Team

Cindy grew up in an entrepreneurial family in Little Harbour, Pictou County. For over 35 years, she and her husband Bart, have been business owners ranging from tourism to commercial fishing, while raising their ten children in her 7th generation family homestead. She has worked in the marine industry all her life in various capacities. In 2021 she retired as Academic Chair of the NSCC Nautical Institute and continues to work part time as a manager for NSCC in marine training. She holds a Master of Maritime Management, Bachelor of Maritime Studies, Diplomas in Nautical Science and Adult...

Aaron Millen is a dedicated advocate for Pictou County, where he has lived and worked his entire life. Residing in the Green Hill area with his wife and two amazing daughters, Aaron is deeply rooted in the community. He is the owner of a local real estate company and a real estate development and management firm. As a business owner, he emphasizes the importance of staying informed about local programs and services and is committed to giving back to the community as much as possible. As a Board member of the Pictou County Partnership, Aaron is passionate about contributing to the region's...

Jarrod Thorne is a seasoned finance professional currently serving as the CFO for Nova Construction. With a strong educational background, Jarrod holds an undergraduate degree in Business Administration from the University of New Brunswick (UNB) and a Master's in Business Administration from Saint Mary's University. He is also a Certified Professional Accountant (CPA), bringing a solid foundation in financial management and strategic planning to his role. Residing in Stellarton, Nova Scotia, Jarrod enjoys a fulfilling family life with his wife and two sons. Beyond his professional...

Ian MacLean retired from his Pictou-based real estate law practice in 2021. Throughout his career, he practiced real estate law across the province and was actively involved in developing and presenting continuing education and best practices initiatives. Since his retirement, Ian has been engaged in forestry and wind energy development. His motivation for joining the Board stems from a strong desire to see the area thrive economically, creating opportunities for young people and attracting newcomers. He is committed to reversing the trend of population decline and fostering economic growth...

Chris Stewart is a lifelong resident of Pictou County and lives in in New Glasgow. He is a graduate of Dalhousie University’s Engineering program with a specialization in Mechanical Engineering. He is the owner of multiple businesses in Pictou County: I.Matheson & Co. Ltd. - a steel fabrication business in New Glasgow, operating since 1867; Scotian Seamless Gutters, IMCO Custom Designing Building Solutions - specializing in commercial and residential building design and engineering; and Maritime Driveline Solutions. Chris has a strong passion for hockey and has served Executive Member of...

Nick is the General Manager and 3rd generation of family leadership at MacGregors Industrial Group; an industrial manufacturing, service and supply operation headquartered in Pictou County, Nova Scotia. As GM Nick oversees the daily operations of a business with operations across Atlantic Canada and into export markets with a staff exceeding 120 employees. As a life-long resident of Pictou County and with family ties to the area spanning back several generations, Nick is very passionate about his community and doing his part to help make Pictou County a better place to live, work and play....

Craig Barnes, originally from the UK and raised in South Africa, brings over 20 years of experience in high-growth start-ups and project development, with a strong focus on community consultation and stakeholder engagement. His early work took him across South Africa and the Caribbean before moving to Canada, where he established himself as a leader in the energy sector and ultimately co-founded TERIC Power in 2013. Since then, TERIC has grown into one of Canada’s leading developers of battery energy storage systems, with over 135MW of operational projects. Craig lives in Little Harbour with...

Born and raised in Pictou County, Clarence has spent his entire career working in the local area across a range of industries- from Heating and Plumbing to resource processing- earning a reputation for reliability, problem-solving, and a strong work ethic. He raised his family here and remains committed to helping ensure that Pictou County continues to be a strong, viable place for future generations to live and work. Clarence values the relationships he’s built across the community and believes in supporting local jobs and opportunities. Clarence brings over 30 years of hands-on experience...