Derek Sullivan, Chair
Derek Sullivan is Vice President of Atlantic DataSystems Inc. (ADS), an IT consulting firm focused on ERP software and business solutions. ADS is a subsidiary of zedIT solutions and the largest Sage partner in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Since 1995, Derek has been involved in the software and IT consulting sector, with successful firms such as ZeddComm Inc, (now Bluedrop Performance Learning and zedIT solutions) and Triton Data Inc. of the Anthony Group of Companies. In these firms he has been a key member of the executive team, building and managing successful consulting and sales teams to drive growth and deliver value.
In addition to the St. John’s Board of Trade, Derek has held several community leadership positions. He served as chair of NATI (2003-2004), as a board member of the CCDA economic zone board and as chair of several IT accreditation committees for the Department of Education.
Derek resides in St. John’s and is married with two children.
Jo Mark Zurel, Senior Vice-Chair
Mr. Zurel is a Chartered Accountant and from 2006 has been President of Stonebridge Capital Inc., an investment company. From 1998 to 2006, Mr. Zurel was Senior Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer of CHC Helicopter Corporation, helping to build it into the world's largest helicopter operating company. He is also a director of Major Drilling International Inc. and Newfoundland Power Inc., director on the board of Fronteer Development Group Inc., as well as a board member of several private companies. Mr. Zurel holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Dalhousie University.
Mr. Zurel’s not-for-profit activities include chair of Junior Achievement of Newfoundland and Labrador and governor for the Newfoundland and Labrador Business Hall of Fame. He is also governor of the Atlantic Provinces Economic Council, chair of a Canadian Red Cross fundraising campaign and board member with the Newfoundland and Labrador Angel Network (NLAN).
Steve Power, 1st Vice-Chair
Steve Power is a Partner with Grant Thornton LLP in St. John’s. Steve is in the firm’s assurance and business advisory practice where he leads assurance engagements and other consulting assignments such as due diligence on business acquisitions and complex accounting and finance matters. Prior to returning to Grant Thornton in 2006, Steve worked with Stratos Global Communications and Vector Aerospace.
Steve graduated from Memorial University in 1997 with a Bachelor of Commerce degree and obtained his Chartered Account (CA) designation in 1999.
In addition to his role with the Board of Trade, Steve is very active in other community based activities. Steve is the treasurer of the Kids Eat Smart Foundation and is a coach for minor soccer. Steve is married to Sue Power and they have two children.
Denis Mahoney, 2nd Vice-Chair
Denis Mahoney is a Partner with McInnes Cooper, whose practice covers all areas of labour and employment, pension and benefits law. In strong working relations with the employers he represents, Denis advises and helps his clients find solutions for a wide range of labour and employment matters in many sectors including mining, oil and gas, industrial and construction.
Denis is the firm’s manager of employment legal group, is a director with the St. John’s Board of Trade and Canadian Association of Council for Employers. He currently serves as business representative of the Strategic Partnership Council and is the past Chair of the Newfoundland and Labrador Business Coalition. Denis holds membership in the Canadian Bar Association and the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador and sits on the Law Society Awards committee.
He holds a law degree (LL.B) from Queen’s University (1993) and a Bachelor of Commerce (Hons.) from Memorial University (1987).
Sherry Walsh, Secretary/Treasurer
Sherry Walsh is an associate partner with Deloitte & Touche LLP in St. John’s. Sherry provides assurance and advisory services to clients in the private and public sectors and leads Deloitte’s private company practice in Atlantic Canada.
Sherry graduated from Memorial University in 1992 with a Bachelor of Commerce degree and obtained her Chartered Accountant (CA) designation in 1994.
In addition to her role with the Board of Trade, Sherry is very active in other community based activities. Sherry is a member of the United Way of Newfoundland and Labrador campaign team and is also a member of the gift team for Ronald McDonald House of Newfoundland and Labrador. Sherry is married to Paul Dawe and they have a daughter, Emma.
Bruce Templeton, Immediate Past Chair
Mr. Bruce Templeton is co-owner of JBT Financial Team with son, Jim Templeton. His planning office works with clients to prepare for critical financial events.
Bruce’s career began in retailing with Bowring Brothers Limited. After 14 years in retail, Bruce joined Pitfield McKay Ross as an investment advisor.
He takes great pleasure in community service, which begun many years ago with Scouts Canada. He was founding chair of the Bowring Park Foundation, former president of Rotary and founding board member of the United Way of Avalon; yet it is the ‘special assistant to Santa’ role that draws most attention. With over 1000 visits he has been bringing Christmas joy into children’s lives since 1978.
Bruce resides with his wife Paula, his wonderful partner of 41 years. They have three children and four grandchildren.
Bruce is privileged to have served as chair of the St. John's Board of Trade in 2009 and thanks everyone for their support and encouragement.
Margot Bruce-O’Connell, Director
Margot Bruce-O'Connell is the Public Affairs Manager, Newfoundland and Labrador for ExxonMobil Canada East. She provides public affairs support on behalf of ExxonMobil for the following projects: Hibernia, Terra Nova, the Orphan Basin exploration program and the Hebron development project.
From 1990 to 2000, she was Director of Communications for the Workplace Health Safety and Compensation Commission in St. John's which involved significant public speaking, media relations, employee communications and government relations. Other roles have included information officer for the Newfoundland and Labrador Development Corporation, correspondence writer for the Minister of International Trade, and freelance reporting for various publications.
Margot holds a Bachelor of Journalism (1986) from the University of Kings College and a Bachelor of Arts degree (English/political science - 1985) from Memorial University. She started working with ExxonMobil in 2000.
Margot is married to Brian O'Connell and they have four children.
Keith Healey, Director
Keith is Chief Executive Officer at Destination St. John’s. Prior to joining DSJ in 2008 Keith held a variety of senior positions with the provincial government serving as assistant deputy minister with Works, Services and Transportation; Tourism, Culture and Recreation; Industry, Trade and Technology; and Innovation, Trade and Rural Development. Keith also served as the province’s comptroller general.
Keith is a graduate of Memorial University with a Bachelor of Arts in political science and is a Chartered Accountant.
Over the years Keith has served on a variety of Boards including the Canadian Centre for Marine Communications, Seabright Corporation, East Coast Trail Association, Operation Online and Atlantic Gateway.
Since joining Destination St. John’s Keith has worked to strengthen the organization through partnership building and focusing the organization on its core mandate which is to bring visitors to the region by attracting conventions, meeting, events and other tourists. Through these visitors multiple millions of dollars are brought to the region and the province.
Kim Keating, Director
Kim has over ten years experience in the Newfoundland and Labrador offshore oil and gas industry. She started work on the Hibernia project and, in 1997, joined the Terra Nova project design team, located in the United Kingdom, with Petro-Canada (now Suncor Energy Inc.) Since joining Suncor, Kim has held a variety of positions throughout the Terra Nova Development from engineering design through to construction, commissioning and finally production operations. Kim’s current position as Technology Team Leader – Facilities & Projects Engineering, allows her the opportunity to support other East Coast developments including White Rose and Hebron.
Kim holds a Bachelor of Engineering from Memorial University and is a registered member of the Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Newfoundland and Labrador (PEGNL). She also holds her Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP) designation and has completed her Masters in Business Administration.
Kim participates on several advisory committees to both PEGNL and Memorial University - Faculty of Engineering and has also been involved as a mentor with the local Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) organization.
Jerry Kirkland, Director
Mr. Jerry Kirkland is Senior Partner with ARA Kirkland, Balsom and Associates, a real estate appraisal and advisory firm. Mr. Kirkland is designated an Accredited Appraiser Canadian Institute (AACI) with over 37 years of appraisal and advisory experience. Mr. Kirkland is a Fellow of Appraisal Institute of Canada (AIC) and a Paul Harris Fellow (PHF) of Rotary.
Mr. Kirkland is a founding member of Atlantic Realty Advisors (ARA). He is a past president of AIC, lecturer for the St. John's Real Estate Board orientation program, and past president of the Newfoundland Association of the AIC. Mr. Kirkland is also a past president of the Rotary Club of St. John’s and a past member of the Assessment Review Board of St. John’s. He is currently chairing the building committee for the New Family Y of Northeast Avalon.
Jeff LeDrew, Director
Jeff LeDrew, P.Eng, is Owner of Jumping Bean Coffee Company, a growing start up in the food manufacturing sector in Newfoundland. Jeff is also a telecom/business development consult for several Korean manufactures (Samsung Fibre, Lightron, etc.). Jeff brings a strong background in business development and is proud to serve on the Board.
Brenda O’Reilly, Director
Brenda has over 25 years of experience in the foodservice industry, most of them in a management role and as owner/operator. She presently owns and operates two food and beverage establishments in St. John’s; O’Reilly’s Irish Newfoundland Pub and Yellowbelly Brewery and Public House.
For the past 14 years, Brenda has served on the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association and is currently chair of the Board. Over the past 14 years she has served as chair of several committees including the CRFA’s Restaurant Caucus. Brenda previously served as tourism director at the St. John’s Board of Trade, lounge sector director at Hospitality Newfoundland Labrador, and president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Restaurant Association.
Brenda constantly works to make the business climate better for the foodservice and hospitality industry. She meets with elected officials and top bureaucrats to represent the industry’s point of view on issues directly affecting the success and viability of the restaurant and hospitality industry.
Celina Stoyles, Director
Celina Stoyles is Director of Sales for the Extended Stay Deluxe Hotel – St. John’s – Downtown located at 222 LeMarchant Road. Celina is responsible and accountable for direct sales growth and all aspects of client management at her hotel and with Extended Stay Hotels in North America.
Celina is an active member and supporter of the St. John’s Board of Trade and has been volunteering for many years at the Board in different capacities. She is presently a member of the treasurers committee, speakers committee, and co-chair of the Business Excellence Awards event.
Celina is also very active in other business organizations within the community. She is a past director of Destination St. John’s, has served on the corporate advisory committee for the Canadian Red Cross, and has served on numerous organizing and steering committees for various hospitality and community events.
Celina is married to Ted Howell and they have three children; Aden, Leah and Katie.
