Michael Melanson, CMA

Opportunities NB is a “one-stop” shop delivering seamless, integrated and responsive services to support economic growth and business development. Opportunities NB is your single point of contact for exploring opportunities to grow, expand or locate your operations in New Brunswick, Canada. As a member of the financial team, I assess the financial aspects of opportunities and make recommendations to Senior Management.

Responsibilities include Developing innovative financing packages to enable companies to expand and diversify; analyzing financial assistance requests; preparing and delivering reports and presentations; providing recommendations to various boards and committees; managing and monitoring a portfolio of funded projects across a number of industries; and liaising with businesses, financial institutions, government departments and agencies.

Scotian Gold Co-operative Limited is food industry leader with an established international reputation for high-quality produce. Their operations include Eastern Canada's largest apple packing and storage operation, an agricultural division, and a retail division. Reporting to the President & CEO and acting as strategic advisor to the President and Board of Directors, responsible for ensuring effective corporate accounting and financial management including control, reporting, budgets, and financial analysis of all financial and management accounting activities. Accountabilities include ensuring timely preparation of financial statements and management reports; managing corporate credit policy; maintaining proper corporate filings; maintaining proper insurance coverage for the protection of all assets and potential liability; directing the company's management of cash and foreign exchange; overseeing finance and grant applications for capital projects; and managing IT infrastructure.

Cavendish Produce, a member of the Irving Group of Companies, is a leading supplier of fresh potatoes to the retail and food service markets throughout Canada, the Northeastern United States, Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. Reporting to the General Manager, responsible for taking a strategic leadership role, overseeing accounting functions, developing budget and financial solutions, and ensuring adherence to policies. Accountabilities included providing financial leadership for strategic planning, balanced scorecard and business performance; financial accounting, budgeting, forecasting, and internal control; providing evaluation of capital expenditures and foreign currency requirements; ensuring timely preparation of financial reports, providing customer profitability analysis and costing; co-ordinating with internal auditors; and preparing business interruption calculations and asset reporting for insurance purposes.

Crossley Carpet Mills, located in Truro, Nova Scotia, is a leading supplier of quality commercial and residential broadloom carpet to the global marketplace. As a member of the Tandus Group of Companies, they are among the top five specified carpet manufacturers. Reporting to the Director of Finance and Chief Financial Officer, responsible for providing timely, accurate, and relevant financial information to senior management group and other departments. Accountabilities included financial statement presentation, general accounting, management reporting, and financial analysis; overseeing the budget preparation process; coordinating annual audit and income taxes; coordinating insurance reviews and managing cash flow; and supervising departmental staff.

Shaw Wood Industries, located in Cornwallis, Nova Scotia, was a manufacturer of ready-to-assemble solid pine furniture for IKEA. Shaw Wood was division of The Shaw Group, one of Eastern Canada's leading natural resource manufacturers and community developers. Reporting to the General Manager, responsible for the entire accounting process, including costing and budget preparation, and advising management on all financial matters. Accountabilities included overseeing all accounting functions including payroll and Information Systems/Technology ( I.T.); preparing all financial reports and providing financial information/analysis to the senior management team; developing the division’s budget and assisting with the strategic plan; and developing and implementing the I.T. plan to support strategy and operations. Provided leadership to departmental staff.

Bowater Mersey is a global leader in the manufacture of newsprint paper. Bowater Mersey shipped newsprint to customers in South America, the Caribbean, Asia, Europe, and Canada. Bowater Mersey employed approximately 700 people directly, as well as, providing employment for 600 private fibre suppliers, woods contractors and truckers.

ACA Cooperative is a producer owned cooperative located in the Kentville area of the Annapolis Valley, N.S. Focus on chicken, turkey and egg products marketed under the Eden Valley Farms brand, as well as, private label. Operations consist of primary processing (fresh-pack products), further processing (i.e., breaded and battered products) and egg facilities, as well as agri-services .