The Atlantic Innovation Fund (AIF) Advisory Board considers all proposals received for the Fund. The board makes recommendations to the Minister of ACOA on specific project proposals submitted to the AIF, based on a thorough analysis of the proposals and how well they meet the objectives and criteria of the Fund.
The AIF Advisory Board may be asked to provide policy advice to the ACOA Minister on issues related to the AIF.
The AIF Advisory Board members are:
Derek D. Key, Q.C.
Partner – McInnes Cooper
Derek Key is a prominent Prince Edward Island lawyer who has made a significant contribution to the province through his tireless efforts in support of the Island and his community. In appreciation, Mr. Key was recently presented with the prestigious “Order of Prince Edward Island” award. Mr. Key has a long and accomplished history of volunteer work. Locally, he has been instrumental in establishing and expanding the Rotary Regional Library; creating Community Connections (a facility for the mentally and physically challenged); establishing the Rotary Friendship Park; and serving as Chair of the local Hospital Foundation. His other community contributions include work with his church; Scouts Canada; the PEI Law Society, the PEI Chamber of Commerce; Slemon Park Corporation; University of Prince Edward Island; and the Canadian Lawyers’ Insurance Association.
On an international level, he led a group study exchange to Nigeria raising public awareness about the critical problems faced by Nigeria and its citizens. As a result, Mr. Key has been instrumental in raising funds to construct dozens of wells in Nigeria, bringing clean water to the Nigerian people, and providing much needed medical equipment and supplies. Mr. Key is a board member of several local, provincial and national corporations, associations, and foundations.
Jennifer Nicholson, CA
Director of Investor Relations & Strategic Development, Emera Inc.
Since 2007, Jennifer Nicholson has been Director Investor Relations and Strategic Development for Emera Inc., a $5 billion Canadian energy holding company headquartered in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The company invests in electricity generation, transmission and distribution as well as gas transmission and energy marketing.
Jennifer is the liaison between Emera and the investment community and is also responsible for all investor related correspondence, presentations, news releases and documents. She is also responsible for development of Emera’s Strategy process with its Executive and Board of Directors. In her previous role, she implemented Multi-Lateral Instrument 52-109.
She has significant teaching experience, including three years as a full-time lecturer at Saint Mary’s University in Halifax and over a decade of part-time teaching for the Atlantic School of Chartered Accountancy, Dalhousie, Mount Saint Vincent University, the Institute of Chartered Accountants, and CMA Nova Scotia.
Jennifer is a Chartered Accountant who articled with Ernst & Young in Halifax and received her designation in 1997. She graduated from Saint Mary’s University in 1993 with a Bachelor of Commerce.
Jennifer is on the board of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nova Scotia, the Accounting Education Foundation, Titz n’ Glitz (Breast Cancer fundraiser), past Treasurer of Halifax Early Childhood School, and is a volunteer at Inglis Street Elementary School.
Gaston LeBlanc.
Dean, Faculty of Business Administration, Université de Moncton
Dr. Gaston LeBlanc has been teaching at the Université de Moncton since 1976 and currently serves as Dean of the Faculty of Business Administration. He has also held the position of Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Business Administration, Director of the Masters in Business Administration and Chair of the Department of Business Administration.
Dr. LeBlanc has a Doctorate in Business Administration from the Université d’Aix-Marseille in France, a Masters in Business Administration from the Université de Moncton and a Bachelor in Business Administration also from the Université de Moncton.
Dr. LeBlanc has written and published, as well as collaborated on, many research papers in the field of business administration, some of which have received awards of achievement and distinction.
Larry Arsenault
Accountant, West Prince Bookkeeping Ltd.
Mr. Larry Arsenault is an accountant with thirty years of experience in the financial sector. He is also an entrepreneur as he owns and manages, with his spouse, Elmsdale Corner Gas & Convenience. He has a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Prince Edward Island.
During his career, Mr. Arsenault has acquired significant board experience. He currently serves on the Roster of Panelists, a panel for International Trade disputes; and the PEI Gasoline Dealers Association. Previously, he served as a director on the following boards: West Prince Chamber of Commerce, West Prince Ventures Ltd., Jacques Cartier Memorial Arena, Mill River Golf Club, and the PEI Golf Association, and the Slemon Park Corporation.
Russell Crosby, M.Sc., P. Geo.
Registered Professional Geologist
Mr. Russell Crosby is a registered professional geologist with more than 35 five years of experience in the field. He has a Master of Science from the University of New Brunswick and is currently President and CEO of Crosby Consulting & Exploration Services. In this position, he supervises teams of geologists in the search for base metals, chromium, platinum group elements, diamonds and gold.
Mr. Crosby is a member of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of New Brunswick as well as a member of the New Brunswick Prospectors and Developers Association. He is a former member of the Geological Association of Canada and the Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy.
William C. Hynes
Retired Public Servant
William Hynes retired, after over 40 years in the work force. During those years, Mr. Hynes gained experience and knowledge in management, community development, financial management, life insurance, and education. He has worked in both the private and public sectors. Prior to his retirement, Mr. Hynes worked in real estate and held various positions including Manager of Ability Works Employment Centre; Program Coordinator/Manager of the Southern Shore St. Mary’s Bay Community Development Corporation; and Executive Assistant to the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Minister of Education.
Actively involved in his community, Mr. Hynes has been a member of the Steering Committee for the East Coast Trails Association; a former Councilor and Mayor of the Renews-Cappahayden Community Council; Chairman of the Ferryland District Roman Catholic School Board; and a member of the steering committee for the Irish Loop Regional Economic Development Board.
Mr. Hynes has spent many years working in a voluntary capacity promoting, developing and implementing community economic development initiatives and activities.
Chris Frantsi, Ph.D.
Consultant – Chris Frantsi & Associates
Chris Frantsi has an extensive background in fisheries and aquaculture in both the public and private sectors. He began his career as a microbiologist with the federal Fisheries Inspection Branch and later taught food microbiology at the University of Guelph. From 1972 to 1975, he was responsible for fish health in Atlantic Canada’s federal government salmon hatcheries. He then joined the North American Salmon Research Centre in St. Andrews, New Brunswick as Chief Fish Culturist and worked with the Huntsman Marine Laboratory and the New Brunswick Community College in establishing and teaching Canada’s first Aquaculture Technician Training Program. From 1978 to 1985, Dr. Frantsi conducted research privately for government and private clients in both shellfish and finfish.
In 1985, Dr. Frantsi joined Connors Bros. Limited, later to become Heritage Salmon Limited, establishing the Aquaculture Division where he worked in senior management until 2004. He currently pursues a number of private interests under Chris Frantsi & Associates, with a focus on the development of alternative species for aquaculture.
Dr. Frantsi has authored many scientific and technical papers on virology, microbiology and aquaculture, and has served as a member of various boards and adjunct professor at a number of institutions. In 2000, he was named “Aquaculturist of the Millennium”, a Canadian Farm Credit Corporation Award given by the Atlantic Aquaculture Exposition.