State of the Strait – 2025 Business Update
State of the Strait: 2025 Business Update – March 20, 2025
The Strait Area Chamber invites you for an engaging business event designed to connect, educate, and inspire professionals from across Nova Scotia. This event brings together business leaders, entrepreneurs, and industry experts for a day of insightful discussions and networking opportunities.
For more than a decade, the Strait Area Chamber has invited industry, business, local governments and service providers together to hear updates, future plans and expert presentations on current topics touching the region. Whether you want to build meaningful connections with fellow professionals, explore new business opportunities, or stay informed about industry trends, this event is the perfect place to be.
Date: March 20, 2025
Time: 7:45 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Location: Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre (606 Reeves St., Port Hawkesbury)
Tickets: $95 members / $125 non-members (plus tax)
Click here for tickets, or contact us at 902-625-1588 / membership@straitareachamber.ca
Chamber Member Tables of 8 available for $700 (plus tax)
Future Member Tables of 8 available for $950 (plus tax)
Check out highlights from last year – Vision 2024: Facebook album
Speaker Biographies and Full Agenda below
Speaker Biographies
David MacGregor, Associate Deputy Minister, Department of Energy – Executive Council Office NS
(Presenter)
Dave MacGregor was appointed Associate Deputy Minister of the Office of Priorities and Planning by Premier Tim Houston in June of 2022. His mandate is to co-ordinate and expedite the efforts of the various departments working on Hydrogen and Renewable Energy Projects.Dave was the Principal Secretary to Premier John Hamm, from 1999 to 2005. In that role, Dave was the key policy advisor to the Premier on all energy issues.Immediately prior to his current appointment, Dave spent 17 years working at MacGregors Industrial Group, where he was the Manager of the Modular Building Division, which specializes in integrating medium voltage electrical systems and the required mechanical systems for plug-and-play buildings in the renewable energy, electrical utility, industrial and mining markets.
Phil Duncan, President & CFO – Neurand Group of companies
(Presenter)
Phillip Duncan, MBA, BSc, C.E.T., PTech, is the President & CFO of the Neurand Group of Companies. All the companies in the group focus on construction services and supply. The group is made up of Airsys Engineering Ltd. located in Dartmouth, Rae Mac Agencies Inc. located in Moncton, and as of November 1st, Mulgrave Machine Works Limited. Phil studied Mechanical Engineering and is a graduate of MUN and earned in MBA in the UK at the University of Liverpool. Prior to taking over the day-to-day management of Neurand, Phil was a manager with Deloitte in their Capital Projects practice in Calgary and spent 15 years working on industrial construction and fabrication projects prior to joining Deloitte.
Andrew Robson, Senior Vice President, Terminals – Everwind Fuels
(presenter)
Originally from Halifax, NS, Andrew brings over 20 years of progressive experience in the energy sector. Most recently, he led the LPG division at Sol Petroleum, overseeing operations and commercial teams across 14 Caribbean countries. Prior to this, Andrew held various roles at energy companies in Calgary, AB, managing multiple commodities and ensuring seamless product delivery throughout Canada and the US. Andrew is excited to be a senior member of the energy transition team at EverWind, where he leverages his expertise to advance decarbonization efforts from Nova Scotia to the global stage.
Goeff Clarke, Director of Sustainability & Economic Development – Port Hawkesbury Paper
(Industry & Infrastructure Panel)
Geoff Clarke is the Director of Sustainability and Economic Development at Port Hawkesbury Paper. Geoff is a Registered Professional Forester who has a Bachelor of Science in Forest Management from UNB and also holds Masters Degrees in both Business and Forestry from the University of Alberta. This is complemented with decades of industrial experience in the natural resources sector across various technical and senior management positions. At PHP, Geoff is involved in the sustainable management of forests, wind, water, and other resources. He is also looking to build onto their core business and create new opportunities within the PHP Business Park.
Phil Nash, Senior Project Engineer – Waterford Energy Services Inc
(Industry & Infrastructure Panel)
Phil Nash has extensive history in energy projects and regulatory compliance, offshore operations, drilling, well completions and production engineering roles.
Renewable energy projects include marshaling activities for offshore wind components, port and infrastructure studies, examining floating offshore wind structures, mooring and cable arrangements, and logistics. Phil is a Professional Engineer with WESI, an engineering company working to solve problems in the renewable and non-renewable energy space.
Tim Gilfoy, Chief Executive Officer – Strait of Canso Superport Corporation
(Industry & Infrastructure Panel)
Tim graduated from St. F.X. with an Engineering Diploma and continued his education at Nova Scotia Technical College where he obtained a Bachelor Degree in Civil Engineering in 1975. Tim’s professional career included senior positions in both the public and private sectors. Advancing economic opportunities in the Strait of Canso region has always at the forefront of Tim’s interest and activities. Throughout the 1980’s he worked with the Strait of Canso Industrial Development Authority promoting the advantages of Strait of Canso as a place to establish and grow new business. During the 1990’s Tim continued his role in economic development as manager of Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation office in Port Hawkesbury. The Strait of Canso Port has figured prominently in Tim’s efforts to grow and diversify the Strait Area economy. In his current position, Tim managed the reconstruction and redevelopment of the Mulgrave Marine Terminal. As Chief Executive Officer with the Strait of Canso Superport Corporation, Tim maintains direct involvement in the day to day operational activities at both the Mulgrave Marine Terminal and Port Hawkesbury Pier as well as promotional activities associated with Corporation’s infrastructure and the overall Port.
David Morgan, CEO / Founder – Celtic Air Services
(Industry & Infrastructure Panel)
Born and raised in Cape Breton, David flew his very first training flight at the Allan J. MacEachen Airport before completing his training at the Nova Scotia Community College’s then Aviation Institute in Shearwater, Nova Scotia. He worked with airlines across Canada before launching the start-up Celtic Air Services in 2014 and began operating the Allan J. Airport in 2017. Named to the Top 40 under 40 in Canadian aviation and aerospace, a former commercial pilot, marketing guru, and foodie, Dave believes in sustainable development, creating year-round jobs, and sharing in wins and losses with his team. Celtic Air, a vertically integrated enterprise is growing rapidly, adding services, and building capacity in the luxury aviation space as David, his business partner, Trent Vichie, and their team push skyward in their efforts to create opportunities in Northern Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, New Brunswick, and British Columbia.
Dennis KEarney, Chief Technology & Operations Officer – Scotiacomp Technologies Inc.
(Focus on members panel)
Dennis Kearney is the Chief Technology & Operations Officer at ScotiaComp Technologies, an IT and cybersecurity firm serving businesses across Atlantic Canada, Alberta, and Ontario. With over 20 years of experience in IT leadership, he was instrumental in building ScotiaComp from a local startup into a trusted managed service provider (MSP) and security operations center (SOC), expanding services, creating local jobs, and investing in the Strait Area economy. Beyond his business leadership, Dennis has a strong connection to education, having been an instructor for the IT Generalist Program at Nova Scotia Community College where he mentored emerging IT professionals, some of whom now work at ScotiaComp. At ScotiaComp, he oversees a team providing end-to-end IT management, including cybersecurity, cloud solutions, infrastructure projects, procurement, and 24/7 support for clients in various sectors. As a panel speaker, Dennis shares insights on growing a technology business in rural Nova Scotia, adapting to market demands, the importance of local talent and community partnerships, and the criticality of IT strategy and cybersecurity management for all businesses. He offers practical, real-world advice to fellow business owners.
Kelly MacInnis – Finance Officer, Home Hardware Building Centres
(Focus on members panel)
As the Finance Officer for my family’s three Home Hardware Building Centres, I am proud to be part of a locally owned and operated, genuinely Canadian business. Over the past fifteen years, we’ve grown from a single location to now opening our third store, and we’re excited to bring our commitment to exceptional customer service to Port Hawkesbury this May. Our mandate is to provide top-quality hardware, building supplies, and more—always with a focus on serving our community with care and expertise.
“We’re proud and grateful to bring our business to the heart of Port Hawkesbury—excited to grow together and serve this incredible town and surrounding areas!”
Cathy Tower, Owner / Tour director – TNT Outdoor Adventures
(Focus on Members Panel)
Cathy founded TNT Outdoor Adventures Inc. in 2021, with her partner, Turk. Combining her background in business and accounting and his experience and training as guide; along with both having passion for the outdoors, it was the perfect fit. Seeing the opportunity to showcase Cape Breton’s incredible trail system, they created an adventure tour company that offers amazing, guided experiences for explorers of all skill levels. Their dedication to outdoor tourism has made TNT Outdoor Adventures a go-to destination for those looking to experience Cape Breton’s natural beauty in an exciting and unforgettable way.
Melissa Lloyd, Owner – Aigility Hub
(Keynote Speaker)
Melissa Lloyd is a seasoned entrepreneur and certified prompt engineer specializing in AI mindset, education, and implementation. As a multi-business owner, she simplifies complex AI concepts into practical strategies, empowering non-techies to adopt AI with confidence and ease. With a hands-on approach, Melissa helps businesses seamlessly integrate AI into their operations, ensuring real-world applications that drive meaningful and measurable results.
Agenda
7:45 AM
Registration, Continental Breakfast & Networking
8:30 AM
Welcome & Housekeeping
8:55 AM
Around the Room Introductions
9:20 AM
Presentation – David MacGregor
9:45 AM
Panel 1: Industry & Infrastructure
10:45 AM
Break & Networking Break
11:00 AM
Presentation – Mulgrave Machine Works
11:15 AM
Presentation – EverWind Fuels
11:45 AM
Panel 2: Focus on Members: Capitalizing on Market Trends
12:40 PM
Lunch
1:00 PM
Lunch Keynote – Melissa Lloyd
2:00 PM
Strait Area Chamber Update / Closing Remarks
2:10 PM
Networking
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!
Contact Us
Phone
902-625-1588
Fax
902-625-5985