Milestones

VISION & PURPOSE IN ACTION – A legacy of building resilient, sustainable businesses and communities through sound policy and planning.

• Appointed as Vice-Chairperson of the Saint John Energy Board of Commissioners (December 2025).
• Supported the planning and execution of the second annual Fundy Regional Service Commission (FRSC) Summit. The Summit, held in November 2025, brought together the region’s municipal leaders with a focus on economic development, regional transportation, and solid waste reduction issues.
• Completed a project mandate for Houston-based Grid United focused on eastern Canada energy infrastructure opportunities (2024-25).
• Achieved Advanced Trust Management Standards (ATMS) certification through the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans (July 2025).  The ATMS curriculum includes four key knowledge areas of effective trust management: legal, administration, governance and funding/investment/finance. Currently serve as a Trustee of the Saint John Energy Pension Plan.
• Appointed as a Member of the Board of Directors, Saint John Region Chamber of Commerce (June 2025).
• Member of the Deloitte project team that delivered the Net Zero Atlantic webinar entitled “Assessing Atlantic Canada’s Hydrogen Supply Chain: Gaps, Readiness, and Growth” on May 28, 2025.
• Member of the New Brunswick, Atlantic Canadian and Canadian delegation at the 2025 World Hydrogen Summit in Rotterdam, the Netherlands (May 19-21, 2025).
• Instructor: 2019 – 2025 Business Opportunity Analysis Course (MBA 7302), UNB Saint John.  100% of the 2025 course participants ranked Neil Jacobsen as an effective teacher.
• Instructor: 2023 – 2025 SME Entrepreneurship and New Venture Management Course (MBA 7167), UNB Saint John.  Overwhelming positive student feedback in 2025, including: “As an instructor, Professor Neil Jacobsen demonstrates exceptional resourcefulness and effectiveness by sharing his extensive knowledge and practical experience during classroom sessions.  His teaching stands out because he links theoretical knowledge with actual business applications.”
• Member of the Project Team that completed an Atlantic Canada Wind Energy Supply Chain Assessment. The report, released in April 2025, was commissioned by Marine Renewables Canada to support the development of Atlantic Canada’s onshore and offshore wind energy supply chain capacity and capabilities.  The project was led by Xodus Group, with support from Nova Scotia-based Envigour Policy Consulting, Newfoundland and Labrador-based partners Angler Solutions and Caron Hawco Group, along with New Brunswick-based Roxham Advisory & Consulting Services, and Indigenous-relations expert Eric Christmas.  Atlantic Canada possesses among the strongest wind resources in the world, both offshore and onshore. With strong capabilities in marine industry and technology, an existing onshore wind supply chain poised for growth, a capable workforce, and a track record of Indigenous participation, our region is set to see significant economic benefits from the ongoing development of the offshore and onshore wind energy sectors.
• Co-authored a discussion paper entitled “Energy: Atlantic Canada’s Path to Economic Prosperity and Environmental Sustainability”. The discussion paper was submitted by the Atlantica Centre for Energy and Marine Renewables Canada to the Council of Atlantic Premiers on February 19, 2025. The Discussion Paper was positioned as a call to action for enhanced regional energy sector cooperation and collaboration: “By working together and amplifying our region’s voice both nationally and internationally, Atlantic Canada has a much higher probability of unlocking the full potential of its vast energy and natural resources. The energy sector is foundational to ensuring a sustainable, secure and prosperous future for New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island”.
• Retained by Opportunities New Brunswick (ONB) to develop an implementation strategy for their provincial Sustainable Economic Development Plan (Fall 2024).  The development of a whole-of-government Sustainable Economic Development Plan is a commitment within the Government of New Brunswick’s 2022 – 2027 Climate Change Action Plan.
• Supported the development, planning and execution of the inaugural Fundy Regional Service Commission (FRSC) Summit. The Summit, held in November 2024, provided an opportunity for Fundy region elected representatives and community leaders to meet, interact in a series of themed workshops, and learn more about the region’s strengths and the FRSC’s strategic plan.  Over 100 people attended the inaugural Summit, providing valuable feedback with respect to the Commission’s key priorities and 2025 work plan.
• Delivered an interactive workshop focused on emerging clean and renewable energy technologies and energy disruption as part of module one of the University of New Brunswick’s Energy Fundamentals for Leaders Program (October 2024).  The program is delivered annually by the Atlantica Centre for Energy.
• Served as a “go-to-market” small business mentor in the Ask the Expert Lounge at the Startup Canada Tour in Moncton, NB on September 17, 2024.
• In partnership with Cushman & Wakefield Atlantic, led the site screening, assessment and selection process for a new permanent home for the Fundy Regional Service Commission (FRSC).  Based on the Commission’s site selection criteria, 30 different lease, purchase and hybrid commercial space options were assessed throughout the greater Saint John region.  The FRSC took occupancy of their new location on Broadview Ave., Saint John in September 2024.
• Member of the organizing team for the second annual Atlantica Energy Summit, held from June 11-13^th, 2024 in Digby, NS.  The theme of the 2024 Summit was “Aligning vision, strategy and opportunity to realize the economic potential of the energy transition in Atlantic Canada”.  In cooperation with CAMPUT (the Canadian Association of Members of Public Utility Tribunals), facilitated a discussion with respect to “The Evolving Role of Energy Regulation in Canada”.  The 2024 Summit attracted a wide cross-section of Atlantica member organizations and regional energy sector industry and government leaders.
• Invited to participate in Bow Valley College’s Annual Start-Up Bootcamp Weekend (May 10-12, 2024).  The Bootcamp supports the entrepreneurial aspirations of post-secondary students enrolled in Alberta’s colleges and universities.  Also toured and met with staff and entrepreneurs at Calgary’s innovative Platform Incubation Centre.
• Prepared a report for the New Brunswick Climate Change Secretariat outlining policy and regulatory recommendations with respect to the development of anaerobic digestor (AD) projects.  The report included (1) an assessment of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, (2) jurisdictional best practices, and (3) recommendations to remove regulatory barriers and support the accelerated deployment AD technology in the province.
• Neil and Christine Jacobsen served as Honorary Co-Chairs of the 2023 YMCA of Southwestern New Brunswick’s Strong Communities Annual Campaign.  The Campaign, dedicated to improving and enriching the lives of thousands of children, adults, seniors and families in the Saint John region and southwestern New Brunswick, raised more than $655,000.
• Volunteer member of the community working group that contributed to the development of ActSJ: the City of Saint John’s Community Energy Action Plan.  The Plan was approved by Saint John Common Council on January 8, 2024, and lays out a strategy for the community to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
• Appointed as a Trustee for the Saint John Energy Shared Risk Pension Plan.  Successfully completed the Foundations of Trust Management Standards (FTMS) program through the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans (2023).
• Moderated the “Modelling pathways to net zero emissions in the electricity sector” panel session during the inaugural Atlantic Canadian Energy System Modelling Conference held in Halifax from June 12-13^th, 2023. The conference, organized by Net Zero Atlantic and the Energy Modelling Hub, attracted over 100 policymakers, business leaders, utility representatives, researchers, and energy system modellers from across Atlantic Canada and beyond with a focus on facilitating and enabling regional collaboration around energy system planning and integrating Atlantic Canada within the national energy system modelling community.
• Member of the organizing team for the inaugural 2023 Atlantica Energy Summit, held from June 8-9^th, 2023 in Eastern Prince Edward Island (PEI).  In cooperation with the PEI Energy Corporation and Government of PEI, organized a PEI Energy Innovation Tour that included the East Kings Wind Farm, AKA Energy Systems, Frontier Power Systems, and the future site of the PEI Clean Tech Park in Georgetown.
• As a U.S. State Department International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) alumnus, invited by the U.S. Consul General for Atlantic Canada, Lyra S. Carr, to join the U.S. Ambassador to Canada, David L. Cohen, in Halifax to share perspectives pertaining to the current U.S. – Canada relationship (July 2023).
• Completed the Professional Communication: Business Writing and Storytelling course from The Economist, recognized as an authoritative global news leader focused on current affairs, international business, politics, technology, and culture. Received a final grade of 96.2% and the following assessment “I can see an improvement in your writing from the very first assignment on the course, even though you were already an excellent writer.” The six-week short course focused on leaning how to research, write and edit clear and compelling business communications. The class average was 64.2%, with students participating from all over the world.
• Academic Advisor – 2023 Business Consulting Project Course (MBA 7015), UNB Saint John.
• Instructor – 2023 Integrated Business Planning Course (MBA 7011), UNB Saint John.
• Retained by Opportunities New Brunswick, in cooperation with the New Brunswick Departments of Environment and Local Government and Natural Resources and Energy Development, to develop a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the completion of a New Brunswick Hydrogen Roadmap.  The RFP was issued in the fall of 2022.
• Chair of the Atlantic Hydrogen Alliance’s Enabling Conditions Working Group, reporting to the Alliance’s Executive Committee.  The Working Group exists to identify and prioritize the enabling conditions required to increase access to hydrogen as an affordable, low carbon energy source in Atlantic Canada (2020 – 2023).
• In partnership with NS-based Envigour, prepared a regulatory road map for BioNB in support of their Sussex Geothermal Validation Project.  The project is assessing the viability of developing a low temperature geothermal district energy system utilizing Nutrien’s decommissioned and flooded Penobsquis potash mine in the Sussex area (2022).
• Led the development of a renewed strategic vision for the Atlantic Salmon Conservation Foundation.  The strategy, developed in cooperation with staff and the volunteer Board of Directors, is focused on transformational growth and will guide the Foundation’s direction and priorities for the five-year period extending from 2022 to 2027.  Assisted the Foundation in launching the strategy through a series of provincial workshops with key wild Atlantic salmon conservation partners and stakeholders (2022).
• Served as a Transition Facilitator for the New Brunswick Department of Environment and Local Government.  Provided support in launching the Local Governance Reform process in two newly created municipalities – Eastern Charlotte and Fundy Shores. Facilitated discussions with local community leaders in establishing municipal boundaries, identifying naming options, and creating a new municipal governance structure, including at-large and ward Council representation (2022).
• Retained by the Department of Natural Resources and Energy Development to review the Government of New Brunswick’s Locally Owned Renewable Energy Small Scale Program (LORESS).  The review was required under Action 44 of the 2016 New Brunswick Climate Change Action Plan, and included an assessment of LORESS Program outcomes, key lessons learned and future recommendations with respect to the application of community energy programs in New Brunswick (2022).
• Lead researcher and author of the Atlantica Centre for Energy’s submission to the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick’s Standing Committee on Climate Change and Environmental Stewardship with respect to the renewal of the province’s Climate Change Action Plan (2022).
• Interviewed by Don Mills & David Campbell as part of the Huddle “Insights” Podcast Series.  The interview focused on “How To Keep Growing A $14-Billion Energy Industry In A Net Zero Economy” (2021).
• Lead researcher and author of an Atlantica Centre for Energy policy paper focus on regulatory reform in the energy sector – an Atlantic Canada Imperative. The policy paper was launched in unison with the Maritimes Energy Association’s 2021 C.O.R.E. Conference.
• Project support for a transformational $35-40 million private-sector mixed use real estate development in southern New Brunswick (2021).
• Completed a comprehensive analysis and review of the proposed federal Clean Fuel Standard and its potential regulatory compliance impacts in Atlantic Canada for the Atlantica Centre for Energy (2021).
• Conceived, organized, and launched the February 2021 Strong Cities = Strong Province Speakers Series for the Cities of New Brunswick Association in support of municipal reform (2021).
• Member and representative for the Atlantica Centre for Energy on the Offshore Energy Research Association’s Project Management Committee for “Net-Zero Future: A Feasibility Study of Hydrogen Production, Storage, Distribution and Use in The Maritimes” (2020).
• Co-managed a strategic “value-optimization” initiative with Saint John Energy (the City’s municipal electric distribution utility) designed to position the utility for sustainable growth, new investments and continued product and service diversification, including the pursuit of new renewable energy development opportunities such as wind, hydro, solar and district energy.
• Completed Incident Command System (ICS) Level 100 and 200 Training.  ICS is a Pan Canadian command and control structure used to help manage emergency incidents and planned events.  Participated in several activations of the City of Saint John’s Emergency Measures Organization (EMO), including storm and flood events and the 2008 fire and explosion at the Irving Oil refinery.  Formally recognized by Fire Chief Kevin Clifford “for the tremendous respect and support provided to the Saint John Fire Department and SJEMO Service”.
• Co-leadership and oversight of the City of Saint John’s continuous improvement initiative and efforts to remove $2.5 million in annual operating costs by the end of 2019. Received certification as a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt facilitator in 2017.
• Lead author of the City of Saint John’s 2018 pre-election Provincial Government White Paper, which provided key policy recommendations designed to address the City’s long-term sustainability challenges. Served as Co-Chair of a joint municipal – provincial Sustainability Working Group in 2018.
• Member of the City of Saint John’s “Safe, Clean Drinking Water Project” Steering Committee, the largest municipal water project in New Brunswick history and one of the largest P3 water projects completed in Canada (2018-2021).
• Vice-President and volunteer Board Member of the Fundy Trail Development Authority.  The Board provided oversight with respect to the design, funding, and construction of Phase II of the Fundy Trail Parkway during my 12-year tenure as a Director (2004-2016).
• Video Testimonial: Recognized in 2015 by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and the Honourable Perrin Beatty, President and CEO, “as one of Canada’s Resource Champions for his outstanding efforts to promote natural resources development and trade in Canada”.
• As a Saint John Region Chamber volunteer, supported the successful launch of the inaugural 2015 and 2016 annual East Coast Energy Connection Conferences (ECEC), including event programming, content development and speaker selection.
• Nominated by the US Consulate in Halifax and selected by the US State Department in 2013 as one of three Canadian participants on an International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) to Washington, Houston and Denver focusing on US-Canada energy policy issues. Interacted with public sector, private sector and academic energy leaders including the US Senate, US State Department, US Department of Energy, US Chamber of Commerce, Edison Electric Institute, North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), American Petroleum Institute, Colorado House of Representatives, National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Colorado School of Mines.
• Led the senior policy teams that researched, developed, and wrote the 2011 New Brunswick Energy Blueprint and 2013 New Brunswick Oil and Natural Gas Blueprint.  The Blueprints consist of longer-term policy visions supported by detailed action plans. The 2011 Energy Blueprint was fully implemented by the Government of New Brunswick.
• Volunteer Member of the 2012 True Growth 2.0 Community Steering Committee, which was responsible for shaping a renewed economic development strategy for the Saint John, NB region.
• Selected as one of ten participants for the Province of New Brunswick’s Senior Leaders Study Tour and professional development program. The program involved a week-long engagement process with community, social, economic, educational, cultural, and business leaders from across NB, with a follow-up presentation of findings and recommendations to the Premier (2009).
• Received the Enterprise Saint John “True Growth” community service award in recognition for personal contributions to the economic growth of the greater Saint John region (2008).
• Member of the Bangor & Saint John international economic development team that received an award for trade innovation from Governor John B. Baldacci and the Maine International Trade Center. The award recognized the growing cross-border economic, trade and cultural ties between Saint John, New Brunswick and Bangor, Maine (2006).
• Leadership in launching the redevelopment of the Saint John Inner Harbour waterfront and Phase 1 of Harbour Passage – a transformational community project (2001 – 2003).
• Co-led efforts to complete the 2003 Saint John Inner Harbour Land Use Plan, which provided a comprehensive 25-year vision for the redevelopment of Saint John’s Inner Harbour waterfront.
• Hemmingford Chamber of Commerce Award for Dedication to the Cause of Tourism Development. The award was presented by the Chamber in recognition of significant personal leadership in establishing the Hemmingford Tourism Committee and launching the inaugural Hemmingford “apple country” cooperative tourism promotional campaign & supporting attractions map (1988). Hemmingford is now one of southern Quebec’s leading summer and fall visitor destinations.