Board of Directors

The Board of Directors of Farm Loan Board is made up of Nova Scotians, corporate or community leaders, who understand the agriculture and/or agri-food business climate in the province and its importance to communities, workers, and the economy.

Board Members

Andy Vermeulen, Chair and Director

Andy was raised in the farming industry, going on to successfully operate multiple farming companies for over 40 years. As owner of Vermeulen Farms Ltd., Andy has gained considerable experience in financial accounting, strategic business and succession planning, sales, production, and food safety. In addition to his employment background, Andy’s education includes a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Engineering and completion of the Canadian Total Excellence in Agricultural Management program from the George Morris Centre in 2012. Andy currently holds multiple positions on numerous boards and committees in his profession and in the community, offering expertise on board structure and operations.

Willy Versteeg, Director and Audit Committee Chair

Willy has extensive experience in the Nova Scotia agriculture industry, having owned and operated Barneybrook Farms Ltd. (Dairy) for 27 years in the community of Hardwoodlands, East Hants. Willy is a corporate and community leader and has held many leadership roles in the community including Municipal Councillor, President of the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture, Director of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, and Chair and Vice Chair of the Farmers Dairy Audit Committee. Willy’s interest as a director has been in the areas of audit and governance while growing the portfolio. Willy will tell you that the Farm Loan Board is a critically important tool in the development of agriculture, fostering greater food sustainability, and growing the economy of Nova Scotia.

Jack Hamilton, Director

Jack grew up in western Canada on a commercial beekeeping operation. Jack graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a Diploma in Agriculture and worked for one year in Alberta as a land appraisal adjuster for Alberta Municipal Affairs. The rest of Jack’s life has been dedicated to working honeybees commercially. Jack moved to Nova Scotia approximately 30 years ago to manage a honeybee operation for a large wild blueberry grower. Jack believes we must have strong financial supports to assist family buyouts, orderly transfers of family farms, and growth within our agriculture community.

Rod Kennedy, Director

Rod has owned and operated Harbourside Dairy Farm in Antigonish County since 1994, in addition to having experience in the forestry sector.  Rod has experience with strategic planning, performance monitoring, audit and compliance, and governance through his nine years served on the Board of Farmers Dairy.

Kevin Colvey, Director

Kevin currently leads Kinnex Business Advisors, which provides business advisory services in the areas of corporate finance, business development and governance for all types of companies – large, small, and start-ups.  Kevin has worked with a diverse range of business entities of all sizes in executive and leadership roles and has served on the boards of several private companies and not-for-profit associations.