At the time of his hiring at Commissionaires Nova Scotia, Barry Pitcher was a self-employed security contractor for the US State Department.
By Jill Smith
When he steps to the front of the room, Barry Pitcher is effortlessly composed and confident, dressed in a sharp suit. From the desert to the boardroom of Commissionaires Nova Scotia (CNS), his career has been shaped by discipline, adaptability, and a mission-driven approach. Barry’s leadership style prioritizes people. As a veteran of both the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), his dual service experience has informed his strengths in operational excellence and dedication to equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI).
At first glance, you can easily mistake his leadership to be defined by precision and strategy alone. Yet beneath the polished exterior lies a person of many talents, a musician and singer, cook and a dedicated father who can style a French braid. Leadership isn’t just about strength and vision; it’s also about character and the human stories that make a person uniquely unforgettable.
Barry, alongside commissionaires Fletcher and Naomi, at the Command Post during the 2023 Tantallon Wildfires. As flames tore through communities, destroying 151 homes in less than eight days, commissionaires provided critical support to first responders and secured the perimeter, ensuring safety in the face of devastation.
Depth of character has shaped Barry’s career in uniformed service. “My grandfathers both served in the Second World War, and my father was also a veteran and police officer, so the defence industry has been a part of our family history,” he shared. As a young Newfoundlander, Barry followed in their footsteps, joining the CAF as an infantry officer. After seven years, he changed uniforms, becoming a member of the RCMP where he served for 24 years, retiring at the rank of inspector. Barry worked on many critical incident files and in 2007, he deployed to Afghanistan. His selfless service continues today, he has been a member of the primary reserve since 2010 and is currently a Colonel in his off hours with the 5th Canadian Division based in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
An experience he described as life-changing, Barry volunteered as the CAF representative for the federal government’s 2019 apology to the descendants of the No. 2 Construction Battalion held in Truro, Nova Scotia. This role marked a defining moment in his career, which he described as, “one of enlightenment, education and historical recognition when it comes to systemic racism.” Barry had the unique opportunity of partnering with the Black Cultural Centre of Nova Scotia to unpack the barriers and hear the voices of the descendants and community. His role allowed him to serve as a beacon for those voices and help craft an apology from the Prime Minister of Canada, to correct the sins of the past. “I had many profound moments through this journey. When the crowd came to their feet as the apology was stated loudly that I will remember as the proudest moment of my career,” Barry expressed as he reflected on the experience; for his involvement he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal (military division).
In the summer of 2021, Barry, who at that time was self-employed as a defence and security contractor for the US State Department, was approached to apply for the position of CEO at CNS. “As a veteran of both the police and military, I felt the role meshed well with who I am and what I stand for,” said Barry, as he recounted the moment. “I wanted to contribute beyond the user phase of the defence service chain to make a tangible difference to those serving Canada.”
Prior to becoming CEO, Barry faced another pivotal moment in his career, this time it tested his leadership and resilience. “When I was in the CEO hiring process for Commissionaires Nova Scotia, someone mailed in a photo of me doing something very stupid from when I was a teenager,” Barry recalled. “I was initially devastated, angry and hurt. It would have been very easy to walk away from being CEO.” The mistake felt insurmountable, but he chose to use it as an opportunity to grow. “I decided to take the power away from that moment and turn it into a learning moment.”
Barry stands proudly with the Commissionaires flag during his deployment in Georgia, where he plays a key role in Exercise Maple Arch. This 10-day military mentoring initiative brings together 300 international partners, with Barry leading a team of mentors supporting the headquarters unit of a Ukrainian air assault group.
He spoke with the CNS Board of Governors, sharing how he felt that mistakes not only served to humble us but that this mistake would make him a more compassionate leader. Barry pointed out that one can never truly operate mistake free, and that he could only serve to recognize, apologize and make better. The stance was supported by the Board and Barry was appointed as the next CEO of CNS.
This was not only a moment for Barry to demonstrate his leadership but also a powerful lesson in accountability and growth. He noted he now makes a point to publicly talk about accepting blind spots as a leader and encourages others not to fear the past, as long as they are learning pathways to a better future.
When he joined CNS, Barry hit the ground running, and the company has not slowed its pace since. He made a
commitment to strengthen employee relations, expand community engagement, and strengthen the veteran-centric mandate. Under his leadership, key initiatives have been implemented to foster a better trained, more inclusive and supported workforce. Commissionaires receive the best-in-class security training, equipping employees with the skills and support they need to succeed in a dangerous world. “Employee well-being is more than just a workplace initiative, it’s a fundamental part of who we are as an organization,” explains Barry. To achieve these goals, he has thoughtfully assembled a highly qualified and balanced strategic leadership team at CNS by adding Rebecca Landry as Chief Operating Officer, Lisette Hachey as Chief Financial Officer and Dalton Wakely as Chief of People & Culture. Assembling such a strong executive reinforces the commitment CNS has made to create a thriving workplace.
Beyond leading by example, Barry has led CNS to take meaningful steps to better reflect diversity within its workforce, while strengthening connections with the communities it serves. Key relationships with organizations such as the Mi’kmaq Friendship Centre, Black Cultural Centre of Nova Scotia, and Friends United have reinforced CNS’s commitment to inclusion. EDI training is offered multiple times each year in various culturally significant locations with participation from all levels of the organization. As Barry points out, “Our training staff has been working very hard to bring our new approach to reality and to ensure commissionaires graduate with all the awareness tools need to succeed and thrive.”
Beyond EDI, CNS has expanded its training programs into new and relevant areas under Barry’s leadership. Through a partnership with the Nova Scotia RCMP Human Trafficking Unit, commissionaires now receive specialized training to recognize and report signs of human trafficking. This is proving critical in high-traffic areas such as transport hubs, where commissionaires are dutifully stationed throughout Nova Scotia. Human Trafficking 101 is now mandatory for all new employees, reinforcing CNS’s commitment to making public spaces safer. This is one example where Barry has propelled CNS to evolve as an organization prioritizing inclusion, professional development, and community safety.
A mural honouring the No 2 Construction Battalion
is unveiled during a ceremony held at the Black Culture Centre for Nova Scotia in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia on July 7, 2022.
(Photo: Master Corporal Trevor Matheson, 5th Canadian Division Public Affairs, @DND-MDN Canada Copyright)
Barry is also cognizant of the social mandate to employ veterans and their families. He actively works to connect veterans with meaningful roles within CNS. He recently initiated a partnership with Trevor
Godinho’s Honour Country Sacrifice, a portrait series. This series captures veteran stories to help foster national awareness and appreciation. “As a veteran myself, I understand the impact of the sacrifices veterans make,” explains Barry when asked about how CNS champions the social mandate. “Ensuring they have opportunities, support, and a strong community network is not just essential, it is a responsibility we proudly embrace.”
Barry’s leadership is clearly built on personability, adaptability, and a deep understanding of the bonds forged in service. This is what makes him a true Captain of Industry. He understands that just as military and law enforcement form lasting friendships in uniform, so too does the defence industry. When facing difficulty, Barry always falls back to relying on trust and comradery, a culture largely shaped by the many veterans within the ranks of CNS.
He believes the defence industry is a unique space of opportunity where those who have served feel at home. He states, “Quite often, veterans struggle to find post service employment that offers tangible connection to their past skills and experiences. Our vets take great pride in still serving by keeping the defence industry safe at their respective workplaces.” When asked about the most rewarding aspect of pursuing a career in the defence industry, Barry adds, “Hearing them tell me how much this work means to them, and how the ability to stay connected motivates them to come to work, inspires me to keep pushing for more placements and contracts within the defence sector.”
From the military and RCMP to security and defence, Barry has led with a ‘people-first’ philosophy, recognizing that leadership is as much about relationships as it is about operational excellence. He believes one should be reaching down to pull up others, preparing future leaders for greater responsibility. This means being a true mentor.
“The defence industry requires a high degree of emotional intelligence and social professionalism,” Barry emphasized when asked about advice to those with an interest in the defence sector. “Trust isn’t something you can show up with, it’s earned through relationships and a shared commitment to ensuring that the people on the frontlines get the best possible kit and service we can offer.”
It’s this unwavering focus on people, purpose, and service that has defined Barry’s career, making him more than a respected leader, but a guiding presence in the industry.
