May 31, 2012
Appointments Made to College of the North Atlantic Board of Governors
The Honourable Joan Burke, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills, today announced appointments to College of the North Atlantic’s Board of Governors, including the appointment of Cheryl Stagg as Chair. Ms. Stagg, of Port au Port East, will take over from Donna Stone of St. John’s, who will continue to serve on the board.
"I would like to take this opportunity to welcome Ms. Stagg as the new chair where her leadership will help ensure the college continues to grow and prosper,” said Minister Burke. "I also extend thanks to Ms. Stone for her valued role as acting chair and congratulate her on her re-appointment to the board where she will continue to provide dedicated service.”
Also re-appointed for a second three-year term is Gilbert Bennett of St. John’s. Mr. Bennett and Ms. Stone will continue to sit on Memorial University’s Board of Regents as joint-representatives for College of the North Atlantic and Memorial University. Having two individuals serve on both boards for a second term will help support an integrated approach to governance between the province’s two public post-secondary institutions.
Ten other individuals are being appointed to College of the North Atlantic’s Board of Governors: Terry Parsons of Gander, Lynn E. Cole of Corner Brook, Stacy Ryan of Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Troy Mitchell of Clarenville, Beverly Scott of St. Anthony, Leona C. Webb of Stephenville Crossing, Bonita Lane-McCarthy of Grand Falls-Windsor, Yordest Andrews and Roy Hutchings, both of Pasadena, and Charles Penwell of Fortune.
“The Board of Governors consists of individuals with a diverse range of knowledge and experience and I am honoured to have the opportunity to serve as chair,” said Ms. Stagg. “The new members will work with the existing board to support the college’s mandate to foster regional growth and development and to provide programs of excellence to students throughout the province.”
College of the North Atlantic’s Board of Governors is responsible for overseeing, managing and directing the college, including its financial operations and academic programs.
"I welcome all new members to the Board of Governors, as well as those returning,” said Minister Burke. “The Provincial Government will work in partnership with the Board of Governors to pursue the best possible post-secondary experience for the province’s students and ensure they are able to acquire the greatest benefit from our economic opportunities.”
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Media contact:
John Tompkins
Director of Communications
Department of Advanced Education and Skills
709-729-0753, 728-7762
jtompkins@gov.nl.ca
Biographies of College of the North Atlantic Board of Governors
Cheryl Stagg has extensive experience in education, community and business development, journalism and law. Since 1998 she has been employed as a legal assistant. A long-time supporter of the arts, she served as a founding General Manager for the Stephenville Festival, and has also served on the Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council and various arts committees. She has extensive and varied board and committee experience, including CN Railway in Montreal and Marine Atlantic, along with provincial and local service on several tourism, health and transportation boards and committees.
Donna Stone has worked in a financial advisory capacity with the CIBC Group of Companies since 1992 assisting her clients in achieving their financial and estate-planning goals. She has been involved in several charitable organizations and has served as a director on volunteer boards in the St. John’s community. She is also a Past-President of the St. John’s Board of Trade.
Gilbert Bennett is Vice President of the Lower Churchill Project. He joined the company in May 2005 and is responsible for the development of the 3,000 MW lower Churchill hydroelectric resource in Labrador. Mr. Bennett is a former Vice President of 360 networks Canada, and has served in a number of senior engineering and operations roles with GT Group Telecom Services, Cable Atlantic and Newfoundland Telephone/Aliant.
Terry Parsons is Vice President Corporate Affairs with Design Management Group Ltd. of Gander. He is currently a Director of the Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Newfoundland and Labrador. He has extensive community involvement, including service as President of Freedom Villages Inc., Chair of Gander International Airport Authority, and Member of Gander Issues Committee.
Lynn E. Cole is a lawyer serving as Staff Solicitor with the Newfoundland and Labrador Legal Aid Commission. Her primary practice is family law, including extensive work in Child Protection with experience in criminal law. She has volunteer experience as a member of the West Coast Aids Committee and as a Chair and member of the Corner Brook Committee on Family Violence.
Stacy Ryan is an experienced lawyer in areas of criminal and civil litigation, with particular focus in the areas of criminal and family law. She has community involvement including experience as Chair of Them Days Board, which is an organization committed to preserving the cultural heritage of Labrador, and as a minor soccer coach.
Troy Mitchell is a Quality and Clinical Safety Leader, a management role with the Quality and Risk Management Department of Eastern Health. He has extensive community experience including as a Host Committee Member for the 2014 Winter Games – Clarenville, Investigator and Committee Member, Joint Needs Assessment Committee, Clarenville-Deep Bight Pastoral Charge, United Church, and Board Member, Clarenville Community Youth Network.
Beverly Scott is a Licensed Practical Nurse with decades of extensive experience. She is also serving as a Commanding Officer with the Royal Canadian Air Cadets.
Leona C. Webb is Mayor of the Town of Stephenville Crossing where she has served as either Mayor or Deputy Mayor for the past 18 years. Employed by Harvey’s Travel CWT for the past 38 years, for the past 30 she has managed the branch office of Harvey’s Travel CarlsonWagonlit in Stephenville.
Bonita Lane-McCarthy is an experienced educator, currently serving as Student Teacher Internship Supervisor with Memorial University. Her extensive professional experience also includes work as a Junior and Senior High School Teacher, Basic Training and Skills Development Instructor Program Specialist (High School) and Assistant Director of Education (Human Resources).
Yordest Andrews is an educator who has worked as a teacher for 29 years and as an administrator for another eight. She has extensive volunteer experience with various organizations including the United Church of Canada, Scouts Canada and the Canada Winter Games.
Roy Hutchings is a Certified General Accountant who has served the College of the North Atlantic as a Business Instructor and Business Department Co-ordinator. He has extensive experience in other areas as Deputy Mayor of Town of Pasadena, President of West Gate Toastmasters and Director and Committee Member of the Southwest Coast Development Association.
Charles Penwell is an educator currently serving as Senior Education Officer / Regional Education Officer with the Eastern School District. He was elected to the Fortune Town Council in 1985 where he has been serving as mayor for the past 13 years and as deputy mayor for the previous six years.
2012 05 31 3:50 p.m.