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Portraits of Success |
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Darrin Martin has “broken a few legs” since graduating from three programs at the College of the North Atlantic’s Bay St. George Campus. A graduate of Visual Arts, Music Industry & Performance and Recording Arts programs, Darrin is a talented and accomplished musician, songwriter and performer.
Darrin started his singing career at the age of 7, singing in many church, school, and local events. A multiple time award and scholarship winner at the Kiwanis Music Festival; and two |
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time Silver Medallion Winner for the Royal Conservatory of Music, Darrin's love for singing only grew as he began a professional career with the Stephenville Theatre Festival in 2001. During his 3 year period with the Festival Darrin had many starring and supporting roles in productions such as, "Forever Plaid", "Blood Brothers", "Abba: The Musical", "A Sculpin Named Sam", "Annie Get Your Gun", "The Grand Ole Opry", "Jack and the Beanstalk", "Winnie the Pooh", and "I Guess That's Why They Call it the Blues" (as Sir Elton John). Not only is Darrin well known in the music arena; he is currently a cast member with Sprit of Newfoundland productions (http://www.spiritofnewfoundland.com/). Since joining the Newfoundland-style dinner theatre cast in 2004, Darrin has taken on various roles including sound technician, graphic designer, office assistant, and many acting/singing roles in shows such as, "The Beatles: Back in the NFLD", "Buddy's Deadly Wedding", "Diamonds in the Rough: A Tribute to Neil Diamond", "The Best Little Newfoundland Christmas Pageant Ever", and much more. Darrin can now be seen in "Viva Lost Elvis" at the Majestic Theatre with this well-known Dinner Theatre Company. One of his most enjoyable and exciting theatre experiences to date was being given the opportunity to perform in the title role of Beothuck Street Players Production of "Jesus Christ Superstar" in the fall of 2006. While attending the College of the North Atlantic Darrin gained a wealth of knowledge not only in his craft, but also developing good interpersonal and public relation skills. With the help of the highly trained instructors and staff, Darrin was well on his way to being the professional artist, singer, actor, technician, recording engineer, and teacher that he is today. Darrin’s future aspiration is to start a business venture with his new wife, Georgina, and friend Derrick Hammond, a fellow Visual Arts alumnus from the College. Darrin recently opened his own home studio and is currently recording and producing two albums. Even though Darrin is increasingly busy these days he always makes time for the College and his fellow alumni, having entertained for numerous College receptions and events since graduating. Congratulations Darrin! [TOP] |
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Ryan Crocker is a graduate of the College’s Journalism program from the Stephenville Campus (2005). Ryan resides in Beausejour, Manitoba and is employed with The Beausejour Review as Reporter/Photographer. The Beausejour Review is one of five newspapers represented by Interlake Publishing, a division of Sun Media and Quebecor. The newspaper recently won five awards from the Manitoba Community Newspaper Association. The newspaper won second-best Christmas edition from among all |
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newspapers represented by the Manitoba Community Newspaper Association. The newspaper also won Best Front Page andBest Layout & Design in their circulation category, beating out over 20 other newspapers. Ryan is especially proud of these three awards as he completes all of the layouts and designs for the newspaper. Personally Ryan won Best Columnist from among all other newspapers and second-best in the Business Feature category. Congratulations Ryan! |
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A chance encounter set Anthony Gatherall on his career path more than a decade ago, and since that time he has embarked on a very satisfying profession in the culinary industry. |
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myself. I attended Seal Cove campus as an unemployed high school drop out at 25 years old. I probably would have left the course a half a dozen times over but he kept pushing. After graduating from the cooking program at Seal Cove, and with the urging of Mr. Maloney, I attended the Culinary program at Holland College in Prince Edward Island in 1992.” He then worked in various settings from the east coast of Canada to Vancouver and points in between. “I didn’t have an opportunity to use a lot of what I learned… but then I got a job with Holland America Cruises. With Holland America, the food was like going shopping at Costco – it’s a family cruise and the food was based on volume. They were very good to me but it’s not fine dining.” While he has a lot of responsibility as executive chef, he says he has a great staff working with him. “I’m doing the same as what any chef would do at any hotel or major resort. It’s all about organization and your staff. As long as my middle managers are doing what they should, then I have an easy life. I’m very well staffed,” he continues. “In a run of a day we do about 4,500 meals. It’s all done on board and everything is done from scratch. We change our menus every season and put a lot of work into it. Our culinary department is all from France. The standards are very high. As far as production goes, nothing comes out of a can – everything from our croissants upwards – it all starts with flour and butter.” But he attributes his work ethic to the beginning of his training – his time at CNA. “I got so much from that nine–month course because you learn about the industry standards and it prepares people for the real world. Those who come out of a trained program like the one I did at CNA, they learn from those in the industry and are much better prepared to work.” Now 40 years old, Gatherall never would have predicted that his chance decision to take cooking would have led him to a career working in the cruise industry. “If someone had told me then that I would be doing what I’m doing now, I would never in a million years have believed them.” [TOP] |
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Dorothy Stacey of St. John’s, NL, is the 2006 recipient of Forum for International Trade Training’s (FITT) prestigious International Business Plan Award. The award is open to students attending a FITT educational partner institution that is either a delivery partner, or whose agreement includes the marking of business plans as a national examination for the FITTskills course – International Trade Management. Dorothy completed her FITTskills courses both on-line and in the classroom at College of the North |
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Atlantic (CNA), St. John’s, and enjoyed the classroom setting and sharing experiences with colleagues in the industry from across Canada. “The International Trade Management FITTskills course provided me with a comprehensive overview of international trade considerations,” says Dorothy. “And my International Business Plan was the culmination of everything I learned from completing all of the FITTskills modules, supplemented by my own in-depth research.” Dorothy is now employed as Export Services Coordinator with the Newfoundland and Labrador Organization of Women Entrepreneurs – a dynamic, award-winning organization that helps foster the success of women entrepreneurs. She helps prepare NL women for international trade. Dorothy’s passion for global trade was fostered in England in 2002, while studying international business and travelling throughout Europe. She firmly believes that her diverse experiences in life and work are valuable tools from which she draws every day. She feels her training at CNA in particular has better prepared her to help clients achieve international success. “It was a great experience studying at CNA,” she says. “I continue to use the books as great resources and recommend that anyone interested in international trade should learn more about FITTskills courses.” Dorothy also recently received the Certified International Trade Professional (CITP) designation from FITT and was recognized during the FITT Graduation Luncheon at CNA in October. She is the second of only three CITP’s in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. “I am quite pleased – this CITP designation is the highest level of professional accreditation available to international business and trade professionals in Canada.” Dorothy will be receiving her International Business Plan Award in Vancouver, BC, during FITT’s annual conference from April 1-2, 2007. [TOP] |
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Family is what is most important to Sheri-Lynn Noble of Deer Lake. And this was no more evident than when the mother of three put her career pursuits on hold to raise her children. |
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| we could work together,” she says. “But that wasn’t where my heart was. All of my life I had wanted to do nursing, but I had my children at a very young age and thought I wasn’t capable of raising a family and going back to school at the same time.” Sheri-Lynn graduated from high school in 1991 and enrolled in ABE in 2003 to get back into “learning mode” before enrolling in a full-time program. “I went back because it had been so long since I was in school. I did my science, biology and academic math, theme literature… I did the whole academic program over again.” She completed 41 credits – the equivalent of three years of high school – in just one year. “I literally lived with my head in a book.” She finished ABE with four employability skills courses, 16 science courses, 15 math courses and six communications courses. “It most definitely changed my life. Once I found out the prerequisite for forestry was the same as for nursing I figured that if I’m going to apply myself to do forestry, then I could really apply myself and do nursing which is what I really wanted to do.” She says the two-year LPN program was intense, but her experience in ABE has prepared her well. “ABE did prepare me because I always had a heavy course load. When I got to LPN, which was really intense, I was already in the mode with steady studying.” And she feels the skills she learned in ABE also helped her with the LPN program. “I thoroughly enjoy what I do now. It just brings a greater self-satisfaction and increases my self-worth. I don’t think I’d be as satisfied if I was in the forestry sector,” says Sherri-Lynn. “It didn’t fit my personality because I’m a very sociable person, I’m compassionate and this is really where I’m supposed to be. “I’m a strong, strong believer in education and I would most definitely encourage other people to take the ABE program.” Sherri-Lynn has been employed at a clinic in Deer Lake since completing the LPN program through CNA. She walked into a full-time job two days after graduating from the LPN program in January of this year. [TOP] |
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Mechanically minded By Danette Dooley Posted with permission from The Telegram Kim Harte wound up following in her father’s footsteps, but she didn’t actually set out to become a mechanic. “My father owned a garage and a scrapyard so everyone thinks because I’m Tommy Collins’ daughter, that’s why I’m doing what I’m doing,” the Placentia native says. “But I was never in the garage growing up. So I never had any car knowledge going into it.” Harte graduated from Laval high school and did a word-processing course at the College of the North Atlantic in Placentia. When a desk job turned out to be a little too quiet for her, she contacted the college to see what other courses were available. |
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| At the time, the only opening was the one-year automotive service technician program. It didn’t faze Harte that she was the only woman among the 15 students. Once she finished the course, she was ready to work as an apprentice in her trade. “You’re an apprentice for four years until you get your journeyman’s,” she explained. Accepted into GM program Harte applied for and was accepted into a two-year General Motors automotive service educational program. She spent the next two years working on GM vehicles, dividing her time between St. John’s and Gander. “I spent two months at the dealership working as a mechanic. Then, I had to go to Gander for two months’ training,” she says. “Then whatever we learned in Gander, we’d go back to the dealer and work on what we’d learned.” Looking back on it now, she says the travel was tough. “But when you’re young, you don’t mind it.” People accepted into the same course today do both the hands-on and classroom training in St. John’s, she added. After getting her journeyman’s papers, Harte worked for more than 13 years as the only female mechanic at Hickman Motors in St. John’s where she specialized in electrical and driving problems. While the work was physically demanding, she enjoyed each and every challenge, she says. She was promoted about three years ago and now supervises the male mechanics she once worked side by side with. “There are two foremen and we look after about 32 mechanics,” she says. While mechanics usually specialize in one area, their supervisors have to be familiar with all aspects of the business. “There’s hardly a night when I’m not studying something or other,” Harte says. Her father operates a car sales garage in Placentia. She says while he didn’t discourage her from doing anything she wanted to do, he wasn’t keen about her joining a male-dominated profession. “Just because he knew that mechanics is such a demanding, physical job, he didn’t want me at it,” she explains. Harte is married and has two daughters. Her husband, Danny, is also in the car sales business. She says her girls view their mother’s profession as perfectly normal. “If I’m home at night trying to figure something out, I’ll give my youngest a screwdriver to play with.” Harte’s mom, Theresa, thinks it’s wonderful that she’s making a good living in a trade she enjoys. “She wishes I didn’t work so hard, but you get that from your parents,” Harte says. “There were a lot of nights when I was going to school that my father would be coming in after working all night.” Harte says her employer has been exceptional through the years, and the men she works with treat her with respect and as one of their own. “I’ve never gone into a garage wanting to change everything,” she says. “She knows her job well and she does it well,” says Freeman Fowlow, the service manager at Hickman Motors. [TOP] |
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Beth went on to complete both Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education degrees from Memorial University. She taught at the high school level for 20 years. In 1991 at 33 years of age, Beth was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. She continued teaching until 2001 when fatigue and other Parkinson’s Disease related symptoms made it difficult for her to continue. |
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Labrador (PSNL). She was selected to the original Board of Directors for PSNL, where with help from the national organization, they hired an Executive Director and began building PSNL. Beth held the position of PSNL’s representative on the national Board of Directors for Parkinson Society Canada for five years. Today Beth continues to be an active member of PSNL. She remains a board member, edits PSNL’s quarterly newsletter, and helps with design creation and development of many of PSNL’s visual projects. Beth speaks on behalf of PSNL whenever requested and has done so on countless occasions. She has 15 years experience living with Parkinson’s and her keen sense of humor combines to entertain and educate people. While using an online chat room Beth met celebrity Parkinson advocate, Michael J. Fox. Several months later she was honoured to meet him face-to-face in New York City. Beth is also an avid writer and has had several short articles and poems published both locally and nationally. Beth continues to volunteer for such a worthy cause. Congratulations Beth – you are a true success story. [TOP] |
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Trevor Miller of Grand Falls-Windsor graduated from the College’s Business and Computer Studies program in 1995. Trevor was successfully employed even prior to graduating from the program. Trevor began working with the Exploits Valley Economic Development Corporation where he spent a few years as an IT Consultant. Under the Strategic Plan, Trevor was involved in many projects, including one that saw DPSI (www.dpsi.com) relocate their product development to Grand Falls – Windsor along with the formation of EXCITE (Exploits Centre for Information Technology Excellence). DPSI is a U.S. based company who develops, sells, and supports computerized maintenance management systems software. EXCITE attracts global investment from technology based companies |
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looking for physical sites in technical helpdesk and software development to service the U.S. and European market. The EXCITE Corporation is a partnership established to encourage IT economic development within the Exploits region of Newfoundland. Trevor is currently employed with DPSI and after six years with the company he has grown from Quality Assurance Manager to Development Manager to his current role as Director of Product Development and Support. Trevor makes a point to hire CNA graduates and considers the programs at CNA to be above and beyond any other schools. He also makes full use of the College’s work term placement program. And all of Trevor’s success happened right here in Newfoundland & Labrador! Trevor is a great example of what the College of the North Atlantic can do for Newfoundlanders and Labradoreans.  In 1997 after finishing high school Sheldon Green had no idea that today he would have a successful career working in the Information Technology industry with IMP Solutions. Sheldon, a native of Gander, successfully completed the College of the North Atlantic Programmer Analyst (Networking) program from the Grand Falls - Windsor campus in 2004.
Upon graduating, Sheldon moved to St John’s and worked contractually with both Aliant and Rogers. Since nothing was permanent at the time, Sheldon and his other half (Victoria Saunders, Gander) moved back to Gander hoping to find employment, with the support of their families to help them through. Sheldon was employed with the Town of Gander completing Web Development under a six month contract. As his contract was nearly complete all seemed lost on finding permanent employment until IMP Solutions of Halifax came along. IMP required a System Administrator to work for them in Gander. Currently Sheldon is working as the System Administrator for IMP Solutions www.impsolutions.ca in Gander. Sheldon is looking forward to the future and to making Gander a permanent home for a long time. He is very passionate about his career and his position with IMP. Congratulations Sheldon!  Amanda Dwyer is a 2005 graduate of the Business Management program (Human Resources Management), Grand Falls – Windsor campus. Upon graduation Amanda moved back to her hometown of Gander and in less than one month she was successfully employed in a full-time position!
Amanda is now putting the skills she learned to good use by performing duties in the areas of occupational health and safety, customer service, marketing and accounting with her current employer, Crossroads Pontiac Buick Limited (who employs numerous College graduates). Amanda attributes her recent successes to her education with the College of the North Atlantic. “They (CNA) provide the path to excellent career opportunities,” states Amanda. "It's only up from here. I rest assured that the college has provided me with the skills to obtain my personal goal of a managerial position in the future." Amanda has strong ties with the College. Her father is Campus Administrator of the Gander Campus. She also currently holds the position of Secretary/Treasurer for the Gander Chapter of the CNA Alumni Association. There are many opportunities to volunteer with a chapter of the CNA Alumni Association. CNA currently has chapters located in Carbonear, Clarenville, Corner Brook, Gander, Happy Valley – Goose Bay, Placentia and St. John’s with other chapter launches planned within the coming year. If you are interested in becoming involved with an Alumni Chapter please contact us at cna.alumni@cna.nl.ca. Amanda is just another example of a highly skilled graduate successfully finding employment in her field. Congratulations Amanda! Howard Nash is President of Northstar Network; a Newfoundland based full service System Integrator for the Defence, Aerospace and Marine Sectors. Howard is a graduate of the College’s Basic Electronics program. He also continued his college education by enrolling in the Electronics Technology program. Howard spent twenty-six years of his career working with Newtel in various management/engineering jobs, with most of his time spent in the Data Communications Engineering Department. Howard supplemented his College education over the years by taking advantage of every continuing education opportunity, including completing courses with McGill University. Howard was then hired by Northstar Technical Incorporated and finally the new company called Northstar Network Limited, where Howard started as Director of Defence & Aerospace Programs and recently assumed the role of President. Howard attributes his good training, guidance and work ethic to his time with the College of the North Atlantic. Howard is also an active volunteer in his community, and holds numerous professional memberships including the role of senior member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. He has three kids, two attending Memorial University and one still in school. His hobbies include reading, fitness, computers and Amateur Radio (VO1 HDN). [TOP]Jane Hynes (nee Whelan) has a substantial connection to the College of the North Atlantic (CNA). Not only is Jane a four-time graduate (Hairstyling program 1989, Journeyman’s Jane is currently holding down two careers in the Placentia area. She is operating Caregivers Inc. with one of her siblings, as well as managing Greystone Business Suites and Services (a business service centre and catering company). “I think some of my pride comes from being a part of the bricks and mortar of this building, and the College being part of my family for so many years.” She recalls growing up with CNA educators as parents; they would often have people at their dinner table coaxing them to continue their education with the college. For Jane, the College and the world-class education it brings through hands on learning is second to none, creating a wealth of talented and experienced graduates over the years from the many campuses throughout the province and abroad. “A lot of good things have come from the trade school, and people have been educated in life as well as in their trade,” she attests. Jane is a 2006 Millennium National Excellence Award winner ($5000, renewable for up to an additional three years), a national award issued to a selected 100 Canadians annually. Millennium excellence awards support tomorrow’s leaders—post-secondary students who are committed to turning visionary ideas into reality. Jane is excited about the recent launch of the Placentia Alumni Chapter (May 2006). “The chapter doesn’t have to be about work, jobs, or really serious stuff… it can be used as a link to maintain friendships and organize social events or contact new friends that have something in common. I urge every member of our alumni community to play a role and be connected as we make changes and face the challenges ahead.” Along with a busy career life, Jane is a dedicated wife and mother of two boys (ages 3 and 8). “In life there are thinkers and there are doers. And the College system is for doers. It offers a variety of programs and trades that enable people like me to learn then get out and d o it,” proclaims Jane. Jane you are definitely a doer! [TOP]Throughout high school, John Herlidan was considered an above average student. When it came When the Lord’s Cove native originally entered the program his only experience in the auto repair business was what he had gleaned from watching his mechanic father. “I didn’t know a thing about body work,” says Herlidan, “I learned everything I know at the College.” While there, John met Brian Druken, instructor and trainer, who encouraged him to compete provincially for Skills Newfoundland and Labrador. After winning the national competition in Edmonton John became involved in a culture and heritage program where he attended the national car painting competition in John’s employer, Terra Nova Motors, has provided him with great support to compete and as a result he is still proudly working there, despite being offered jobs in locations across the country. He is currently working through his apprenticeship, which will take four years. In the meantime, he continues to experiment with logos and other designs on cars. “I had no trouble getting into the workforce,” said Herlidan, noting the instructors played a large part in his college success. “I would recommend the program to anyone who was interested in trying it.” It’s fitting that after he gains his journeyman certification, Herlidan wants to return as an instructor at the college, and is willing to take the necessary steps to achieve yet another goal. [TOP]“Great works are performed not by strength, but perseverance." Talent simply isn’t enough for success. One needs the desire… the hunger to make it in the business of art. Christian Gallant’s talent was never in question, but it wasn’t until he enrolled in College of the North Atlantic’s (CNA) Music Industry and Performance program (MIP) in 2002 that his gift of singing and songwriting was paired with the motivation he needed to follow a career in it. “Since I can remember I have always had a love and passion for music,” says Gallant, “…but I never really had the confidence in myself to pursue it.” The Prince Edward Island native completed the two-year program from the College of the North Atlantic and has since taken the knowledge he attained there and applied it to a successful strategy for the music industry. Ten months after he graduated from the MIP program, Gallant began recording his first CD. Entitled Tempête, the five-track album consists of all original material written by Gallant – some while he attended the college. Gallant played a huge part in getting his first professional recording project off the ground – he wrote and helped arrange the music, solicited private sponsors to fund it and co-produced the recordings. Gallant learned these entrepreneurial skills from the MIP program, along with technical, performance and other skills that he has since applied. “One of the courses I took was Songwriting. Our instructor Wade Pinhorn helped us develop different writing techniques, including having us keep a songwriting journal – something I never did before,” shares Gallant. “I have great memories of collaborating with fellow classmates for that course.” The completion of a professional recording may have been the long term goal for Gallant, but the artist certainly didn’t rest on his laurels while the plan came together. He began applying his talents to several facets of the arts once enrolled at CNA. After just one year of the MIP program and with a new-found confidence under his belt, Gallant returned to PEI for the summer to try dinner theatre. “ Taking part in the dinner theatre La Cuisine à Mémé confirmed for me that music was going to be taking up a big part of my life,” says Gallant. “I had already come to the decision to pursue music, but when the group used three of my original compositions for the show, I was hooked.” There’s more! Nine months after he graduated, Gallant received the news that he had been chosen to represent PEI at the 2005 Canada Summer Games in Regina, Saskatchewan, as a part of the National Artist Program ( NAP). The NAP brought together 52 young artists and creative athletes from across the country for a two-week “interdisciplinary mentorship creative residency.” The gala was a stunning display of music, performance art and visual art that took place during the games. Gallant helped organize, arranged and composed some original music and played the bodhràn in the show. “The show was presented in front of an audience of over 2,000 people – it was sold out,” shares Gallant. “It was AMAZING! People even asked us if we were going to take the show on tour, they loved it so much. Unfortunately, it was only a one time performance.” Upon returning home from Saskatchewan , Gallant entered the studio to record the final song for his album. Being of French ancestry and from an active Francophone community in PEI, Gallant knew he wanted both aspects of his culture incorporated in the project, giving it a distinctive flavour (two songs are English and three are French). He is getting airplay on French and English stations alike, including CBC and Radio ECMA in Charlottetown, PEI; CBC Moncton; CJPN Fredericton; CJSE Shediac;Memremcook and Baie Ste-Anne in New Brunswick; CBC Halifax and Radio Halifax-Métro; and CBC Newfoundland. No sooner had Gallant launched his CD this February, when he received notice of his acceptance to an artist workshop in Granby, Quebec at L'École national de la chanson. Turns out, LaFédération culturelle de l’Île-du-Prince-Édouard, which provides cultural programming to the PEI’s Acadian and Francophone community and showcases the artists of the province, had submitted his name. Gallant discovered that he was chosen as one of five participants (and the only Atlantic Canadian) to receive intensive training in songwriting with Robert Léger, interpretation techniques with Yvon Bilodeau, vocal techniques with Claude Vallières, and recording in a studio with Christian Martin. And is it enough now, that his CD is released and getting airplay? No way. As soon as he returned from Quebec, Gallant began work on his professional press kit – a must if you are to reach the movers and shakers in the music industry. Gallant also wrote the theme song for the S.O.S. Louisiana provincial fundraising campaign, which raised funds for those affected by hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and he is being featured in a book titled “Island Toes A'Tapping”, about PEI music and the people who create it. “I’m honored they thought of me when they wrote this book,” says Gallant, “and that they want to have one of my songs on the compilation album that accompanies the book!” Gallant has recently applied for funding for a professional website (for now, you can access more info about him and hear samples of his music at http://www.myspace.com/christianrgallant). This young man has all the right moves and is sure to be a force in the industry for years to come. The shear persistence assures it, says Gallant’s former teacher, MIP coordinating instructor Wade Pinhorn. “In all my years of teaching this program at CNA, I have never encountered a more career driven individual,” says Pinhorn. “Christian Gallant simply WILL have a career in this industry. He will make sure of it!” Gallant says it was the program that gave him the tools to make his dream a reality. “The greatest thing the Music Industry and Performance program at the college gave me was more confidence,” he says. “That, and the skills and courage to get myself out there to promote myself as an artist.” [TOP]Talk about a family recipe! The Thibeau family of Stephenville has been cooking for Tim Barnes has taken his talents from the island of Newfoundland to the international arena. IC is a non-profit, industry leading body responsible for influencing the direction of the integration industry. The association establishes standards, guidelines, best practices and research for measurable business benefits. According to the IC website, integration is “...the successful communication between data, applications, processes, people and enterprises.” Barnes has been a member of the global association for two years, and in the last year has become active in an industry leadership capacity representing himself, his employer Devon Canada, and the Integration Consortium, by speaking at events and sharing his deep knowledge of enterprise integration. Recently, Barnes assumed the role of co-chair for the Alberta Chapter of the Integration Consortium and as an integration educator, builds and conducts integration solution tutorials. This success story begins in Bay D’Espoir, Newfoundland and Labrador. Barnes left his home town after high school in 1988 to work in construction in Toronto. By 1991, he decided the seasonal work wasn’t what he wanted – the sedentary winters just weren’t his style. He came back home to the island and invested his energy into CNA’s Programmer Analyst (Business) Co-op program (then known as Computer Studies Management Information Systems). “It was a challenging program... the mix of technology and business courses gave me a good balance,” says Barnes. “The instructors were great! “It wasn’t until my second co-op term that I decided I would stay in the [three-year] program,” he reveals. “I did not think I would like an office job as I was really a blue collar guy... still feel that way today.” He says the co-op aspect of the program really appealed to his hard-working side. Experience in the field before he finished the program was invaluable, and it helped him find work. He was an independent consultant under his own company Hard-Line Inc., and worked all across Canada. “I was a bit of a road warrior – flying out on Monday and back home on Friday,” shares Barnes. “It’s a great life when you are young, but it is hard on the body and you don’t really have a personal life.” He joined the Devon Canada team in 2005 and was asked to present at the Canadian Chief Information Officers (CIO) summit in Calgary in April. Barnes also submitted a paper for the Global Integration Summit whitepaper competition which was chosen as one of the top eight out of 50 submissions from technology professionals around the world. This led to the international opportunity to present at the Integration Summit. In his presentation biography we learn a little more about Barnes – something he is too modest to reveal: he has successfully managed project profiles in excess of $20 million and has lead more than 90 programmers through intense custom development projects. He has managed the technical implementation of PeopleSoft and has developed enterprise solutions that have been deployed to more than 5,000 users. Barnes has developed and executed strategies to turn around troubled projects, and has often been called upon to solve complex problems. Laura Forbes, Leader of Data Application Services at Devon Canada, says Barnes has brought a great deal to the company. “He is very enthusiastic and knowledgeable in what he’s brought to the table,” says Forbes. “And he’s helped develop best practices for us.” Barnes is a member of the Project Management Institute, the Integration Consortium, and the Canadian Information Processing Society. “He is driven by challenges and the desire to increase value from information technology by removing inefficiencies and streamlining processes,” says Michael Kuhbock, Chairman of the Integration Consortium. “Tim’s passion and deep experience in leveraging technology to build business value is what makes him a real leader in our industry.” What does he say about his education in Newfoundland and Labrador? He says he’s fortunate, as are all people of this province. “Growing up in Newfoundland gives you three key traits: great people skills, unmatchable work ethic, and determination,” says Barnes. “If you take these traits and combine them with the skills you can learn at CNA, there is nothing you cannot accomplish.” [TOP] The quality of leadership, more than any other single factor, determines the success or failure The International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) is the world's largest association for administrative support staff, with over 600 chapters and 40,000 members and affiliates worldwide. The Beothuk Chapter (located in St. John’s, NL) is working hard to promote the administrative profession in the province – and across Canada – and has won several awards in the last few years for their efforts. For the past seven years, Beothuk Chapter, has been offering the Administrative Professional of the Year award to an administrative professional in the province. This year, we are pleased to announce that the winner is a member of CNA’s Alumni Association, Lenore Cahill. Lenore is a legal secretary with Bob Buckingham Law and Treasurer of the Beothuk Chapter of IAAP, and was named the Administrative Professional of the Year this past Spring. Lenore was nominated and awarded this prestigious accomplishment for numerous reasons. Ms. Cahill goes above and beyond the call of duty to promote and grow her employer. She promotes her employer through public relations/marketing and is continuously expanding the various areas in which her company can succeed. Lenore volunteers her time on behalf of Bob Buckingham Law for speaking engagements, to organize various functions for clients, and other events all to benefit her employer. She maintains a very public profile in organizations - promoting her employer through networking. As a relatively junior employee in the legal industry, Ms. Cahill stands out due to her dependability, client service, organizational skills, outgoing personality, and is willing to go that “extra mile” for her employer. A combination of the above mentioned reasons is what lead Mr. Bob Buckingham (principal of Bob Buckingham Law) to nominate Lenore for the prominent award. The winner was determined by a judge independent of the association who evaluated anonymous forms to make the final decision based on the criteria and testimonials of the nominating employer. For additional information regarding how to nominate someone or on the Beothuk Chapter of IAAP please visit: http://www.beothukiaap.ca/. Lenore is also President-Elect (2006-2007) for the Beothuk Chapter, which means she will be President of the association for 2007-2008. Ms. Cahill recently wrote her Certified Professional Secretary certification exam this past Spring and will find out the results later in the Summer. Lenore is a true ambassador of the legal administration profession and is certainly a leader in her field. Congratulations Lenore! [TOP]Gary Reardon is President and Managing Director of Reardon Construction and  Development Ltd. (RCDDL) in St. John's.He formed the foundation for his illustrious career through what is known today as the Civil Engineering Technology program at College of the North Atlantic (CNA). After graduating with honours in 1972, Gary worked in the construction industry with the Crosbie Group of Companies, followed by a short stint with the Lower Churchill project prior to its cancellation in the mid-eighties. He then spent six years with Newfoundland Telephone and was project manager for the Fort Williams building, completed in 1981 with a $22 million budget. Gary next spent six years with Chester Dawe Ltd. as general manager of Better Homes Ltd. (Land Development Division), and managed their construction division. In 1988, with sixteen years work experience under his belt, and continuing to build on his expertise and education, he set out on his own. Today, he has some 20 people on staff for RCDL and six for his other business - Prudential Reardon Realty. Gary has been involved with CNA and its predecessors for many years. First, as a committee member on the Civil Engineering Technology Curriculum Advisory Committee, and later, as chair of the committee. He was appointed to CNA's Board of Governors two years ago and serves on the Governance Committee of the board. In 1996, Gary was awarded the President's Recognition Award for the Advancement of Entrepreneurship as a Career Option. He speaks to student classes at CNA and other venues in his capacity as entrepreneur, and as former president of the St. John's Board of Trade, among other things. But his connection to the college goes back far beyond his role as an alumnus, says Gary. "My association with the College goes back almost 50 years, to the days when my dad taught at the Southside - then Buckmaster's Circle - and later at the Prince Philip Drive campus following its opening in 1963." [TOP]  Len Green had been tracing a path to Hollywood for years and didn't even know it.After graduating from College of the North Atlantic's Visual Arts program in 1984, the Grand Falls native made a go as a photographer in Kingston, Ontario for one year. He then attended the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design and graduated with his Bachelors in Fine Arts. During his time there, he became interested in animation, leading him to Sheridan College in Ontario where he did three years of animation. He then went on to his first job making commercials in Toronto. In the summer of '89, Len was called to Dublin to work for Don Bluth animation studios, where his career in effects animation began. He had been there two years, when a friend called to offer him work with Stephen Spielberg's Ambilmation in London, UK. He remained there for several years until the studio was transferred to Hollywood - closer to Mr. Spielberg. Within months the company became DreamWorks. The industry dropped drawn animation and most animators lost their jobs towards the end of the 90s. Len was one of the lucky ones to get through it and continued to work and move into this new industry. The Visual Effects Animator now works between Dream Works and other studios. His movie credits include work with Bluth studios, Ireland: Rock a Doodle, and Troll in Central Park; Amblimation,Uk: We're Back and Balto; DreamWorks: Prince of Egypt, Eldorado, and Spirit; Warner Brothers: Osmosis Jones and Looney Tunes Back in Action; Klasky Csupo: The Thornberries Movie, and Rug Rats Go Wild. His foray into computerized animation includes work with Omation: The Barn Yard, full CG movie. He figures Disney is the next step. Len is also one of the original members and is past president of the Newfoundland Club of California in Canyon Country, California. He comes home often to follow his passion of diving for shipwrecks off the coasts of Newfoundland - the ideal place, he says. "I have dived in what is considered the best places in the world but I prefer Newfoundland - it is the best in the world for wrecks." He has yet to meet another Newfoundland animator in traditional animation for feature films… but he's looking. [TOP]  Debbie Hanlon is a true success story. Her name has become synonymous with real estate in Newfoundland and she is often held up as a model for women trying to make it in a male dominated profession.When she became pregnant with her first child, Debbie found it necessary to drop out of high school. Soon after, she heard of a program at College of the North Atlantic specifically aimed at single mothers who wished to increase their marketable skill set. The program, entitled Training for Tomorrow, was a six-month series of courses that taught basic skills needed in the work force. Debbie views this course as a turning point in her life, "It changed my life dramatically… helped me see my potential. Some of the counsellors are still my mentors today." The Training for Tomorrow program also resulted in the pursuit of higher education becoming a major focus in Debbie's life. After completing her high school education, she went on to take the Food Administration program, also through CNA, which led to work in the food and beverage industry, where she discovered her true calling: sales. Today Debbie is an entrepreneur extraordinaire. Since becoming owner and president of Coldwell Banker Hanlon in 1996, Debbie has overseen its growth from a small starter company to the number one real estate agency in the province. She now conducts speaking engagements on business skills and personal development all over North America, recently founded the Debbie Hanlon Literacy foundation, a not-for-profit organization that promotes literacy in the community, and is a board member of the St. John's Library Board. She is also part owner and President of Jesperson Publishing and holds the title of President of the Newfoundland and Labrador Publishers Association. Instilled with the passion for life-long learning while at CNA, Debbie is now pursuing her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Memorial University. [TOP]  When Lynn graduated with an Applied Arts Diploma in Journalism from Western Community College, Stephenville (now College of the North Atlantic) in May 1985, she couldn't have predicted the twists and turns her career would take.Armed with a journalism diploma and a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Memorial University of Newfoundland, she took her first job as a sports reporter with the Western Star in Corner Brook, her home town. She began in sports, but quickly moved through the ranks at the paper to news reporter and then editor. After a number of years, she applied for and received a transfer to The Evening Telegram. There, she worked as the front page editor, lifestyles editor and, finally, assignment editor on the city desk. She transitioned from journalism to public relations when she took a PR position with Executive Council and then premier, Brian Tobin. At that time she joined the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), a professional organization that fosters professional development and lifelong learning. She received training through the association and now holds the designation of Accredited Business Communicator. Lynn left government in 2002 for the role of Director of Communications and Public Affairs for the Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association. She helped see the association through the most challenging time in its history - the physician job action in the fall of 2002, and more recently, the NLMA has been leading the effort to ban smoking in all workplaces and public places. She and the association are also working to have new, important childhood immunizations available to all children at no cost. They are involved in many important health promotion and prevention initiatives, as well as devoting efforts and energy to improving the delivery of medical care in the province. She says her resume has grown and she's learned a lot - all starting with CNA. "What I learned in my two years in the journalism program gave me the foundation I needed to build a career doing what I love most. Thanks to my teachers and my fellow students. It was a wonderful two years!" [TOP]  Gina Tapper knew straight out of high school that she wanted to be an Applied Scientist Technologist (AScT) and that CNA was the best place to do it. The Torbay native graduated from the Architectural Engineering Technology program in 1995, and soon after found work with Redco Ltd. When her employer decided to close his business, Gina purchased the equipment to start her own, and in 1997 formed Cabot Metals with a former co-worker from Redco.Some projects completed by Cabot Metals include the Sir Richard Squires Building in Corner Brook, Haliburton Office Building in Mount Pearl, the Port Administration Building in St. John's, the Canada Games Centre Annex in Corner Brook, and the Discovery Centre in Gros Morne. Tapper bought her partner out in 1999, and in 2003 merged Cabot Metals with its competitor Hampton Enterprises to form Hampton Ventures Inc. The new company operates under her direction. The winner of the 2003 Youth Entrepreneur of the Year Award from the Newfoundland and Labrador Organization of Women Entrepreneurs has five full-time employees (and up to 25 in the field), and business has tripled. Gina is co-chair of the Architectural Engineering Advisory Committee that meets with CNA instructors to review that program and ensure that curriculum is on par with industry. Ever the entrepreneur, Gina has also tapped into a unique business with the formation of Access Plus. The business provides scaffolding, swing stages and man lifts to the rental and retail market. Gina makes it a point to hire CNA graduates. "For one thing, they've been trained the same way I have so we're already on the same wavelength -- they can just come in and start right away. And then there's the quality of programming at CNA. You can't beat it!" [TOP]  A high school graduate at age 15, Barb Ryan could have done anything she wanted. What she wanted was to cook.Though she was accepted for college at that time, her parents were hesitant to let her go away at such a young age. Barb decided to get some experience and found work as a short order cook in her hometown of Pasadena. In 1985, with five years experience, she began studies for her chosen career. Today, Barb is one of a handful of female chefs in the province. She was the first female to win the Newfoundland Chef's Association Chef of the Year Award (the Western Branch's 1993 competition), was one of the first females to compete in the Atlantic Provinces Culinary Competition as a member of Team Newfoundland in 1994, and also took Silver in the senior division of the 1994 Provincial Culinary Competition. She has trained teams for provincial and Atlantic culinary competitions and for Skills Canada Competitions (her teams have brought home gold on many occasions). In fact, Barb is an instructor at College of the North Atlantic in the Commercial Cooking and Baking programs at Bay St. George campus - the very place she did her training. She helps train some 50 students each year, along with her counterpart Chef Eric King. They have prepared many of their students for competitions throughout Canada, and in 2002 sent a team to Mexico for the Fouet D'or International Culinary Competition at the Centro Cultural Mexiquense in Toluca, Mexico - the only Canadian team in the 12-team competition. Barb's reputation for excellence precedes her - she is one of the founding members of the Western Branch of the Newfoundland and Labrador Chef's Association, she was selected to cook for the likes of Pierre Trudeau and Clyde Wells at the '99 Canada Winter Games, and her skills are sought after for food shows with the Chicken Marketing Board, agriculture and aquaculture shows, and high-end resorts like Strawberry Hill. Barb says she's wanted to cook as long as she can remember. As a child she enjoyed baking, and in Grade 4 decided to make her own goods for a school bake sale rather than have her mother provide them. And she didn't take the task lightly - she made a variety of goodies, including cream puffs - a delicate pastry that is no easy task to perfect. They were a hit and she knew she found her calling. "I knew distinctly what I wanted. And I never changed direction." [TOP]  The United Nations office in Bonn, Germany is a long way off from Newfoundland. But that's just where Stephenville native Edward Mishaud is working.Edward graduated from College of the North Atlantic's Journalism program at Bay St. George campus in 1999. He went on to enroll at UCCB where he completed a three-year undergrad degree program in one year, as the institution accepted his CNA credits toward the degree. He then enrolled at the University of King's College School of Journalism in Halifax and completed a one-year Post Baccalaureate of Journalism. With his studies completed for the meantime, Edward turned his attention to an interest in international affairs, and in September 2002, was accepted for a six month placement at the United Nations Volunteer Organization global headquarters in Bonn, Germany. He then returned to Canada for a six-month stint with CBC Television in Halifax on the show "Street Cents". Edward's work at the UN left an impression and in July of 2004 they offered him a contract as Communications Officer with the UN Volunteers (UNV) program. He is the English Writer and Editor for UNV's external publications such as their Annual Report, their bi-annual magazine publication - UNV News, other supplementary documents, and web site, as he is the contact point for press and media, releases, and interviews with the Executive Coordinator. The sky seems to be the limit for this College of the North Atlantic graduate, and he says it's because of CNA - which gave him the tools to make any of his career goals a reality. "It all began with my educational experience with College of the North Atlantic. It was the post-secondary beginning which equipped me with the skills and confidence I needed to pursue my career aspirations." [TOP]
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certificate in Hairstyling 1990, Food Administration program 1996, and most recently in 2005 with a diploma in Business Administration (Accounting) from Placentia Campus) but both of her parents are former employees. “I’m very proud to be a graduate of the College of the North Atlantic. As my life changed direction and I chose different paths…the College had the trades and courses that helped me succeed,” explained Mrs. Hynes.
time to choose a career, everyone in his class was asking the question, “What are you going to do?” His response was “motor vehicle repair (body).” His classmates practically laughed in his face. They figured that in order to have a successful career, you needed a university degree. Since then John has successfully completed the nine month Auto Body Repair program from College of the North Atlantic, going on to be a Skills Canada Gold Medalist (2001) and a member of Team Canada (2001). Those people who questioned his career plans are now shaking his hand and congratulating him on what a success he has become. It just goes to show that although the training John took for his trade was fairly inexpensive and not as lengthy as a university education, it can be just as rewarding and fulfilling.
generations. Andrew Thibeau began work in 1917 for the Canadian National Railroad as a private chef for the superintendent of the railroad. His reputation preceded him throughout Canada until he retired in 1952. 
The College of the North Atlantic (CNA) IT graduate is leading an Enterprise Integration Team for the Calgary company Devon Canada and has recently been asked to represent the company at the Annual Global Integration Summit in Boston in May, hosted by the Integration Consortium (IC).
of an organization (Fred Fiedler & Martin Chemers Improving Leadership Effectiveness). Lenore Cahill, a graduate of the Legal Office Administration program, Class of 1999, is leading the way in the field of legal administration. 
