No. H126/06
For release October 30, 2006
OTTAWA The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport,
Infrastructure and Communities, today announced the appointments of Mr. Robert
Crosbie, Mr. Stan Cook, Ms. Dianne Kelderman, Ms. Heather Tulk and Dr. Wayne
Wheeler as members of the board of directors of Marine Atlantic Inc. Mr. Crosbie
has been appointed chair of the board.
"Marine Atlantic Inc. needs to be efficient and innovative in the services it
provides to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador," said Minister Cannon. "The
tremendous talent that has been added to the board today will help this company
to ensure that the important transportation services it provides remain safe and
reliable, while increasing efficiency and affordability."
Marine Atlantic is a Crown corporation that provides ferry services between
Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia as required by Canada's constitution.
Marine Atlantic owns and operates four ocean class vessels. Three passenger
ferries provide a vital marine transportation link across the Cabot Strait
between Newfoundland and Labrador and mainland Canada along two routes: the
constitutional, year-round Port aux Basques to North Sydney route; and the
additional summer season Argentia to North Sydney route. The other vessel in the
company's fleet is a dedicated commercial vessel.
In 2005, the company's vessels carried more than 418,000 passengers and close to
87,000 commercial vehicles. Under the National Marine Policy, the company has
reduced its costs, increased its efficiency and commercialized some of its
operations, and remains fully committed to providing high-quality, safe and
efficient services between Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia.
A backgrounder with biographical information on the appointees is attached.
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Contacts:
Natalie Sarafian
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Transport,
Infrastructure and Communities, Ottawa
613-991-0700
Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to news releases and speeches at apps.tc.gc.ca/listserv/ and keep up-to-date on the latest from Transport Canada.
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BACKGROUNDER:
APPOINTMENTS TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF MARINE ATLANTIC INC.
Mr. Robert Crosbie currently serves as chairman of the Crosbie Group Ltd. and
president of Crosbie Salamis, Crosbie Realty, Crosbow Enterprises and ASCO
Canada Ltd., two businesses that provide offshore oil and gas services. He holds
a bachelor of commerce from Memorial University of Newfoundland, and has also
attended Thunderbird University in Arizona and Cranfield University in the
United Kingdom. Mr. Crosbie worked as an investment advisor at Wood Gundy Inc.
and Nesbitt Thompson Deacon Inc., where he was also manager of business
development. From December 1993 until December 1995 he served as president of
ResourceCan Limited, and has been chairman of the board of Crosbie Group Limited
since 1991. Mr. Crosbie has been appointed chairman of the board of directors of
Marine Atlantic Inc. for three years.
Mr. Stan Cook currently serves as national chair of Product Innovation and
Enhancement of the Canadian Tourism Commission. He holds a bachelor of commerce
from Memorial University of Newfoundland. He currently serves as vice president
of operations and head guide of Stan Cook Sea Kayaking Adventures, Cook's
Coastal Walks and Wilderness Newfoundland Adventures. He has served on many
tourism-related boards in Newfoundland and Labrador, including Adventure Tourism
Association of Newfoundland, Tourism Industry Association of Newfoundland and
Labrador, and Atlantic Canada Tourism Partnership. Currently, he sits on the
board of directors of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada. He has been
appointed as a member of the board of directors of Marine Atlantic Inc. for a
period of three years.
Ms. Dianne Kelderman holds a bachelor of arts and of education from Memorial
University of Newfoundland, a master's in economic development from Southern New
Hampshire University Graduate School of Business, and a master's in education
from St. Mary's University. Ms. Kelderman has owned and operated three
businesses over the past 15 years, and is an investor in several others. She
currently serves as president of Atlantic Economics, a firm that specializes in
economic analysis and development. Ms. Kelderman is the immediate past president
of the Atlantic Provinces Chambers of Commerce, a director on the board of the
Canadian Chamber of Commerce, past president of Nova Scotia Chambers of
Commerce, and in 1999 she was selected as one of three finalists in the Nova
Scotia Women of Excellence awards. Ms. Kelderman has been appointed as a member
of the board of directors of Marine Atlantic Inc. for three years.
Ms. Heather Tulk currently serves as the senior vice president of marketing for
Bell Aliant Regional Communications. She holds a bachelor of commerce (honours)
from Memorial University of Newfoundland and a master of business administration
from Queen's University. She also completed the Canadian Securities Course with
honours. From May 1992 until August 1993 she served as client service officer
and trust administrator with the Royal Trust, St. John's, Newfoundland and
Labrador. Ms. Tulk currently holds the post of chairperson of the Halifax
Chamber of Commerce, and in 2002, she was the recipient of Canada's Top 40 under
40 award. Ms. Tulk has been appointed as a member of the board of directors of
Marine Atlantic Inc. for three years.
Dr. Wayne Wheeler currently works at the First Choice Vision Centre in
Stephenville, Newfoundland and Labrador. He holds a doctorate in Optometry from
the University of Waterloo, and a degree in business from Centre for Degree
Studies, Scranton, Pennsylvania. Dr. Wheeler has served as the president of Bay
St. George Chamber of Commerce, and treasurer of Stephenville Theatre Festival.
He is a member and past president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Association
of Optometrists, and past registrar of the Newfoundland and Labrador Optometry
Board. He also serves on the Community Development Committee in Stephenville.
Dr. Wheeler has been appointed to the board of directors of Marine Atlantic Inc.
for two years.
October 2006
