About the Canadian Forces Liaison Council

Scott Shepherd – National Chair

A native of Chatham, Ontario, Mr. Scott Shepherd was appointed National Chair by the Minister of National Defence in 2013. Prior to his current appointment as National Chair, Scott served as the British Columbia provincial chair since 2004.

Scott has served as Chair of MDS Aero Support Corporation and Patriot One Technologies and has held many executive positions in finance in both the private and public sectors. Of note he was the CEO of NORTHSTAR Trade Finance Inc.; President of Dalhousie Financial Corporation of Richmond, BC; CFO of the Nexus Group of Companies, Burnaby, BC; and Assistant Trade Commissioner for the Department of External Affairs in Manila, Philippines to name a few.

Scott is a graduate of the University of Toronto (BA-Honours) and Dalhousie University (MBA).

W.D. (Bill) Mahoney, OMM, O.N.L., CD – National Vice-Chair

Mr. Bill Mahoney became the CFLC National Vice-Chair after serving as the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Chair. He was also the former Chair of Commissionaires Newfoundland and Labrador. He has served and serves as director of a number of organizations in his community and has received many honours and awards for his contributions including: Officer in the Order of Military Merit, the Commissionaire's Distinguished Service Medal, member of the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Canadian Forces Decoration. Bill was instrumental in the development and distribution of cable television and high-speed internet throughout the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Today, he is the owner of a group of companies in the Province related to the real estate and tourism sectors. He served for 26 years in the Royal Canadian Air Force Reserves and established the William D. Mahoney Benevolent Fund to provide financial assistance to military members and their families throughout the province of NL in times of need.

Dale Hedges, FCPA, FCMA, FCMC – National Strategic Planner

Mr. Hedges joined the Canadian Forces Liaison Council in 1999 as a member of Alberta’s Provincial Council and has served as its National Strategic Planner since 2004. He is a Chartered Professional Accountant (Fellow), a Certified Management Accountant (Fellow) and a Certified Management Consultant (Fellow). He has received many honours and awards for his contributions to society including: Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers, the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal (Alberta). Dale has consulted to numerous private, not-for-profit and governmental sectors, in a variety of industries throughout the world over his career.

Robert Shea, PhD – Newfoundland and Labrador Chair

Dr. Rob Shea is Associate Vice President (Academic and Student Affairs) of the Fisheries and Marine Institute at Memorial University of Newfoundland, and is also an assistant professor in the Faculty of Education. Armed with an arsenal of degrees in political science, social work, education and a doctorate in higher education leadership, his career has taken him from the front lines of teaching to the boardrooms of national and international non-profits. Rob has served as president of four national organizations, and has been involved in the leadership of over seven others at the national, provincial and regional levels. He currently serves as the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Chair of the CFLC.

Keith Hillier – Prince Edward Island Chair

Keith Hillier is a Certified General Accountant originally from St. John’s, Newfoundland. He currently serves as the Prince Edward Island Provincial Chair of the CFLC. He has worked with Revenue Canada and VAC and participated in many government wide initiatives. As such, he has extensive experience in the areas of financial comptrollership, change management, procurement, employment equity and official languages. He has held multiple leadership positions throughout his career including Director General-Corporate Planning VAC, Chief Financial Officer, and Assistant Deputy Minister for Service Delivery and Commemoration with VAC to name a few.

He completed 42 years in the Public Service during which time he was the recipient of the prestigious Head of the Public Service Award for Excellence in Service Delivery to Canadians; the Minister of Veterans Affairs Award of Excellence; and the Institute of Public Administration’s Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration. Keith is also the recipient of the Canadian Forces Medallion for Distinguished Service.

Corinne Maclellan B.P.R. – Nova Scotia Chair

Corinne Maclellan has been active in the areas of community, government and media relations, marketing, communications, corporate engagement, public affairs and event production since 1994. Professionally, she is a principal with CMC and Group ATN with a focus on the Treaty fishery efforts in Mi’kma’ki. Corinne maintains a diverse cross-sectoral portfolio focussed on natural resources, energy, First Nations, tourism, and infrastructure development. She is a former in-Canada representative for the Belgian Government, and communications advisor to the Assembly of First Nations regionally. She continues to work on events and initiatives with an aim toward heightening awareness, understanding and profile for Indigenous communities and the importance of Truth and Reconciliation initiatives. She sits on the boards of governors for Commissionaires NS and the Army Museum Halifax Citadel and in 2019 Corinne was appointed as Hon. Lieutenant Colonel with the Halifax Rifles.

Lisa Dillon – New Brunswick Chair

Lisa is the VP Government Relations & Partnerships for Sapper Labs Group Inc. Prior to that she was the Provincial Director for New Brunswick for the Atlantic Canada Aerospace & Defence Association (ACADA). Lisa has spent the majority of her 20+ year professional career serving in a range of management capacities in the non-profit and private sectors in the aerospace and defence industries. She is the Provincial Chair for New Brunswick for the Canadian Forces Liaison Council (CFLC) and also serves on the Board of Governors for the Royal Military College (RMC). Lisa’s educational background is in Business & Accounting and undertook the UPEI Foreign International Trade Training (FITT) program.

Yves Desjardins-Siciliano,– Quebec Chair

Mr. Yves Desjardins-Siciliano is an experienced lawyer and seasoned executive. He is currently CEO of Siemens Mobility Canada. Prior to this appointment he was the former President and CEO of VIA Rail Canada and has held several positions at IBM Canada, the Government of Canada (Ministry of Labour & Transport) and Bell Mobility. He initially joined VIA Rail as Chief Corporate and Legal Officer.

He holds a law degree from l’Université de Montréal and completed Graduate Studies in Law at McGill University. He has a designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD.D) and was also a President of the Canadian Bar Association, Quebec Division. He is currently serving as the Quebec Provincial Chair of the CFLC.

Jeff Westeinde, P. Eng – Ontario Chair

Mr. Jeff Westeinde was appointed to the CFLC in 2008, where he currently serves as the Ontario Provincial Chair. He is a dynamic investor and entrepreneur in the environmental and real estate sectors, with active investments in solar energy, technologies that promote the beneficial re-use of waste, and sustainable real estate. His companies have been recognized as some of Canada’s fastest growing companies and have been distinguished in the Top 50 Employers in Canada.

Jeff is active on numerous charitable, civic and industry initiatives, including serving as the founding Chairman of Invest Ottawa, sitting on the Community Services Cabinet for the United Way of Ottawa, and is on the Board of the Ottawa Network for Education. He is also proud to serve as an Honorary Colonel in the Canadian Armed Forces.

Kelvin Shepherd, P. Eng – Manitoba Chair

Mr. Kelvin Shepherd retired as President & CEO of Manitoba Hydro in 2019 and is currently a member of the Independent Review Committee for Investors Group Investment Management. He had a lengthy and respected career as a senior business executive in the telecommunications and energy utility sectors. Kelvin worked in a wide variety of technical and managerial roles, eventually rising to the position of Senior Vice President & Chief Technology Officer.

Kelvin is now serving as the Manitoba Provincial Chair of the Canadian Forces Liaison Council. He also currently sits on the United Way of Winnipeg’s Board of Trustees; has been Chair of the Awards Jury for Manitoba Chamber of Commerce annual Business Awards; and served 10 years on the Board of Trustees of Victoria General Hospital in Winnipeg including a term as Chair of the Board. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Saskatchewan and a Certificate in Administration from the University of Regina.

Her Honour the Honourable Vaughn Solomon Schofield, SOM, SVM, CD – Saskatchewan Chair

Vaughn Solomon Schofield, originally from Regina, Saskatchewan, is a graduate if the University of Saskatchewan Regina Campus and The Rae-Vogue School in Chicago. She has had a successful career in business and has provided leadership to international, national, and provincial organizations. In the past, she was Chair of the Board for a crime prevention organization which had international effects on the prevention of crime through the creation of Crime Watch groups.

Her Honour served as Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan from 2012 to 2018.

She currently serves as the Saskatchewan Provincial Chair of the Canadian Forces Liaison Council and is currently the Honorary Colonel of 10 Field Artillery Regiment. In acknowledgement of her many contributions, she was awarded the Canadian Forces Medallion for Distinguished Service.

Carolyn Patton – Alberta Chair

For over 25 years, Ms. Carolyn Patton has advanced the creative offerings of multiple corporations and advertising agencies in both Canada and Europe. Today, she is the Owner and Creative Strategist of Patton Communications based out of Edmonton, Alberta.

Carolyn has volunteered her leadership with a range of boards including The Vimy Foundation of Canada, the Art Gallery of Alberta, and the Royal Alberta Museum. She has created and supported a number of initiatives including joint projects between the Government of Alberta, City of Edmonton, and the Canadian Armed Forces. She currently serves as the Alberta Provincial Chair for the Canadian Forces Liaison Council and is a recipient of the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers for the Commonwealth.

Derral Moriyama, MBA - British Columbia Chair

Mr. Derral Moriyama, serves as Senior Vice President, Business Development for Western Canada at MNP Corporate Finance Inc. Prior to joining MNP, he was Senior Vice President, Commercial Banking for Greater Vancouver at BMO and has 32 years of banking experience.

He currently serves as the British Colombia Provincial Chair of the Canadian Forces Liaison Council. His other board experience includes serving as Chair of Northstar Trade Finance, Vancouver Board of Trade, Vancouver Foundation, and RCMP Diversity Council to name a few. Mr. Moriyama is a graduate of the University of Toronto and has completed executive development programs at the Kellogg School of Business as well as the Banff School of Advanced Management.

Timothy Syer – Territories Chair

Mr. Timothy Syer is a lawyer who practices corporate and commercial law in the Yellowknife office of a Western Canadian regional firm. Tim served 7 years in the Canadian Armed Forces as a Maritime Surface Officer, prior to completing his law degree at the University of British Colombia.

He is currently serving as the Chair of the Canadian Forces Liaison Council in the Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut. Since leaving the Navy and throughout his transition to a civilian career, Tim has been grateful for the skills and work ethic that the Navy equipped him with. Tim has stayed involved with the Canadian Armed Forces and continues to give back to his community.

John Craig Eaton, KStJ, O. Ont, D.Com – Chair Emeritus

As a well-recognized philanthropist, John Craig Eaton is best known for giving extensively of his time and energy. In 1989 he assumed the position of National Chair of the Canadian Forces Liaison Council (CFLC) and CFLC became globally recognized as an outstanding model for employer support for the reserves. Mr. Eaton managed to attract many of Canada’s most prominent citizens to also donate their time and energy towards volunteering with CFLC and the support of the reserves.

In recognition of his volunteer service to the Canadian Forces he received the Canadian Forces Medallion for Distinguished Service. Mr. Eaton has also been the recipient of the Knight of Justice of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem and the Order of Ontario. He stepped down as the CFLC chair in 2013 and was given the title Chair Emeritus.

Rear-Admiral M.A. Hopper, OMM, CD – Chief of Reserves

Born in Ottawa, Ontario, in March 1969, RAdm Hopper enrolled in the Naval Reserve at HMCS CARLETON in 1986 as a cook. He transferred to HMCS SCOTIAN in Halifax as he pursued his studies at Dalhousie University and commenced training as a Naval Cadet in 1989. He was granted his Minor War Vessel Bridge Watch-keeping Certificate aboard HMCS PORTE ST JEAN in July 1991 and subsequently served his summers at sea in all classes of Naval Reserve vessels. In 1993, RAdm Hopper earned his Minor Warship Navigation Officer qualification, and soon after was posted as the Navigating Officer of HMCS ANTICOSTI. He was granted his Minor War Vessel Command Ticket in August of 1996.

RAdm Hopper moved back to Ottawa in 1996 where he completed his university education and started teaching with the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB). Back at CARLETON he served in a variety of staff positions and continued to spend his summers at sea. He was selected as Commanding Officer of HMCS SUMMERSIDE from December 2001 until December 2002. Returning to CARLETON, he was appointed the Executive Officer and later served as the Commanding Officer from 2009 to 2011. Upon his promotion to Commander, he filled various senior staff level positions until promoted to Captain(N) in April 2015. Promoted to Commodore in June 2018, he was appointed Commander Naval Reserve until July 2021. RAdm Hopper was promoted to his current rank in July 2023.

When not working as a reservist, RAdm Hopper enjoys his job as an elementary special education teacher with the OCDSB, working with school teams to support children from kindergarten to grade 8. RAdm Hopper continues to reside in Ottawa with his wife and his two children.