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Chris Callbeck
Featured Appointment

FYI: Acadia University appoints Christopher Callbeck as Vice-President, Finance and Administration and CFO

Acadia University

September 15, 2016

KBRS is pleased to have assisted Acadia University with the appointment of Christopher (Chris) Callbeck, CPA as Vice-President, Finance and Administration and CFO, effective August 8, 2016.

Immediately following his graduation from Acadia in 1978, Chris was hired by Coopers & Lybrand (now Price Waterhouse Coopers) where he earned his Chartered Accountant designation. Chris joined the University of New Brunswick at Saint John (UNBSJ) in 1985, where he held progressive leadership roles, most recently the role of Assistant Vice President, Financial & Administration Services. 

Over his 30 year career with UNBSJ, Chris contributed significantly to the progress and development of the University. He was instrumental in the multi-stakeholder negotiations that led to the establishment of Dalhousie Medicine New Brunswick in Saint John, as well as the construction of the 170-bed Mackay Residence offering apartment-style campus living to UNBSJ students. He also worked closely with the City of Saint John in leading the recent multi-million dollar refurbishment of the Canada Games Stadium on the UNBSJ campus.

“I’m pleased to welcome Chris back to Acadia, this time in a senior administrative role rather than solely as an alumnus,” said Ray Ivany, Acadia’s President and Vice-Chancellor. “Chris’s experience in the post-secondary sector is extensive and is aligned perfectly with the requirements of his senior leadership at Acadia. Perhaps just as importantly, as an Acadia graduate, he understands our community very well and the priority we place on preserving Acadia’s reputation as one of Canada’s leading undergraduate institutions and providing students with an extraordinary learning environment. I have no doubt that he will make an immediate contribution to Acadia and sustain the momentum we have gained on several fronts including student recruitment, efficient operations and critical infrastructure renewal.”*

Chris is a Board member and Treasurer of the Canadian Research Knowledge Network, Board member of the Canadian Association of University Business Officers and an active committee member for the Chartered Professional Accountants, New Brunswick. He was previously named Community Person of the Year for Hampton, NB, in recognition of his contribution as a volunteer.

Chris holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Acadia University, a CA, CPA designation, and a Certificate in University Management through the University of Manitoba. 

“I’m very much looking forward to returning to Acadia and becoming involved in the community of Wolfville,” said Chris.  “I have no hesitation in saying that my years at Acadia were the best years of my life and the guidance and encouragement I received from my professors changed the course of my career. I know that this commitment to students remains central to Acadia’s institutional identity and is what distinguishes Acadia within our Canadian post-secondary landscape. I can’t wait to begin making whatever contribution I can to enhancing Acadia’s reputation as one of Canada’s most outstanding universities.”*

Please join us in congratulating Chris Callbeck on his new role and welcoming him back to Wolfville.