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Board of Governors Members
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Clayton Bartlett, Vice Chair
Board Member since 2007 – Clayton Bartlett is Cape Breton Division Manager of Roclan Construction, a Division of Dora Construction; a general contracting and project management firm operating in Sydney. He Graduated from the Canadian Institute of Quantity Surveyors, Architectoral Division, in 1976 and has been involved in the construction industry in Nova Scotia since 1967. Clayton has held positions with Cambrian Construction Ltd. and Cromarty Construction Ltd. In 1985, he formed a partnership and incorporated Roclan Industries Limited, and in July, 2010, merged with Dora Construction of Dartmouth. He has been involved with the Construction Association of Nova Scotia since 1980, holding the position of Chair in 2005/06. Clayton has also been Chair of the Cape Breton Island Builders Exchange and Director of the Nova Scotia Construction Labour Relations Association since 1988. He is a trustee for both local 1588 of the Carpenters Benefit and Pension Plan Trust Fund and the Cape Breton Island Building & Trades Council Stabilization Fund.
Clayton has volunteered in his community with Scouts Canada, Speed Skate Nova Scotia and Speed Skate Canada. In 1995, he received the Sport Nova Scotia Outstanding Volunteer Award, and he received the Cape Breton Sports Heritage Award in 1998 and 2001. He is Clerk of Session for the Mira Pastoral Charge, and Secretary for the Managers & Trustees of Union Presbyterian Church.
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Rob Bennett
Board Member since 2010 – Rob was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of Nova Scotia Power Inc. in June 2008.
Prior to his appointment, Rob helped shape Nova Scotia Power's focus on leadership in environmental and renewable energy issues, customer service excellence and commercial relationships.
Before rejoining Nova Scotia Power, Rob served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Bangor Hydro-Electric Company in Maine. Prior to his tenure as President at Bangor Hydro, he was General Manager, Transmission and Distribution Asset Management.
Rob, who grew up in Pictou County, began his career with Nova Scotia Power as a staff engineer in 1988. He held increasingly senior positions including superintendent of Annapolis Hydro and Regional Manager (Northeast).
Rob also serves on the Board of Directors of the Halifax Chamber of Commerce, and is a director of the Children's Wish Foundation.
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Suzanne Bona
Board Member since 2007 – Suzanne Bona is president of Scotian Homes and Enfield Home Hardware Limited, a family-owned business operating a retail outlet in Enfield and building homes all over Nova Scotia and in several countries in Europe. Following years of experience in virtually every facet of the organization, Suzanne took over from her father in 2003 and continued making contributions to her company, the industry and her community.
Suzanne is fluent in German, French and Spanish, essential for the company's burgeoning international activities. She earned degrees in arts from St. Francis Xavier University and studied international business & marketing at Saint Mary's University.
She serves on a number of industry and community boards, including the Better Business Bureau, NS Home Builders Association, NS Construction Safety Association, Atlantic Home Warranty and the Canadian Home Builders Urban Council.
In 2003 she organized a team of Scotian Homes suppliers and partners to expand and renovate the Adsum House for Women and Children in Halifax.
Perhaps Suzanne's most innovative contribution is her creation of the "Enfield Earthkeepers", a rapidly growing youth organization doing yard work and odd job services in the community. Earthkeepers are asked to volunteer one hour for every four paid hours, demonstrating the need to give back and respect one's community.
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Don Bureaux
President – Don Bureaux, President of Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC), is an experienced leader dedicated to the education of adult learners throughout Nova Scotia. His background includes teaching, program development and administration, and collaborating with educational institutions around the globe to create successful learning opportunities for students.
Prior to joining NSCC, Don was the Assistant Director of the Acadia Centre for Social and Business Entrepreneurship (ACSBE) at Acadia University as well as a Lecturer in the F.C. Manning School of Business. Don first joined NSCC in July 2004 as the Manager of Administrative Services for the Halifax Campuses. In May, 2005, Don became Principal of the Kingstec Campus; Vice President, People & Planning in August 2008; Vice President, Academic in August 2009, Acting President in June 2010 and, most recently, President in April 2011.
Don has been working with adult learners for over 20 years within colleges and universities as well as with national and international professional designation granting bodies. He has collaborated with educational institutions in North America, Europe and Asia in the researching and implementation of entrepreneurial cultures as a foundation for learning-centered environments and student success. He has presented at numerous national and international conferences and has worked with a number of foreign educational institutions and governmental bodies in the development of success-based models for both students and staff within post-secondary institutions.
Don has worked with the boards and staff of numerous not-for-profit organizations in Nova Scotia in the areas of board governance, policy development and strategic planning.
Don holds a certificate in Adult Education and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Acadia University. He earned his Masters in Business Administration from Heriot-Watt University. Don is a Certified General Accountant and holds an international designation as a Certified Business Counsellor through the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).
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Dan Christmas
Board Member since 2006 – Dan Christmas has served in various leadership positions for the Mi'kmaw Nation in Nova Scotia. After serving 5 years as the Band Manager for the Community of Membertou, Dan worked for the Union of Nova Scotia Indians for 15 years – the last 10 years as its Director. He was actively involved in the recognition and the implementation of Mi'kmaw aboriginal and treaty rights in Nova Scotia.
Since 1997, Dan has held the position as Senior Advisor with Membertou and has assisted the Chief and Council and its Management Team with the day-to-day operations of the Community of Membertou.
Dan has been active in a number of national, provincial and local agencies in a wide range of fields including aboriginal & treaty rights, justice, policing, education, health care, human rights, adult training and the environment. He has served as the past Executive Chairperson of the Union of Nova Scotia Indians and is now serving his sixth consecutive term as an elective councillor for the Community of Membertou.
Dan Christmas is highly supportive of the College's approach to applied education, and has a strong focus on increasing the First Nation population at NSCC. He is also interested in broadening the training that has been offered to the Membertou community to other First Nation communities throughout Nova Scotia.
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Peter Conlon
Board Member since 2010 – Peter Conlon is President and Chief Executive Officer of Nautel Limited. Peter joined Nautel in February of 2006. He brings 30 years of experience in private sector businesses in Canada, United States, Europe and Latin America to Nautel. His experience includes:
- Four years leading Nautel to a position of global leadership in its markets, including selection as Exporter of the Year at the 2009 Nova Scotia Export Achievement Awards
- Two years as Chief Executive Officer of an SME with multinational joint venture ownership
- A role as Chief Financial Officer of a corporation listed on public exchanges both in Canada and the United States
- 6 years of successful business strategy management consulting experience involving complex cross-border and inter-divisional issues
He has significant experience in large corporations, small businesses, independent entities, and subsidiary operations, including direct line management of marketing, sales, finance, operations, product management and strategic planning. Peter was recently selected as Business Person of the Year at the 2010 Halifax Business Awards, as well as being named one of Atlantic Canada's Top 50 CEOs in 2007 and 2010.
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Natalie Fancy
Support Member since November 2011
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Janet Knox
Board Member since 2008 – Janet Knox is the President and CEO of Annapolis Valley District Health Authority in Kentville, Nova Scotia.
Janet has held various positions throughout her career including Executive Director, Acute and Tertiary Care for the Nova Scotia Department of Health; Program Director, Children's Acute and Continuing Care, at the IWK Health Centre; Director of Nursing, IWK Grace Health Centre; Education Consultant, Registered Nurses Association of Nova Scotia and Assistant Professor Nursing, University of British Columbia.
She holds a Bachelor of Nursing from the University of New Brunswick, a Master of Nursing from Dalhousie University, a Master of Business Administration from Saint Mary's University and is a Certified Health Executive (CHE). She holds honorary adjunct appointments in the School of Nursing and School of Health Administration at Dalhousie University.
Janet is a Surveyor for Accreditation Canada, and is a past member and Vice-Chair of the Board of Cancer Care Nova Scotia, and the Board of Directors of the Canadian Association of Pediatric Health Centres. She is a past Chair of the Halifax Education Foundation. She has held adjunct faculty positions at Saint Francis Xavier University and holds adjunct appointments in the School of Nursing and the School of Health Administration at Dalhousie University. She is also currently a Board member of Brigadoon Camp Society. Janet is married to Gerard and they have two sons and a daughter.
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Michael Kontak, Chair
Board Member since 2006 – Michael Kontak has held a number of senior leadership positions with The Shaw Group, one of Atlantic Canada's leading natural resource manufacturers and community developers. He joined the company in 1993 and is currently Corporate Secretary and Director of Human Resources. He also manages the company's internal and external communications. Prior to joining The Shaw Group, Michael spent several years as Principal Assistant to the Premier of the Province of Nova Scotia and Secretary to the Executive Council.
Originally from Antigonish, he received a BA from St. Francis Xavier University and an LL.B. from Dalhousie University. Michael is a lifelong believer in community participation. Over the years he has served on boards and fundraising initiatives for many organizations.
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Don MacDonald
Board Member since 2006 – Don MacDonald has 30 years experience in policy/strategy analysis and organizational and change management. He retired from Aliant in 2002, and now serves as Director with the South Shore District Health Authority. Don's long term goal is to create a strong strategic partnership between NSCC and the Nova Scotia health system to ensure our province has high quality health system personnel available. Don has a MBA from Saint Mary's University, and B. Eng. from DalTech. He also serves as a Director with the Nova Scotia Association of Health Organizations.
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Rod MacGregor
Board Member since 2010 – A graduate of Dalhousie University (B Comm) and the University of Western Ontario (MBA) and a Chartered Accountant, Rod is currently Vice President, Corporate Development & Strategy at Bell Aliant. His responsibilities include: corporate strategy, mergers & acquisitions and the Wholesale business unit. Before joining Bell Aliant he was Vice President, Corporate Planning at Maritime Life and previously a management consultant with AT Kearney's North American Strategy practice.
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Ferne MacLennan
Academic Member since November 2011
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Alyson MacLeod
Student Provincial Member since November 2011
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Ashley Power
Administrative Member since November 2011
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Sean Ross
Student Metro Member since 2010 – A second-year student in NSCC's Information Technology program, Sean Ross is learning everything he can to be the best in his field. As a Student Representative on NSCC's Board of Governors, Sean aspires to become better each day than the day before. Also a member of the Governance Committee and Programs Committee, Sean looks forward to the personal growth that will come from representing NSCC students in the Metro area, and learning about what it takes to run a large organization. He will apply what he learns from the experience, in the classroom, and his career. Sean says the people at NSCC have made his experience a memorable one so far, and that everyone's differences are valued.
Sean has worked in numerous fields over the last ten years and has joined the NSCC community to pursue his true passion. He balances his commitments at school with a diverse range of pastimes, including videography, skateboarding and programming. A natural leader, he inspires those around him to achieve more. "As long as you don't quit, you can never fail," is a maxim Sean likes to share with his fellow students.
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David P. Saxton, CA
Board Member since 2005 – Dave Saxton is a partner with Grant Thornton LLP. Mr. Saxton is a graduate of St. Mary's University and obtained his chartered accountant designation in 1971. He is an advisor to several local businesses, not-for-profit organizations and local governments, and has been involved in the training of chartered accountants throughout his career. Mr. Saxton is presently treasurer of the Yarmouth Hospital Foundation, a past president and member of both the Yarmouth Family YMCA and Rotary Club of Yarmouth, and has been a Trustee of the Nova Scotia Association of Health Organizations Pension Plan.
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Anna Stuart
Board Member since 2010 – Anna is a Vice President with Knightsbridge Robertson Surrette. Throughout her career, Anna has provided recruitment, strategic and operational advisory services to a range of organizations and government departments and agencies in Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island, along with a range of family-owned businesses and private sector organizations. Anna is also an accomplished author, speaker and facilitator. Prior to joining Knightsbridge Robertson Surrette, Anna was a consulting partner and principal with two large public accounting firms, and held senior leadership roles within the Nova Scotia public sector. Anna is a Certified Management Accountant and Certified Management Consultant, and has a Master's Degree in Health Administration.
Anna's passion for public and community service is demonstrated through her active involvement with many community and professional groups. Anna is the Vice-Chair for Brigadoon Children's Camp, a Director with the Sacred Heart School of Halifax Board of Directors and a member of the Nominating Committee for the Canadian Cancer Society (NS).
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Jamie Surrette
Board Member since 2008 – James Surrette is President of Surrette Battery Company Limited, a privately held manufacturer of storage batteries, located in Springhill, Nova Scotia since 1959. Surrette specializes in Renewable Energy storage applications, and locomotive starting / energy management with distribution in four continents.
James is a graduate of University of King's College and University College Dublin and splits his work schedule between Halifax, Cumberland County and a seat on Air Canada. James lives in Halifax with his wife Lee and young family, daughter Béa and son Noah.
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Paul L. Walter
Board Member since 2010 – Paul L. Walter, Q.C., is the Managing Partner of Waterbury Newton, a full service law firm with offices in Kentville and Berwick, Nova Scotia. He practices in the area of Civil Litigation. Originally from Antigua, Paul graduated with a BA (Honours) in Political Science from Saint Mary's University, and obtained his LLB from Dalhousie University.
Previously, Paul has been the past President of the Kings County Barristers' Society, past member of the Nova Scotia Barristers' Society Bar Council, and has served on a number of committees, including Administration of Justice, Discipline, Judicial Appointments, and Bar Admission Course Screening.
Paul has also been a past Board Member of the Black Education Committee of Kings County, past President (and current Board Member) of the Brain Injury Association of Nova Scotia (Annapolis Valley Chapter), and past Board Member of the Black Business Initiative Society. He is currently the Chair of Black Business Consulting and current Board Member of the Black Business Community Investment Fund.
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