Meet our board of directors…

James (Jim) Brown
President

I am a licensed paramedic with 28 years experience and retired from the provincial ambulance service about 2 years ago. I am employed part-time at a private health care clinic in Dieppe NB, Medicalux Private Care. I provide all kinds of medical services with them, and I am responsible for managing their HCP (hearing conservation program). I travel all around our province and others in this capacity. I am also a hyperbaric oxygen therapy technician with them.

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I am involved with Saint John Ambulance and volunteer in all manners of what services they provide including: Instructor Trainer, First Aid & MFR instructor, CSUL (community service unit leader) of the Moncton 275 Brigade, member of the newly formed ERU Team (Emergency Response Unit), one of 25 federally regulated teams that respond to natural and man-made disasters. A Youth Group Leader with 15 years experience working with young people.
I am married to my wife Bea, of 22 years and have been friends for a great number of years prior. We both have 2 children each from previous marriages, and 5 grandchildren. We like to travel, tenting, hiking, enjoy our cats and ballroom dancing.
I was fortunate enough to be involved with one of the parent groups “Rural Rides” from the very beginning. Myself and several others were involved with the pilot amalgamation process that led to the successful formation of the current charitable organization “Urban/Rural Rides Inc.”
I am the current President of Urban/Rural Rides Inc and a volunteer driver. I work closely with our valued staff and sit on our Strategic Planning Committee/Bylaws Committee. I chair our Executive and Board meetings. I also enjoy meeting with other stakeholder groups and related conferences.
It is my greatest desire to see our services being established and provided for those communities still without affordable transportation and other transportation services to meet the demands of all New Brunswick.

Dave Gouthro
Vice-President

DAVE GOUTHRO — Groupe Touchette, Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada Non-Dealer, Wholesaler/Distributor Markets: Wholesale As distribution center manager for Groupe Touchette’s warehouse in Moncton, Dave serves in the company’s largest distribution center in Atlantic Canada. Always present and active in the building, Dave has built a strong diverse team of talented individuals.

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The Moncton facility consistently delivers strong safety metrics, strong sales volume and stands out as a leader in corporate social responsibility and community involvement. In 2022, Dave served as chairperson of the National Corporate Social Responsibility Committee, where he was able to increase community involvement and charitable giving nationally. For the past two years, he has been named to the Top 20 Leaders Under 40 by the local Chamber of Commerce relating to the Moncton facility and for his involvement with numerous charitable boards in the region. Dave is a foster parent turned adoptive parent who currently serves as Vice President to Urban Rural Rides a near province wide volunteer driver program, Chairperson to the SRS Regional Parent Teacher Association, Director for the Volunteer Center of Southeastern New Brunswick, Director for the Canadian National Institute for the Blind and Director for the Lions Club of Salisbury. Dave and his team over the last three years have contributed to multiple charities with a strong focus towards at risk youth & transportation, beginning a steal toe boot recycling program for youth entering the work force and raising over 5000 Christmas gifts for the children in the care of social service in the Greater Moncton Area. Dave continually seeks to grow a platform of improving safety, inclusivity/diversity and corporate social responsibility within the industry.

Dan Matthews
Treasurer

A retired Meteorologist with 35 years of service with Environment Canada. Originating from Nova Scotia, he did his service in various locations in Canada before settling in Dorchester. Has an avid interest in volunteering and supporting his community. Dan Holds a position as Secretary of the Dorchester Lions Club.

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Aside from being a volunteer driver for Urban/Rural Rides, he serves as Treasurer on the board of directors. He loves the interaction with the clients and has an opportunity to learn a lot of history and stories from this area as they travel to and from various appointments.

Diane Wilson
Secretary

Work: Retired. Volunteer at Salisbury Helping Hands, Inc. Food Bank and Urban/Rural Rides. Interests/hobbies: Enjoy travelling, crafts, reading. I have been volunteering in the Secretary position of Urban/Rural Rides since 2019.

Kirstin Shortt
Past-President

Founder of affordable transportation in Albert County, on executive committee for URR since its inception. Involved in all operational decisions and also part of the volunteer driver team. Passionate about our service and always trying to find new ways to ensure inclusiveness of people living in extremely rural areas, trying to find more ways to eliminate the hardship of isolation.

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Background, Information Science and Social Studies, Mayor of Alma for nine years on Council for fifteen plus years, member of executive Board for Hospice SENB, engaged in end-of-life care issues and coping with bereavement. Hobbies: travel, painting and writing, last published work “Flight into Dark Dawn”.

Normand Dupuis
Board Member

Career in printing industry as management and sales for the past 50 years. Elected councillor for Memramcook Village in June 2021, which also requires the participation on several committees including one of which is for the past two years sitting on the Board of Directors for Rural Ride (attending meetings regularly, joining in with board discussions and offering ideas or opinions, voting on board matters, making motions).

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Previously volunteer for a nine year term on the Board of Directors of Foyer Saint-Thomas, 30 beds Licensed nursing home. Family life with our 3 boys and 2 grandchildren has kept our family very involved in the sports environment. Presently playing pickleball myself is very enjoyable as a source of physical activity and socialization.

Gerald (Gerry) Forsythe
Board Member

Gerald (Gerry) Forsythe is a new board member to the Urban/Rural Rides organization. A long-time Riverview resident, Gerry has always given back to his community. After his retirement as a Commercial Sales Rep, he has volunteered much of his time with the Riverview Lions Club in various roles such as Secretary, President and Zone Chairperson with many roles in between.

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Even in his early days in The Valley of Nova Scotia where he was born and raised, he was an active member of the Kentville Fire Department and served in the West Nova Scotia Regiment. He and his late wife Evelyn moved to Riverview in 1971 where they raised their three children, two of which still reside in Riverview. Today, Gerry enjoys spending time with his grandsons playing crib, reading, and baking. Gerry enjoys helping others and is enjoying his time with Urban/Rural Rides.

Jason Gallant
Board Member

Jason joined the Board of Directors for Urban/Rural Rides in 2023. He is a devoted husband, dad of three adult children and a proud Grampie to one beautiful little girl. Jason has had a lengthy career in the IT Industry and most recently holds the position of IT Manager for a leading Health Insurance Company in Moncton.

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In addition to his corporate career, he is also a Councillor for the Town of Salisbury and has been an active volunteer over the years. Jason is also a board member with the Volunteer Centre of Southeastern New Brunswick and with Touchstone Counselling Group. His primary drive is to make a difference in any organization he’s a part of and is happy to be making a difference as a board member with Urban/Rural Rides.

Michelle Tupy Board Member

Michelle Tupy is originally from Australia and is currently the Chapter Director for Shelter Movers Greater Moncton. She enjoys working with businesses and nonprofits to develop community relationships and believes that working together is the key to success.

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Urban/Rural Rides aligns with her beliefs, and she has enjoyed watching the organization grow in terms of processes and the areas that it covers. Accessibility should be afforded to every individual regardless of their circumstances.