The Holland College Foundation Board has announced the appointment of Kent Scales as chair of its board of directors, and the appointment of two new board members, Pam Schurman Montgomery and Peter McLaughlin.

Kent Scales has been a member of the Holland College Foundation since 2018 and served as chair of the Holland College Board of Governors from 2015 to 2017. Scales is the CEO of The Scales Group of Companies, which incorporates numerous local businesses including Robin’s Donuts, ServiceMaster, and Kensington Agricultural Services. In 2014, he was named PEI’s Entrepreneur of the Year. Scales has served in leadership roles within numerous organizations on PEI and volunteers with many local charities. He and his wife Inger have two daughters, Kali and Molly.

Scales’ appointment comes with the retirement of Ron Keefe, who served as a member of the Holland College Foundation Board from 2014 to 2020 and as chair of the board from 2018 to 2020.

“We are so grateful to Ron for his outstanding leadership and contribution to the Holland College Foundation, and to Kent for taking on this important role,” said Jo-Ann Campbell-Boutilier, Executive Director. “We are fortunate to have a remarkable team of volunteers working hard to advance Holland College through the Holland College Foundation.

Pam Schurman Montgomery began working in the family business, M.R. Schurman Company Ltd., at a very early age, taking on various roles from floor sweeper to purchasing agent. She has volunteered extensively in numerous roles with many organizations across the Island while serving in professional capacities that have included executive director of Central Development Corporation (CDC). In June of 2020, Schurman Montgomery left her role at CDC and is now a partner in a start-up venture at Bait Masters Inc. She continues to offer consulting services through her company, Project 1 Inc. Schurman Montgomery and her husband, Mark, have two sons, Jacob and Jordan.

Peter McLaughlin received his education at St. FX, UNB, and Harvard Business School. He enjoyed a 20-year career at Loblaws in Toronto in a number of senior management positions including president of emerging business, and senior vice president of national wholesale before serving as president of Interbake Foods, a sister company to Loblaws based in Richmond, Virginia. McLaughlin recently relocated back to PEI and currently serves as president of Anne of Green Gables Chocolates. He is involved in various other PEI based businesses. McLaughlin and his wife, Niki, have three children, Riley, Brogan, and Bayley.

“Pam and Peter bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the board and will join the efforts of our current members in the advancement of the foundation’s fundraising objectives,” said Scales. “Through the generosity of the donor community, the foundation provides access to the education, skills development, and training students need to achieve their full potential.”

In addition to Ron Keefe, the appointment of Schurman Montgomery and McLaughlin coincide with two Holland College Foundation Board retirements, Derek Key and Stephen Cudmore. Jason Aspin, Adam Balderston, Everett Roche, Alanna Taylor, Stan MacPherson, Trisha Mossey, Barry Sheen, Jeff Squires, Ken Heckbert, and Sandy MacDonald round out the Holland College Foundation Board, and Jo-Ann Campbell-Boutilier is executive director and an ex officio member of the board.