, Risk Management and Sales is a strong asset to the board of the Connector. Jim believes in giving back to the community and is Past President of the Rotary Club of Amherst, Vice President of the Amherst Curling Club, and former “Crew 6” team member as well as Secretary-Treasurer of the Oakville ON Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary (TOWARF). Jim and his wife Darla returned to her hometown of Amherst in 2019, after working in Halifax, Toronto, Vancouver, and St. John’s. Jim and Darla have two grown children Brett and Ken, and two delightful daughters-in-law Lauren and Cassie. Jim retired from RBC in 2023 and enjoys time during the summer at the family cottage at Mattatal Lake or on his motorcycle, as well as snowboarding and curling during the winter. Jim is originally from Bridgewater NS and graduated from St. Mary’s University with a B. Comm in Finance and from Dalhousie University with an MBA in Marketing / Logistics. |
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Mary McPhee
Director Communications & HR Committees Independent Consultant Mary has a dynamic background in community development, non-profit governance, logistics management, human resources, facilities and risk management, facilitation, renewable energy, marine environments, horticulture, agriculture, and sustainable forestry. Mary’s passion for rural revitalization and community has been solidified with over 25 years of volunteer service and work with community organizations, local municipalities, and non-profits. Mary is a natural organizer who thrives on process improvement, a seasoned public speaker who loves to connect people, and an amateur writer who strives to practice gratitude daily. Mary divides her time between consulting, volunteer commitments, working in a small but productive sawmill, gardening and growing food, working in the woods, practicing yoga, and trying to enjoy every moment of life on the Fundy shore with her friends, family, and loyal dogs. Mary is a hard-working, energetic, and caring member of the Cumberland Business Connector Board of Directors. Since joining the organization in December 2020, she has been active on the Communications and Human Resources Committees. Mary hopes to increasingly connect the diverse network of businesses along the Parrsboro to Advocate shore to resources and growth potential through the Connector’s programs and supports. |
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Thomas MacLaren
Director LL.B Thomas L. MacLaren was born and educated in Halifax, Nova Scotia, having spent the summer holidays of his youth in Parrsboro. He attended Acadia University, graduating in 2007 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He received his LL.B from Cardiff University in Wales, UK after which he attained a Certificate of Qualification from the National Committee on Accreditation of the Federation of Law Societies of Canada. He was called to the Bar in Nova Scotia on April 12, 2013. Tom accepted an articling position with Hicks LeMoine Law in 2012 and became a partner in 2017. Tom’s preferred areas of practice include Real Estate Law, Wills, Estates and Probate, and Family Law. Tom is appointed as a per diem Crown Attorney working in Amherst, Truro, Antigonish, and Shubenacadie on behalf of the Public Prosecution Service. Tom is a member of the Nova Scotia Barrister’s Society and the Canadian Bar Association. Tom has served on the executive of the Cumberland Barrister’s Association, the Parrsboro and District Board of Trade, and the Parrsboro Creative. Tom is an avid golfer and traveler. |
Our Organizational Structure
