Board of Directors

Jamie Symonds – Chair

Jamie grew up in Barrington, Nova Scotia and recently returned from Boston, Massachusetts. He earned his undergraduate degree in Information Systems from St. Francis Xavier University in 2001 and completed his Master’s in Information Technology at Harvard University in 2015.

In the United States, Jamie held significant roles including Senior Systems Analyst with the Boston Police Department, nearly a decade at Massachusetts General Hospital’s Laboratory of Computer Science, and as a Senior Software Engineer at the EHR start-up Amazing Charts. Currently, Jamie is employed full-time as an IT Faculty member at NSCC Burridge, where he brings extensive industry experience to his teaching. Jamie also has teaching experience at Acadia University in Wolfville, NS.

In addition to his academic role, Jamie manages his own company, Topsail Software Inc., providing innovative software solutions. He also continues to consult remotely for the Boston Regional Intelligence Center. Jamie is on the Board of Directors and is actively involved in food security with Villagedale Community Association, and is also on the board of directors for the Shelburne County Youth Health and Support Association. Jamie has served as a Director on the Western REN Board since 2020, with his third term concluding in June 2026.

JoAnn Ranson – Vice Chair

Recently retired as President of Falc USA, a division International Fashion firm based in Italy.  JoAnn worked for 17 years overseeing marketing, planning, forecasting, sales  & product development for the North American market. Previously, JoAnn spent 18 years with a fashion footwear company based in France, running their North American operations. These positions required extensive travel in North America, Europe &  Far East;  coordinating with operations and factories to maximize North American business.  

Joann came to Yarmouth 17 years ago and loved the community,  people and seaside. She purchased a home in the area & split time between NYC & Yarmouth. JoAnn is now living in Yarmouth full-time. Her first term expires in June 2026.

Julie MacLean – Finance and Audit Committee Chair

Julie MacLean has over 30 years’ experience in non-profit management, most recently retired from 15 years as the Digby-Clare CBDC Executive Director. Julie uses her education and experience in management and economics to offer part-time consulting to social enterprise and non-profit organizations. A Digby resident, Julie is an active volunteer and grandparent. A Director on the Western REN’s 2020-21 Board, Julie’s second term expires in June 2026.

Mary Thompson – HRG Committee Chair

Mary Thompson has a Masters in Educational Administration and an undergraduate degree in Business Management. She is currently the Principal for Nova Scotia Community College’s Burridge, Shelburne, and Digby campuses. She believes in modelling leadership and is passionate about community development, entrepreneurship, and innovation. Chair of the Western REN’s 2022-23 HR & Governance committee and Chair of the Western REN’s 2023-24 Finance and Audit committee, Mary's second term expires June 2027.

Benjamin Shearer

Educated at Universities in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, Benjamin articled with the Halifax law firm of Blois, Nickerson & Bryson. Benjamin, who is originally from the Truro area, has moved with his family to the Barrington area and is practicing in both the firm’s Barrington and Liverpool offices. Being a rural practitioner, Benjamin runs a general practice with the notable exception of criminal law. He has a special interest in the fields of property, business, and estates. Benjamin is a member of many professional and legal associations regionally and nationally. He also serves as a board member within the local community whenever he can. The Chair of the Western REN's 2022-24 Board of Directors, Benjamin’s third term expires in June 2026.

Brenda Francis

Brenda Francis lives in Conway, Digby County and has extensive training in leadership and community development through multiple NSCC campuses. For 20 years now, she has had a career as a Regional Educator for the Black Educators Association of Nova Scotia. She also owns Ed’s Take Out, a family owned business in Conway. She has been a strong advocate and activist for the African Nova Scotian community since the early 80’s and currently is on the boards of two cultural organizations in the region. A Director on the Western REN's 2020-21 Board, Brenda’s second term expires June 2025.

Jocelin d’Entremont

Jocelin d’Entremont grew up experiencing many aspects of the fishing industry and now practices law with a focus on Fisheries and Corporate Laws; and has a Marine Law specialization certificate. An Argyle resident, Jocelin received his bachelor’s degree in commerce and a Juris Doctor in Law both from Nova Scotian universities. A Director on the Western REN’s 2020-21 Board, Jocelin’s second term expires in June 2026.

Ron Smith

A proud Yarmouth native, Ron brings decades of leadership experience in both business and community service. After graduating from Acadia University, Ron began his career in insolvency consulting, working across Atlantic Canada before relocating to Toronto to expand his practice nationwide.

In 1987, Ron returned to Nova Scotia to become Chief Financial Officer of Maritime Tel & Tel (now Bell Aliant) and later served as CFO of both Emera and Nova Scotia Power. Ron moved back to Yarmouth after retiring in 2004.

Since retirement Ron has been active as a professional director in many organizations including the CPP Investment Board, Alamos Gold, PROREIT, and Public Service Superannuation Trustee Inc., where he was the founding Chair. His passion for community service is equally extensive. Ron has been active in the volunteer governance of a variety of not-for-profit organizations, including the Arthritis Society, Inclusion Canada, and the IWK Health Centre. He has served on the Acadia University Board of Governors for 24 years, five of those as Chair. Ron is a founding member of the Western REN Board of Directors, continuing his lifelong commitment to fostering economic and community growth in Southwest Nova Scotia. His first term this time around expires June 2027.

Dustin Atkinson

Dustin Atkinson is a proud Cape Sable Island native that currently lives in West Pubnico. Dustin is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) managing clients within the Shelburne and Yarmouth County regions. He specializes in tax advisory services through completion of specialized tax course training through CPA Canada and public practice work since graduating from Saint Mary’s University in 2013.

Dustin utilized the Western REN Connector Program during his move from Alberta to Nova Scotia in 2019, and he looks forward to giving back by serving on the board.

Dustin’s goal is to support the future economic development of Yarmouth, Shelburne, and surrounding Counties by being an active and contributing member of the community.

Paul Emile LeBlanc

From the Clare area, Paul Emile lives in Meteghan Station. He recently retired from his position as Operations Manager for the Congrès Mondial Acadien 2024. His background includes 35 years of financial & co-operative banking experience which included being CEO of Caisse Populaire de Clare Ltée from 1994 to 2016.  His banking career has given him the opportunity to meet and work closely with people from throughout the Digby, Weymouth and Clare area as well as all of Nova Scotia.

Paul Emile is a former board of directors of BALLE - Nova Scotia (Business Alliance for Local Living Economies) which promotes a network of locally owned businesses and people working together to build sustainable communities with green, locally driven economies.

He obtained a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from Saint Mary’s University in 1982 and received his Associate of Credit Union Institute of Canada (ACUIC) designation in 2006. He is a very proud Acadian/Canadian. In 2011, he received an award from la Fédération Acadienne de la Nouvelle-Écosse (FANE) for his dedication to the development of the Acadian community in Nova Scotia.