Our Mission

Rod is passionate about the Bioeconomy. He spent the beginning of his career in operational roles with Alberta Pacific Forest Industries and Bowater Mersey Paper Company where he specialized in forest management.

In addition to an MBA from Saint Mary’s University, Rod holds a Bachelor of Science in Forest Engineering from the University of New Brunswick.

Rod is also an entrepreneur and has been involved in the launch of several firms including a consulting business that supports product and process innovation in the forest industry.

Greg Maloney is a founding partner of BioApplied, a lead consulting organization specializing in the commercialization of new innovation in the bio-resource sector. Greg has worked extensively in the field of nano-cellulose material technology, building industrial partnerships and supporting joint ventures for application and commercialization development. Prior to BioApplied, Greg held senior marketing, product development, and project management positions with Whirlpool Corporation and Domtar Inc.

Greg serves as an advisor to several companies developing or deploying new cleantech products and technologies. He is also a director on the board of BioIndustrial Innovation Canada, and serves on the audit and finance, and investment management committees.

He is a graduate of King’s College, at Western University, and continued studies at Indiana University through Whirpool Corporation’s management development program.

Ryan is constantly striving to combine business with environmental sustainability, and he does this by helping to bring products made from renewable resources to market. He has over 10 years of experience in a variety of fields, including banking, economic consulting, environmental non-profits, and renewable resource product and business development.

Ryan holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Finance from Dalhousie University, as well as a Master of Development Economics degree in Environmental Economics, also from Dalhousie.

Allan Eddy joined Port Hawkesbury Paper in August 2018. At Port Hawkesbury Paper, he is responsible for business development, community and government relations and strategic forestry issues.

Previous to this position, he has served in senior executive roles in four Nova Scotia government departments, including Assistant Deputy Minister in the departments of Natural Resources, Agriculture and Fisheries & Aquaculture.

As a graduate of Natural Resource Management in Forestry from the University of New Brunswick, Allan has worked for both Federal and Provincial levels of government and the private sector over the past 39 years.

Allan has been involved with various aspects of policy development, sector issue management, and stakeholder liaison activities throughout his career. He has been deeply involved in change management and sector transition in the last several years, with a significant focus on innovation.

Allan was a driving force in establishing the Nova Scotia Innovation Hub and believes strongly that the emerging global bio-economy presents a significant opportunity for Nova Scotia’s renewable bio-resource sector and, by extension, rural economic development.

Royden Trainor, QC, is a lawyer by training but a public policy innovator by inclination. Royden is the Senior Executive Advisor to the Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and was previously Senior Executive Director of Strategy and Corporate Policy for the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure and a similar role with the Department of Labour and Advanced Education.

Royden has been and continues to be at the forefront of significant public policy innovations and reforms thought his career, including the design and launch of a revolutionary new and independent Nova Scotia Community College and the launch of the Ontario College of Trades as its COO. In addition, he has led several major legislative and regulatory initiatives.

Royden draws significantly from his experience in senior positions in the private sector, working in both Canada and the United States education and training sectors, and extensive work in risk management, regulatory excellence, organizational empowerment and human rights topics on which he has published and spoken widely.

Dr. Mason currently manages the Verschuren Centre Inc (VC), an independent research and demonstration centre, helping industry adapt and new companies develop their sustainable technologies. The centre’s focus is around biotechnology and renewable thermal energy. Beth came to Nova Scotia five years ago to build the bio-processing program at the centre, after working in alternative uses of dairy derivatives with Saputo Dairy Products Canada for 11 years, and running her own by-products logistics business. Her background brings a mix of industry, research, government and business approaches to problem solving in the Agri-food and marine industries, specifically by-product value extraction and production of functional ingredients for animal, human and plant health. The program activities range from bench through pilot bio-transformations and aims to assist companies with product development, process optimization and commercialization in the marine, aquaculture, and agri-food sectors. As CEO of the VC for the last three years, Dr. Mason and the energy team have expanded the VC engagement in renewable energy, specifically electrification of thermal demand, thermal energy conversion, recovery and storage. The VC is unique in its capacity to bring together large industry and community partners toward development and demonstrations of innovative clean tech solutions, and currently engages with companies involved in bioenergy, bio-oil, depolymerizations, polymer chemistry, carbon transformations, and the bioeconomy.

Anne is the Atlantic Provincial Leader for FPInnovations where she leads and secures new opportunities for partnerships with regional players, regional federal development agencies and existing and potential members. Anne is also the regional lead to deliver the FPInnovations Indigenous Forest Program. She is a Registered Professional Forester with over 20 years of experience in project management and forest operations, she provides hands-on applicable solutions to key endeavours. Anne has been active in the NS Innovation Hub since its inception and now represents FPInnovations on the Board. FPInnovations is proud to be part of this great team where the focus is on transformation and diversification of the Bioeconomy sector. The NS Innovation Hub benefits from FPInnovations’ Canada-wide expertise which offers full value chain solutions, from forest management to consumers.

Paul Richards is the sector lead for Agri-technology for Innovacorp, Nova Scotia’s early-stage venture capital organization. Paul focuses on enabling knowledge-based companies to accelerate the commercialization of their technologies and to create a dynamic high-growth entrepreneur culture in Nova Scotia.

Since taking on this role Paul has worked to establish a growing ecosystem in Atlantic Canada capable of growing venture grade companies for the Agri-tech sector. His portfolio of early-stage start-ups has raised over $50 million dollars.

In addition, Paul servers as a Director for Bioenterprise, Canada’s leading national Agri-tech accelerator where he advises companies from across the country on commercialization and raising investment.

Bruce is the General Manager of Northern Pulp Nova Scotia Corporation. He joined the Pictou mill operations as a Process Engineer in 1996, held a number of progressively responsible management positions, and was promoted to the position of General Manager in October 2014.

As GM, Bruce is responsible for the entire mill including operations, maintenance, engineering and other services, as well as timberlands operations.

Bruce received his BSc, Chemical Engineering degree from the University of New Brunswick and his MSc, Materials Engineering from the University of Illinois. Prior to joining Northern Pulp, Bruce was employed at Stone Container Canada in Processing Engineering, Quality Control.

Dave Pickles was appointed Chief Operating Officer of Nova Scotia Power Inc. in September 2022 to oversee the operations of the company. His scope of responsibility includes Energy Delivery, Power Production, Energy and Risk Management, System Planning and Enterprise Asset Management.
Dave began his career at Nova Scotia Power over 20 years ago and has extensive power generation and energy delivery experience in both Canada and the US. Most recently, he served as Vice President of Electric Delivery for Tampa Electric. Dave and his family relocated to Tampa in 2018 and returned to Nova Scotia in August of 2022. Prior to Tampa Electric, Dave was Vice President of Operations for Emera Energy. He oversaw the operation of Emera Energy owned merchant power facilities in New England, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia.
Dave has a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Dalhousie University. He serves as a member of the Generation Council for Electricity Canada and is a former member of the Power Delivery Committee for the Association of Edison Illuminating Companies (AEIC). While living in Tampa, he served as board member of the Southeastern Electric Exchange (SEE), he was an active board member of the Hillsborough Education Foundation and is currently a board member of the Greenspring Bioinnovation Hub.

Dave Pickles was appointed Chief Operating Officer of Nova Scotia Power Inc. in September 2022 to oversee the operations of the company. His scope of responsibility includes Energy Delivery, Power Production, Energy and Risk Management, System Planning and Enterprise Asset Management.
Dave began his career at Nova Scotia Power over 20 years ago and has extensive power generation and energy delivery experience in both Canada and the US. Most recently, he served as Vice President of Electric Delivery for Tampa Electric. Dave and his family relocated to Tampa in 2018 and returned to Nova Scotia in August of 2022. Prior to Tampa Electric, Dave was Vice President of Operations for Emera Energy. He oversaw the operation of Emera Energy owned merchant power facilities in New England, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia.
Dave has a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Dalhousie University. He serves as a member of the Generation Council for Electricity Canada and is a former member of the Power Delivery Committee for the Association of Edison Illuminating Companies (AEIC). While living in Tampa, he served as board member of the Southeastern Electric Exchange (SEE), he was an active board member of the Hillsborough Education Foundation and is currently a board member of the Greenspring Bioinnovation Hub.

With an MBA in Strategy and a Certificate in Energy Innovation and Emerging Technologies, Suzanne Fraser work as an Investment Attraction Executive at Invest Nova Scotia, a crown corporation that supports strategic and innovative projects that advance the province's economic priorities. Suanne's role is to attract and support foreign and domestic investors in the clean technologies and life sciences sectors, two of the fastest growing and most impactful industries in the world.

Suzanne has over eleven years of experience in the international trade and development industry, and has developed a strong network of contacts and a deep understanding of the market opportunities and challenges in these fields. Her core competencies include business planning, analytical skills, project management, site selection and sales. Suzanne has successfully facilitated multiple investment projects in Nova Scotia, resulting in job creation, economic growth, and environmental benefits. She is passionate about promoting Nova Scotia as a destination of choice for innovative and sustainable businesses, and is always looking for new ways to connect and collaborate with potential and existing investors.

Paul Richards is the sector lead for Agri-technology for Innovacorp, Nova Scotia’s early-stage venture capital organization. Paul focuses on enabling knowledge-based companies to accelerate the commercialization of their technologies and to create a dynamic high-growth entrepreneur culture in Nova Scotia.

Since taking on this role Paul has worked to establish a growing ecosystem in Atlantic Canada capable of growing venture grade companies for the Agri-tech sector. His portfolio of early-stage start-ups has raised over $50 million dollars.

In addition, Paul servers as a Director for Bioenterprise, Canada’s leading national Agri-tech accelerator where he advises companies from across the country on commercialization and raising investment.

Business Strategy, International Trade and Global Affairs Professional, Public Servant, Professor, Entrepreneur, and a Columnist. He is The Director of Economic Development and Trade with the Department of Lands and Forestry, as well as, The Chair and Project Manager of the Nova Scotia Interdepartmental Wood Heat Initiative Task Group. He is a member of the Nova Scotia Innovation Hub Investment Attraction Working Group. Rany is a Certified International Trade Professional (CITP/FIBP)®, as well as, in Strategic Workforce Planning (SWP)® and have international business experience in Private, NGO & Public Sectors strategic management with focus on International Trade, Investment Attraction, Project Management, Customer Relationship Management, Economic Development, and Government Relations. He worked as a Consultant with several Provincial and Federal Government Departments and Corporations as an expert on International Trade. His work experience includes working in an international diplomatic environment with IFI's and the World Bank Group. He also serves on various academic, community, and professional boards. He served as an Advisor on the Minister of Immigration Council, Governor on Cape Breton University Board of Governors, Senator on Dalhousie University Senate, Trustee on the Halifax Regional Library Board, Advisor, The Canadian Business Strategy Association, as well as, The International Institute of Marketing Professionals. He was involved as a freelance Columnist, Writer, Reporter, and Analyst and did interviews with CNN, BBC, CBC, Global and CTV and published articles with a variety of publications such as The Wall Street Journal, The Chronicle Herald, and Cape Breton Post. As an academic and part-time University Faculty, he teaches International Business Strategy, Strategy Formulation, Strategy Implementation, Global Marketing, and Managing People at Dalhousie University to BCOM, BMGMT, MBA, MPA, and MEC. He presented a wide range of academic papers at international conferences and served as a guest speaker and panellist on Economic Development, Politics, Public Policy, and Immigration topics. Rany received several awards for leadership and entrepreneurship and selected as a member of the Governor General’s Canadian Leadership Conference. He’s among Atlantic Canada’s 50 most inspiring entrepreneurial leaders under 40, Volunteer of the Year Award from both the Province of Nova Scotia and the City of Halifax and is a Top Canadian Immigrant Awards Winner. He is also recognized by the Nova Scotia House of Assembly for his various contributions and community involvement. He is passionate about immigration, human rights, freedoms, and democracy.

Blair Clark CPA, MBA, BSc has over 20 years experience of starting, growing and operating businesses. This has been done across a wide range of industry sectors including agriculture, manufacturing, nutraceutical and transportation and in varied roles including sales, finance and operations. Consistently, Blair uses innovation and technology to help commercialize start-up enterprises and expand existing companies in regional, national and international markets. While enjoying collaborating with his strong network of contacts within business, university, intergovernmental and international trade organizations, Blair is able to enhance his unique mix of strategic, financial, marketing and operational leadership strengths to add value to organizations.

Originally from Cape Breton and currently living in Halifax, with his wife and two sons, Blair has been heavily involved in community through charity and athletic organizational volunteering and especially enjoys offshore sailing/racing. Blair now works with the Department of Lands and Forestry as Manager, Innovation and Business Development.

Greg Maloney is a founding partner of BioApplied, a lead consulting organization specializing in the commercialization of new innovation in the bio-resource sector. Greg has worked extensively in the field of nano-cellulose material technology, building industrial partnerships and supporting joint ventures for application and commercialization development. Prior to BioApplied, Greg held senior marketing, product development, and project management positions with Whirlpool Corporation and Domtar Inc.

Greg serves as an advisor to several companies developing or deploying new cleantech products and technologies. He is also a director on the board of BioIndustrial Innovation Canada, and serves on the audit and finance, and investment management committees.

He is a graduate of King’s College, at Western University, and continued studies at Indiana University through Whirpool Corporation’s management development program.

Ryan is constantly striving to combine business with environmental sustainability, and he does this by helping to bring products made from renewable resources to market. He has over 10 years of experience in a variety of fields, including banking, economic consulting, environmental non-profits, and renewable resource product and business development.

Ryan holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Finance from Dalhousie University, as well as a Master of Development Economics degree in Environmental Economics, also from Dalhousie.