Rear-Admiral Josée Kurtz and Nicole Henneberry Join Board, Mark Jollymore Takes on Role of Chair
COVE is pleased to announce the appointment of Rear-Admiral (RAdm) Josée Kurtz, Commander of Maritime Forces Atlantic (MARLANT) and Joint Task Force Atlantic (JTFA), and Nicole Henneberry, Interim Chief Financial Officer at Clearwater Seafoods, to COVE’s Board of Directors. Mark Jollymore, President of Innovasea Systems, Inc., has also been appointed as Chair of the Board of Directors, effective September 19, 2024, succeeding Ian Thompson, of Cox & Palmer.
Mark Jollymore, who joined COVE’s Board in 2019 and serves on its governance committee, brings over 20 years of experience in business leadership across both private and publicly traded companies. At Innovasea, Mark leads the efforts to provide technology solutions for the responsible and sustainable use of aquatic resources. Prior to Innovasea, he served as President and CEO of Amirix Systems, guiding the company through significant growth and its eventual acquisition by Innovasea in 2017. Mark’s career began in aerospace with roles at Litton Industries and Lockheed Martin, focusing on the design and testing of electronic warfare systems.
“I am deeply honoured to step into the role of Chair of the Board and grateful for the strong foundation that Ian Thompson and his predecessors have built,” — said Jollymore. “I look forward to building on achievements and working with the talented team to address the challenges and opportunities ahead. Together, we will continue driving innovation, fostering growth, and making a lasting impact within the marine sector.”
Ian Thompson congratulated Mark on his new role, stating, “Your leadership, vision, and passion will be instrumental as COVE continues to build on the strong foundation we’ve established as a global leader in marine technology. I am confident that under your guidance, COVE will achieve great success.”
In addition to Jollymore’s appointment, COVE welcomes Rear-Admiral Josée Kurtz and Nicole Henneberry to its Board of Directors. RAdm Kurtz, with decades of naval leadership and operational experience, has served on various Canadian naval vessels and led NATO maritime operations. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Ottawa, a Master’s in Defence Studies from the Royal Military College, and is a graduate of the National Security Programme.
Nicole Henneberry, Interim Chief Financial Officer at Clearwater Seafoods, brings extensive expertise in financial management, having held key roles in financial planning, analysis, and corporate finance across various sectors. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce in accounting from Saint Mary’s University and is a Chartered Professional Accountant.
“We are excited to welcome Rear-Admiral Josée Kurtz and Nicole Henneberry to our board,” — said Jollymore. “RAdm Kurtz’s naval experience and Nicole’s financial expertise will bring invaluable insights as we continue leading marine innovation. I am confident they will have a positive impact on the future of COVE.”
COVE’s Board of Directors also includes:
- Don Bureaux (President, NSCC)
- Olivier J. Cadet (Program Director, MIT)
- Tony Chedrawy (President & Chief Executive Officer, MetOcean)
- Captain Sean Griffiths (Chief Executive Officer, Atlantic Pilotage Authority)
- Caron Hawco (President, Caron Hawco Group)
- Matt Hebb (Vice President of Government and Global Relations, Dalhousie University)
- John Knubley (Founder, InnovAction Advisory Services)
- Melanie Nadeau (Chief Executive Officer, COVE)
- Rear-Admiral John Newton (Managing Director, FleetWay Inc.)
- Aubrey Palmeter (Chief Executive Officer, Eastpoint)
- Aaron Plamondon (Director, Irving Shipbuilding)
- Brian Santarpia (Independant Director)
- Ken Walker (President, PGS Consulting)