David Alston is a well-known community leader and business entrepreneur who is driven to find ways to unlock the full potential of every New Brunswicker. David has worked with innovators across party lines over his lifetime to do his part in driving positive change in his community. He believes that to truly create effective solutions together requires listening, respect for others’ opinions and expertise, a willingness to learn and collaborate, and a focus on finding solutions backed up by research and data.

David earned an BBA from Acadia University in 1989. After graduating, David moved to Saint John to begin his career at NBTel. It was NBTel’s culture of innovation leadership and customer service excellence that fed David’s passion as an entrepreneur.

David has always been committed to building a better Saint John. He has focused on ending generational poverty in Saint John as past co-chair of LivingSJ, and serving on the Board of Directors of the regional United Way, and the Business Community Anti-Poverty Initiative (BCAPI). He has also leant a hand in driving growth in the city, having recently concluded his terms as an independent director on the board of Envision Saint John: The Regional Growth Agency as well as as Vice Chair on the board of Saint John Energy.

He has volunteered his time as Entrepreneur in Residence for the New Brunswick Government and cofounded Brilliant Labs, which has helped tens of thousands of young Atlantic Canadian students and their teachers develop STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Entrepreneurship, Arts and Math) skills.

David is also very fiscally-minded, having been one of three citizens to volunteer to sit on the provincial government’s Strategy Program Review process, which not only helped balance the budget, but also helped set the foundation for deficit reductions.

In 2018, the Greater Saint John Community Foundation recognized David’s volunteer efforts in Saint John with a Community Service Award.

David is also a recognized business leader. Along with his wife Mary-Gwen, he founded and operates aerial adventure park TimberTop Adventures in Saint John’s Dominion Park, one of the largest of its kind in Canada. David was Chief Marketing Officer at Radian6, one of New Brunswick’s top start-up success stories. He is also founder of Marketswell, which has provided executive level coaching to young marketing leaders, and he has mentored dozens of start-ups and social enterprises in New Brunswick and around the world.

David has been awarded Entrepreneur of the Year in Atlantic Canada awards by both EY Canada and Startup Canada and has been recognized as an Industry Champion at the KIRA Awards for his innovation leadership in the province.

David and his wife, Mary-Gwen, have three adult children. Outside of work, David and Mary-Gwen love the outdoors, enjoying hiking, hands-on renovations and landscape work, gardening, rock climbing, kayaking and adventure travel. David has explored lots of different hobbies and passions throughout his life including acting in Saint John Theatre Company, New City Theatre and KV Players productions, improv comedy with the The Improvisation Corporation, geocaching, caving, completely renovating their first family home from top to bottom, and involvement in various sports.

David Alston has a clear vision for Saint John East and New Brunswick, one built on concern for people, empathy for the challenges they face, and focused on building a better future. He will put his experience and proven commitment to Saint John to work for the people of Saint John East and use his focus on listening, engagement, collaboration and innovation to get things done.