BOARD OF DIRECTORS
JOHN BUCHANAN
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
John joined the Saint John Community Food Basket as Executive Director in May 2018. After retiring in 2017, he found himself missing work and the daily challenges of management. So, he decided to use his lifetime of experience in management from his diverse career background to benefit the Saint John Community Food Basket. Though the work can be challenging, John enjoys meeting and helping clients, and admires the dedication of the many volunteers for the organization. He looks forward to continuing and building upon the great work of his predecessors.
DAVID NICKERSON
CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS / CHAIR OF FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE
David is a lifelong resident of the region, born in Saint John, and currently residing in Quispamsis with his wife Elspeth and two children, Joey and Sophie. David is a long-time member (and board member) of Grace Presbyterian Church. David is the past president of the Saint Andrews Society, and has worked for many years in media and marketing professional services. David currently serves Greater Saint John Community as a pre-planning counsellor with the Select Program at Brennan's Funeral Home.
STEPHEN JARVIS
CO-CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Stephen joined the Saint John Community Food Basket in 2021 after retiring with 42 years of service in Logistics and Distribution and two-and-half years with Diabetes Canada. He is the President of the Titus Hill Cemetery and the Treasurer of the Association of New Brunswick Cemetery Association. Stephen and his wife Linda live in East Saint John, where they enjoy spending time with their five grandchildren and the daily challenges that life brings.
JACK BUTLER
MEMBER, BOARD OF DIRECTORS
CHAIR OF THE PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE
After studying Sociology at UNBSJ, Jack began working in the television business. He has been in the media business for 30 years now. As a photo journalist he has written, shot, and produced a great many pieces about the subject of poverty. He spent his career trying to depict the story of those in difficult circumstances. With the help of a dedicated team of volunteers and board members, Jack hopes to move the Community Food Basket forward in an innovative way.
WILLIAM MACMACKIN
TREASURER, CHAIR OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE
Will earned his CPA designation in 2018 while working in public practice with Ernst & Young. He is now a third-generation owner in his family's business, Brenan’s Funeral Homes. Growing up around this business, he learned the importance of service to the community and joined the Community Food Basket’s Board of Directors in 2021.
MICHAEL PARKER
SECRETARY
Mike grew up in Grand Bay and is a former print journalist who now makes his living as a technical writer in the TeleCommunications field. He is a graduate of the University of New Brunswick (Saint John) and the University of King's College in Halifax. Mike joined the Saint John Community Food Basket team with the Toonies for Tummies program and has been on the Board of Directors since April 2022.
JIM GRASS
CHAIR OF THE BUILDING AND MAINTENANCE COMMITTEE
Jim is a retired nurse who spent 36 years working at Centracare and St. Joseph's Hospital. When he isn't keeping the Food Basket building shipshape, he enjoys doing woodworking and handy work for family and friends. Jim also enjoys reading and watching hockey. In the summers, he and his wife spend their days at their trailer.
ROBERT FOWLER
MEMBER, BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Rob grew up in the Rifle Range in North End Saint John and with his wife Debbie, raised their four boys in Grand Bay-Westfield. He is a graduate of Dalhousie University and was the long-time Chair of the Anglophone South District Education Council, serving for 16 years. Rob oversaw the Empty Stocking Fund and he currently serves on the Boards of Inclusion NB and is the Vice-Chair of the New Brunswick Adoption Foundation.
STARR COOKSON
MEMBER, BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Starr has lived in Quispamsis since 1995 and is a graduate of UNB with a Bachelor of Computer Science. She works as an IT Consultant and volunteers at the Imperial Theatre. She enjoys knitting and reading. Starr joined the Saint John Community Food Basket team with the Toonies for Tummies program and has been on the Board of Directors since April 2022.
KARA MCCREADY
MEMBER, BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Kara came to the Saint John Community Food Bank after many years as a local business owner. She has university degrees in Physical Education and Science. Kara is currently working as a licensed Realtor in the Kennebecasis Valley and Greater Saint John area. In her spare time, she likes long trail walks with her family and her much loved golden retriever, Millie.
CATHY ROBICHAUD
MEMBER, BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Cathy is a lifelong resident of Saint John and the surrounding area. After retiring from a career in the retail sector, she turned her attention to helping people in need and began volunteering with several community organizations. However, she decided to devote her time to the Saint John Community Food Basket, where she now works with our clients and is a valuable member of the Board of Directors.
ANN MOWATT
MEMBER, BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Ann is a former private sector lawyer and retired federal public servant with Transport Canada and the Treasury Board Secretariat. She is a Saint John Community Arts Board member and sits on the Board of Directors for the Turnbull Home. She joined the Saint John Community Food Bank in May 2023.