MNL Board of Directors election information 2024
At the 2024 Annual General Meeting, members will vote for Regional Directors to serve a two-year term.
Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador is a non-profit organization (read more about MNL’s history) operated by a volunteer board of directors comprised of currently-serving municipal council members, plus three professional directors selected through an application process.
The following regional director nominees will be voted on by members at the 2024 Annual General Meeting:
- Labrador Director
- Mayor Belinda Adams, Labrador City
- Councillor Robert Boudreau, Cartwright
- Northern Director
- Mayor Dale Colbourne, St. Lunaire-Griquet (acclaimed)
- Western Director
- Deputy Mayor Roger Barrett, Reidville (acclaimed)
- Central Director
- Mayor Percy Farwell, Gander (acclaimed)
- Eastern Director
- Councillor Keith Keating, Marystown (acclaimed)
- Avalon Director
- Councillor Tina Neary, Portugal Cove-St. Philips (acclaimed)
Roles and Responsibilities of MNL Board of Director members
MNL’s Board of Directors is a governance board, responsible for setting the strategic direction and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the organization. Members of the Board of Directors serve in a volunteer capacity. Travel and related expenses are covered by MNL, so as not to make your board duties financially onerous.
Board members are expected to attend quarterly board meetings. The summer and winter meetings are held virtually, while the spring and fall meetings are held in-person at the symposium and conference, respectively.
Board members are expected to attend MNL’s spring symposium (normally early May) and fall conference (normally early November), and regional meetings in their regions. Board members are also expected to carry out committee duties as assigned, including chairing committee meetings. These are typically online meetings.
Board members provide input and guidance on MNL’s advocacy and programs priorities and policy. As a governance board, MNL’s directors are not involved in the daily operations of MNL.
Professional Directors
The following professional director candidates will be presented to the membership for approval at the Annual General Meeting on November 7-9, 2024. For more information about the professional director selection process, please click here.
Law
Jonathan Dale
Stewart McKelvey
Jonathan has been a practicing lawyer at Stewart McKelvey since completing his articles with the firm in 2006, and he became a Partner in 2013. He has developed a significant municipal law practice, representing municipalities across the province on a broad spectrum of legal issues, including taxation, drafting municipal regulations, development matters of all kinds, and addressing Code of Conduct and conflict of interest cases. Jonathan frequently presents at municipal law conferences and has been an instructor for the Municipal Law course in the NL Bar Admission program for the past seven years.
With a Master’s thesis in Economics focused on Canada’s equalization program, Jonathan brings a detailed analytical approach to his legal work. He has also served on a variety of boards, including the NL Brain Injury Association and the St. John’s Port Authority, and is currently a member of the board of the School Lunch Association.
Human Resources
Alex Gibson
Pennecon
Alex is a Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) with nearly 15 years of experience, specializing in human resources management, labor relations, and team leadership. In 2023, he completed his Master of Industrial Relations from Queen’s University, equipping him with advanced knowledge in areas such as collective bargaining, workplace conflict resolution, and strategic HR planning.
Currently, Alex is part of the Human Resources team at Pennecon, a leading provider of heavy civil, industrial, and energy sector services across Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, and internationally. In his role, Alex supports diverse business units, fostering high-performing teams and ensuring alignment with organizational goals. His leadership style emphasizes relationship-building, effective communication, and motivating others to reach their full potential.
In addition to his professional work, Alex is actively involved in governance through board positions with the St. John’s Board of Trade (Including the role of Board Chair 2023 – 2024), PEGNL, and CPHR NL, where he contributes his HR expertise to support the growth of these organizations.
Finance
Michele Peach, CA/CPA
Retired CAO, City of Mount Pearl
Michele Peach was employed in the public sector for 35 years, primarily with local government in various roles, and before that, with the Office of the Auditor General, Newfoundland and Labrador.
Michele holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) Degree from Memorial University of Newfoundland, a professional accounting designation from the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants, a Certificate in Local Government Administration from Dalhousie University and a National Advanced Certificate in Local Authority Administration from the University of Alberta.
Michele has volunteered her time and skills to a number of professional, municipal and non-profit organizations over her career and since. She is a past recipient of the Mike Badham Award for Outstanding International Volunteer Contribution from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities for her leadership in a three year municipal finance project carried out in Sri Lanka following the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. This work also earned her the prestigious Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012.