TIANB Team
Réal Robichaud, Executive Director (since 1999)
Réal has been actively involved in the tourism industry for many years. During his military career, he took a ski instructor course and taught alpine skiing in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
Upon his return to Canada, he was Ski School Director, Manager of camping Shippagan, Director of Tourism and Cultural Development for the Town of Shippagan, and Executive Assistant to the Minister of State for Tourism and Culture before accepting the position of Executive Director of TIANB which he has held since November of 1999.
Réal sits on a number of committees and work groups: The Atlantic Canada Tourism Caucus, the Provincial and Territorial Tourism Industry Associations (Chair since November 2010), the Tourism Industry Association of Canada's Board of Directors and he co-chairs the New Brunswick Tourism Action Committee.
This widespread participation allows him to share his conviction of the importance of the tourism industry and of the special people working for it.
. His current enrolment in the Certified Association Executive program with the Canadian Society of Association Executives demonstrates his eagerness to make TIANB the best association it can be.
Sheila Atkinson, Operations and Programs Manager (since 2007)
Having been with TIANB for over three years Sheila is proud to say she has found her dream job
Her responsibilities as manager of programs allows her to lead an extraordinary team of professionals wealthy in tourism knowledge
Her responsibilities as inhouse accountant are assisted by her love for all numbers, big and small and her expertise in finance for not-for-profits
She has 17 years of experience with human resource management as well as extensive experience in project management
Sheila is principal in the development of industry relations as it pertains to tailoring programs for occupation specific training
She is the chair of the tourism action committee's HR working group for the tourism strategy 2010-13
She sits on the national board of the Canadian Tourism Human Resource Council and many of its committees
Sheila has owned and operated her own catering company and has a passion for art and fine cooking
Her first career took her across the country and to Japan. During those 25 years she played the roles of stage, production and general managers for numerous theatre companies including the Stratford Festival, the National Arts Centre, Theatre New Brunswick and Theatre Calgary
Working with Bobby Orr and opening of the Skydome in Toronto are some of the older highlights of her previous career
Beth Ashton, Technology Resource Coordinator (since 2007)
With 10 years of broad based Information Technology experience under her belt, Beth has a wealth of IT knowledge to share with Tourism Operators.
Coupled with a prior background in Business Administration, she brings forward the best technical solutions for your business situation.
Information technology is not something that you learn in one day or one class, Beth strives to create a relationship with Tourism Operators and bring about ongoing technological learning.
Through her blog, she shares insightful and relevant ideas and news.
Beth is also actively involved in the community, donating her time and skills to several charities including CBCF CIBC Run for the Cure, the CHSR Radio Station, and Relay for LIfe.
Catherine McPhee, Education Resource Coordinator (since 2008)
Catherine holds an Arts Degree-English and Linguistics, as well as a Hospitality and Tourism Management Diploma from NBCC St Andrews.
She knows first hand what it's like to be a Tourism student in NB and shares these experiences with other students.
She also shares first hand industry knowledge and 10 years of experience with those interested in a tourism career.
Catherine promotes tourism across the province as a valid career option and assists interested parties in their job search.
She believes in quality bilingual customer service and is the first member contact to phone or e-mail.
She is trained in SuperHost and Responsible Beverage and is a trainer for Workplace Etiquette.
Catherine recently achieved emerit Professional Certified Event Coordinator.
Ann Purdy, Professional Development & Training Coordinator (since 2008)
Ann has over 12 years of hands on work experience in various roles in the Tourism Industry.
She posesses an educational background consisting of Small Business Management & Entrepreneurship.
She is a certified Instructor for First Aid CPR, Food Safety , and Tourism Training. Ann is also a Master Trainer for the National Food Safety program.
Ann specializes in developing customized training programs, with the objective of teaching not only the fundamentals of hospitality and customer satisfaction but also how to focus on establishing a renewed approach to providing quality product and services before, during and after a customer's visit.
Thanks to her strong understanding of the many different learning principles, Ann is able to facilitate a variety of programs to a diverse clientele assisting them in implementing the new information in their day to day practices.
Scott Kennah, Sales (since 2009)
Here is Scott's mission Statement "Create strong relationships and provide good service".
he holds a bachelor of Commerce from Saint Mary's University.
He has over 33 years business experience focused on sales and sales management.
Has over 13 years experience in the tourism industry as director of sales of Hawk Communications responsible for selling the various marketing opportunities of the department of tourism and parks.
Scott has completed many sales and sales management courses.
He specializes in new product development and developing growth strategies.
Has an in-depth understanding of the sales process, matching clients needs with the proper product or service.
Provides sales mentorship and coaching in a positive and hands on environment.
Chantal Poitras, Operations Assistant (since 2010)
Chantal has a college diploma in tourism from the Cegep de Matane, in Quebec.
She has 5 years' experience in the management of all kinds of data and she collaborated on the creation of computer databases.
She took part in organizing many events and conferences.
She loves dealing directly with the industry and visitors, and her experience in tourism interpretation and in consultation with the visitors coming to the province will be very helpful in her work with TIANB.
She has great knowledge of government programs and the mechanics of the whole process.
Chantal loves to travel and is passionate about tourism. She has been to every corner of her province and in between, she took part in a family trek across Canada as a teen. When it comes the time for another trip, she shows her knack for organizing and planning, doing all the necessary research to make these vacations as great as they can be. This passion will shine through in her work with TIANB.
Warren Maddox, Skills Development Coordinator (since 2010)
Warren comes to TIANB after serving as Director of Economic Development and Tourism for the Town of Sackville, NB
He has 20 years experience in the not-for-profit sector
His experience with numerous arts organizations allows him the unique ability to communicate with community leaders
He has been involved in project work for some of the most progressive organizations in the province
He enjoys good food, fine wine and life at home in Fredericton with his menagerie of SPCA animals.
Along with his responsibilities as Essential Skills coordinator Warren also coordinates the Annual Conference and assists with various marketing and communication activities
Aifang Pan, Accounting Clerk (since 2010)
Aifang has been with TIANB since November 2010 and loves her position. She is proud to work with TIANB and be a member of its strong team. She believes TIANB is like a big family and she loves this family very much.
Aifang has over 5 years of experience as Assistant Accountant in the large manufacturing industry in China. She was responsible for budgets and forecasting, payroll, accounts payable and receivable as well as managing all vendor accounts and generating weekly on-demand cheques. Her diligence and hard work helped that company gain the coveted ISO9001-2000 certificate.
She possesses strong analytical and problem solving skills in all things Finance.
Aifang's current responsibilities include all project accounting and their claim submissions as well as reconciliations and the day-to-day bookkeeping.
She actively involves herself in the Fredericton immigrant community with those families and friends from eastern Asian countries.
She loves family and cooking and she loves to travel. Her hobby is photography, developing shots of her memories to create the pictures of her life.
Aifang hopes she can grow her career here at TIANB.
Luc Ringette, Professional Development Coordinator (since 2011)
Luc's vast experience in the restaurant industry comes from owning and operating his own restaurant for over 14 years. Some may say it runs in the family with his parents operating a family restaurant in the earlier period of his life.
He has over 25 years of experience in business management and operation.
Luc has a Bachelor's degree in Education from U de Moncton, and many other national and provincial certifications in the areas of Tourism and Hospitality including; emerit Tourism Trainer; NFSTP Food Safety instructor and First aid CPR instructor.
While delivering his training sessions, Luc is a dynamic instructor and puts a lot of emphasis on the importance of excellent customer service.
