BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
About Beth
Beth MacLeod is an Architect at Lydon Lynch Architects. Originally from Alberta, Beth moved to Halifax to study Architecture at Dalhousie, where she received her Bachelor of Environmental Design Studies and Master of Architecture.
Beth started her architectural career at RHAD Architects, following that she was with EXP Architects. Currently, she works with Lydon Lynch Architects working on multi-residential, commercial and institutional projects.
Beth has been heavily involved in both provincial and national internship organizations, having served on and chaired the NSAA Intern Architect Committee and having co-founded and chaired the RAIC Emerging Practitioners. This new group is a big step forward in giving interns and emerging architects a national voice in the architectural community.
Beth MacLeod
Past President
About Tim
Coming soon...
Tim McLeod
Treasurer
About Karen
Coming soon...
Karen Dwyer
Member at Large, Chair Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
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About Vivek
Coming soon...
Vivek Tomar
Member at Large
About Ben
Ben is a Civil Engineer with experience in consulting, technology development, and entrepreneurship. Ben is a Partner at EastPoint, a Halifax Based Architecture and Engineering Consultant. As Vice President of Business Development he leads EastPoint’s internal growth initiatives. His growth efforts have seen EastPoint awarded the Globe and Mail’s ‘Canada’s Fastest Growing Companies’ award in 2019 and 2020.
Ben has owned several small businesses, but spent most of his early career growing a Toronto based technology company, playing an integral role in opening several satellite offices in North America, Europe, and Asia. Outside of the office, Ben is a father, volunteer, and an avid rugby player.
Ben Ferguson
Member at Large
About Peter
With over 25 years of experience, Peter is Lindsay Construction’s Director of Estimating, where he manages and mentors the estimating and preconstruction teams. He graduated from Dalhousie University with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, is a member of the Canadian Institute of Quantity Surveyors – Maritimes (CIQS – Maritimes), and has been on the Construction Association Nova Scotia (CANS) Board of Directors and the Government and Industry Relations Committee since 2022.
Peter has amassed extensive field and operations experience throughout his career and developed expertise across various industry roles, from surveying to quality control management and estimating. Peter has experience across a wide range of sectors, with a notable concentration in industrial, commercial, and retail projects, in initial budget development, procurement, value engineering, and risk management.
Peter has extensive knowledge and understanding of several project delivery models, including design-build, progressive design-build, design-bid build, construction management, and integrated project delivery.
A well-respected leader in the industry, Peter is dedicated to knowledge sharing, professional development, and mentoring the next generation of construction professionals. Notably, since 2017, Peter has been a training instructor with CANS, where he delivers ‘The Art of Estimating,’ a training course focused on refining estimating practices and accuracy.
In his current role as Director of Estimating, Peter focuses on the pursuit of major projects, in addition to providing senior-level support to his team, participating in strategic business development initiatives, and ensuring his team’s ongoing growth and development. An invaluable leader and team member from design development through to final completion, Peter’s portfolio includes more than $1 billion worth of successfully procured projects within Atlantic Canada
Peter Riley
Board Member
About Ellen
Ellen is a Transportation Engineer and Principal at DesignPoint Engineering & Surveying Ltd. Prior to coming to DesignPoint in 2015, Ellen worked at a consulting firm in Northern Canada and spent some time in the public sector back in Nova Scotia. She is passionate about projects that promote accessibility and design work creating facilities that are safe and welcoming for users of all modes of transportation.
Having grown up in Sambro, Ellen now lives in Tantallon with her husband and two wild kids.
Ellen Dalton
Chair, Marketing & Communications
About Matt
Matthew Rodgers is a mechanical engineer with 20+ years experience in the consulting industry. He is currently WSP’s Buildings Director for Mechanical and Electrical in Atlantic Canada. He has completed mechanical design for building projects including industrial, commercial, residential, healthcare, institutional and recreational facilities, including LEED registered, BOMA Best and Green Globe facilities throughout Canada.
Matthew is originally from Guysborough, but has lived in HRM since attending and graduating from TUNS in 1997. He lives in Timberlea with his wife and three children. Outside of work, he enjoys coaching his children’s hockey teams and playing and coaching fastpitch softball.
Matt Rodgers
Board Member
About Andrew
Andrew Swiber has been actively involved in the construction industry for over 20 years and is a Director and Sales & Estimating Manager at Marid Industries Limited. As the leader of the Sales and Estimating team, Andrew is responsible for all projects that Marid is costing and evaluating for bidding. He provides budgets on potential projects, oversight and review of estimates prepared by his team and strategic direction for Marid’s sales. He has a wealth of experience with multiple tendering authorities and project delivery methods as well as exposure to a wide range of structures and projects. Andrew has a Bachelor of Commerce from Saint Mary’s University and holds several industry related certifications including CCA’s Gold Seal Certification, Construction Estimator Certification and a Masters Certificate in Project Management from Saint Mary’s University. Andrew currently resides in the Fall River Area with his wife and two daughters.
Andrew Swiber
President
About Benjie
Benjie is an architect and planner who leads Nycum + Associates, a Halifax-based firm that has been a leader in healthcare and high complexity planning and architecture since 1982. Benjie is adjunct professor and chair of the professional practice teaching group at the Dalhousie University Faculty of Architecture and Planning and a director of Halifax Stanfield International Airport and The Canadian Museum for Human Rights.
Benjie Nycum
Member at Large
About Jason
Coming soon...
Jason White
Board Member
About Nathan
Nathan Salmon is the General Manager for Rexel Atlantic, one of the largest electrical distribution companies in the world. Born and raised in the Annapolis Valley; he spent a decade out west after Acadia University in the oil and gas sector, with a focus on supply chain, before moving back home with his family. With almost 20 years in distribution he has a strong sales, marketing and people focus; he is always ready to do his part to lead, make someone smile or strive to make the community better than it was yesterday.
Nathan Salmon
Chair, Nomination & Membership
About Michael
Michael MacDonald is Vice President, Account Management at MacKinnon & Olding Ltd., in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Growing up and living in Halifax Michael has over 36 years of experience in the Industrial, Commercial, and Marine construction industry. Michael holds a Gold Seal Project Manager (GSC) designation from the Canadian Construction Association.
Additionally, Michael serves as a member on the Insulator (Heat and Frost) Trade Advisory Committee, is currently Vice-Chair of the Nova Scotia Construction Sector Council, member of the Board of Directors of the Nova Scotia Construction Labour Relations Association, and a Board member for the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency, Michael previously served as President of the Thermal Insulation Association of Canada and as a Board member of the Construction Association of Nova Scotia.
Mike MacDonald
Secretary
About Ciarán
Ciarán Hehir was born and raised in Dublin, Ireland before moving to Canada almost ten years ago. He now lives in Upper Tantallon, Nova Scotia with his wife and two kids.
Ciarán has worked across a number of sectors since moving to Canada, most recently with Arrow Construction Products where his role as Territory Manager allows him to combine his skills and experience toward a focus on business development, technical sales and customer service.
Confronting industry challenges with innovative solutions to achieve long term success is something that Ciarán is passionate about and hopes to continue through his various professional and volunteer roles here in Atlantic Canada.
Ciarán Hehir
Vice President
Chair, Education & Events
About Thomas
Thomas is the business development coordinator at EastPoint, a Halifax based Architecture and Engineering consulting firm.
Thomas has both an Engineering Degree (Mining) and an MBA from Dalhousie University. His experience includes work in both engineering and management consulting where he worked to develop strategies and technology plans for various local government agencies and early stage startups. This allowed him to develop an appreciation of both the technical and strategic aspects of product and services design.
Outside of work, he enjoys spending his time locally where he can be involved in community organizations and events. He is a member of Engineers Nova Scotia’s Emerging Professional Committee where he aims to support the development of programming that will enable young engineering professionals to transition into the later stages of their careers.
Thomas Simmons
Chair, Socials
About Justine
A Partner with zzap Consulting Inc., architecture and planning firm located in Dartmouth NS, Justine is passionate about creating built spaces that contribute to the unique fabric of Atlantic Canada’s towns and cities. She understands the responsibility of the architect to establish trusted relationships and ultimately deliver functional, enduring, and beautiful design.
Justine has led a variety of architectural projects ranging from multi-family, commercial and site planning design, to renovation and remediation projects. With experience throughout North America, she has developed an understanding of building technologies of varying climates.
Justine holds a Master of Architecture degree from the Dalhousie University School of Architecture and a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from St. Francis Xavier University. Before joining zzap, Justine worked at award winning firms in Yellowknife, New York, and most recently, in Halifax at Kassner Goodspeed Architects.
Justine Bowles
Chair, Sponsorship & Fund Development
About Graham
Graham Gagnon, PhD, P.Eng., is the Dean of Architecture and Planning at Dalhousie University, where he also serves as Professor and Director at the Centre for Water Resources Studies.
As Dean, Dr. Gagnon is committed to academic and research excellence within his Faculty with a strong focus on Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and enhancing the Built Environment. As a scholar, Dr. Gagnon's many accomplishments include international recognition for his research in drinking water quality and treatment and an equity-based research focus which assisted in establishing the Atlantic Frist Nation Water Authority, the first water agency of its kind in Canada.
Dr. Gagnon grew up in Guelph, Ontario. He gained his BSc in Environmental Engineering from the University of Guelph and his PhD in Civil Engineering from the University of Waterloo.
Graham Gagnon
Board Member
About Tonya
Coming soon...
Tonya MacLellan
Board Member
About Tony
Tony is a native of Halifax, attended QEH and received a Bachelor of Business Administration from Acadia University. He is the President of Munden Enterprises Ltd, a manufacturers representative agent in the electrical industry, located in Bedford. Tony and his wife Pat split their time between Halifax and Toronto.
For the past 37 years Tony has worked in the electrical industry with manufacturers, distribution and the last 18 years as an agent at Munden Enterprises. Tony is active in the Electrofederation of Canada sitting on the national board for 3 years, the Canadian Electrical Manufacturers Representative Association, CEMRA, Board for the past 10 years and the National Electrical Representative Association , NEMRA, as the Canadian rep for the past 2 years.
Tony has been very active with Acadia University fundraising for Acadia Axemen Football and the university for the past 18 years.
Tony Munden
Board Member
About Greg
Coming soon...
Greg Urquhart
Board Member
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About Julie
Julie is a Sales Specialist with ABB Ltd (formally Thomas & Betts). ABB in Canada is a manufacturer and technology leader in electrification and automation. With over 25 years of experience in the electrical industry with ABB, Julie has strong leadership skills and is people focused which have allowed her to attain increasing positions throughout the years.
Born on the South Shore and raised in Bridgewater, she settled in Shad Bay to raise her family. She is a huge advocate for women in the industry and started a women’s network in the Atlantic which is now affiliated with the Electric Federation of Canada (EFC). When she is not working, she can be found walking her dogs or volunteering in her community.
Julie Mills
Board Member
About Trent
Trent Soholt is the Executive Director of the Nova Scotia Construction Sector Council-ICI (NSCSC) - a not-for-profit organization that collaborates with industry partners to provide human resource solutions and labour market information for Nova Scotia's industrial, commercial and institutional construction sector.
Working with contractors, labour organizations, training providers, government and industry partners, Trent fosters collaboration, supports innovative approaches to training, career awareness, industry research, strategic planning and encourages advances in technology adoption.
Trent is an internationally certified Project Management Professional through the Project Management Institute. He has over 20 years of Project Management experience ranging from construction and urban planning to human resources, business development, information technology, and arts and entertainment. He is a strong advocate for trades and technology. As an instructor of supervisory and management skills; President of the Association of Industry Sector Councils; Treasurer for the Apprenticeship Award Trust, and Skills Canada Nova Scotia; Director for the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency and the Design & Construction Institute of Nova Scotia; and the Chair of the Atlantic Labour Market Information Committee; Trent believes the construction sector has a fundamental role in the prosperity of Nova Scotia and Canada
Trent Soholt
Member at Large
About Susheel
Susheel Arora is CEO of the Atlantic First Nations Water Authority and former Director of Operations at Halifax Water, bringing over 20 years of expertise and field work to his current role.
Susheel previously led One Water, an initiative involving wastewater and storm water collections, water distribution, treatment, and biosolids management for the Halifax region, advocating its holistic approach in the value of water. His career includes having earned two Master’s Degrees, one in Environmental Engineering and other in Applied Sciences. He also graduated from Harvard Business School’s General Management program. An active member of Engineers Nova Scotia, Susheel also participates in professional organizations such as Water Environment Federation [WEF], American Water Works Association [AWWA], and the International Water Association [IWA].
Susheel practices an active lifestyle and is always keen to explore new countries and cultures. He is the volunteer Vice-Chair of the Board at the Zatzman Sportsplex in Dartmouth, NS.
Susheel Arora
Board Member
About Kevin
Kevin Savage is the founder of Next Sales and Marketing Inc, a manufacturers agency that represents some of the leading electrical brands in the industry. Since 2012, Next Sales and Marketing has earned a reputation as one of the top manufacturer agencies in Atlantic Canada. Kevin has over 17 years of experience in the electrical industry, having started his career with the largest independent electrical distributors before being acquired by Rexel. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a major in Marketing from the University of New Brunswick.
Kevin is a passionate and active member of the electrical community. He started the Young Professionals Network (Under 40) in Atlantic for Electro-federation Canada (EFC), a program that connects and supports emerging talent in the industry. He also serves on the board of the EFC executive committee for Atlantic Canada, where he advocates for the interests and needs of the region. In addition, Kevin is involved in various charitable initiatives, such as raising money for the IWK Health Centre during the Bluenose event and organizing a toy drive for children during Christmas. In his spare time, he enjoys golfing, surfing, and spending time with his family at their cottage on the eastern shore.