The Codroy Valley Area Development Association
An active community supporting each other.
Who We Are
A community in association.
The Codroy Valley Area Development Association is an exciting and unique community association with the ambition of representing the interests of the Codroy Valley Community inhabitants and their businesses. We hold an active membership of those who live in the area and are led by an elected board.
Our Aim and Objective
The CVADA’s aims and objectives are to serve as a forum for discussion and exchange of ideas to identify local needs and involve local people in the planning, implementation and management of programs for the development of the region.
We aim to promote local leadership development and to be a local agency where individuals and groups can bring their issues for discussion and resolution. We are the entity that helps us in Codroy Valley to mobilize the resources of the local people to solve problems independently.
As a group, together, we can work to obtain, acquire and seek any property, grants, rights, powers or assistance that may be helpful toward attaining the general objectives of the association.
Join Us!
The Community Association is always stronger with more volunteers and members. Please reach out to us with your interest in getting involved.
We have an active Facebook Group, "Codroy Valley Area Development Association," so we invite you to join that group to catch up on events and participate in the community conversation.
Your CVADA Board
We are your neighbours and friends in the community who want to contribute our time and energy to helping the community.
Chris Bruce
Board Chair (Searston)
Trail Sub-Committee Member
Hi! I'm Chris Bruce, and I appear to be the Chair of the CVADA. That's a new and surprising thing that I'm really happy to be a part of.
I'm new-ish to the valley, and half a townie, so please don't hold that against me. I'm just lucky enough to have a lot of loving and supportive family here, so I've made a choice to call the valley home. I spent summers here growing up and went back and forth over the last five years. But now I've picked my side of the island, and it's the one with the sun.
I'm a comedian, a writer, a very tiny farmer, sort of a loud mouth... but really trying to use my powers for good! I used to run cafes in St. John's (a wildly untranslatable skill), so I'm a chipper morning person. I enjoy long walks on the beach to haul kelp, and I raised my two cats like dogs, so they are very good boys.
I look forward to working with all of our community in the coming year to address the big opportunities and challenges we all share. Losing the roads last fall helped show how easy we can be to get cut off, but also how quickly we can all come together. I am truly grateful to call this place home.
I thank you deeply for your temporary show of confidence and promise not to let you down too much.
Melissa Samms
Board Vice-Chair (Millville)
Social Sub-Committee Member
I am mi'kmaw from and of the Katalisk / Codroy Valley; I grew up in Millville, with roots in Cape Anguille. My educational and professional background is varied, mainly in Political Science and Business Admin, which I put to good use in my work life at Atlantic Edge Credit Union in Doyles, and in my volunteer work as the Western Representative on the Provincial Executive of the NLNDP. I joined the board of the CVADA to help coordinate resources with and for the people in our community. When I'm not working or volunteering, you can find me reading trashy romance novels, drinking my body weight in tea, or yelling on Twitter @MelissaSammsNL
Lucy Poirier
Board Member (Great Codroy)
Born and raised in the Codroy Valley, I moved to Northern BC after graduating from Belanger Memorial High. Health Care became my chosen profession, but I eventually opened an Espresso Café in the small northern town of Fort Nelson, BC, and raised two daughters.
After 30 years on the Alaska Highway, I relocated to Calgary, AB, returned to Health Care at the Foothills Medical Centre and enjoyed volunteer opportunities in my community. In 2019, I retired from Health Care and returned to the Codroy Valley to enjoy family, friends, gardening, photography, beautiful scenery and music.
Most recently, my involvement with The Codroy Valley Area Development Association has allowed me to offer meaningful, consistent support in the culture and life of the Codroy Valley.
I look forward to engaging in plans for the area and chatting with the residents.
Carolyn AuCoin
Board Member (Tompkins)
I grew up at the Cape Anguille Lighthouse Station and, in later childhood, moved to the community of Codroy. My parents were Henry & Ruth Reid (Kendell). My father was a lighthouse keeper, and some of my greatest childhood memories surround my days living at the lighthouse station. After graduating from Belanger Memorial High School, I attended the Memorial University of NL, where I completed a Bachelor of Education degree & a Master of Education degree. I began my teaching career in 1993 in the southwest coast community of LaPoile. Following my two years in LaPoile, I taught in Port aux Basques, Flat Bay and the Codroy Valley. I am presently a reading specialist/ teacher librarian & Grade 6 Math teacher at Belanger Memorial School. I am married to Darrin Aucoin, and we have a daughter & a son, Rebecca & Brady. We live in the community of Tompkins with the beauty of the Long Range Mountains and the Little Codroy River in our backyard. I have been a member of the CVADA since 2018, and I am also a member of the Codroy Valley Folk Festival Committee. My greatest loves- are my family, my friends, my career and the beautiful place I call home- the Codroy Valley.
Tracy Keeping
Board Member
Board Secretary
Trail Sub-Committee Member
I was born and raised in Newfoundland and married for almost 32 years, and Mother of two girls and Gemma to a nine-month-old Grandson. We lived in Nova Scotia as a military family for nearly 20 years and moved to Codroy Valley in 2010. I loved the province of Nova Scotia and still do, but I wanted our children to grow up with family and experience Newfoundland as we did as children. I am the Branch Manager at Atlantic Edge Credit Union in Doyles. I have been in Management in Sales and Finance for almost 30 years, and I always enjoy making a difference in the lives of people in our community. My love of helping others and living our best life in rural Newfoundland is why I volunteer as much time as possible when I’m not working or spending time with family. Outside of work and volunteering, our time with family and friends is spent in the great outdoors!!
Travis Cormier
Board Member (Upper Ferry)
Trail Sub-Committee Chair
My name is Travis Cormier, and I was born and raised in the Codroy Valley. After some time in university and college, I found myself in Alberta in the oil inspection trade and spent nearly a decade there as a technician and manager.
My heart was always in Newfoundland, and in 2017 I moved back home to Codroy Valley to work at our family farm. It was then I met my wife, and a year later, we were married and currently have two little girls.
I currently help manage our family’s dairy farm, West Valley Farm, and a new venture in tourism with Green Acres Cottages.
My family instilled volunteering and community spirit in me at a young age. I spent a lot of time on committees in high school and joined the Codroy Valley Recreation Association as Vice President when I moved home in 2017. This is my 4th year on the CVADA board, and I have taken on the role of Trail Committee chair as we look to improve and expand our trail network in the area.
Lana Thorimbert
Board Member (St. Andrews)
My partner, Roshni, and I were at the end of a bicycle trip, and when we rode out of the Port aux Basques fog and into the sunshine, we knew the Codroy Valley was a special place. After some time in St. John's, we decided to try out the rural life and were drawn to this place, especially because of its rich agricultural history. I am passionate about growing vegetables and living as low waste and consumption as possible. We opened Bert Bark in 2018 and have been hosting travellers, kayakers and musicians ever since. I am driven and inspired by the strong sense of community I feel all over Newfoundland and embrace the chance to be on the CVADA board.
I never tire of the scenery out my door, and I deeply appreciate this place where I've ended up and now call home.
Ron Laudadio
Board Member (Millville)
Social Sub-Committee Chair
Trail Sub-Committee Member
I was born and raised in Ontario. I'm also a father of two and built a career in IT, transitioning to executive leadership consulting. Having once been a Chief Technology Officer for IBM, I have held many executive roles for various organizations such as IBM and CGI. I started and headed the Webkinz (the plush toy and online experience for children) division and product with Ganz. I now spend my time running a global consulting agency that consults top executives of multinational corporations on how to improve how they work with their employees to make for happier and more productive workplaces that deliver excellent business results. Having visited the Codroy Valley for 13 summers, I followed my love for the Codroy Valley's area and people, and my love for a Newfoundland native. As of June 2021, I moved to the Millville area to live permanently.
Nancy Power
Board Member (Tompkins)
Born and raised in Tompkins, Codroy Valley, I spent my university years at Université Sainte-Anne in Nova Scotia, where I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in languages, followed by a degree in Education from Memorial University. After living and working in different places, including a year in Japan teaching ESL, my husband and I made our home in the Codroy Valley, where we are raising our two children and a new puppy. We spend much of our time enjoying the many outdoor and cultural activities our community and province offer. We also enjoy a good board game night! Having worked for a time as a French Immersion teacher, I am currently working as an advisor with the federal public service. I have been a CVADA member since 2018.
Dale Lomond
Board Member (Upper Ferry)
Board Treasurer
We are fortunate to have a mother, wife and community leader like Dale Lomond on our board. She has been an active part of her community for decades, where she was born and raised. For a long time, Dale ran Joe's Cafe, which became well known among residents of all ages during her proprietorship there. Her warm hospitality will always bring joy as she is a tireless volunteer who unwaveringly supports others through countless activities without seeming to get tired herself. Dale is a long-time board member, and we are happy to have her as our treasurer.