Our Team
Meet the dedicated individuals who make up our team at NSCLIC. With expertise in business risk management, field services, research and development, financial services, and business operations analysis, our team members are committed to supporting and safeguarding the agricultural industry in Nova Scotia.
nicholas.bell@novascotia.ca
902-956-1211
As the Director of Business Risk Management, Nick is responsible for oversight of the suite of business risk management tools available to Nova Scotia farmers including AgriInsurance through NSCLIC, as well as AgriStability, AgriInvest, and AgriRecovery.
Prior to his move to Business Risk Management in late 2023, Nick worked for five years with Crown Lending Agencies (Nova Scotia Farm, Fisheries & Aquaculture and Timber Loan Boards) in forming responsible lending decisions to enable the growth and innovation of Nova Scotia farmers, fishers, and foresters.
Nick worked for a national accounting firm providing financial statement assurance and advice, tax services, and overall business advice. His portfolio there was predominately agriculture and related industry associations but also included manufacturing, retail, municipal, provincial and federal government, not-for-profits, and charities. He is a Chartered Professional Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax.
alicia.parsonslushington@novascotia.ca
902-899-6757
Alicia Parsons Lushington is the Manager of Business Risk Management, providing oversight to the operations of NSCLIC.
Alicia graduated from the former Nova Scotia Agricultural College in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (Pest Management). She then researched Integrated Pest Management and non-chemical control of potato beetles in commercial production before beginning work as a Field Agent with NSCLIC and becoming a Professional Agrologist in 1999.
She returned to school and graduated from Dalhousie Law School in 2004. Upon her return to NSCLIC she has worked as Coordinator of Research and Development and as Field Supervisor before taking on the role of Manager. In 2022/23 Alicia managed operations of the Fiona Agriculture Disaster Assistance for farms impacted by the hurricane. Alicia grew up in Pictou County and now resides in the Musquodoboit Valley.
cameron.maceachen@novascotia.ca
782-641-7169
As Finance Manager for Business Risk Management, Cameron is responsible for the effective management of financial resources and to provide advice, reports, and recommendations to Senior Leadership within the Department or Agriculture and to the Board of Directors of NSCLIC. He is also responsible to provide management oversight over federal and provincial funding agreements and the annual audit for NSCLIC.
Prior to joining the Department of Agriculture in September 2023, Cameron worked in various industries, including the dairy industry for over 10 years.
Cameron earned his CPA designation while working for a national public accounting firm where he was exposed to a wide variety of industries, ranging from publicly traded national companies, government organizations, large manufacturing clients, and smaller owner operations. He also holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Saint Francis Xavier University.
David.Thibodeau@novascotia.ca
902-893-0674
As the Operations Manager for Business Risk Management, David Thibodeau oversees the enhancement and modernization of business systems used by NS Crop and Livestock Insurance Commission. His responsibilities include supporting development of service delivery systems for client relations, insurance underwriting and financial management.
David graduated from the former NSAC in 2006 and received a MSc with a focus on agricultural and resource economics from Dalhousie University in 2016. Outside his work history with the Province, David has experience managing national agricultural survey programs for Statistics Canada, taught courses on production economics and operations research at Dalhousie University, and contributed to several Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada research networks. For the Province, he has experience as a senior policy strategist and senior economist for Finance and Treasury Board. His previous employment history with the NSDA includes work as an economist and business operations analyst for the Commission.
angela.garnett@novascotia.ca
902-679-6028
Angie is a Field Services Agent serving clients in the Annapolis Valley with her office located at the Kentville Research and Development Center.
Angie grew up in the Annapolis Valley, surrounded by and working for various farming operations, fostering her keen interest in the industry. She graduated from the former Nova Scotia Agricultural College with a Bachelor and Master of Science in Agriculture.
In 2014 Angie joined the NSCLIC team after fulfilling many roles with various Agricultural organizations and branches of the provincial and federal governments. She has been a professional agrologist since 2013 and enjoys the diversity this position offers.
Angie promotes NSCLIC programs, inspects crops, evaluates crop damage, carries out claim adjustments, verifies wildlife damage to crops and livestock, prepares annual Tree Fruit and Grape coverage and assists client throughout the insurance process.
mike.peill@novascotia.ca
902-679-6015
Mike is a Field Services Agent serving clients in the Annapolis Valley with his office located at the Kentville Research and Development Center.
Mike graduated from the former Nova Scotia Agricultural College with a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Plant Science. He grew up on a farm in the Annapolis Valley and has been involved in the agriculture sector for over 30 years.
Mike joined the NSCLIC team in 2003 and has been a Professional Agrologist for many years. His role includes preparing Tree Fruit and Grape guarantees, crop inspections, identifying the cause of crop losses, adjusting claims, and assisting clients through the insurance process.
.
hugo.alvarezcaceres@novascotia.ca
902-890-6905
Hugo grew up on his family farm near Santiago, Chile, which led to an easy decision in terms of career preferences. He earned his Agriculture Engineer degree from the Universidad Iberoamericana De Ciencias Y Tecnología in Santiago in 2004. Hugo managed several organic agricultural businesses in his home country. His decision to move to North America came in 2011 when he spent time in the United States, then in 2016 moving to Western Canada, and ultimately ending up in Nova Scotia in 2021.
Since November 2021, Hugo has represented Crop and Livestock Insurance as a Field Services Agent for the central and northern regions of the Province. His primary activities involve the preparation and evaluation of client folders for the calendar year, field visits, field measurements, and customer assistance as a representative during meetings related to the NS agricultural industry.
Hugo is a native Spanish speaker, fluent in English, and intermediate in Portuguese.
heather.black@novascotia.ca
902-399-5046
As the Research and Development Coordinator Heather is responsible for providing the farming community and stakeholder organizations with information, assistance, and advisory services for existing insurance plans and regulations. She also assists with the development of new insurance products to ensure farm business and risk management is the best available.
Heather started with the Department of Agriculture in 2004. She was raised on a small purebred sheep farm in rural Colchester County and many clients are familiar from sharing experiences through 4H, exhibitions, committees, and associations. By far, her longest employment within the Department has been with Crop and Livestock Insurance Commission, serving the program and its clients for over a decade.
Outside of work her priorities include connecting with family and friends, staying active, and finding new creative passions to pursue.
Her office is located at Research Drive in Bible Hill. You will also find her at industry meetings and development sessions, conferences, and she enjoys every opportunity she gets to be out in the field connecting with producers.
sally.parker@novascotia.ca
902-893-0647
Sally started with the Department of Agriculture in 2021 and joined NSCLIC in 2022 as the Financial Services Officer. In 2024 she started in a new role of Insurance Process Coordinator.
As the Insurance Process Coordinator, Sally is responsible for reviewing current procedures and processes to streamline the administration of NSCLIC. She also assists in the underwriting process by completing the annual provincial yield averages, client’s AIYs (Average Insurable Yields), and calculating client’s claims.
Sally graduated with a Diploma in Business Administration from the Nova Scotia Community College in 2013. Additionally, she completed a six-week program on “Doing Business in Europe” at Hanze University, The Netherlands, in 2012.
Sally grew up on a family beef farm and participated in 4-H throughout her youth. She has held several positions within government and private sector industries focusing on finance, contract management, and customer service.
darren.gerrior@novascotia.ca
902-899-6698
Darren joined Nova Scotia Crop and Livestock Insurance Commission in February of 2024 as Financial Services Officer. His role is to support the Commission in performing, monitoring and analyzing budget expenditures and revenues, monthly forecasts, ongoing financial reports, year-end accounting support functions and administering and ensuring appropriate fund disbursements to external service providers and service recipients.
He graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration from St. Francis Xavier University in 1993.
Darren has been with government since 1995 with the Department of Finance and Treasury Board, Financial Advisory Services, as a Financial Services Officer that serviced the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture.
kelly.s.macdonald@novascotia.ca
902-893-6370
Kelly joined Nova Scotia Crop and Livestock Insurance Commission in April of 2016 as Field Services Clerk. Her role is to support the field staff and farmers with sending and receiving seeding reports, harvest yield reports, notices of damage, proof of loss, wildlife compensation and entering the data collected.
Graduated with a Diploma in Accounting from Nova Scotia Community College in 1990. Completed 2 Years at St.Francis Xavier University in a Secretarial Arts Degree from 1987-1989.
Kelly has been with government for over 10 years with her first 3 years at Access Nova Scotia- Registry of Motor Vehicles. Before government she worked in the private sector in various positions.
jackie.putnam@novascotia.ca
902-893-6370
Jackie joined Nova Scotia Crop and Livestock Insurance Commission in June of 2018 as Administrative Assistant. Her role is to provide administrative support and assistance to the Commission’s Clients, Director, Manager, and Field Agents. Jackie records the Minutes for the Commission’s monthly Board Meetings, enters client data, enters deposits into the receipt system, maintains office files, prepares client correspondence and contracts.
She graduated with a Stenographer’s Certificate from Cobequid Educational Centre in 1987. She also completed the Financial Services Accounting Program at Success Business College, and later completed other programs such as Administrative Professional, Legal Assistant, Customer Service Excellence, and Records Management.
Jackie has been with government for over 11 years with her 5 first years at Fisheries and Aquacultural Loan Board. Before government she worked as a paralegal for 11 years and, also in the private sector in various positions.
mehnaz.farhad@novascotia.ca
902-893-0623
Mehnaz Farhad joined Crop and Livestock Insurance Corporation in July 2024, where she participates in developing business requirements for system functionality changes and optimizing business processes through database transformations.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental chemistry from the University of Toronto and a master’s degree in engineering with a focus on Applied Environmental Sciences.
In recognition of her academic excellence, she was awarded the Chemical Institute of Canada Student Merit Award in 2015.
Additionally, Mehnaz has earned a diploma in Data Science and Big Data, and she enjoys expanding her expertise in data analysis and emerging tools. Her professional experience spans various roles in data analysis.