SAINT JOHN, NB – The Canadian Communication Systems Alliance’s (CCSA) board of directors announced Monday the appointment of Sheri Somerville as the association’s new CEO, effective Oct. 10, 2023.
Somerville’s appointment follows Jay Thomson’s announced retirement this fall. Her hiring marks the end of a cross-country recruitment process that was overseen by Ian Stevens, CCSA HR committee chair, with support from Boyden Canada.
She brings more than 26 years of multi-sector expertise in business communications from her leadership in association management and the private sector to her new role at the CCSA, a press release says.
“We are delighted to have Sheri take the lead at CCSA. Having an experienced association executive and business leader to build on the success we’ve achieved and continue to create shared value for members, providers, and partners while we navigate our path forward is key,” Stevens said in the release. “The board of directors looks forward to welcoming Sheri to her new role and introducing her to our team, our dynamic membership, and our many key stakeholders.”
Previously, Somerville was CEO of the Atlantic Chamber of Commerce, “representing more than 16,000 businesses through a network of 90 Chambers of Commerce in the region, as well as working collaboratively with national, provincial, and local Chambers across Canada,” the release says.
During her tenure there, Somerville “worked to create a new network vision to serve the next generation of Atlantic businesses, led advocacy on business policy and regulatory priorities, cultivated new member programming and strategic partnerships, and helped shape the dialogues that support and advance a positive business environment,” the release adds.
Prior to that, Somerville was founder, principal and chief counsel of Pure Symmetry Public Relations Inc. Her previous leadership roles include executive director of the Association of Consulting Engineers in New Brunswick, natural gas advisor at the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, director at MT&L Public Relations, Canadian director of communications for Michelin North America Canada Inc., and communications manager at the Ontario Centre of Excellence Inc.
Somerville serves as a director on the board of the Canada Games Council, and has previously served as chair of the Chamber Accreditation Council of Canada and director of the board of the Chambers of Commerce Insurance Corporation of Canada.
She holds a master of arts in communications and a bachelor of public relations from Mount Saint Vincent University, as well as a bachelor of business administration from the University of New Brunswick and a Strategic Communications Management Professional certification from the Global Communications Certification Council of the International Association of Business Communications.
Photo of Sheri Somerville provided by CCSA.
