The team
Who: Iain Klugman, iain@communitech.ca 519-888-9944 x22
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.
Who: Avvey Peters, avvey@communitech.ca, 519-888-9944 x28
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.
Who: Kevin Tuer, kevin@communitech.ca, 519-888-9944 x45
Title: VP, Digital Media, Managing Director, Canadian Digital Media Network
Keyword: Digital Media
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.
Who: Dan Mathers, dan@communitech.ca, 519-888-9944 x26
Title: CEO-in-Residence, Venture Services Group
Keyword: Coach
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 Chair 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.
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.
Dan holds a master of business administration from York University and a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from McMaster University.
Who: David Strucke, david@communitech.ca, 519-888-9944 x58
Title: CEO-in-Residence, Venture Services Group
Keywords: Coach, Operations
Besides acting as President & Chief Executive Officer of Navtech since 2001, he has also served as Chief Financial Officer and Vice President, Finance & Accounting, Director of Finance and Accounting, and Business Analyst for Navtech Canada. Before joining the company, David focused on mergers and acquisitions as a financial analyst for an automotive capital equipment manufacturer and performed financial and accounting consulting work for manufacturing companies.
David obtained a MBA from Wilfrid Laurier University and is a graduate of the University of Waterloo with a Bachelor´s degree in Science in Engineering.
Who: Brandon Nussey, brandon@communitech.ca, 519-888-9944 x23
Title: Executive-in-Residence, Venture Services Group
Keywords: Coach, BlackBerry Apps, Finance
Brandon previously was Chief Financial Officer role at The Descartes System Group Inc, Geosign and MoxyMedia. Prior to that, he led the finance team at Inscriber Technology and worked for 4 years at KPMG LLP in Waterloo. He is a CA and CPA, and earned his BBA from Wilfrid Laurier University.
Who: Chris Howlett, chris@communitech.ca, 519-497-5352
Title: CTO-in-Residence, Venture Services Group
Keywords: Coach; Core Technology, IT Strategy
Chris has lived with his family in Waterloo for fifteen years. During that time he has held executive positions with Geosign (VP) , Maplesoft (CTO), and Freedom Intelligence/Aruna (CEO). He has served on the Boards of Directors of Maplesoft, Freedom Intelligence and Aruna. He was very active with Communitech in its formative years and is delighted to be working with the Communitech team again. He loves solving business problems with software systems and most of his experience is with companies that try to do that. Chris holds a PhD in Mathematics (McMaster) and an MBA (York).
Who: Mark McArdle, mark.mcardle@communitech.ca, 519-888-9944
Title: Executive-in-Residence, Venture Services Group
Keywords: Coach
Mark was previously Sr. VP Consumer Product Development at McAfee, Engineering Director at PGP Corporation, Software Development Manager at Open Text Corp, and Software Engineer at MKS. Mark is a graduate of the University of Waterloo as well as Ivey Executive Program 2005, Richard Ivey School of Business, the University of Western Ontario.
Who: Lynn Forgeron, lynn@communitech.ca, 519-888-9944 x44
Title: CFO
Keyword: Finance
Lynn has joined Communitech as Chief Financial Officer at a very exciting time of dynamic change for the organization, as Communitech builds on past successes to expand services and support for the technology sector in Ontario and across Canada. In a career of 20+ years in Finance, Lynn has worked with a number of technology start-up companies, including PerspecSys Inc., RapidMind, Covarity, RSS Solutions and Fakespace Systems Inc. From a career start with the Royal Bank of Canada, Lynn has brought to each of these organizations, and now to Communitech, enthusiasm and dedication for excellence in operations and a clear focus on achieving strategic objectives through aligned teamwork.
Lynn is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario and is currently preparing to write the CMA's final examination prior to being awarded a CMA designation.
Who: Thom Ryan, thom@communitech.ca, 519-888-9944 x46
Title: Marketing Director
Keyword: Communicate
Previous to joining Communitech, Thom worked in international marketing and foreign investment attraction, 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 holds a Double Honours BA (Political Science, Philosophy) from Wilfrid Laurier University (´06) and an MBA from the Odette School of Business, University of Windsor ('09).
Who: Karen Gallant, karen@communitech.ca, 519-888-9944 x57
Title: Director of Networks
Keyword: Director, Talent Networks
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, lisa@communitech.ca, 519-888-9944 x24
Title: Events Manager
Keyword: Deliver
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, alayne@communitech.ca, 519-888-9944 x47
Title: Program Manager, Business & Education Partnership of Waterloo Region
Keyword: Educate
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 Watkins, angela@communitech.ca, 519-888-9944 x42
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: Karen Brown, karen.brown@communitech.ca, 519-888-9944 x43
Title: Manager, Venture Services Group
Keyword: Strategize
Karen manages the Venture Services Program at Communitech, the first stop for startup tech companies or individuals coming in the door.
Previously, Karen was Product Marketer LiveHive Systems, did time at RIM, NDI, Kroll, and graduated from Wilfrid Laurier University with an Honours BBA with a specialization in marketing.
Who: Kathy Thomson, kathy@communitech.ca, 519-888-9944 x21
Title: Administrative Coordinator, Programs and Events
Keyword: Quality
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, wanda@communitech.ca, 519-888-9944 x48
Title: Programs Coordinator
Keyword: Collaboration
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 for Wanda to manage the Peer 2 Peer program. Wanda believes that building a strong foundation in a community requires that all stakeholders work as a team towards similiar goals. By peers sharing their knowlegde amongst each other and their experience with youth, together this will contribute to the continued growth of this great community.
Who: Julie Dreisinger, julie@communitech.ca, 519-888-9944 x27
Title: Program Coordinator, Business & Education Partnership
Keyword: Organize
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.
Who: Jacqueline Shantz, jacqueline@communitech.ca, 519-888-9944 x25
Title: Finance Assistant
Keyword: Optimize
Jacquie brings many years of experience to support the finance team at Communitech, but she also has experience in interior design, decorating and operating her own retail ventures. Jacquie is currently working on her HR certification.