Team Management

Bernardo Fitz-Gonzalez
Head Coach
Coach Bernardo leads the Highlanders team on the court. He is originally from Bogota, Columbia and a FIBA head coach in South America who has competed at a high level internationally in the Liga de Las Americas against top teams in South and Central America. He has the best record in the Colombian Professional League, including leading his team to the most wins in a season in the history of Colombian basketball. He has also been Assistant Coach at East Los Angeles College. Coach Bernardo was a professional basketball player in Colombia and played for the Colombian National Team.

Troy Jackson Jr.
Assistant Coach
Troy has been a professional basketball player, teacher, educator, nonprofit leader, and motivational speaker. Troy's focus is to help the Highlanders players be the best they can be on and off the court.

Noah LaRose
Team Assistant
Sydney, NS

Mathew Georghiou
Vice President
Mathew was an early supporter of the Highlanders franchise and he continues to assist the team with business and marketing strategy. Mathew is an engineer, entrepreneur, and founder of MediaSpark, lokol, goCapeBreton.com, GoVenture World, and BrandMetal. Mathew is a graduate of Sydney Academy High School, Dalhousie University, Cape Breton University, and a former captain of the CBU Capers basketball team.

Taylor Collingwood
Operations Manager

Stephen Antle
Sales & Sponsorships

Meggan Desmond
Game Day Operations

Chad Wilcox
Game Day Director
Vernon Carr Jr
USA Player Scout
Vernon helps identify players that have the skills and character to be successful professional basketball players with the Highlanders. Vernon resides in Detroit, MI. He played NCAA Division I basketball with Towsen University, where he graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology and Anthropology. He later played in professional leagues in Europe and Asia. Vernon owns and operates the AO1 Skills Academy, where he has trained over 5,000 young basketball players.
Team Owners
The Highlanders’ ownership group is comprised of successful business and community leaders in Cape Breton.