Gerry Curry, CD - 1st Vice President

Gerry was a Sea Cadet with RCSCC Scarborough, then joined the Naval Reserve in HMCS York, before moving to the Regular Force. As well as Sea Cadets gerry was active as a Rover Advisor and member of Disctrict Staff with Scouts Canada for many years. Following Naval service he became an Apple Computer Systems Engineer. Gerry is a past President of the HMCS Acadia Alumni Association and is currently President of the Yarmouth Branch - The Navy League of Canada.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Erica Smith - President

Erica has been a member of the Navy League of Canada for just over ten years.  During her time with the organisation, she has worked in a number of roles including Administration Officer, Branch President, NSMD Vice President of Navy League Cadets and currently the President of NSMD. She is a member of the National Committee for Project Fusion. In August of this year, Erica celebrated her 35th year of her library career.  She is a Library Technician at a high school with Halifax Regional Centre for Education (HRCE).  Currently, Erica is the team lead for the HRCE Library Support Specialist Professional Development Committee. Erica is the proud mother of four amazing children.  All are current or former cadets, parading with NLCC Mi’kmaq and going on to sea, air and army cadets.  She is also the proud wife of a current Navy League of Canada Officer. In her spare time, Erica loves to camp, read, make earrings and watch hockey.

David Benoit, CD - Vice President, Sea Cadets

Captain Dave Benoit, CD, MBA, MDS, PEng, RCN (Ret’d) served 30 years in the Royal Canadian Navy, retiring as the Senior Engineering Officer on the East Coast and Commanding Officer of the Fleet Maintenance Facility CAPE SCOTT. He has served on the East and West coasts and at National Defence Headquarters as well as aboard HMC Ships SASKATCHEWAN, GATINEAU, NIPIGON, TORONTO, CHARLOTTETOWN and ST. JOHN'S. . He graduated from the Royal Military College and attended the Canadian Forces College and the Royal College of Defense in London, UK. Currently he is President and CEO of the Nova Scotia Crown Corporation, Build Nova Scotia.

John Philips, CD -Director at Large

John Philips began his journey in the Navy League Program as a Navy League Cadet at the age of 10.  He then progressed to Sea Cadets and eventually joined the Royal Canadian Navy, where he served 30 years before retiring as a commissioned Naval Officer.  After retirement he started RCSCC Iroquois and held the position of CO for four years. Simultaneously, he worked at RCSU(A) for 16 years (full time) in the Sea Training Department.  Upon retiring once again, he dedicated his time as a volunteer with NSMD and eventually became the President.  He was later elected to the National Board of the Navy League of Canada and currently holds the position of Vice President Navy League Cadets.

Shelley MacDonald - Director at Large

Shelley joined the Cole Harbour/Eastern Passage Branch in 2010 when her son was a Cadet with RCSCC Iroquois. Becoming Branch President, a position that she held for 6 years. She then moved on to Division, first as a Director at Large, and then as the Honours & Awards Chairperson. Shelley is also very active in the organization of the Cast Canteen for the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo. Shelley also works seasonally with Ambassatours GreyLine as a Team Leader in the Cruise Dept. where she welcomes thousands of Cruise passengers to our Region. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with friends, and family, especially her two grandsons, Kirk and Finn!

A John Lothian, CD - Screening  Coordinator

John joined the RCNR, later transferring to the RCN, in the Weaponsman Surface trade, serving for a combined 42 years.  Joined the Navy League as a NL Cadet Officer with NLCC Bidwell. In 1974. He served as NSMD division Commander before joining the Division Board. He has served on the Board as NL CADET VP, Sea Cadet VP and 1st VP.  He is presently the Division Screening Coordinator.

Tiah Taylor - Vice President, Navy League Cadets

Tiah joined the Sea Cadet programme as a cadet with RCSCC Sackville in 2002. After aging out of the programme, she took a brief break from cadet life for post secondary education before returning as an officer with the Navy league of Canada, joining  NLCC Sackville in 2012. Tiah  was with the corps for 11 years and served as commanding officer for the last two years, she joined the NSMD Board in 2023 and was appointed Vice President of Navy League Cadets. Tiah currently works in logistics for Irving Shipbuilding, who are contracted to build the future AOPS and CSC ships for the Royal Canadian Navy.  

Ken Ilnitski, CD - Director at Large

Ken's  service extends over five decades. He joined  Navy League Cadets in 1956. Advanced to Navy League Officer, Sea Cadet Officer, Naval Officer, and Public Service Officer. Ken has always been actively involved in his communities. He volunteered and held several positions as President/Branch President in the following organizations and associations: The Royal Canadian Legion, The Navy League Of Canada, Maritime Provinces Water and Wastewater Association, HMCS Acadia Alumni Association, HMCS/CFB Cornwallis Military Museum and Comox North American Occupation Safety and Health Committee.

He retired in 2004 and recently retired as Deputy District D Commander and Zone 9 Commander, The Royal Canadian Legion, NS/NU Command.

Garry Reddy, CD - Past President/Treasurer

Darrell Jones, CD -Director at Large

Darrell joined the Amherst Branch in 2019 and became an official member Dec.2020 to support his grandchildren who were members of RCSCC Amherst at the time. He was a member of the Canadian Armed Forces (Army Reserve) for 29 years. and retired as a Master Warrant Officer (MWO). In 2020 he was appointed the Amherst Branch President, a position which he still holds. He has since been appointed to the Division as a Director at Large.