21 June 2010
Ottawa, Ontario
The Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of National Revenue, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway, today announced the appointment of Thomas L. DeBlois, a retired Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island business executive, to the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Board. He also announced the re-appointment of five existing board members.
Mr. DeBlois enjoyed a successful 36-year career in wholesale distribution management and has contributed substantially to the Island’s economic development efforts as a board member of the Atlantic Provinces Economic Council, the Prince Edward Island Development Agency, PEI Business Development Inc., and the PEI Market Development Centre.
“It gives me great pleasure to announce the appointment of this accomplished business and community leader to the board,” said Minister Ashfield.
The five members re-appointed to the board include: Ross McNeil, Halifax, Nova Scotia; Darrell M. Rushton, Stellarton, Nova Scotia; Fraser Walsh, Blacks Harbour, New Brunswick; A.M. Lily Durepos, Grand Falls, New Brunswick; and, James Armstrong, St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador.
“The wealth of knowledge, experience and leadership these members bring to the board guide and support the Agency’s efforts to provide programs and services that address the evolving needs of Atlantic Canadian businesses and communities,” said Minister Ashfield.
The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Board provides advice to the Government of Canada on ACOA strategy and policy matters. In its advisory capacity, the board contributes to the economic development mandate of ACOA. The board comprises the President of ACOA as Chair, and seven members from each of the four Atlantic provinces.
Founded in 1987, ACOA is part of the Government of Canada’s commitment to helping Canadians in all parts of the country build strong regional economies through enterprise and community development.
Biographical notes about the new and re-appointed board members are attached.
FOR BROADCAST USE:
The Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of National Revenue, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway, today announced the appointment of Thomas L. DeBois, Prince Edward Island, to the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Board.
There were also members re-appointed to the board. They include: Ross McNeil and Darrell M. Rushton, Nova Scotia; Fraser Walsh and A.M. Lily Durepos, New Brunswick; and James Armstrong, Newfoundland and Labrador.
Minister Ashfield said the knowledge, experience and leadership the members bring to the board guide and support ACOA’s economic development mandate.
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For further information, please contact: Erin Filliter Director of Communications Office of the Minister of National Revenue, Minister of ACOA, Minister for Atlantic Gateway 613-996-9301 Debbie Corey Director, Public Affairs Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency 506-851-2133
Thomas L. DeBlois - Retired Business Executive - Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
Tom DeBlois enjoyed a successful 36-year career in wholesale distribution management, becoming General Manager, Operations, in 1986 when family-owned DeBlois Brothers Limited was acquired by TRA Atlantic, a division of the Sobey Group. He has extensive background and experience in both productivity enhancement and customer service, as well as in marketing and financial control.
Mr. DeBlois has contributed substantially to economic development efforts in his home province over the past three decades. He has served as a board member of the Atlantic Provinces Economic Council, the Prince Edward Island Development Agency, PEI Business Development Inc., and the PEI Market Development Centre (including four years as chair). He has also been very active as a volunteer in numerous community service, not-for-profit, and religious organizations, as recognized by the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award and Rotary International’s Paul Harris Fellowship Award.
Ross McNeil - Entrepreneur - Halifax, Nova Scotia
Ross McNeil is a seasoned business executive with an extensive background in both the food service and retail industries. He began his career working in a family-owned clothing business, and took over the ownership and management of a restaurant in his early twenties. Among his active business interests, Mr. McNeil is currently the sole owner/operator of Duggar’s Men’s Wear Limited, an established retail clothier located in downtown Halifax.
Mr. McNeil is a charter member of a national group of owners of retail clothing stores and is active in various community organizations. He has served as a member of the boards of the Ashburn Golf and Country Club and the Nova Scotia Restaurant Association. Mr. McNeil resides in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Darrell M. Rushton - Retired Business Executive - Stellarton, Nova Scotia
Darrell Rushton worked with Sobeys Inc. for more than 40 years and retired from the company as President of Sobeys Inc. Wholesale Operations. Mr. Rushton began his career with a local Sobeys store in his hometown of Truro, Nova Scotia. He moved on to new responsibilities with Sobeys in Halifax and eventually to the company’s head office in Stellarton. His professional experience includes retail operations, merchandising, advertising, corporate marketing and management. He became President, Wholesale Operations for Sobeys Inc. in 1991, with responsibility for operations in five provinces and employment of more than 3,000 people.
During his career with Sobeys Inc., Mr. Rushton served as a board member for several wholesale and retail divisions as well as advisory and planning committees. He and his wife, Frances, have lived in Pictou County for more than 35 years, where Mr. Rushton has been active in his church and a number of community organizations.
Fraser Walsh, P.Eng. - Corporate Executive Advisor - Blacks Harbour, New Brunswick
Fraser Walsh joined Connors Brothers Limited in 1970 as a project manager and, in the subsequent years, has enjoyed a distinguished career with progressive responsibility and success. These have included terms as Senior Vice President of Connors Brothers’ divisions for Canning, Operations, and Aquaculture, as well as President of Heritage Salmon Limited.
Mr. Walsh is very active in both industry associations and community life. He is a graduate of the University of New Brunswick (Electrical Engineering) and has studied through Harvard and Queens universities. He currently resides in Blacks Harbour, New Brunswick.
A.M. Lily Durepos - Business Owner and Executive - Grand Falls, New Brunswick
Lily Durepos is a founding shareholder of Alliance Assurance Inc., which started business in 1972. She has a wealth of experience in the insurance industry and has been a member of various insurance and broker councils for companies such as Wellington Insurance, Zurich Insurance and ING.
Ms. Durepos holds a degree in social sciences from the Université de Moncton. She has received numerous awards for her business accomplishments as both an entrepreneur and financial broker. She actively supports community organizations and is currently chair of the Women in Business Network and a director of the Edmundston Regional Hospital Foundation.
James Armstrong - Entrepreneur and Educator - St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador
James Armstrong began his career as a junior high school teacher in 1973, and became a school administrator in 1985. He retired from teaching in 2000 and moved on to tackle new challenges including retail sales and the pursuit of independent business interests. An experienced public speaker, Mr. Armstrong has an interest in social development and team building, and has studied organizational development, leadership development, employee relationships and communication, and conflict resolution and mediation.
Mr. Armstrong holds bachelor degrees in arts and education, and a Master of Education degree from Memorial University of Newfoundland. He resides in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador.
