Amherst & Area Chamber of Commerce

Randy Smith – President

Executive Director of Cumberland Development Corporation Ltd./CBDC Cumberland.
Born in Amherst, NS
Career in finance since 1976 including banking, management, commercial and personal lending, trust, investment securities, insurance, Real Estate, , marketing, advertising, and public relations in the three Maritime Provinces and served on countless committees and boards in various community and charitable organizations during this time. Since relocating back to Amherst community service includes Rotary as Past President and I am a Paul Harris Fellow, past President and Treasurer of Family and Children’s Services of Cumberland County. Currently President of the Amherst and area Chamber of Commerce, Vice Chair of the Maritime Better Business Bureau, and Interim Chair/Treasurer of Tantramar Radio Society.

Robert Bird – Vice President

Growing up in Amherst the son of Phyllis and Bill, Robert was known as Robbie. After graduating from ARHS in 1979, Robert attended Dalhousie University graduating in 1983 with a Bachelor of Commerce degree followed by a Bachelor of Education from Mount Allison in 1984. Robert’s professional career began in 1985 with Wellington Insurance in Halifax, followed by moves to Saint John & Moncton NB and Toronto Ontario. During this part of his career, Robert obtained is Associateship from the Insurance Institute of Canada, (AIIC). In 1995 Robert moved into the financial industry obtaining his Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation from the Financial Planners Standards Council in 2001 and later the designation of Financial Management Advisor (FMA) from the Canadian Securities Institute in 2007.

Robert returned to Amherst in 2004 with his wife Kelly and son Mason. They recently welcomed another son Evan. Robert is a self-employed Financial Planner, educator and writer.

In addition to his work with the Chamber of Commerce, Robert is currently a board member with Family and Children Services of Cumberland County as well as chair of the finance committee. He is a member of the Community Editorial Board for the Amherst Daily News, as well as a contributing writer to The Citizen, The Sackville Tribune and Canadian Money Saver Magazine.

“My motivation for getting involved with the Chamber of Commerce is to help Amherst and area achieve its potential”, stated Robert. “I’d like my sons to have the option of staying in Amherst to work and raise their own families and not have to leave like I did to have a fulfilling career.”

Gwen Kerr – Secretary

Co-owner of the Regent Bed and Breakfast on Victoria Street East with her husband Jim, Gwen Kerr also has many interests in Amherst. In addition to working part-time at Deanne Fitzpatrick’s Rug Hooking studio and recent campaign for a seat on Amherst Town Council, Gwen is involved in a variety of community organizations and continues to develop her extensive volunteer experience:

• Vice President, Zonta Club Amherst Area
• Board Member, Family and Children’s Services of Cumberland County Foundation
• Board Member, Cumberland Child Advocacy Board
• Board Member, Cumberland Health Care Foundation
• Member and Contributor, Amherst Daily News Editorial Board

Gwen’s professional background is in Marketing. For the past twenty years she has managed marketing and advertising for clients such as The Bay, The Women’s Television Network, the Aboriginal People’s Television Network, the Western Canada Aviation Museum, shopping malls, and a number of Government of Manitoba departments. She has planned special events as diverse as air shows, professional boxing matches and fundraisers. An art collector, Gwen managed two Inuit art galleries; one in Yellowknife and one in Winnipeg.

Gwen has also been involved for the past eight years with Family Services organizations: developing policies, risk management strategies, needs assessments, community partnerships, fundraising initiatives and reporting guidelines. Her contributions have included conflict management, dispute resolution, and organizational development. In 2006 she was awarded the 17 Wing Winnipeg Wing Commander’s Commendation award for exceptional leadership and tireless commitment to the military community for her work with the Military Family Resource Centre.

Edith Doyle – Treasurer

David McNairn – Past President

David is an associate at the Amherst office of the law firm of Hicks LeMoine. David received his Honors Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Western Ontario in 2000 and his L.L.B from the University of New Brunswick in 2003. After completing his articling with a large regional firm in Halifax, Nova Scotia, David came to Amherst in 2004 to pursue his legal career. David has been actively involved in many organizations in the local community since moving to Amherst. He has been a member of the Amherst and Area Chamber of Commerce since 2005 at which time he joined the Board of Directors. David acted as Vice President in 2007 and President of the Chamber in 2008 and 2009, and he still sits on the board.

Hollis Bartlett

After graduating in Halifax in 1984, Hollis went on to pursue various sales positions and entrepreneurial interests including owning a pizza shop, working as a farm business consultant and computer sales & service in Ontario.

After returning to Nova Scotia in 1996, Hollis’ I.T. career involved web design, network consulting, computer sales & service culminating in a new business that provided I.T. consulting, web design & development located in Dartmouth. It was during this time that Hollis also became the CTO and founding member of a large dot-com startup.

After selling off his business interests he and his wife decided to move back to her home area of Cumberland County in 2002, and then to Amherst in 2005. After a 5 year stint working at PolyCello, Hollis went back to the job he loves, being self-employed full time as a freelance web & graphic designer.

Marsha Brenton

Senior Business Advisor for the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce.

Born in Pugwash, Nova Scotia and shortly there after moved to Saint John N.B.  In 2005 she moved back to Amherst to continue working with CIBC.  During her career she has completed the Professional Financial Planning as well as the Canadian Securities course offered by the Canadian Securities Institute.

For the past 2 years Marsha has been Run Champion for CIBC’s Run for the Cure, where 75% of all proceeds raised stay right here in Cumberland County.

Marsha joined the Amherst and Area Chamber of Commerce because she sees her position with CIBC and this new undertaking going hand in hand, in a way that promotes community growth and development.

Peggy Carter

Peggy is a life long resident of Amherst and has always been a strong supporter of community organizations including 4H, ARHS Band & Choir, Minor Basketball and the Spartans Swim Club. She is a graduate of Mount Saint Vincent University and NSCC Adult Education Program where she was named class Valedictorian.

Peggy believes education is the key to success and empowerment for all individuals. As a
member of the Business Faculty at the Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC), Cumberland Campus since 1994 Peggy is highly regarded in both Academic and Business circles. Throughout her tenure with NSCC she has continuously developed and strengthened business relationships and partnerships in and around Cumberland County.

As the driving force behind student-driven Campus Expos, Business Symposiums, Service Learning Projects, Employer Career Fairs, Peggy has consistently been a leader in helping students make the connection between theoretical and applied learning. “Getting involved with the Chamber was a natural fit for me”, says Peggy. “I’m always looking for ways to help my students and contribute to the growth and development of the community.”

Peggy is married to Sherman and they are the proud parents of teenage daughters Alyson and Sarah.

Roger Christie

Mike Miller

David Mosely

Anne Newman

Kevin Tibbo

Originally from Halifax, I moved to Amherst with my family 9 years ago, and graduated from A.R.H.S. in 2008. Although I did not have a direction at this point, I quickly found my calling when I entered the NSCC School of Business.

I am now studying the Marketing Concentration at NSCC Cumberland Campus, and I am also the President of the NSCC Student Association (SA). I also sit on the NSCC SA/Student Life Partnership Committee. Previously, I served as the Marketing Coordinator for the NSCC Student Association. I have volunteered with many activities, such as the Small Business Week Forum, Peer Tutoring, Human Resources Expo, NSCC Wellness Committee, NSCC Breakfast program and a NSCC/High School Promotional Campaign.

I see myself as an innovator and a leader, and I strive to achieve and grow both personally and professionally. I am empowered by moving forward, and I’m in a constant battle to improve myself and the world around me.

When I am not “working”, I love to travel, play golf, tennis or pool, and spend time with friends.