Explore
About Us
The Tourism Promotion Committee (under the brand Explore St. Andrews) for the Town of Saint Andrews is made up of representatives of accommodations, attractions, entrepreneurs and professionals representing the tourism sector in the town.
Explore St. Andrews mission is to position St. Andrews as a top destination within Eastern Canada by telling our stories, conducting tourism research, supporting unique tourism-focused events and festivals year-round and promoting our people and services – all with an eye to continually increase visitation and replenish the Tourism Accommodation Levy (TAL) fund.
About the Executive Director, Sally Leggett
Sally’s background is in film production – from Production Assistant to Assistant Producer to Producer to Executive Producer. Throughout her career, she has managed projects of every shape and scale from nimble run-and-gun shoots to big-budget productions and managing anywhere from 25 people to 100+ people on a daily basis. Sally has been visiting St. Andrews since her teens and has loved living here for the past 6 years.
Meet the Board of Directors
Chris Aerni
After a traditional chef’s training in Switzerland and extended education in business studies 40 years ago, Chris Aerni travelled and worked in various restaurants and hotels gaining experience in the different kitchen ranks and corporate managerial positions from Australia to Toronto. In 2001 he and his wife purchased the Rossmount Inn in New Brunswick, an 87 acre estate, set between the forest and the sea including an 18-room country Inn with a fully licensed bar and restaurant. The restaurant at the Rossmount Inn has gained a wonderful reputation throughout the Maritimes for its creative, market-fresh cuisine honouring local ingredients and the people who produce them. Aside from running the day-to-day operation of the Inn, Chris has been and continues to be actively involved in various aspects of the tourism industry in and outside of New Brunswick.
Crosbie Cotton
Crosbie is a former Editor-in-Chief of the Calgary Herald and former director of the National Parks Ski Areas Association, where he led the joint efforts of three renowned resorts including Lake Louise and Banff Sunshine. For eight years he was appointed to the Strategic Tourism Market Council, which directed Travel Alberta. He also served several years on the Alberta Minister’s Advisory Tourism Board, focused in new product development. He now lives in Saint Andrews.
Stephen Dodwell
Stephen is the General Manager of the Algonquin Hotel and Resort St Andrews, NB. He holds a degree in Hotel & Catering Management Studies from the University of Kirklees, Huddersfield, UK. Stephen started his career at The Savoy Hotel in London, England. He progressed through progressive management positions with Holiday Inn and Marriott Hotels then became the proprietor of a number of hotels in the UK. He has always been community minded serving on Municipal Councils, District Chambers of Commerce, Municipal Tourism Teams, Hotelier Associations, Quality Steering groups and Theatre groups.
Scott Hanson
With 40 years of business experience, Scott brings a wealth of operational, product development, distribution, marketing and sales knowledge, assisting companies with operational, strategic, and financial needs at both the corporate and product levels. Understanding how to overcome the hurdles that occur when growing and building international businesses, his experience-based insights help navigate pathways to growth, minimizing roadblocks and downstream delays, and maximizing profits. For over a decade Scott was also responsible for translating leading-edge image, branding and accountability/ROI research into marketing insight for clients throughout North America, including numerous states and federal tourism organizations and cultural attractions.
Christy Kennedy
Christy is the past Chair of Explore St Andrews and past board member of the Chamber and of the BIA. She has a marketing degree and past history of marketing and managing both large and small, boutique hotels. Christy is the owner of Treadwell/Chandler Room and the St. Croix Olive Shop. While originally from Calgary, Christy and her family fell in love with St Andrews-by-the Sea the moment they arrived in 2017.
Ken Knight
A super-fan of St. Andrews since 1991 and permanent resident since 2022. Ken owns and operates The New Brunswick B&B with his husband Les. Ken spent most of his life out west promoting and selling The City of Calgary and then the Calgary Stampede for over 30 years. Ken was also the Marketing & Communications Manager for Explore St Andrews.
Nancy Lockerbie
Nancy is the Executive Director of Ministers Island. With over 35 years of tourism experience, her past roles include leading both Fundy Trail Parkway and the City of Fredericton in their management, marketing and tourism product development. Nancy holds a Commerce degree in Marketing/Management from Mount Allison University as well as certificates in Cultural Heritage Tourism from George Washington University, Not-for Profit Leadership from the University of Toronto and Digital Marketing from the University of New Brunswick.
Ryan O’Connell
Ryan, his wife Crystal, and two boys returned to St. Andrews in 2023 after working across Canada in various roles within the Golf Industry. First moving to St. Andrews in 2013 to work at the Algonquin Golf Course, Ryan gained a love for the area and an understanding of the importance of tourism to the town. Ryan and his family are enjoying being settled and look forward to being involved in the community for years to come.
Jamey Smith, Chair
Jamey has been around St Andrews all his life, first spending summers visiting family, then as a visiting marine biology student and researcher, and for the last 11 years settling on a permanent basis. He worked as the Executive Director of the Huntsman Marine Science Centre, including the operations of the Fundy Discovery Aquarium. Jamey served on the New Brunswick provincial tourism COVID task force to put in place programs to guide the sector through that difficult period. Jamey is a past Chair and current board member of the St Andrews Chamber of Commerce and has worked with the ESA group for the past 3 years
Some photos credit: Cindy Kohler, Realtor, Fundy Bay Real Estate