David Benoit has been named president and chief executive officer of the new provincial crown corporation, Build Nova Scotia. He emerged from a national competition for the leadership of the new agency, which has been established to oversee strategic provincial infrastructure projects such as development and redevelopment of health care facilities, environmental remediation, strengthening climate resilience and the ongoing rollout of high-speed internet capabilities.

Benoit joined Nova Scotia’s Department of Health and Wellness as senior executive director of investment and infrastructure planning in April 2020. That followed 30 years as an engineering officer in the Royal Canadian Navy, where he most recently served as the commanding officer of Canada’s East Coast fleet maintenance facility.

“Mr. Benoit’s experience with planning and building infrastructure across the province and his leadership role in planning for the major healthcare redevelopments will serve him well in this new position,” says Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston.