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 City of Shippagan, and Executive Assistant for the Minister of 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, The Gros Morne Institute of Sustainable Tourism and the Advising committee for protected regions in NB.
• He is also a representative for the tourism sector on Le Réseau de développement économique et d'employabilité du Nouveau-Brunswick (RDÉE NB). This wide spread participation allows him to portray his conviction for the industry through many different facets.
• His current enrollment 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)

• Sheila has had a celebrated 25 year career in Canadian theatre as a national stage manager, production manager and managing director.
• She has consulted for the Canada Council as well as held the position of treasurer nationally, at the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres.
• She has 15 years in human resource management as well as numerous years experience in project management and implementation for a variety of businesses.
• She is equipped with accounting expertise in most areas and is considered a not-for-profit management expert by her peers.
• Sheila has owned and operated her own catering business with much success and has a passion for cooking and art.
• Sheila is principal in progam development and tailoring programs for tourism occupation training.
• She acts as the NB tourism industry's liason with government for the temporary foreign worker program.
• She is the New Brunswick human resource organization executive sitting on the national board of the Canadian Tourism Human Resource Council.

Please note - the position of Communications and Marketing Director is currently vacant

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 Cat-rescue-maritimes.

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 in job search for any interested party
• She believes in quality bilingual customer service and is the first member contact in phone or e-mail
• She is trained in SuperHost and Responsible Beverage and is a trainer for Workplace Etiquette.

Ann Purdy, Lead Trainer (since 2008)

• Over 12 years of hands on work experience in various roles in the Tourism Industry.
• An Educational background consisting of Small Business Management & Entrepreneurship
• Certified Instructor for First Aid CPR, Food Safety (1 of only 2 people in NB that trains the public), and Tourism Training
• Specializing in developing customized training programs, with the objective of teaching not only the fundamentals of hospitality and customer satisfaction but also keeping the focus on establishing a renewed approach to providing quality product and services before, during and after a customer's visit.
• With a 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.

Yvan Laviolette, Professional Development Coordinator (since 2008)

• For 10 years plus, Yvan worked with his father in the family restaurant business and did everything from dishwasher to accounting.
• During that time, he also operated a summer tourism restaurant on the beach in Charlo and a Pizza Delight franchise in Belledune.
• He then moved on to other projects in the Moncton area and worked as head of the franchisee training center for Pizza Delight Corp. and owned a little café downtown Moncton.
• He brings strong knowledge of those sectors to the TIANB team along with his involvement on many boards including the TIANB executive where he served as President from 2002 to 2003.
• His knowledge and understanding of the NB Tourism Industry goes beyond day to day operations, therefore giving TIANB great strength in offering strong consultations on many facets of today's realities.
• Yvan is always happy to listen and share his thoughts with everyone in the industry, whether it has to do with training or any other HR issue, challenge, idea, or with any aspect of tourism-related activities.

Scott Kennah, Sales (since 2009)

• Mission Statement "Create strong relationships and provide good service"
• Bachelor of Commerce Degree from Saint Mary's University
• 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
• Completed many sales and sales management courses
• 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
•She 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 vacation as great as they can be. This passion will shine through in her work with TIANB