VIATeC Board of Directors 2008-09
Art Aylesworth
Chair
Art Aylesworth is an experienced entrepreneurial businessman with over twenty five years of leadership in the technology sector. He has the rare ability to make things happen and to create positive inertia in companies trying to establish themselves as market leaders.
Art joined Carmanah Technologies as President and CEO in 2000 and led the company’s rapid transformation from a research and engineering start up with 12 employees and $1M revenues into one of the world’s fastest-growing renewable and energy efficient technology manufacturers with over 250 employees and $60M in annual revenues. He successfully identified market opportunities and nurtured a strong and dedicated team to bring Carmanah’s core solar LED lighting technology to several vertical markets. He led Carmanah’s transition to a public corporation through a reverse takeover as well as two subsequent rounds of financing. Under his direction, the company won more than fifty industry awards for business excellence and environmental leadership, while maintaining exceptional average annual growth in revenues of 80%.
Named the “Ernst & Young 2006 Entrepreneur of the Year” for the Pacific Region and the Vancouver Island Advanced Technology Centre’s “2005 Executive of the Year”, Mr. Aylesworth is one of British Columbia’s most recognized technology executives. He is the Chairman of Viatec and a director of the British Columbia Technology Industry Association (BCTIA).
Dale Campbell
Atomic Crayon
Dale is the CEO of Atomic Crayon, a full-service web design and development company that caters to a wide variety of municipal, retail and non-profit clients. Operating since 1996 our services include award-winning website design and development, digital strategy planning, copywriting, e-commerce applications, and enterprise-level content management.
As one of the founding partners of Atomic Crayon, Dale has over twelve years of experience in the technology sector. He is responsible for guiding the company from the newbie Internet years, through the dot.com bust and to its current success today as one of the leading web design companies in North America. His background and experience in entrepreneurship has allowed the company to garner a variety of clients that include Thrifty Foods, Honda Japan, Union of BC Municipalities, University of Victoria and the City of Victoria.
Dale also volunteers his time at Camosun College and the UVic Faculty of Business as a guest speaker to discuss the issues currently facing local technology companies. As part of this, Dale provides valuable feedback to student questions and concerns. A UVic graduate himself, Dale enjoys the opportunity to visit the old stomping grounds to provide knowledge and discuss experiences that he has acquired over the last 12 years.
Alex GlasseyGlassey Consulting
Alex Glassey is an experienced senior executive who has started, led, taught and consulted to a wide variety of organizations in his 30-year career.
Through his consulting firm, Glassey Consulting, Alex works with senior management to create significant, long-term, bottom-line improvement by carefully defining strategy and then aligning his client’s sales, operational and IT activities with the strategy. Alex believes that strategy is the most powerful tool that management has. He also believes that strategy should be accessible to companies of every size and stage.
Alex has successfully started, managed and sold three technology-based companies. He’s a former “big-six” consultant and he earned his MBA from the Kellogg School of Management in Chicago.
Alex is a strong proponent of community; he supports Vancouver Island business through his various board and mentoring activities.
Mark Grambart
Contech
Mark Grambart is the CEO of Contech, a designer and provider of animal control and wellness products, and non-toxic pest management products for home and garden, forestry, landscape, agriculture, and commercial applications.
Raised and educated on Vancouver Island, Grambart's professional experience includes roles overseas in business development, marketing, operations, and research and development with Mercedes-Benz and, most recently, a position at American engineered-materials giant--JM Huber Corp--as Vice President and General Manager of Huber's Industrial business division.
Grambart's academic background includes a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Victoria, and an MBA from the International Institute for Management Development in Lausanne, Switzerland.
As the President and CEO of Contech, Inc., Grambart's focus on building a world-class team and fostering the best possible work environment provides a solid foundation for the company's long-term growth and success. Today, Contech’s products are available through an expanding range of online vendors, specialty shops, and big-box stores including PetSmart, Canadian Tire, Home Hardware, and Wal-Mart.
Grambart has been recognized with two, “Top 40 under 40” awards. He is on the advisory board for Starfish Medical (a designer and manufacturer of high-tech products for the medical device industry). He is also a member of The Executive Committee (TEC) – an international organization of more than 2,000 corporate CEOs and presidents dedicated to improving the quality and productivity of their organizations.
Jim Hamilton
President, EDS Advanced Solutions Inc (EAS)
Jim Hamilton is president of EDS Advanced Solutions Inc (EAS) and he leads a 400-employee, solutions-oriented technology company in the Vancouver Island Technology Park. His focus is on delivering a broad portfolio of information technology, application development and maintenance and business process outsourcing services to the public sector. He currently manages more than one billion dollars in BC government contracts. EAS is one of the largest providers of Information Technology to the government of British Columbia.
Jim’s knowledge of technology development coupled with his more than 20 years of IT industry experience make him an ideal contributor to the VIATeC board. His strategic thinking and general business savvy will bring governance expertise to the board. His background includes creating competitive go-to-market strategies, generating business growth through strategic relationships and new partnerships.
He takes pride in working for the advancement of technology on Vancouver Island and he is keen to cooperatively work to strengthen and develop the local IT industry through user group formation and sponsorship, technology forums, roundtable discussions, and speaking engagements. He believes that bringing people and companies together, sharing knowledge and resources, is what fosters innovation and technology development for the island…and for the future.
Jim is responsible for all IT business delivery and services to all EDS Advanced Solution clients in his role as President. He joined EDS Canada in 1985 and has played a leading role in IT activities ranging from real time systems development, to project and program manager, to divisional enterprise architect for government services across Canada. One of his key strengths is his ability to quickly understand business and functional requirements and apply supporting technology in the most cost effective and technically sound manner. His in-depth knowledge of all major hardware, software and network platforms and all phases of the systems life cycle, ensures appropriate resource allocation to meet schedules and budgets. Jim has an honours bachelor of applied science in electrical engineering with a minor in computer science from the University of Waterloo, Ontario. He sits on the board of directors for EDS Advanced Solutions and for the Victoria Advanced Technology Council. Jim lives with his family in North Saanich, British Columbia.
Brent Holliday
Capital West
Brent is head of the Technology Practice for Capital West Partners, a mid-market, transaction focused investment bank in Vancouver. He started the technology practice at Capital West in early 2008 after 12 years in venture capital investing in early stage technology companies across Canada and in the US. Prior to that, he was General Manager and co-founder of an Internet start-up. He has an MBA from the University of British Columbia and an Honours B.Sc. from the University of Western Ontario. Brent is a long time columnist and commentator on the BC technology landscape and is currently a contributor to BC Business magazine. He currently sits on the Boards of the BC Technology Industry Association, VIATec and is a former member of New Media BC’s Board.
Scott Petersen
OA Solutions
Scott Petersen is Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of OA Solutions, a 120+ person IT consulting firm with offices in Victoria, Vancouver and Edmonton. Mr. Petersen holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Management, an MBA in Digital Technologies Management and separate diplomas in Marketing, Business Management, and Computing. Mr. Petersen has over 13 years experience in a senior management role in the information technology consulting industry, and has worked as a consultant to various government and private sector agencies. He is an accomplished project manager, and has a solid background in business development and technology management.
Scott Phillips
StarFish Medical
Scott has been a member of the Vancouver Island tech community for over 10 years and founded StarFish in 1999. The company is now up to 30 employees and does business all over the world in medical instrumentation development and manufacturing. In addition, it is the proud recipient of the 2006 Viatec Technology Company of the Year.
Scott is an engineering physicist by training, sat on the board of the BC Medical Technology Industry Association for many years, and is currently on the advisory board of the UBC department of Biomedical Engineering.
Maria Race
VP of Operations
Udutu Online Learning Solutions
Maria is the VP of Operations at Udutu. She graduated from University of Victoria with a BSc in biochemistry. She worked at the UVic/Genome BC Proteomics Centre as a lab technician/assistant administrator for 3 years at the Tech Park. During her time there she volunteered many hours of her personal time in support of a variety of community events such the Canary Derby and VITP Annual Golf Event.
In 2006 Maria joined the web 2.0 startup company Udutu, which specializes in online learning solutions. Beginning as the office manager, Maria has quickly moved over two years into the VP of operations role, and manages a range of projects, contractors, staff, and multimedia production resources. She also interacts daily with major local and international accounts such as the United Nations, Thrifty Foods, Microsoft Corporation, and all levels of government. She is also directly involved in marketing and sales, attending a variety of international trade shows and conferences. Maria is also a member of the Capital City Executives Association, an organization that promotes business in Victoria.
Don Safnuk (Associate Member Rep.)
President and CEO
Corporate Recruiters Ltd.
Don Safnuk founded Corporate Recruiters in 1980 with a model that was, at the time, unique – a recruiting business focused entirely on the technology sector. This depth of focus and history provides BC based small and mid cap technology clients with executive-level search services that merge North American wide reach with an in depth understanding of the local business environment. Don’s work history includes being a CEO of a public electronic manufacturer and co-founder of a boutique investment banking firm. He has also served as a director on numerous public and private companies plus trade association and charitable not-for-profit boards. Over the years Don was involved with the merger of Software BC and the Electronic Manufacturers Association into what is now the British Columbia Technology Industries Association (BCTIA) and later served for 6 years on BCTIA’s board of directors. Currently he is a director with the Vancouver Island Technology Industries Association (VIATeC) and is a member of the Premier’s Technology Council (PTC). On the PTC Don chairs the Talent Task Force which is taking a long range view of the technology industries’ access to talent focusing on both university graduation and immigration. Besides using his extensive network and knowledge of tech sector issues to guide executive and board-level searches, Don also works to develop the philanthropic role of the tech community through sponsorship of organizations like The Canary Derby since it came to Canada and BC Technology Social Venture Partners (BCTSVP), which he co-founded, chaired for 3 years and currently serves as Chair Emeritus.
Havind Sehmi
Michael Shannon
Streetlight Intelligence
Michael has 30 years experience in Business Management in the fields of Telecommunications, predominantly Wireless, and Electronic Contract Manufacturing.
Throughout his career, he has been responsible for Global Operations management, strategic business definition and execution, project management, product development and customer management and sales. In addition he has been responsible for off-shore business start-ups and negotiations with local authorities across a wide range of geographies. He has acted in the capacity of the Senior Vice President for Sanmina-SCI ($12B USD – 3rd largest electronics contract manufacturer) directing all aspects of Wireless business activities in North America, Asia and Europe.
In addition he has successfully orchestrated a number of business turnarounds and start ups.
Currently Mike is a Principal of Mike Shannon & Associates; an organization dedicated to assisting small to mid size businesses in optimizing growth particularly focusing on outsourcing and divestiture opportunities.
Michael has received a number of recognition awards throughout his career including the Nortel Networks CEO award for Innovation, the President’s award for Business development, the Wireless award for New Product development and the Exemplary Teamwork award. As well, Mike is the holder of 14 international patents associated with computer control and instrumentation and holds a Master of Science degree in solid state physics.
He is extensively involved in community activities and participates in a variety of Boards with a broad range of interests.In addition, Mike has frequently acted as the spokesperson for his affiliated organizations and his comments have been published in many journals, industry publications and newspapers.
David Sovka
Associate Director, College & Community Relations
Camosun College
David Sovka directs themarketing and communications team at Camosun College, Victoria’s community college. He has 15 years’ experience in marketing and communications work for government agencies, non-profits, and post-secondary education providers in Canada and New Zealand. David has a MSc. degree from UBC, and BSc. from UCalgary, and a BEd. from UBC. Formerly the Director of Communications and Outreach for VIATeC, David has a solid understanding of the challenges facing the organisation, and is a strong supporter of the excellent leadership VIATeC has provided the sector. His goal in serving on the VIATeC board is to strengthen ties between the high tech sector and the college, which produces thousands of business, science and technology graduates every year.
Craig Thomson
President and CEO
Beanstream Internet Commerce Inc.
Craig has more than 20 years of leadership and entrepreneurial experience running high technology companies. Craig received his degree in Computer Engineering at the Royal Military College of Canada and served as an officer in the Canadian Navy until 1991. While in the Navy, Craig was awarded the prestigious Paramax award in 1990 as the top combat systems engineering officer in the country.
In 1991 Craig founded Paradon Computer Systems and was awarded the "Entrepreneur of the Year Award" in manufacturing, wholesale and distribution for Pacific Canada by Ernst and Young in 1994. In 2000, Craig sold Paradon to what is now Uniserve and founded Beanstream Internet Commerce which he then sold to LML Payments Systems in 2007. In March of 2009 Craig assumed the role of President, LML Payments Systems Inc.
Craig is a member of the Board of Advisors to the Faculty of Business at the University of Victoria and serves on the Victoria board of the Better Business Bureau.