News Release
Jan 23, 2026
Executive Director to Retire Following Distinguished Tenure at Nova Scotia Road Builders Association
HALIFAX – Long-serving Executive Director of the Nova Scotia Road Builders Association, Grant Feltmate, is on the road to retirement.
After serving 18 years at the helm of the Association, Feltmate’s pending retirement was announced to the more than 170 members gathered during the organization’s AGM held on Wednesday (Jan.21) in Halifax.
“It has been an extreme pleasure and honour to represent this Industry,” said Feltmate. “The unquestioned commitment by its members is what makes it such a successful Industry and Association.”
Feltmate was presented with an Honourary Lifetime Membership during a special tribute by the Board.
After a lengthy selection process, the Board has chosen a successor for the Executive Director position welcoming Sherry Martell to the organization. The pair will work as a leadership team during a transition period with plans for Martell to step fully into the Executive Director’s role on April 1.
Martell is an accomplished executive director, journalist and entrepreneur with extensive expertise in advocacy, governance and financial management. Throughout her career, she has earned a reputation for operational excellence, strategic communication and innovative project planning.
With more than 15 years in senior leadership roles, Martell has spearheaded major projects in multi-media journalism, economic development, trades training and tourism.
In his annual report to the members, Feltmate spoke about the many challenges and successes faced by Nova Scotia’s heavy civil industry during the past year, such as summer weather that created lengthy tinder dry work conditions.
He said adjusting quickly and implementing safety precautions at job sites during last summer’s drought conditions contributed to a successful construction season.
“We had great conditions for getting our work completed, which is supported by the small carry-over amount (of tendered contracts),” said Feltmate. “At the same time, we had to add being prepared for dealing with dangerous conditions on our sites for fires.”
With the possibility of drought conditions continuing in future seasons, he encouraged the membership to continue to consider measures to mitigate fire risks at job sites.
Feltmate also shared that hosting enhanced training opportunities such as Road Building 101 and its own Asphalt Laydown Technician course, along with strengthening partnerships with stakeholders, were achievements in the past year.
The Board will be led in 2026 by newly elected president Graham Clark, of Cumberland Paving and Contracting.
As part of the Association’s AGM and conference, two awards recognizing a commitment to workplace safety were awarded. Ron Chisholm Hydro-Seeding Limited was named as the overall winner of the 2025 safety contest receiving the WCB Accident Prevention Shield and Elmsdale Landscaping Limited received the HWL Doane Award for greatest improvement in accident frequency rate.
The Association also presented an Honourary Lifetime Membership to Lloyd Bonang, President and Owner of South Shore Ready Mix Limited. Bonang is one of the pioneers in the ready-mix concrete industry in Atlantic Canada, expanding his more than 60-year legacy to include six companies.
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Media contact:
Grant Feltmate
Executive Director, Nova Scotia Road Builders Association