L E A D E R S H I P
CHARTING
THE COURSE
The Digby Harbour Port Association (DHPA) is a not for profit business registered with the Province of Nova Scotia. Incorporated in 2004, the DHPA has a Board of up to a dozen members providing oversight to the operations of the facility. The commercial customers of the wharf are the focus of DHPA operations.
E X E C U T I V E
LEADERSHIP
Vance Hazelton
Chairman
Vance is a businessman with over 40 years as an owner/operator of a scallop fishing operation. He has been a director and past chairman of the Full-bay Scallop Association, and was a director of Skate Canada Nova Scotia for 15 years.
Vance served as director for the Digby Harbour Port Association since 2009, and currently holds the position of Chairman.
Jason Denton
Vice-Chair
Jason owns and operates the MV ‘Faith Alone’ – lobster fishing in district 34. Jason is a ten year member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary.
Jason has been serving on the DHPA Board since 2015 and currently hold the position of Vice-Chairman.
Mike Bartlett
Secretary
Mike Bartlett, Mayor of the Town of Digby, has a background as franchisee owner/operator of the Digby Subway for 25 years. Mike has been active in promoting cruise, tall ship, and yacht visits to Digby .
The Town of Digby has one of two designated positions on the Board.
Maggie Shackleton
Treasurer
Maggie received her law degree from the University of New Brunswick and was called to the NS Barristers Society in 2016. She is a principle in the firm of Shackleton Taylor Law in the Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia.
Maggie has been on the Board since 2017 and currently holds the position of Treasurer.
Matt Ross
Director
Matt is the operator of GBS Technologies (Digby). Matt has been a councillor with the Municipality of Digby since 2016.
The Municipality of Digby has one of two designated positions on the Board.
Gordon Wilson
Director
Gordon has a background in Natural Resources and spent 35 years in resource management for the province of Nova Scotia. Following this was the Deputy CAO for the Municipality Of Digby for seven years and most recently represented the Digby Clare area as MLA and Minister of the Environment in the Provincial government.
Gordon has been on the Board since 2022.
Sherman Haynes
Director
Sherman is former principle with Fairway Insurance. He continues to meet the risk management needs of select clients primarily in the marine sector.
Sherman has been on the Board since inception in 2004.
Brian Walker
Director
Brian has been part of the seafood industry for 35 years. He began working as a fish processor in his family owned business, where he owned fish draggers and scallop vessels, in 1991 and eventually became co-owner . For the past 17 years he has owned lobster vessels and licenses in both LFA 34 and 35 and calls Digby his home port.
Brian was elected to the DHPA Board in 2025.
Trent Bohaker
Director
Trent and his sons are actively engaged in the lobster fisher in the Bay of Fundy. Trent is an active user of the Port of Digby. Trent has been an active member of the Coastguard Auxiliary for many years.
Trent has been on the Board since 2013.
Christopher Hersey
Director
Chris and his father are actively engaged in the lobster fishery in the Bay of Fundy. Chris is an active user of the Port of Digby, and DFO advisory representative for Lobster Fishing Area 35.
Chris has been on the Board for since 2015.
Yvon Robichaud
Director
Yvon has owned or operated fish plants for decades. He continues to buy and broker fish products. Yvon is an active user of the Port of Digby.
Yvon has been on the Board since inception in 2004.
