Chief Paul has been Membertou’s Chief and CEO since 1984. During his tenure, he has guided his community and administration into one of the most efficient and economically flourishing Indigenous communities in the country. He is specifically credited with doubling the land base for the Membertou Reserve and increasing the community’s employment rate to 80%.

Chief Paul began his career as a job placement officer for the Boston Indian Council and was quickly promoted to Director of Finance, eventually assuming the role of President. Before leaving the Council, he had progressed to the role of President. Similarly, he joined the Membertou Band Council as an Economic Development Officer and progressed to the role of Band Manager before being elected as Chief and leading his organization to being named among Canada’s 2019 Best Managed Company.

In 2017, Chief Paul was appointed to the Order of Canada. He is an inductee of the Nova Scotia Business Hall of Fame and a recipient of the Frank McKenna Leadership Award. He holds an honourary doctorate from Cape Breton University and received the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business Lifetime Achievement Award in 2020.