Why Every Organization Needs an Advisory Committee or Board of Directors

Mario Caissie, ICD.D

Mario is President of MACC Commercial Properties, a privately owned commercial real estate company with properties in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Ontario. He joined the finance team as a cost accountant with Imperial Manufacturing Group (IMG) and was eventually promoted to Director of Operations for Kool Ray, one of IMG’s divisions. He later served as President of the division. Mario worked his way up to become President of IMG, leading operations in both Canada and the U.S. During his tenure, the company was named one of Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies. He holds a master’s degree in business administration from St. Mary’s University and bachelor’s degree in business administration (operations management) from the Université de Moncton. He chairs the board of directors of Opportunity NB and is a member of the NB Committee of the Maritime Chapter of the ICD.
 

Blair Hyslop

Blair has spent the last 25 years working to build great Atlantic Canadian food brands here at home and around the globe. In 2014, Blair and his wife Rosalyn achieved their goal of having their own family business when they purchased the well-known brand, Mrs. Dunsters. They have since completed three more acquisitions and the company has grown to be the largest family-owned bakery in Atlantic Canada. Mrs. Dunsters distributes fresh baked goods to just about every grocery store and many restaurants in the Maritimes and Maine at least twice a week. In 2021, the company will open the largest commercial bakery built in Atlantic Canada in more than 20 years; the 40,000 sq ft.-facility in Moncton will add capacity to the company’s existing 35,000 sq ft.-bakery in Sussex, N.B. Blair has been named one of the top 50 CEOs in Atlantic Canada four times, and he and Rosalyn have both been finalists for the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Blair is currently the President of the Order of the Wallace McCain Institute and holds the WMI Seat on the New Brunswick Business Council.

Bryana Ganong

Bryana joined the family business as a marketing assistant in 1997. She rose through the ranks and has held numerous management positions at Ganong Bros. Limited, exposing her to many facets of the business. In 2014 she moved into the role of President and CEO and represents the fifth generation of her family to hold this position. Bryana is active in the community with her children. She has volunteered through the P.A.L.S. mentoring program and is currently a board member of Food & Consumer Products of Canada and Wallace McCain Institute Advisory Committee. She is a member of the New Brunswick Business Council, and has also participated in the Agri-Food Economic Strategy Table as a table member.

Corey Miller, ICD.D

Corey is the President and CEO of Parts for Trucks, a distribution and service company focused on the heavy-duty transportation, construction and vocational industries. Prior to this role, he was the President of Tirecraft, a national tire and automotive service retailer. After graduation from both Dalhousie and Saint Mary’s, he pursued the CPA-CGA designation before completing an MBA at Queens University in 2005. His experience centres on distribution and B2B e-commerce, along with service operations and corporate strategy. Corey is a member of YPO and was a finalist in the turnaround category for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2007. He has served on the YPO Canada Executive, as YPO Atlantic Canada Chapter Chair and as President of the Nova Scotia Nature Trust.