Meet the Board

Rae Ann Bonneville
President

Rae and her husband, Alan Wall, moved to the South Shore from Calgary in 2019 and brought their long-established design company, Stone Court Studios Inc. with them, specializing in 3D animation, graphic design and writing mainly for the industrial sector. One of the first things they did was join the Chamber. Supporting the local business community has always been important to them.

Rae and Alan live on Burn’s Cove in Upper LaHave and enjoy a peaceful life on the river with acreage and a recently built studio – the perfect creative space for their work, photography, music, recording and social events.

pres@bridgewaterchamber.com

Jayme Rhyno
Vice President

Jayme is a second-generation owner of Rhyno's on North Street which was established in 1976 by his father. He started working in the family business at a young age (the family jokes that he was fixing dishwashers before he could talk), officially taking over as President in 2008. He holds a Red Seal in Refrigeration (since 2006) and is a volunteer firefighter with the Northfield Fire Department (since 2003).

Jayme has lived on the South Shore all his life and currently resides in West LaHave. He is very much committed to Bridgewater being a hub for the business community – a place where local businesses feel supported and can thrive.

Shawn Patterson
Treasurer

Shawn Patterson is the Sales & Marketing Manager at Rhyno's. He is passionate about supporting local businesses and held the position of Provincial Sales Manager at the Chronicle Herald before joining Rhyno's.

Previously, Shawn spent 12 years working in social services with a focus on mental health and counselling. Shawn also has a strong sense of community and currently volunteers with South Shore Minor Hockey. He's been involved with the Chamber for several years, and is a Past President.

Jennifer Naugler
Executive Director

Jennifer Naugler is the owner of Simple Local Life, a media company celebrating life on the South Shore of Nova Scotia. They work promoting local businesses and events through Facebook Live series and content creation and in the past year developed a product line of candles that they now wholesale to various businesses as well as sell at Farmers Markets and shows.

Jennifer also offers social media training, workshops and is a service provider through Digital Nova Scotia. She has worked previously with various businesses and groups including the Municipality of the District of Chester, PropertyGuys.Com, Gow’s Home Hardware, the Lahave River Credit Union and Wile’s Lake Farm Market.

Jennifer is also a volunteer in the community, giving time to the United Way, Souls Harbour, LIFT- Lunenburg County Microlending, and the Bridgewater Garden Club.

jennifer@bridgewaterchamber.com

BOARD MEMBERS

Debra Porter

Debra was born and raised in the Annapolis Valley, and is the youngest of 15 children. She has been in Real Estate for over 27 years, covering the South Shore and the Valley (sometimes Halifax) and has lived in Bridgewater for 13 years where she has a permanent office on King St.

Debra values the lasting relationships she has built with clients and enjoys interacting with people, helping them find their dream home. She also co-owns Complete Driving with partner Mark Pearson. The driver training business allows her to see people of all ages achieve their goals.

Cheryl Fougere

Cheryl has called Bridgewater home for the past 23 years with her husband and two teenaged children. She is honoured to be serving a 2nd term on Town Council and is excited to be working with a great council team and mayor.

Her educational background is Financial Services with fifteen years in banking and mortgage lending. She decided about a year ago to change her career path and is currently enrolled in courses through UBC, working towards her real estate appraiser designation. In her free time, Cheryl enjoys volunteering in the community, gym workouts at the YMCA, and walking her dog through the trails and parks in town.

“Believe in YOURSELF and all that you are. Know that there is something inside you that is GREATER than any obstacle.”

Dave Hadley

Dave is a past-president of the Chamber (2012 -14) and has been a business owner for over thirty years in Bridgewater – currently in his second business that is servicing seniors to help them stay in their homes longer.

Dave has served on many committees and boards since moving here in 1986, including LaHave Credit Union, Canada Day, Christmas on the LaHave, and a by-law review for our town. He is currently the national leader for a motorcycle group called the Canadian Lonewolves. "With this position I am responsible for all our members in Atlantic Canada and oversee multiple fb pages and chat rooms nationally."

Dave also runs a motorcycle night in partnership with Bikers Down to raise funds for injured bikers.

"It is with great pleasure to return to the board of directors again, to help grow our chamber and help new businesses prosper."

Rita Caissie

Rita is currently the plant manager of the Michelin Bridgewater facility. She has been in manufacturing for over 30 years – in two countries, at three separate sites – with a passion and love for what she does. Rita also helped Co-develop FUEL – a program designed to help young aspiring leaders discover their potential.

"I believe I am at my best when I'm developing people to achieve their potential and working with my teams to make progress. I believe in the power of people, and that everyone can make a difference to achieve our goals. It is up to us, as leaders, to help people realize what potential they have – and that what they do matters."

Outside of her professional life Rita loves the outdoors, and any activity associated with fresh air, family and movement. "My heart belongs to my grandson and watching him grow. Anytime that I can combine these things brings me great joy!"

Brian Geddes

Brian has been in sales and marketing for over 20 years. He lives with his wife and their spoiled canine, Maggie.

He is the owner and chief bottle washer of Direct Ad Factory (a boutique digital creative agency) and Great Copy Happens Here (a copywriting and content strategy agency.)

A voracious reader, life-long learner, and way too straight forward fount of free advice no one wants.

“Proud to be a board member with the Bridgewater Chamber” says he.

Student Board Members

(share one seat)

Lorelei Sanders-Smith - I’m a student at Park View Education (PVEC), and I joined the Chamber to get a better understanding of what is going on in local communities.”

Jada Ann Davis

Luc Keevil - "I'm a 12th-grade student at Centre Scolaire de la Rive-Sud. I wanted to join the chamber to have a better understanding of the local businesses and the events that make the south shore such a fantastic place to live. I look forward to what I will learn over the next few months being part of the chamber."

Emma Smeltzer -"I am a 12th grade student at Centre Scolaire de la Rive-Sud (CSRS). I joined the Chamber with the intent of learning the functioning of the community as well as a better understanding of the planning and organizing of the events taking place in the area."