September 12th, 2022
Barry Pitcher worked alongside Commissionaires employees for many years before becoming the not-for-profit security provider’s new Chief Executive Officer
Monday, September 12, 2022 – Barry Pitcher is the new CEO of a not-for-profit organization that’s been present in his work life pretty much since his career began. Today marks his first day at the helm of Commissionaires Nova Scotia (CNS), the province’s premier provider of security and background screening services.
“I have always had the utmost respect for the security professionals who work at Commissionaires. They were the steadfast keepers of all my places of employment while I was in uniform,” said Mr. Pitcher.
He says his personal connection to the organization, as well as an experience he had earlier this year working with CNS on a recruitment initiative, fuelled his desire to become CEO when the job became available in May.
“We were thrilled to see an individual of Barry’s calibre apply for the role,” said CNS Board Chair Steve Graham. “Mr. Pitcher is a highly experienced, successful, and well-regarded business leader. His training and professional background couldn’t be better aligned with our organization.”
Originally from Mount Pearl, Newfoundland, Mr. Pitcher is a Royal Roads Military College graduate who served seven years in the Canadian Armed Forces. He spent 24 years with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) before retiring in 2019 at the rank of Inspector. Mr. Pitcher has worked as an international security consultant for the past three years.
Mr. Pitcher deployed to Afghanistan in 2007 and has been a member of the Primary Reserve since 2010. He is a Lieutenant Colonel with the 5th Division in Halifax and served as Operations Officer for the local response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Most recently, Mr. Pitcher was the Community Engagement and Event Lead for the federal government’s apology to the descendants of the No. 2 Construction Battalion.
Mr. Pitcher comes from a family of police and military veterans. He is passionate about Commissionaires and its social mandate to offer meaningful employment to veterans of the Canadian Armed Forces and RCMP, as well as anyone else who wants to contribute to the safety and security of Nova Scotians.
“I’m starting my new role with high energy for employee and community relations. Engagement will be a key theme for me, and I aspire to represent all the communities we serve equally,” said Mr. Pitcher.
“My initial priorities are to listen and learn. I have an amazing team to support me and look forward to drawing down on their ideas and keys to success that have made CNS such a solid security provider to date.”
Mr. Pitcher takes a people-oriented approach to business. He understands networking, business development, and contract negotiation. Mr. Pitcher sits on the board for the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo and is a passionate volunteer with Family SOS, Feed Nova Scotia, and Team Rubicon.
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ABOUT COMMISSIONAIRES NOVA SCOTIA
Commissionaires Nova Scotia (CNS) is a member of Commissionaires, a federation of 15 independent divisions serving Canada from coast to coast. We are Nova Scotia’s premier security provider, offering more than two dozen unique services, including guarding, threat risk assessment, mobile patrol, event security, non-core policing, fingerprinting, and background screening.
A not-for-profit organization, CNS directs 95% of revenue back to employees in the form of wages and benefits. We have a social mandate to offer meaningful employment to veterans of the Canadian Armed Forces and RCMP, as well as anyone else who wants to contribute to the safety and security of Nova Scotians.
Roughly 1,300 commissionaires work across Nova Scotia at nearly 300 sites, including private businesses, government buildings, healthcare centres, toll booths, maritime facilities, airports, and events.