GENOA DESIGN INTERNATIONAL - Key Persons


Chris Laughlin

Job Titles:
  • Director, Business Development & US Operations

David Hood

Job Titles:
  • Director
  • Retired Partner of Grant Thornton LLP
David is a retired partner of Grant Thornton LLP and has been in public practice for 35+ years with a broad client base consisting primarily of private companies, not-for-profit organizations, professionals, and trusts and estates. His post-retirement practice mainly involves trust and estate planning, succession planning, strategic planning, and governance. David is currently on the board of Artistic Fraud of NL- Theatre Company, Bonavista Biennale Inc., and is an executive member of the board of Business and Arts NL. He recently retired as the governor for NL and vice chair of the National Trust for Canada (formerly Heritage Canada Foundation) and continues to sit on the finance and investment committee as an independent member. David was also a volunteer financial and governance advisor to the interim turnaround board of Music NL and was a long-standing member of the executive of the Institute of Corporate Directors - NL Chapter. In 2022 David was honoured with the Duff-O'Dea Lifetime Achievement Southcott Award by the Newfoundland & Labrador Historic Trust. In addition, he was the 2019 recipient of the Patron of the Arts Award by the Newfoundland & Labrador Arts Council (Arts NL). In the private company world, David is an investor and director in various commercial real estate investment companies and was a founding shareholder and long-time director of the successful software development company Celtx Inc., which an American media technology company recently acquired.

Gina Pecore - CEO

Job Titles:
  • Chief Executive Officer
Gina Pecore is CEO of Genoa Design International. Gina began her career with the Royal Canadian Navy and in the decades since, has built a career as an entrepreneur and business leader. Her strengths lie in strategic growth management, governance and team leadership. She received a communications degree from Mount Saint Vincent University in 1991, and has completed executive education at Harvard, Case Western and Simon Fraser universities. Gina serves as a Board Member on a Canadian utility and an offshore industrial firm and is also an active community leader, currently supporting Business & Arts NL and the SPCA. As CEO, Gina has spearheaded Genoa's exponential growth strategy and propelled it into the globally recognized shipbuilding leader it has become. Her career began on the ocean with the Royal Canadian Navy during a period of transformation that included the placement of women in seagoing combat roles for the first time. Her Navy experience, along with an innate entrepreneurial and communication prowess, underpinned Gina's career progress over the next 30 years into a senior business leader, seasoned strategist, and a renowned challenger of the status quo. Gina earned her communications degree from Mount Saint Vincent University. She completed advanced leadership training at Case Western, Simon Fraser and Harvard universities, further honing her expertise in team development, strategic growth management, financial oversight, and governance. A passionate and empathetic leader focused on driving concrete business impact and social change, Gina is a respected pillar in the business community. She is a member of several Canadian governance bodies including a provincial utility, an industrial service group of companies, and an arts-based non-profit. In 2019, Gina was named to Atlantic Canada's Top 50 CEO list. On her off time, you'll likely find Gina hiking Newfoundland's rugged coastline. If she can convince a daughter or two to come, the world is perfect.

Glenn Janes

Job Titles:
  • Director
Glenn has spent a career developing and implementing strategies to finance and successfully commercialize technology. Most recently he was the founding CEO of the Research & Development Corporation (RDC). Before returning to Canada to launch RDC, Glenn worked with Imperial Innovations Group plc, a leading technology commercialization company, in London, England. He also has extensive experience working with young and growing companies to develop new products, target and penetrate markets and grow sales. Glenn currently serves on the Board of Genoa Design International Ltd., the Audit and Risk Committee for the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, and the Audit and Risk Committee for Small Federal Government Departments. He has recently served on the St. John's Board of Trade, the Board of Canadian Adaptive Snowsports (CADS), and the Chapter Executive of the Institute for Corporate Directors Newfoundland and Labrador. In these capacities he has served on and chaired committees dealing with, among other things, strategy, human resources, finance, and organizational risk. He also served as Secretary of the Rhodes Trust for Newfoundland and Labrador for 10 years (2010-2020). Glenn is a Rhodes Scholar.  He holds Masters' degrees in Business Administration, and Environmental Change and Management from Oxford University. He completed a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry at Yale University and holds the Chartered Director (C.Dir.) designation from The Directors College of Canada and the ICD.D from the Institute of Corporate Directors. Glenn has a personal interest in wine, has completed the first three levels of the Wine Spirits and Education Trust (WSET) international certification, and is currently working on the fourth, and final, level. He enjoys working with Tumbler, the family Chocolate lab, and they have completed numerous agility courses together. When time permits, he also enjoys playing drums, a pursuit of nearly 40 years!

Jake Trainor

Job Titles:
  • Director
  • CEO of the PAL Group of Companies
AS CEO of the PAL Group of Companies, Jake is responsible for strategic planning, coordination and successful operation of the enterprise. Jake joined PAL Aerospace in 2009 as Vice President of Aerospace Services before becoming Chief Operating Officer in 2014 and CEO in 2019. Before joining PAL Aerospace, Jake worked in private equity investment at C.A. Bancorp and as a management consultant with the Oliver Wyman Group's Aviation & Operations Practice. Earlier in his career, Jake served as a helicopter pilot with the 427 Special Operations Aviation Squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Force. He holds a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering from the Royal Military College of Canada and a Master of Business Administration from the Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario. Jake was recently awarded the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Medal on behalf of the Atlantic Canada Aerospace and Defence Association for his meaningful contribution to the community, reconciliation efforts with Indigenous peoples, and military service. Jake was also named 2023's Defence Executive of the Year by Canadian Defence Review. Jake resides in Ottawa with his wife, Natasha and their two children. Jake also serves on the Board of the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada, AirPro and PAL Aerospace Services Aircraft Maintenance LLC.

Jim House

Job Titles:
  • Director
  • Aerospace and Defence Executive
Jim is an Aerospace and Defence executive that has enjoyed a long career split between the public and private sectors. Jim spent the first half of his career as an aircrew on fixed and rotary wing aircraft in the Royal Canadian Airforce (RCAF), conducting overwater surveillance missions during the Cold War. Jim served as the Chair of the Association for Unmanned Vehicles International Canada and as a board member for the Aerospace Industry Association of Canada and the Aerospace and Defence Industry Association of Newfoundland and Labrador. Jim is heavily involved in recreational boating in Newfoundland.

Kevin Dumaresque - Chairman

Job Titles:
  • Chairman of the Board
  • Chairman of Genoa
  • President of KDD Consulting Inc
Kevin is President of KDD Consulting Inc., which provides governance, strategic, risk, financial planning, stewardship and reporting insights and advisory services to clients, drawing upon his experience as Chief Financial Officer of Irving Oil, a family-owned energy refining and marketing company, and as a senior partner with a Deloitte. Kevin currently serves as Chair of Genoa, Chair of the Advisory Board of a local family-owned private company and Chair of the Battle Harbour Historic Trust. He is also a board member of Provident10, the Newfoundland and Labrador Liquor Corporation, and the Atlantic Provinces Economic Council, where he serves as Chair of the Finance, Risk and Audit Committee. He has also served as President of the New Brunswick Institute of Chartered Accountants and as a Board member of the Newfoundland Institute of Chartered Accountants.

Laurie Balan

Job Titles:
  • Executive Vice - President of Design and Consulting
As Genoa's first-ever CPO, Laurie has been instrumental in driving Genoa's growth to new levels. With a singular vision on future success, she is continuously identifying, planning, and then delivering high-impact products and services at the front line of the industry. Laurie brings deep business acumen and vast industry expertise to the role. With over 15 years of experience in the marine engineering sector, she has worked on some of Canada's largest defence contracts, including in her previous role as Director of Engineering for Fleetway Inc. Laurie has an uncanny ability to get to the heart of a client's issue in an instant, to present it with clarity, and to inspire new ideas and approaches in the team around her. Laurie holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) from Memorial University. She is a designated professional engineer, a Project Management Professional (PMP), a member of the Association of Professional Engineers of Newfoundland and Labrador (PEGNL), and an associate member of the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (SNAME). When she's not helping to blaze a bright path forward for Genoa, you'll find Laurie spending family time and making memories at the cottage in rural Newfoundland.

Leonard Pecore - Founder

Job Titles:
  • Director
  • Founder
Leonard is the Founder and a Director on the Board of Genoa Design International Ltd. Leonard currently sits on the Marine Institute of Memorial University's Industry Advisory Board, the Institute of Corporate Directors Newfoundland Chapter Executive Committee, the LearnSphere Board, the Atlantic Canada Aerospace & Defence Association Board of Directors, the MusicNL Board of Directors and the East Coast Music Association Board of Directors. Leonard graduated from Acadia University in 1986 with a Bachelor of Arts and joined the Canadian Military as a Naval Officer in 1987, where he completed ten years of service. He possesses a Diploma of Technology in Naval Architecture and a Master's Certificate in Project Management and is an ICD.D Certified Director.

Luke Joyce

Job Titles:
  • Director of Communications and Marketing
  • Media

Mark Norman

Job Titles:
  • Director
Mark Norman retired from the Royal Canadian Navy with the rank of Vice-Admiral in August of 2019 after over 39 years of service. Norman started his naval service as a reserve diesel mechanic in 1980 and rose through the ranks to be the Vice-Chief of Defence. His military career has seen him serve at sea domestically and internationally, command a warship, the Canadian Atlantic Fleet, and ultimately the Royal Canadian Navy. He also has extensive experience in a variety of appointments, training & educating sailors, leading operations, strategic planning and managing major procurement projects. Since retirement, Norman has applied energy to a variety of pursuits, including as Champion for the Royal Canadian Benevolent Fund, Senior Defence Strategist at Samuel Associates, contributing to the important debate about security and defence issues in Canada as both a fellow with the Global Affairs Institute and as a member of the Conference of Defence Associations Board. In his spare time, Mark loses golf balls, skis, and continues perfecting the art of safely crashing his mountain bike.

Norm Williams - CFO

Job Titles:
  • Chief Financial Officer
Norm brings with him a wealth of experience, having most recently served as CFO at Atlantic Cultivation Limited, where he was responsible for all aspects of financial management and worked closely with the Company's CEO and Board of Directors to support corporate strategy and growth initiatives. He has a Bachelor of Commerce from Memorial University and a Chartered Accountancy Designation (CPA) from the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants. Before his role at Atlantic Cultivation, Norm was CEO at Rambler Metals and Mining PLC, a publicly listed junior mining company on the London Alternative Investment Market (AIM). Norm's ability to quickly learn and adapt to new industries was evident in his rapid ascent up the corporate ladder. He was promoted from controller to CFO within two years and then to President and CEO four years later. During his tenure at Rambler, Norm honed his skills in corporate financing, financial leadership, business networking, and marketing. He spearheaded numerous corporate financing initiatives, including a $35 million private equity financing that was instrumental in extending the Company's mine life. Norm has served on the Board of Directors for several esteemed organizations, such as Cabot Habitat for Humanity, Mining NL, and, most recently, the Newfoundland & Labrador Employers Council. In addition to his professional accomplishments, he is an avid outdoor enthusiast and handyman. He can often be found at his cabin, exercising his family dogs or pursuing his hobbies, which include salmon fishing, snowmobiling, and winter hot tenting.

Rachelle Gagnon

Job Titles:
  • Director
Rachelle Gagnon is a seasoned executive with expertise in Human Resources. She is currently Vice-President, People and Culture for Champlain Seafood, one of the world's largest processors of premium lobster and crab, with companies in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Massachusetts. Previously, she was Vice President of Group Insurance for Assumption Life in Moncton, NB. She has held the roles of VP of Administration and Client Experience, VP and Chief of HR, Organizational Development and Sales Compensation, having worked with the company for over 25 years. She currently participates on various committees and boards; she is Chair of the Maritime Executive Committee for ICD (Institute of Corporate Directors), is Vice-Chair of Learnsphere, a national not-for-profit, and is a Board Director with Genoa Design International, a leader in production design and 3D modeling services to shipbuilding and offshore industries. She has participated on many other boards: the former Chair of the Board of Directors of NB Liquor, Vice-Chair of Service New Brunswick, and President of the Human Resources Association of New Brunswick (HRANB). She also sat on the Board of Friends of the Moncton Hospital Foundation, The Greater Moncton Chamber of Commerce and is a former Board Member of the Canadian Council of Human Resources Associations. She taught for many years several modules of the Human Resources Management Program at UNB, NBCC-Moncton and CCNB-Dieppe on job and org design, recruitment and retention. She is a graduate of Université de Moncton and the University of New Brunswick (UNB) with degrees in psychology, public administration, and has an MBA. She completed the Director Program of the Institute of Corporate Directors and holds the designations of ICD.D and CPHR. She enjoys having a retired husband, her family close by, summers at the beach in Bouctouche, NB and babysitting her two grand-puppies.

Stephanie Champion

Job Titles:
  • Director