The team
Who: Iain Klugman
Title: President
Keyword: Lead
Agenda: Enhance the performance and profile of Communitech for the benefit of members and the growth of the region's diverse technology industry.
A Nortel veteran as Director of Branding and Advertising; Executive Director of Communications with CBC; and CEO of Ontario Tourism. Federal stints with the Privy Council Office and Industry Canada.
Overall, a 20-year background in marketing with a unique mix of technology and management experience. Iain's Nortel work supported start-up technology companies around the globe. Here in Waterloo Region, he's committed to supporting technology businesses where they need it most: right in the trenches, providing practical services and programs to members of all sizes. Part of his role is as key contact for government relations, to make sure that all levels of government know about the developments and capabilities in Waterloo Region´s tech sector. Iain is also committed to community partnerships, sitting on several boards, including the Prosperity Council, the Guelph-Waterloo Biotechnology Council, the Accelerator Centre and the Research + Technology Park.
Iain holds an MBA from Wilfrid Laurier University, an MPA degree from Dalhousie University and an HBA from Laurentian University. Contact Iain by email or call 888-9944 x 22 or drop by.
Who: Avvey Peters
Title: Executive Director, Communications & Government Relations
Keyword: Connect
Agenda: Put Communitech´s best foot forward -- every time.
Avvey brings 10 years experience in public relations and communications to Communitech; most recently she led government relations efforts for the University of Waterloo. Her experience with publications management, speech-writing, media relations, and strategic communications will help tell the Waterloo Region tech story to the world, and build and maintain good relationships with government partners.
Avvey holds a BA in English-Rhetoric and Professional Writing from the University of Waterloo, and a Master of Journalism from Carleton University in Ottawa. You can reach her at 519-888-9944 ext. 28 or at avvey@communitech.ca.
Who: Gary Will
Title: Business Advisor
Keyword: Coach
Agenda: Advise early-stage entrepreneurs and companies to take them to the next level of success in their business. Develop programming to support member development.
Gary has spent the past seven years working with start-up companies, providing assistance with business planning, fundraising, marketing strategy, and communication. Organizations he worked with in their early stages include Dspfactory, Sirific, IMS, Solowave Investments, and Tech Capital Partners.
Who: Ron Neumann
Title: Entrepreneur-in-Residence
Keyword: Boost
Agenda: Help local companies get to "the next level"
Ron brings over twenty years of successful management experience to the role of Executive-in-Residence at Communitech. Most recently his entrepreneurial spirit and strong technical skills were used to drive SlipStream Data's phenomenal growth and penetration in new markets. Under Neumann's management, SlipStream remained highly profitable, signed over 2000 service provider customers in 45 countries, won the coveted Ontario Export Global Trading Award and tripled employee size in two years. Ron also led the successful acquisition of Slipstream Data by Research In Motion (RIM) earlier in 2006.
Prior to joining SlipStream in 2001, Ron held other local positions as President at LivePage, (which was sold to Janna Systems) and was the founding President at Waterloo Maple, profitably growing it from a start-up to over 50 people. He has also held senior positions at Cebra (the electronic commerce division of the The Bank of Montreal), Tallgrass Technologies and MicroWare Distribution.
Ron is a graduate of the Systems Design Engineering program at the University of Waterloo. Contact Ron by email, or by calling 519-888-9944 x 58
Who: Kevin Tuer
Title: CTO-in-Residence
Kevin has held several engineering and senior management positions in the high tech industry over the past 12 years. Kevin has been involved in the development of a number of products including a sighting system for a grenade launcher, an educational robot, and a predictive autopilot controller for large ships. As the VP Engineering of Control Advancements, Kevin oversaw the development of several products including the first haptic-enabled screen reading system for low vision users. Kevin went on to become the President of Alliance Technologies, an engineering services firm, which provided a range of electrical, mechanical and software development services to local businesses. Prior to joining Communitech, Kevin was a co-founder and CTO of Handshake VR Inc., a company that specialized in the creation and deployment of haptic and telehaptic applications. During his tenure at Handshake, Kevin led the technical development of the company's products, including the first graphically based toolkit for rapid development of haptic and telehaptic applications. Kevin was also responsible for leading the company's government funding and SR&ED initiatives. Kevin has an undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering and graduate degrees in mechanical engineering and electrical engineering from the University of Waterloo.
Kevin can be reached at 519-888-9944 x45 or via email
Who: Dan Mathers
Title: CEO-in-Residence
Dan has over 22 years of experience in business development, marketing, sales, engineering, and operations in high-growth technology companies, creating over $1B in shareholder value.
Currently, Dan is the President & CEO of eSight Corporation, a privately funded medical devices start-up company focused on helping people with low vision maximize the use of their remaining functional sight and helping those with normal vision to enhance their sight.
In addition to the above, Dan also sits on the Board of Directors of the Ottawa Technology Transfer Network (OTTN), an organization responsible for building an informal collaboration among academic technology transfer offices in Ottawa to enhance the economic impact of research commercialization through the sharing of best practices; enhanced market knowledge and proactive industrial interaction, and on the Board of Directors of the Acheson Lewis Vision Improvement Foundation, a non-profit, independent organization whose mission is to restore some of the quality of life that has been stolen from those who suffer profound, inoperable loss of vision, by ensuring access to the most appropriate vision correction aids available. To that end, the Foundation provides funding to help those with vision impairments acquire the corrective solution that best suits their individual conditions and needs - while at the same time supporting research aimed at the prevention and correction of eyesight impairments
Prior to eSight, Dan was President and CEO of IceFyre Inc., a venture backed start-up company, where he led the company in building a business providing high performance, low power semiconductor products for 802.11 wireless multimedia consumer electronics applications.
Prior to IceFyre, Dan was senior vice president and general manager, Semiconductor Division, at MOSAID Technologies Inc., a Canadian public company. While there, Dan led the successful development of the company's fabless semiconductor product business and its patent licensing business. Under Dan's leadership, the company built a very successful patent licensing business, which secured patent licensing agreements with five of the world's top semiconductor manufacturers, and developed multiple semiconductor product lines targeted for the networking system OEMs market.
Previously, Dan held a series of increasingly senior positions with Celestica Inc. and IBM Canada.
Dan holds a master of business administration from York University and a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from McMaster University.
Dan can be reached at 519-888-9944 x26 or via email
Who: Thom Ryan
Title: Marketing Manager/innovator
Keyword: Communicate
Previous to joining, Communitech, Thom worked in international marketing and investment attraction for more than eight years, and continues to divide time between hosting a web software development network venture and participating in various community volunteer gigs close to his heart. ´Baden´s most dangerous citizen,´ Thom recently earned a Double Honours BA (Political Science, Philosophy) from Wilfrid Laurier University (´06), and holds a BSc (Genetics), York University (´95).
Who: Karen Gallant
Title: Director of Networks
Keyword: Director, Talent Networks
Agenda: Network, network, network!
Karen joins Communitech after 16 years at the University of Waterloo, most recently with the Centre for Business, Entrepreneurship & Technology where she was highly involved in the start-up of the Centre. She believes strongly in the power of building strong relationships within the community.
Karen holds a BBA from Wilfrid Laurier University and has completed her Certificate in Human Resources Management.
Who: Lisa Thompson
Title: Events Manager
Keyword: Deliver
Agenda: Provide highly relevant, valuable events that allow our members to learn, connect with peers, build their network, and strengthen their business.
Lisa brings 23 years of hospitality experience to Communitech, including food and beverage management and restaurant management. For the last 10 years she was responsible for conference and event sales, during which she was pleased to count Communitech among her client portfolio.
Lisa is committed to maintaining the high level of programming members have come to expect from Communitech. Along with speaker and sponsor acquisition, Lisa coordinates all event activities for Communitech, Recruitment Initiatives, and The Business and Education Partnership.
Who: Alayne Hynes
Title: Program Manager, Business & Education Partnership of Waterloo Region
Alayne brings over 17 years experience in coordination and program management to the Business & Education Partnership. Most recently, Alayne worked at Deloitte effectively delivering programs such as The Directors´ Series throughout the Southwestern Ontario region. In her current role as Program Manager, Alayne brings an enthusiasm for creating a structured environment to connect industry and education, so that students can explore their career options. A huge proponent of experiential learning, Alayne earned a B.A.Sc. in Chemical Engineering through the University of Waterloo´s co-operative education program.
Who: Angela Greasley
Title: Manager, Administration and Account Relations
Keyword: Catalytic
For nearly a decade, Angela spearheaded Maplesoft's R&D administrative initiatives, delivered human resources services, and managed their highly visible customer and channel events. A strong multi-tasker, Angela brings zeal and enthusiasm to all office logistics and management functions. Above all, Angela is dedicated to providing quality service to Communitech members and the hi-tech community alike.
Who: Kathy Thomson
Title: Administrative Coordinator, Programs and Events
Keyword: Quality
Agenda: Assist our team in providing quality services to our members. Assist our members to get the most out of the services we provide.
Experienced in the tech sector in Administration and Quality Assurance software testing. Kathy assists with all events and services at Communitech. Prior to joining the Communitech team, Kathy worked for CheckFree i-Solutions in Waterloo.
Who: Wanda Eby
Title: Programs Coordinator
Keyword: Collaboration
Originally from Winnipeg, Wanda settled in the Waterloo Region 14 years ago knowing that this community was diverse, dynamic and growing. With 20 years of extensive planning, scheduling and coordinating experience in the private and not for profit sectors, these project management tools provide the necessary skills to help her administer the Peer 2 Peer groups and the Speakers Bureau. To build a strong foundation, all stakeholders must work as a team. Not only does Wanda agree with this statement, but also a true believer in "Life Long Learning" and knows that every person has something important to say. The key to a successful growing community is sharing your knowledge with others and sharing your experience with students. Wanda is a member and the Treasurer of the Grand Valley Communicators. Also, she volunteers some of her time to the MS Society and Junior Achievement.
Who: Julie Dreisinger
Title: Program Coordinator, Business & Education Partnership
Keyword: Organized
Julie brings 25 years experience in facilitating children's education to the Business and Education Partnership. Her last endeavor entailed coordinating science programs for children throughout the elementary schools, planning children's birthday parties and corporate events. Prior to that, she spent many years as an Early Childhood Educator, supervising and teaching at several daycares and preschools. She thrives on seeing the success of an organized event, that she has coordinated, from beginning to end. She is a very organized individual, who has a strong passion to help provide children with every opportunity to grow into dynamic and successful adults. She hopes her past and future experience in educating will make a difference in the students of our future.