2017 Alumni Award Recipients

Dave Durepos
Class of ’87 (Steel Fabrication) | Class of ’94 (General Drafting)

An outside shot brings global success.

Like all great basketball players, Dave Durepos knows the power of the pivot. In the summer of 1988, one year after graduating from NBCC’s Steel Fabrication course, a motorcycle accident resulted in a spinal cord injury which dramatically changed his path. With resilience and determination, he pushed through several months of rehab to return to sport -- and to NBCC in 1994. As a wheelchair basketball athlete, Dave Durepos has travelled the world competing for Team Canada. During his 19-year basketball career, he won three gold medals and one silver medal at the Paralympics and is considered one of the best outside shooters in the world. Dave is a proven leader both on the court and in his community. He served as captain of the Canadian Wheelchair basketball team from 2000-2002, he’s coached local basketball teams including the New Brunswick’s 2015 Canada Games wheelchair basketball team and he has mentored others affected by spinal cord injuries.

Ross Galbraith
Class of ’92 (Chemical Technology Co-op)

An energetic champion for workers and communities

Ross Galbraith has been a key figure in the New Brunswick labour union movement for more than 20 years. Among his various roles with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), he’s served as Business Manager and CEO of Local 37 for 11 years and has represented Canada on the IBEW's International Executive Council since 2013. During his tenure as Business Manager, he's served on national and international committees and led more than 20 negotiating teams. He's also introduced several programs within his Local to encourage life-long learning as well as encouraging IBEW members to get involved in local community healthcare fundraising initiatives.

Beyond his work with the IBEW, Ross has served his community through various projects and committees at the municipal, provincial and national level including the City of Saint John’s Vision 2015 project, Saint John Energy, the NB 2026 Roundtable, the New Brunswick Public Service Pension Plan, and a national advisory committee on the "Future of Skills" which is part of a 10-year, $500-million initiative of RBC to help young people gain access and opportunity to the skills, job experience and career networks needed for the future world of work.

Charles Gervais
Class of ’01 (Computer Systems Technician)
Class of ’02 (Network, Design, & Administration Technology)

Creating opportunity at home and around the world.

In 2003, Charles Gervais walked into Missing Link Technologies Ltd. (MLT) as a technologist. In less than a decade he became owner and president of the company. Under his leadership, MLT’s revenues have grown nearly 350% and its workforce has tripled – including hiring many NBCC Alumni. It's worth noting that more than 25% of MLT’s employees are women, well above the average in the tech sector. Charles has expanded opportunities beyond New Brunswick’s Borders. His vision of international growth led MLT to sign a partnership with Africa Emerging Markets Atlantic Canada. As a result of this strategic partnership, MLT carried out a successful project for the presidential office in the Republic of Benin and is also growing in Senegal.

Troy Hatt
Class of ’06 (Electrical Program)

Paying forward a life-changing experience

After struggling through his middle school and high school years, Troy Hatt found a new sense of confidence and purpose at NBCC. Here he found instructors and tools to support his success and inspire big dreams. After graduation, he completed his apprenticeship blocks, became a Red Seal electrician and opened his own business, THATT Electrical. Now he’s helping to train the next generation of electricians, by welcoming NBCC students to complete their work placements with his business, hiring NBCC graduates and guiding other NBCC apprentices through to receiving their red seal.