Executive

President: Hugh Bray '75

1st Vice-President: Doug Jackson '99

2nd Vice-President: Geoff Irvine '87

Treasurer: Michele Gerrard '88

Secretary: Kiersten Amos '96

Past President: Charles Coll '84

Members at Large

Malcolm Smith '76

Christine White '97

Matt Gray '06

Directors

Hugh Bray

A graduate of Acadia’s former School of Physical Education and Recreation in 1975, Hugh is a competent manager who has enjoyed a 35-year career in business development and marketing. He has evolved professionally in a number of industry and service verticals including sports and municipal administration, consumer-packaged goods, construction and Internet technology. An engaged alumnus, Hugh has been a member of the Board of Directors of the AAAU since 2004 and is the current AAAU President.  Hugh’s personal alumni interests are the ever-important tasks of fostering and encouraging alumni engagement and outreach, enhancing the AAAU’s ability to better communicate and serve its members, and contributing to a healthy and prosperous future for Acadia.

Charles Coll

Charles Coll has been active as a proud Alumnus since graduating from Acadia in 1984 with his Bachelor of Business Administration. He currently serves as the Past President of the Associated Alumni of Acadia University. First in Ottawa, and now living in Prince Edward Island, Charles has served on many Acadia-related boards, groups and committees. He works for the federal government and also has significant private sector senior management experience. Charles is involved in his community through numerous sports and health-related groups, as a coach, volunteer, board member, and at the executive level. He is married to Kathryn (MacLeod) Coll (’84), and is the proud father of Charlie (’15) and Hailee.

Kiersten Amos

Kiersten Amos graduated from Acadia University in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science (Psychology). She enjoyed Acadia so much that she returned for more, completing her Bachelor of Science Nutrition in 1998. During her time at Acadia, Kiersten worked with the Acadia Students’ Union at both the Information Desk and Building Centre Management. She was involved also in the Athletics Intramural program, coordinating intramural soccer for several years. Following graduation in 1998, Kiersten went on to complete her Dietetic Internship at the QEII in Halifax. She worked as a Clinical Dietitian first in Nova Scotia and then Ontario, and finally for several years in Colorado.  In 2005, Kiersten returned to Canada to complete her law degree at UNB and now works as a lawyer at McInnes Cooper in Halifax.  Kiersten practices law in the field of insurance defence, pensions, education law, and employment. Kiersten continues to split her time between Dartmouth, where she lives with her sister Kelly (Amos) Peck (’98) and family, and Colorado, where she lives with her significant other, Jason Woodworth (’96 and ’98). Kiersten enjoys spending time with her family, running, traveling, and embarking on new adventures.

Gillian Latham

Gillian Latham graduated from Acadia University in 1992 with a Bachelor of Business Administration. During her four years at Acadia, Gillian was very involved in the university community. She was a member of the Acadia Business Society, beginning as a Frosh Representative and working her way to becoming President of the Business Society. Gillian is the Life Vice-President of her graduating class. She has been with Bell Aliant for 19 years and has worked in many areas of marketing, including Product Management for Business and Consumer Portfolios, Internet Operations, and Marketing Communications. Gillian joined the Customer Care organization two years ago to manage the Accounts Receivable Management Team and in November 2009 was appointed Director of Customer Care for Nova Scotia. Gillian’s influence extends to her community, where she serves on the Board of Halifax City Soccer Club. Gillian lives in Halifax and is married with two boys ages 4 and 8. She treasures her time with her family, especially traveling, skiing and tennis. She also enjoys supervising her husband while he works in the garden!

Angela Harris

Angela Harris is currently an employee of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She is an associate in the audit and assurance group working toward earning her CA designation. Born and raised in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, Angela began her adventure at Acadia in September 2006 and graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration in May 2010. During her four years at Acadia, she was very involved with the University. She says she was fortunate enough to work with the Office of Advancement for the summer of 2009 and throughout her fourth year, which kept her closely linked with Acadia alumni during her years as a student. During her third year, she served as the Acadia Business Society’s External Vice-President and in her fourth year as the fourth-year representative. Angela was also a member of the Acadia Accounting Society. After graduating, she became a member of the AAAU, which has given her the opportunity to be a member of a number of other committees, including the Acadia Gala, Finance, and Awards Committees. In her spare time Angela enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking, camping and biking. She loves music and has played the flute in a number of different groups, including the Glace Bay High School Band; the Jugend Sinfonie Orchester in Bremen, Germany; and the New Horizon’s Band in Wolfville. She is actively involved with volunteer programs throughout the community such as Motionball, Easter Seals, and Movember. She’s very excited to be an alumna of Acadia and continue her involvement and dedication to the University.

Chris Kavanagh

Chris Kavanagh graduated from Acadia in 1975 with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Political Science. During his time on campus, Chris played varsity hockey, was the Asst. Chief of Campus Police, worked breakfast at McConnell Hall and started the Acadia Audiophile Club. While Prospect St. was home for a couple of years, so were 442 Main Street, the Tower and Horton North. Since graduation Chris has held a number of sales and sales management positions within Fortune 500 companies and others. Over the past 10 years Chris has kept busy with his own sales consultancy business, offering his services to companies throughout North America. Some day he hopes to run the Bluenose Marathon (with Mike Kennedy, of course), having qualified and run Boston, New York, Chicago and numerous other marathons.

Geoff Irvine

After moving east from Quebec at the age of two, Geoff grew up in the village of Smith’s Cove on the shores of the Annapolis Basin in Digby County, Nova Scotia. After studying History and Political Science at Acadia University, Geoff enjoyed a 15-year career in the seafood industry (with a four year “sabbatical” leave in university advancement working as the Director of Alumni Affairs at Acadia University). He has extensive experience with live, raw, salted and frozen seafood products in retail, raw material inspections, sales, marketing, international trading, event, project and business management. Geoff has developed his knowledge of the business in large and small company settings and was Managing Director and partner in Harbour View Seafoods Ltd. from 1998 to 2006. He is currently Executive Director of The Lobster Council of Canada. Geoff has three children and lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Jeff Wright

Jeff Wright is the Associate Director of the Office of Advancement at the University of Alberta, where he manages the University’s Annual Fund and President’s Society. He assumed this role in 2009 after spending nearly three years at MacEwan University as the Director of Donors Services. Prior to MacEwan, Jeff worked at the University of Alberta for five years in the following roles: Coordinator of the Student Calling Program; Campus Campaign Manager; and Alumni and Development Manager in the Faculties of Education, and Physical Education and Recreation. Jeff is currently an appointed member of the CASE District VIII Board of Directors. Jeff and wife Jackie live in Edmonton, AB, have been married for six years and have two young children: Jackson Leith Wright (5) and Abby Anne Wright (2). Jeff is a fifth-generation graduate of Acadia University.

Michele Gerrard

Michele Gerrard is Corporate Controller for Scotia Investments Limited in Bedford, Nova Scotia. She has worked for this company for over 20 years. Her responsibilities include such things as financial reporting, banking and corporate tax work. Prior to this, Michele worked for Touche Ross (now Deloitte Touche) as a staff accountant. She received her CA designation in 1990. In the early 1990s Michele taught introductory accounting courses at Acadia University. She is presently on the recruitment committee for the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nova Scotia and prior to that was on the Regional Advisory Board. Michele adopted a baby girl from China seven years ago. She and her daughter Asya, now 8, live in Kentville, Nova Scotia.

Malcolm Smith

Malcolm started his career in the insurance industry in 1997 as a producer for a regional broker in the Okanagan area of British Columbia after a successful career in both the food service industry and the industrial lubricants sector. Malcolm left the brokerage side of the industry to work for CNA/Specialty Underwriters, the leaders in "maintenance insurance", first as the Manager, Western Canada, then as Director of Sales, Canada. In 2002, he joined a global insurance broker working from their Kamloops office then transferred to Vancouver in March 2007. Since 2002, Malcolm has focused his efforts on gaining experience and educating himself on the insurance and risk management needs of aboriginal communities, businesses and organizations. To assist First Nation communities with their economic development objectives, Malcolm joined ICAB, the Industry Council for Aboriginal Business, and up until his move to Nova Scotia in July 2009 held the position of VP on the Board of Directors. In 2003, Malcolm achieved a CAIB, Canadian Accredited Insurance Broker, with honours. In 2007, Malcolm obtained his life license and in 2008 attained the RHU (Registered Health Underwriter) designation and his Canadian Risk Manager’s (CRM) designation in October 2009. Malcolm is a graduate of Acadia University, where he completed a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a dual core in marketing and management.

Mike Kennedy

Mike is an energetic, community-minded Chartered Accountant, currently working with the Department of Health and Wellness of the Province of Nova Scotia as a Manager in the Internal Audit Function. A proud Acadia Alumnus (‘05) and former VP Finance of the Acadia Students’ Union, he currently serves as Secretary of the AAAU Board. Mike serves on the Board of Directors of the East Coast Music Association and Halifax Running Club and keeps busy by blogging for Taste of Nova Scotia, dabbling in endurance sports, and playing guitar and ukulele.

Meaghan Sim

Meaghan Sim (MacDonald,'01) came to Acadia University from Charlottetown, PEI.  While at Acadia, she completed a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition (Honours) degree and competed on the Women's Rugby team. Meaghan practices as a dietitian with experience in the population health, research and evaluation areas. She is currently entering her third year of doctoral studies and is the recipient of both provincial and federal-level scholar awards for her research.  Meaghan currently resides in Halifax, NS with her husband Michael Sim ('00) and two children: Avery and Rhys. She has been a member of the AAAU Board of Directors since 2010.

Suzanne Seaman

Suzanne Seaman graduated from Acadia University in 1997 with a Bachelor in Business Administration. She was very involved in campus life during her years at Acadia, serving as President of A.C.E., executive member of the Graduation Committee and S.M.A.R.T.T. (Students Maintaining Alumni Relations Through Teamwork), and a volunteer with S.M.I.L.E. Following graduation, Suzanne traveled abroad and returned to P.E.I. to work for her family business, Seaman's Beverages.  After a few years of working in the marketing department, helping to launch their private labels into new markets, Suzanne opted to gain experience outside the family business. She moved to Toronto, where she worked as an Account Manager for an advertising agency, Brandworks International.  After several years of working with various brands including RBC, Nikon, Neilson Dairy, The Globe and Mail, Ontario Hydro and Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, Suzanne opted to further her studies. She moved to Ottawa, where she studied in sciences, specifically ecology and animal science.  She founded her own business, PlanetLove, which married her love of animals and sustainability.  The business focused on the development and marketing of eco-chic, therapeutic products for dogs.  Shortly after developing her product line, Suzanne and her partner, Jack Eaton (also an Acadia graduate), welcomed their son, Oliver Eaton.  Since the birth of their son in 2008, Suzanne has committed herself to being a stay-at-home mom. She continues to work with local Acadia alumni to strengthen relations and volunteers with other community groups. She relishes her time with family and friends, hikes in the Gatineaus and sneaks to the barn to visit her horses whenever she can.

Beverley Richardson

Beverley (Trites) Richardson, a member of the Class of 1960, studied secretarial science with a music minor. She was involved in the Acadia Choral Society, Acadia Orchestra (violin), NFCUS, SCM, PC Party, cheerleading, and served as a monitor for Horton Academy girls in Seminary. Beverley entered and graduated from Victoria General Hospital in Halifax from the three-year nursing program then married Dick Currie, whom she met on the Acadia basketball court.  The couple has three daughters and eight grandchildren. Beverley nursed private duty for cancer patients in Saint John, N.B., where she was involved with Acadia Alumni (1962-1968).  The couple moved to Boston when Dick attended Harvard Business School, and opened a premature nursery at the Cambridge Hospital. Years later, Beverley and her family settled in Toronto, where she continued to be involved with Acadia Alumni. She was involved also with volunteer work at her girls’ school, grief and bereavement counseling at her church, and fundraising events. Beverley helped take the Timothy Eaton Memorial Church Choir to England and Scotland, arranging all venues and accommodations prior to the trip.  She was the Editor for Crafts for J.A.M. magazine for young people for three years. Beverley traveled extensively, enjoying many Pro-Am golf tournaments along the way. In 1988, she married Acadia grad Grant Richardson, moving to Truro, where he taught Physics and Math.  Grant took a year study leave in England, returning to Truro, and set up a 4.5 star Bed and Breakfast (The Silver Firs) which operated for nine years. Special guests included Prime Minister Kim Campbell, a Four-Star General, Vienna String Quartet, and more. In addition, the company catered to wedding parties.  Beverley worked on many church boards and the Colchester Hospital Foundation. In 2000, Beverley moved to Wolfville. Her hobbies include gardening, reading, needlework, and painting in watercolour and acrylics. Beverley has been busy for the past four years organizing “Friends of Lucas” as a financial support system for pianist Lucas Porter. She keeps busy on the Board of Landmark East and the Valley Regional (Hospice) Foundation as well as involved in Wolfville Baptist Church organizations. She is presently the President of the Social and Benevolent Society, which organizes and prepares for all church receptions, teas and dinners, including the Divinity College. Beverley is looking forward to serving on the Associated Alumni of Acadia University’s Board of Directors.

Matthew Gray

Matt is a recent MBA graduate of the Richard Ivey School of Business and a proud Acadia Alumnus (’06).  He is a former VP Finance of the Acadia Students’ Union and was an active member of the university community during his time in Wolfville. Matt will be joining the Investment Banking group of a major Canadian Bank in August 2012.  He lives in Toronto with his wife Sarah Gray (’07) and is an active volunteer in the city and marathon runner. 

Acadia University - 2013 Student of the Year Award

Created in 1981, The Athenaeum and Associated Alumni of Acadia University “Student of the Year Award” recognizes an Acadia student who has excelled throughout their time at Acadia and embodies the Acadia Spirit. The award is presented annually to a nominee who has contributed to the Acadia and Wolfville communities through their extracurricular and/or academic activities, and has worked to further the Acadia Spirit.
 
Nominees must be full-time students. Preference will be given to students who will be graduating in May 2013.
 
Nominees should show good academic standing, although academic achievement is not the sole determining factor.
 
Nomination forms can be found online at: http://alumni.acadiau.ca/alumni-association.html. Completed nomination forms must be returned in a sealed envelope to one of the following locations:
 
Information Desk, Students’ Union Building (ATTENTION: ALICIA ROMKEY)

Alumni Hall (ATTENTION: FRED SGAMBATI)
 
Applications may include letters of reference and other supporting materials, such as resumes and unofficial transcripts.
 
Nomination Deadline: Noon on March 15, 2013