Atlantic Chamber of Commerce Welcomes New Chair Andy Lodge

Truro, NS (May 29, 2018) – The Atlantic Chamber of Commerce (ACC) announced today it’s board of directors for 2018-2019 where Andy Lodge was sworn in as ACC new board chair during the 122nd annual general meeting held in Truro. Andy, a well-known lawyer and businessman serving clients in Atlantic Canada is now a consultant with Investors Group Financial Services based in Saint John, New Brunswick.

“I am extremely pleased to be chairing the Atlantic Chamber of Commerce in the upcoming year. It is an exciting time for Atlantic Canada as we continue to seize opportunities that position ourselves for growth,” says Lodge. “With more than 90 chambers and 16,000 businesses in our network, the Atlantic Chamber provides an important leadership role to advocate on their behalf and to provide the services and support needed to be successful.”

Andy has served on the Board of Directors of the Atlantic Chamber of Commerce since 2013, most recently as its 1 st Vice Chair and also as a director representing the Saint John Region Chamber of Commerce. Andy currently specializes in helping successful small business owners and professionals establish or maintain their financial health, but spent the first 15 years of his career as a litigation lawyer and entrepreneur establishing his own practice in insurance, construction, employment, wills and estates law. An active member of the community, Andy is also Vice Chair of the Dr. V.A. Snow Centre Foundation Board of Directors (Hampton) and sits on the Hampton Planning Advisory and Leisure Services Committees. Previously he served as Chair of both the Saint John region Chamber of Commerce and the Cherry Brook Zoo (Saint John) and as Vice Chair of the Saint John Industrial Parks Board of Directors.

Consisting of both chamber and corporate partner representatives from throughout Atlantic Canada, Andy is joined on the ACC Executive by:
Jean-Marc Picard, 1st Vice Chair, Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association
Stephen Lund, 2nd Vice Chair, Deloitte
Margo Soucy, Secretary/Treasurer, CBDC Cabot (Conception Bay Area Chamber of Commerce)
Richie Mann, Past Chair, Melford International Terminal (Strait Area Chamber of Commerce)

In addition, eight (8) directors were appointed:
Tiffany Edwards, CN
John Dunphy, Target Tours (Greater Charlottetown Chamber of Commerce)
Chris Googoo, Ulnooweg Development Group
Chad Peters, M5 Public Affairs
Steve Rankin, Enbridge (Halifax Chamber of Commerce)
Des Whelan, Training Works (St. John’s Board of Trade)
Pam Williams, Cox & Palmer Leigh Winchester, BMO Bank of Montreal

 “ACC is delighted to have someone of Andy’s caliber and experience as Chair. He will be a wonderful steward for us as we work together to move the Atlantic Chamber of Commerce forward,” says Sheri Somerville, CEO, Atlantic Chamber of Commerce. “In fact, the depth and breadth of knowledge and expertise we continue to attract to our Board table from all over Atlantic Canada is tremendous—these individuals truly represent what is great about Atlantic Canada and how well positioned ACC is to influence success in this region.”

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About the Atlantic Chamber of Commerce As the strong, credible and unified voice that influences an environment where business in Atlantic Canada succeeds, the Atlantic Chamber of Commerce (ACC) represents more than 16,000 businesses through its network of 93 chambers of commerce and boards of trade in the four Atlantic provinces. ACC is a catalyst to influence, educate and advocate on policy related issues to support business, deliver high-value services and opportunities to our members, and to support and promote initiatives that contribute to sustainable economic growth in the region.

For more information: Andy Lodge, Chair   (506) 650-9527     Andy.lodge@investorsgroup.com

Patti Colson, Communications & PR Coordinator    (902) 694-2210     Patti@atlanticchamber.ca