Waterfront Development Corporation and Film and Creative Industries Board Appointments
Appointments to the boards of two public agencies will ensure strong leadership to advance the province's interests in economic development and creative industries.
Economic and Rural Development and Tourism Minister Michel Samson announced today, Aug. 27, Dale Godsoe has been appointed to the Waterfront Development Corporation board of directors, as a new member and board chair. Ms. Godsoe replaces John Holm whose term expired. Joyce Carter has been reappointed as the board's vice-chair, a position she has held since March 2010.
Mr. Samson also announced the appointments of several members of the Film and Creative Industries board of directors.
The standing committee on human resources approved the appointments today and they will be finalized shortly.
"Nova Scotians benefit from experienced leadership in important sectors to the province. These appointments will contribute to building stronger communities and our economy," said Mr. Samson. "I am pleased to welcome these experienced, high-calibre leaders to these boards, and thank them for putting their names forward to serve their province. I also want to thank the board members whose terms have ended."
Ms. Godsoe retired from her position as vice-president external, at Dalhousie University in 2006 after 10 years in the role. She chairs several local boards, including the board of the University of King's College, the Symphony Nova Scotia Foundation, the Ka'nata Foundation and Inspirit Foundation. Ms. Godsoe is also vice-chair of the Queen Elizabeth II Foundation board of directors and serves on the boards of the National Arts Centre Foundation and the Community Foundation of Nova Scotia.
Ms. Carter holds the Fellow Chartered Accountant designation and is the president and CEO of the Halifax International Airport Authority. In addition to her professional experience, she is active in her community. Ms. Carter is also a board member of the Halifax Gateway Council, and serves on the boards of Dalhousie University and the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia.
Waterfront Development Corporation board members receive $150 per day when meeting, plus reasonable expenses.
"I'm also pleased to welcome new members to the Film and Creative Industries board of directors at a time when its mandate has been expanded to promote additional industries that contribute to our creative economy," said Mr. Samson. "These new members have extensive experience in areas across the creative sector, as well as in international business development and governance, which better reflect the needs of the agency's future direction."
Sharon Johnson-Legere, vice-president of Finance and Administration, Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, has been appointed as a board member for a three-year term.
Gary Walsh of North River Bridge, Victoria Co., has been reappointed as a board member for a two-year term. Mr. Walsh is retired from a professional 40-year theatre career and is the founder of the Cabot Trail Writers Festival.
Laura Emery, of Mulgrave, has experience working as a crew in the Nova Scotia film industry and is CEO-chief librarian of Eastern Counties Regional Library. Ms. Emery has been appointed for a two-year term.
David Nurse, of Lunenburg, is the owner of David Hunt Nurse Law Inc. and recently served as a member of the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg's Planning Advisory Committee. His term is also two years.
Akivah Starkman of Halifax is retired. He has held many positions including senior advisor to the deputy minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development and was an executive board member of the International Association of Labour Relations Agencies (1997-2008). His term is for two years.
Gerald Weseen of Halifax has been approved as a member for a three-year term. Mr. Weseen is senior director of government relations for Emera Inc. He is the chair of Big Brothers Big Sisters Nova Scotia, trustee of the QEII Health Sciences Centre Foundation's Executive Committee, a member of the Atlantic Provinces Economic Council's board of governors and a member of Saint Mary's University's Sobey School of Business advisory board.
Marie Comeau of Clare, Digby Co., was appointed for a three-year term. Ms. Comeau is a caseworker with the Department of Community Services and has extensive experience in theatre, television, film and radio. She has been a board member with the Canada Council of the Arts, chair of the Canada Council's governance committee, and chair of the Nova Scotia Film Development Corporation.
Film and Creative Industries Nova Scotia board members receive $100 per day, when meeting, plus reasonable expenses.