2nd Vice President - Jeremy Nichols
Jeremy Nichols
General Manager
Commercial Safety College
Jeremy Nichols has worked in the private career college sector since 2010, and is the General Manager of Commercial Safety College, a leading training facility for the transportation and heavy equipment operation sectors.
A graduate of Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, NS (B.Comm), Jeremy sits on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Career Colleges and is currently the President of the Private Colleges Association of Nova Scotia.
Cyndi MacLean - Treasurer
Cyndi MacLean
Treasurer
CYNDI MACLEAN
Controller – MacQuarries Pharmasave
Cyndi is formerly from Aylesford, NS, but set roots in Truro after working a few years for a communications company shortly after college and meeting her husband, Scott. She remained with that company for over 20 years gaining a vast career in accounting from the communications business, which led her to the lumber and biomass industry, working at an accounting firm and now as Controller with MacQuarries Drugs Limited. She is the mother of two boys and as the only female in her home she appreciates having her two dogs Rosie, an Olde Victorian Bulldog and Keeley, a bulldog boxer mix by her side. Cyndi and Scott love to camp and spend time with friends. She is a member of the Creative Voices Choir and is also the Chair for the Cobequid Arts Council. She is also currently going through the Certified Professional Accounting program to obtain her CPA.
Jennifer Hamilton Upham - Solicitor to the Board of Directors
Jennifer Hamilton Upham
Solicitor to the Board of Directors
JENNIFER HAMILTON UPHAM
Jennifer is a co-managing partner of Patterson Law. She advises business clients at various stages of their business life cycle – from start up to a sale or dissolution including incorporations, partnerships, joint ventures, shareholder agreements, tax planned corporate reorganizations, succession planning and wind ups/dissolutions. Business owners and operators turn to Jennifer for support with legal matters related to their operations or strategic growth including contract negotiation, supply agreements, non-disclosure agreements, commercial leasing, financing, and mergers & acquisitions.
Jennifer also assists major Canadian and US law firms in other jurisdictions with Nova Scotia matters, including corporate restructuring, financing and unlimited liability companies. Jennifer acts as recognized agent in Nova Scotia for a number of out of province businesses.
Jennifer also has experience assisting corporate or charitable organizations and their Boards of Directors with corporate governance matters including incorporating societies, obtaining charitable registration, establishing policies, and revising constating documents (such as by-laws). Having acted both as corporate secretary to large international businesses and as director on corporate boards, Jennifer understands first hand the role practical advice can provide in making risk assessments and business decisions.
Jennifer advises individuals on trusts and estate planning including family trusts, tax planned wills, powers of attorney, and personal care directives. In all aspects of her practice, Jennifer’s education and experience with tax planning for business owners allows her to work with clients to minimize taxes where possible.
Jennifer also has unique experience with co-operatives as a member of our Co-operative Law Group.
Jennifer was recognized as a “Leading Lawyer to Watch” in the 2018 Canadian Legal Expert Directory and also was selected by her peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers™ in Canada 2020 and 2021 in the practice of Corporate Law.
Ron Smith - Past President
Ron Smith
Past President
RON SMITH
Ron has called Nova Scotia home for most of his life, with over half of it here in Central Nova Scotia. He served rural Nova Scotians with personal financial services for 20 years prior to working in Regional Economic Development for almost a Decade. The last five years Ron has assumed the role of Manager: Business Development for Masstown Market Limited, a role which continues to expand, challenge and delight.
After surviving three daughters under three, now all in their twenties, he and his wife of 30+ years enjoy cottage life and spoiling grandchildren.
Eric Tanton - President
Eric Tanton
President
ERIC TANTON
Senior Wealth Advisor, Associate Portfolio Manager – Scotia Wealth Management
Eric is a Senior Wealth Advisor who has specialized in providing insights and managing the complex wealth of business owners and other professionals. Since 2002, he has had the pleasure of providing financial services and advising clients.
When not meeting with clients, Eric can be found teaching at local universities in the areas of Taxation, Accounting and Finance at the undergraduate and MBA levels. In his personal life, he and his wife enjoy their free time with their 3 active children. They enjoy travel and family experiences — these often act as inspirations for his passion for cooking and entertaining family. When possible, they enjoy taking in live music and community events around the province.