March 15, 2019
News release
Truro & Colchester Chamber of Commerce elects new officers
TRURO – The Truro & Colchester Chamber of Commerce recently celebrated 129 years serving the business community at its Annual General Meeting held March 13 in Truro. A new slate of officers and directors was elected by the membership which will see Ron Smith, Manager of Business Development, Old Fletcher Farm Property Limited, a division of Masstown Market Limited, step into the president’s seat.
More than 80 people attended the meeting where Smith spoke about the positive growth across many sectors taking place in this region
“Our community shows continuous improvements and growth in commercial, industrial, residential and social infrastructure,” said Smith. “The last number of years have shown large-scale investment in both public and private construction projects from our rural areas to our revitalized downtown cores. Each project offering more and more opportunity to retain and attract people to live and work in Colchester County.”
Smith has served on the Chamber board for four years and was elected to serve a one-year term as President. He said during the next year the Chamber will continue to focus on membership growth and supporting the needs of business.
“Serving with the Chamber has presented the privilege to meet one-on-one, in groups and en masse many of our local business people, community proponents and interested citizens, all willing to work together and strive for a more inclusive and prosperous Truro Colchester,” said the newly elected President. “It is amazing to see behind the scenes what many of our local business people have contributed in time, resources and pure financial gifts to help this area prosper, often below the radar and without acknowledgement.”
Outgoing president Joanne McRae, CPA, CA, Senior Manager with MNP, said there were many Chamber accomplishments to celebrate during the past year and looks forward to continuing her work with the board in the role of Past President.
“During the past year, we have continued to collaborate with government of all levels, local businesses and organizations, the Truro and Colchester Partnership for Economic Prosperity, and other Chambers in the region to ensure the voices of our members and businesses from the area are heard and their interests are protected as our region continues to grow and flourish,” said McRae.
At the end of 2018 there were 431 members in the Truro & Colchester Chamber of Commerce making it the largest Chamber in Nova Scotia outside metro.
Other newly elected executive and directors are: Vice-President Mathew Mossman, Sales Manager at Cat Country and Big Dog Radio; Treasurer Amanda Pothier, owner of Atkinson’s Accounting; Solicitor George White, Patterson Law; and directors Dr. David Gray, Dean of Dalhousie Agricultural Campus; Karen Baillie, Elegant Steps; Karen Gillespie, Nova Scotia Community College; Bob Brown Lynds Industrial Services; Nancy Johnstone, Lock and Stone Property Management; Peter Thiesen Pulse Property Services; Connie Baird, Party Time Rentals and Sam Abushenaf, PuroClean Restorations; David Ritcey, Community Credit Union; Julie Taylor, Skin Decision; Trina Langille, Warmth By Design; and Phil Smith, Home Hardware Stores Ltd., Eastern Dealer Support Center.
The Chamber’s Annual Awards and Dinner Gala will be held on April 25 at the Holiday Inn.
The Chamber has issued a call for nominations for BDC Business Person of the Year and the Community Credit Union Business Excellence awards.
To reserve a seat at the gala or for more information about award nominations, call 902-895-6328 or email [email protected]. Deadline for nominations is April 1, 2019.
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Newly elected executive and directors are, front row, from left, Treasurer Amanda Pothier, owner of Atkinson’s Accounting; Solicitor George White, Patterson Law; Past President Joanne McRae, CPA, CA, Senior Manager with MNP; Ron Smith, Manager of Business Development, Old Fletcher Farm Property Limited, a division of Masstown Market Limited; Vice-President Mathew Mossman, Sales Manager at Cat Country and Big Dog Radio, and Executive Director Sherry Martell. Second row, Connie Baird, Party Time Rentals; Nancy Johnstone, Lock and Stone Property Management; Phil Smith, Home Hardware Stores Ltd., Eastern Dealer Support Center; Peter Thiesen, Pulse Property Services; Karen Gillespie, Truro Campus, Nova Scotia Community College; and David Ritcey, Community Credit Union.
Other elected directors are: Dr. David Gray, Dean of Dalhousie Agricultural Campus; Karen Baillie, Elegant Steps; Bob Brown Lynds Industrial Services; and Sam Abushenaf, PuroClean Restorations; Julie Taylor, Skin Decision; Trina Langille, Warmth By Design. PHOTO BY BRENNAN GILLIS