Staff Bios

Ken Crichton joined the Hants-Kings Business Development Centre on November 1, 1991, as the Executive Director. He graduated from Acadia University in 1970 with degrees in Commerce and Education. Prior to joining the organization he was employed with Revenue Canada, the Federal Business Development Bank, and the Windsor-West Hants Industrial Commission. There was also a short time in the early 70's when he was self-employed. Ken is responsible for the overall operation of the Business Development Centre in Hants and Kings County.

Jeff Spinney currently manages the Kentville office and represents Hants-Kings Business Development Centre Limited in Kings County. He joined the organization in the Fall of 1997 as a Youth Intern under the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency's Youth Internship Program. In the Fall of 1998 he accepted the position of Economic Development Officer for Kings County. He has a diverse background, including fifteen years lending experience. He enjoys helping small to medium size businesses start-up, expand, or modernize. On behalf of the CBDC he provides counselling, technical, and financial assistance to qualified business projects in Kings County.

Karl Jackson started at Hants-Kings Business Development Centre under Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency's Youth Internship Program in the Spring of 1999, and now represents HKBDC out of our East Hants office. He received a BCOMM Degree from Saint Mary's University in 1993 and a MBA Degree from Dalhousie in 1996, where as an entrepreneur he operated Atlantic Business Consultants during his second year of studies. Karl works on both the lending and self-employment sides of the organization, as well as assisting community economic development projects and promoting entrepreneurship and education to our youth.

Darren Sequeira has been with the Hants-Kings Business Development Centre Limited as an Economic Development Officer since January 2004. He graduated from Acadia University in 1999 with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. His employers prior to his entrepreneur assistance experiences include Royal Bank and Freedom 55 Financial. He built upon these experiences by working as a Small Business Counsellor with Acadia Centre for Small Business and Entrepreneurship until December 2003. Darren enjoys assisting individuals in a one on one setting with their small business development, as well as working with youth in coaching, teaching, and leadership roles.

Stephen Mastroianni started at Hants-Kings Business Development Centre (CBDC Hants-Kings) under Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency's Youth Internship Program in 2008 and now represents the organization out of the West Hants office. He received a BCOMM Degree from Ryerson University in 2008. Stephen works primarily on the lending side of the organization. He enjoys helping small to medium size businesses start-up, expand, or modernize.

Bill Gregory joined the Hants-Kings Business Development Centre as a part-time business counsellor working primarily with the Self-Employment Benefit Program in 2007. He had been working closely with the CBDC since 1992 in a similar capacity on various projects through his own small business counselling and education business. A graduate of Mount Allison University, he spent 24 years in the Canadian Forces as a Logistics Officer specializing in finance and supply prior to relocating in Hants County. When not working with the CBDC, he continues to provide business counselling and education services on a contract basis to other individuals and organizations in Hants County and surrounding areas.

Danielle Crichton-Lantz joined Hants Kings Business Development Centre Limited, which now operates under the marketing name of CBDC Hants-Kings, in December 2010, as the organization's CBDC Administration Officer. She is responsible for the majority of reception and administrative duties, including answering the telephone, sorting mail, maintaining client files, posting loan transactions, processing invoices, and recording board minutes.

Bonnie Wilcox has worked as the Self-Employment Benefit Administrative Officer with the Hants-Kings Business Development Centre Ltd. since June 1, 1996. She maintains the SEB computerized records, as well as ensures all client files are current. Her wealth of experience and knowledge are key in providing excellent service to the SEB clients of the organization, which she enjoys greatly.

Laura Davison joined the Hants-Kings Business Development Centre in the fall of 2008 as Financial Officer. Originally from Cole Harbour, she graduated from the Nova Scotia Agricultural College with a B.Sc. Agr degree in 1994. She returned to Nova Scotia following a brief period of employment on Prince Edward Island to pursue her Certified General Accountant's designation which she received in 2005. Laura maintains the financial records for CBDC Hants-Kings, including the Hants and Kings Self-Employment Benefit (SEB) programs, while ensuring accurate reporting all parts of the organization.

L. D. "Mac" MacIver joined the Hants-Kings Business Development Centre in August of 2010, after a 35 year career with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, as a Police Officer. He enjoys his role with the CBDC and is responsible for the bulk of the organization's collection activities, allowing him to work directly with a wide variety of clients.