The Nova Scotia Gaming Foundation is pleased to announce the re-appointment of two long-standing board members. Concurrently, the government appointment of another new board member has further strengthened the Foundation’s leadership team.
Accepting their reappointments are Jim MacCormack (Chair) of Ben Eoin and Dave Whiting (member) of Yarmouth. The recent appointment of Gary Grant (R.C.M.P. Sgt. Retired) of Hammonds Plains will bring the Nova Scotia Gaming Foundation’s Board of Directors to a total of seven.
Jim MacCormack holds a Masters in Social Work and is retired from a distinguished, 40-year career as a public servant for both the Province of Nova Scotia and Cape Breton Regional Municipality. He has extensive volunteer experience and has served and chaired numerous boards throughout his lifetime. Jim joined the NSGF Board in August 2005 and will remain for a consecutive three-year term until August 2011.
Dave Whiting is the Port Manager of the Port of Yarmouth and General Manager of the Yarmouth Development Corporation. A retired member of the RCMP, Dave also sits on the Board of Governors of the Nova Scotia Museum, is the founding Chair of the Independent Marine Ports Association of Canada, and sits on the executive committee of the North Atlantic Ports Association and the Maritime Seacoast Advisory Board. Dave has also served the Nova Scotia Gaming Foundation since August, 2005 and will remain until August 2011.
Newly appointed board member Gary Grant is a 26-year veteran of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. His professional postings include Ottawa (Ontario), Ferryland and Whitbourne (Newfoundland), Liverpool, Bridgewater and Halifax (Nova Scotia). Mr. Grant holds the Commanding Officer’s Commendation for innovative drug education development with the Nova Scotia Commission on Drug Dependency. He is a standing member of the Nova Scotia RCMP Veterans Association.
"The Foundation welcomes the continuity and strength that Mr. MacCormack, Mr. Whiting and Mr. Grant, will bring to the Board of Directors" said Celeste Gotell, Executive Director of the Nova Scotia Gaming Foundation. "Their steadfast leadership and professional expertise will truly help the Foundation make positive changes in the lives of individuals, families and communities affect by problem gambling,"
In addition, Jerome Aucoin of Sydney, Janice Fraser of New Glasgow, Deborah Bucci of Dartmouth, and Tracy Schrans of Boutlier’s Point round out the newly augmented Board which is set to meet on Friday, August 22, 2008 in Halifax.
Jerome Aucoin is a Clinical Therapist and Problem Gambling Specialist with Addiction Services at the Cape Breton District Health Authority. He brings to the Board more than 20 years of experience in the development of programs and services aimed at the prevention and treatment of problem gambling, both in Cape Breton and across the province. Jerome is dedicated to making gambling safer for the people of Nova Scotia.
Janice Fraser is Manager of Community-Based Services, Addiction Services, at the Pictou County Health Authority. Previously a Clinical Therapist and Problem Gambling Specialist, she currently serves on the provincial Gambling Task Force and has served on the provincial Gambling Initiative Group and the provincial committee for Best Practices for Problem Gambling. Janice has a long-standing interest in a broad-based approach to addiction and to social problems.
Deborah Bucci is a career educator and coach having taught full and part time in the HRM for the last 38 years. From her home base at Bicentennial School she also has taught night classes at the Dartmouth High School Adult Continuing Education Program and, in particular, developed improved skills courses for the business sector. She brings to the Foundation a wealth of experience as a communicator and problem solver.
Tracy Schrans is a Principal and President of Focal Research Consultants in Halifax. Since 1988, Tracy has been conducting gambling research in public policy, community health, regulatory and commercial gaming sectors with international recognition in gambling behaviour and measurement, applied consumer research, prevalence and, responsible gambling. Tracy has worked on some of the most challenging and innovative population and field research in the area of gambling with specific expertise in electronic gambling machines (slots, egms, VLT’s).
The Nova Scotia Gaming Foundation is an arms-length, government, not-for-profit organization that provides funding and support for community and research projects aimed at problem gambling.
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