About Us - Forestry Sector Council

Our organization began in 1989, as the Nova Scotia Forest Industry Regional Industrial Training Committee (RITC), incorporated under the Nova Scotia Societies Act, registration number 1957107. With a shift in Human Resources and Skills Development Canada in 2000, the RITCs evolved into sector councils, and we became the Nova Scotia Forestry Human Resources Sector Council (NSFHRSC). The organization was dormant for many years, but was revived in 2020 in response to industry needs. Re-branding in April 2021, becoming the Forestry Sector Council (FSC) it is today.

We strive to make the sector’s workforce just like our forests—diverse, sustainable, and growing. We collaborate with our partners to build our forestry sector by encouraging inclusivity, building capacity, talent attraction and retention, and skill development.

One of fourteen provincial sector councils, we are part of the Association of Industry Sector Councils.

2021-2022 Board of Directors

Andrew Fedora

Chair

Andrew is currently the Leader in Sustainability & Outreach for Port Hawkesbury Paper. Over the last 25-years he has worked for private industry, non-profit and government organizations, all within the forestry sector. His experience includes serving on boards such as the Maritime College of Forest Technology, Forest Nova Scotia, Canadian Federation of Woodlot Owners, and the East Coast Music Association. Andrew is also a certified Forest Ecosystem Classification instructor and is partly responsible for the training and skills development of PHP Woodlands staff and contractors. He lives in Judique with his wife, their two young boys and a variety of animals on their 23-acre homestead.

"If I were to choose a superpower, I suppose it might be teleportation. It would reduce my carbon footprint and save me a fortune on tires and auto insurance. It would also let me go directly from bed to my coffee maker in the morning."

Cassie Turple

Vice Chair

Cassie Turple is a third-generation sawmiller from Enfield, Nova Scotia. She is an Executive Member and Past President of the Wood Product Manufacturers Association of Nova Scotia (WPMANS). Cassie is also a Past President of Forest Nova Scotia and a Board Member of the Canadian Woodlands Forum. Her family’s sawmill, Ledwidge Lumber, produces over 70 million fbm stud lumber annually, employing over 90 people and exporting half to the U.S. and the rest currently staying in Atlantic Canada.

Cassie is the Communications Coordinator for Ledwidge Lumber managing employee, community, and government relations with a Bachelor of Public Relations Degree from Mount Saint Vincent University. Cassie is happily married with two children and spends as much time as possible outdoors with her family.

"Superpower—definitely the ability to fly."

Amanda Mombourquette

Secretary Treasurer

From St. Peter’s in Richmond County, Amanda has a degree in Business Administration with a major in Information Systems from St. Francis Xavier University. With experience at both international and local levels, Amanda’s background includes strategic planning, business counseling and development, evaluation, workshop facilitation, contract negotiation, and financial and project management.

Amanda has a passion for the economic well-being of the region and has worked in various economic and business development roles for over 20 years. She works at the Nova Scotia Community College, based at the Strait Campus, helping businesses and organizations with their workforce development needs and training. Prior to her role at NSCC, she was the Executive Director of the Strait Area Chamber of Commerce, providing a leadership role on all matters related to business advocacy for over 350 businesses. She was elected to municipal council in Richmond County in 2020 and currently serves as both the Councillor for District 4 and Warden.

"My superpower… that’s a hard one. Let’s say open-mindedness. I can be quick to make a decision, but not afraid to change my mind based on more/better info. Not as good as leaping tall buildings or anything, but it works for me!"

Jocelyn Taylor Archibald

Executive Committee Member

Jocelyn has been employed with Taylor Lumber Company Limited for over 15 years in various roles (from a woods crew to management). Some of the unique values she brings to the board table are her in-depth knowledge of the forest industry, her integrity and professionalism, as well as her ability to work as a team player. Highlights of her career are tenures on various boards, including the Maritime Lumber Bureau where she had the privilege of being the first female Director and Chair, Forest Nova Scotia, and now the Forestry Sector Council.

Jocelyn holds a Bachelor of Commerce with a Major in Finance from Dalhousie University, as well as various industry-related certifications, including training and licenses as a Scaler, a Watercourse Alteration and Bridge Installer and workplace safety programs.

"If I could possess one superpower it would super speed, so I could complete my tasks faster, allowing me to enjoy more time with my family."

Elizabeth Jessome

Director

Elizabeth holds a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy and biology from Cape Breton University and is currently a graduate student at Dalhousie’s School for Resource and Environmental Studies, working in the space where sustainable community energy meets forestry. Building a deep understanding of the relationships between forest ecology and the human place with in it has guided her career path and the various projects she volunteers on. Elizabeth spent years conducting field research in source watershed forests and streams with ACAP Cape Breton and the CBRM Water Utility.

These days, she hangs her professional hat at the Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources as the Mi’kmaq Forestry Initiative Project Manager where she is learning about traditional ways of conservation and ecosystem protection. Elizabeth was one of the founding members of the Bras d’Or Lakes Biosphere Reserve Association’s Forest Watch pilot which connected local school children with forest ecosystems and concepts of interconnectivity and stewardship of the watershed.

"If she could possess one superpower, she would have the ability to photosynthesize like the trees and snack all day long!"

Adam Scott

Director

Adam is currently a Project Manager with Scott and Stewart Forestry Consultants Ltd. Scott and Stewart are one of Atlantic Canada’s largest non-industrial management firms. Representing 50+ full-time employees and up to 200 seasonal workers across the forest sector. He has 15 years experience as a silviculture worker in planting, manual weeding, and pre-commercial thinning/spacing, and he has supervised silviculture/harvesting/land clearing crews for seven years.
Adam acquired his BSc in Human Kinetics/Health Sciences from St. Francis Xavier University in 2010, and holds a BSc in Medical Radiation Sciences and an Advanced Diploma in Medical Radiation Therapy from the University of Toronto.

Unique values Adam brings to the table are on the ground experience in forest management, labour in all forestry activities from seed acquisition to final felling for forest products and many stops in between. He has valuable insight into the labour force for a variety of forest workers.

"My superpower would be the ability slow or stop time. On those days that seem to disappear before you even get started it would be nice to slow things down for a bit. Also, who would not like the feeling of a longer weekend."

Marcus Zwicker

Director

Marcus is a 4th generation forest worker who currently resides in Bridgewater, NS, with his wife Kate, sons Mason, Harrison, and daughter Lucille. He grew up in a small community in Lunenburg County called Walden. He began his career working in his family’s logging, Christmas tree, and blueberry business from an early age. He graduated from UNB with a BSc in Forestry and Economics in 2006 and acquired an MBA from the University of Western Ontario in 2012.

Marcus is currently the Chief Operating Officer for Freeman Lumber, after working 5 ½ years as the General Manager of WestFor Management. He spent the previous 10 years working for JD Irving in various roles across Atlantic Canada as an operations supervisor, process improvement lead, superintendent, and sawmill manager. He is the current President of the Registered Professional Foresters Association and operates a 1200-acre Christmas tree farm and woodlot with his family.

The values Marcus brings to the FSC board are a strong work ethic, a long-term vision and understanding of the forest sector, and an uncompromising determination for successful rural economic development.

"The one superpower I would possess would be to not require sleep to function."

Staff

Heather Boyd

Executive Director

Heather comes to the Forestry Sector Council ready to spearhead the delivery of resources and supports that fortify the diverse workforce that is vital to developing a green and inclusive economy. Previously, Heather worked with the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture in its AgSector Program launch. Earlier, she grew through various roles with Dairy Farmers of Nova Scotia transitioning from communications and finance to logistics and data analytics. One of her proudest accomplishments while working with DFNS was implementing the electronic data collection system for the province’s bulk milk supply chain.

Heather is a lifelong learner and has pursued professional development through St. Mary's University. She was a Municipal Candidate for County Council, has served on various boards and committees, and currently sits on the Colchester Housing Authority Board of Directors.

Born and raised in Truro, Heather lived in rural western Colchester County for twenty-five years on a woodlot and hobby farm, and now calls Truro Heights home. She is a devoted mother and an avid community volunteer who stays active. Heather enjoys dance, squash, kayaking, skiing, and music.

"If I had a superpower, I would have a magic wand to do lots of wonderful things!"

Funding

The organization receives core funding through the Nova Scotia Department of Labour Skills and Immigration (LSI) Sector Council Program.

Forestry Sector Council is in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq People. This territory is covered by the “Treaties of Peace and Friendship” which Mi’kmaq and Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet) People first signed with the British Crown in 1725. The treaties did not deal with surrender of lands and resources but in fact recognized Mi’kmaq and Wolastoqiyik title and established the rules for what was to be an ongoing relationship between nations. We acknowledge them as the past, present, and future caretakers of this land.