Ottawa Business Journal June 5, 2017

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Skating toward greatness

INFLUENCERS

Inside Ottawa’s galas, fundraisers and networking events

Board apparel biz booming for Gatineau retailer > PAGES 4-5

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OBJ.social PAGES 8-11

June 5, 2017 Vol. 20, NO. 16

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FORTY UNDER

Driven to save more Michael Prentice says a little-known provincial government website can help auto insurance shoppers find out who offers the best deals. > PAGE 6

40

2017

Can-do attitude

Celebrating Ottawa’s rising business stars

WelchGroup president Candace Enman has turned consulting agency into a major local success story.

> STARTS ON PAGE 14 PHOTOS BY MARK HOLLERON

> PAGE 29

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BUSINESS GROWTH Confidence spike to spark local hiring spree, new report suggests Majority of respondents in Ottawa Business Growth Survey say revenues are rising

BY PETER KOVESSY pkovessy@obj.ca

I

MONDAY, JUNE 5, 2017

n a sign of growing confidence in the local economy, hundreds of Ottawa business owners and managers say they plan to hire new employees over the next 12 months, according to a new report.

The 2017 Ottawa Business Growth Survey also found a majority of respondents said their revenues increased last year and will climb even higher in the months ahead.

The OBGS – an annual joint project between Abacus Data, Welch LLP, OBJ and the Ottawa Chamber of Commerce – is based on about 1,000 responses by local businesspeople to an online survey.

For the second straight year, respondents say they’re feeling increasingly optimistic about the future. The business confidence index – a composite number based on the responses to several key questions – rose to 125 this spring, up from 124 a year earlier and 115 in 2015.

“It reflects a better mood in the business community,” said David Coletto, the CEO of Ottawa-based public opinion research firm Abacus Data. “There’s an overall sense that things are improving.”

The outlook varies from sector to sector, with the largest change recorded in the construction sector. That industry is feeling particularly confident about the future as the homebuilding industry gains

KEY FINDINGS • Overall business confidence remained relatively high in 2017. While the overall index remained consistent, confidence from within the construction industry jumped 15 points, likely buoyed by building efforts leading up to Canada 150.

• Business owners were more likely this year than in 2017 to think that real estate prices in Ottawa will rise over the next 12 months.

• Although finding a skilled workforce was still near the top of the list, attracting new customers replaced it as the No. 1 concern for business owners over the coming five years.

• Ottawa’s reputation as an innovation hub is growing. Business owners were more likely to think of Ottawa as more innovative than other cities its size in 2017.

momentum and several large projects prepare to break ground, including the second phase of Ottawa’s light-rail line and the 10-year renovation of Centre Block on Parliament Hill.

“The light rail (expansion will) be good for our members … and when you take a look at the City of Ottawa budget for 2017 and moving forward to 2018 and 2019, those numbers are quite positive as well,” said Dale Harley, an adviser to the National Capital Heavy Construction Association.

While confidence declined among local tech companies, the sector still remains the most bullish of the five surveyed industries.

“Ottawa’s business ecosystem

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150

124 119.2 120

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125

114.2 117

• Market disrupters and cyber-security were the top issues keeping business owners up at night.

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BUSINESS CONFIDENCE INDEX

115.2

90 DEC 2013

JUNE 2014

APRIL 2015

OCTOBER 2015

MAY 2016

MARCH 2017

REVENUE OUTLOOK Thinking about this current fiscal year, will your revenues be greater, lower or about the same as last year?

14%

LOWER

10%

ABOUTTHE SAME AS LAST YEAR GREATER BY 1-5% GREATER BY 6-10% GREATER BY 11-15% GREATER BY 16-20%

22%

2% 5% 8%

18%

GREATER BY 21-25% GREATER BY 25% DON’T KNOW/NO COMMENT

9%

14%

“There’s an overall sense that things are improving.”— DAVID COLETTO, CEO, ABACUS DATA

AVISON YOUNG`S OTTAWA TEAM WITH OVER 200 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

EMPLOYEE RECRUITMENT In the next year, do you plan to...

MARCH 2017*

52%

MAY 2016

39%

APRIL 2015

42%

0

43% 46%

40

60

KEEP EMPLOYEE LEVELS ABOUT THE SAME

DON’T KNOW

Michael Church** Principal, Managing Director

Rob Quinn** Principal

Lindsay Hockey* Principal

Oliver Kershaw* Principal

Tom Brethour** Vice President

Ed Belanger* Vice President

Matthew Schultz* Vice President

Darren Clare*

Zach De Freitas*

Gillian Burnside*

Ron Milligan*

Steve Piercey*

Jessica Whiting*

Jordan Allen Associate

Jeff Kennedy Associate

4% 11%

43%

20

RECRUIT NEW EMPLOYEES

5%

5% 10%

80

100

REDUCE EMPLOYEE NUMBERS

* “Don’t know” response removed from 2017 survey

continues to grow at an unprecedented pace,” said Invest Ottawa CEO Michael Tremblay. “Homegrown companies such as BlackBerry, You.i TV, Ross Video, Klipfolio and Shopify will collectively hire thousands of people within the next few years.”

WATSON’S POPULARITY CLIMBS With the next municipal election slightly more than a year away, the survey also found growing support for Mayor Jim Watson and city council. Some 59 per cent

of respondents say they approve of the job done by Mr. Watson, who’s said he plans to run for re-election in 2018.

Respondents are also feeling positive about Ottawa’s residential real estate market. In one of the largest shifts recorded in this year’s survey, 61 per cent of respondents said they expected home prices to rise over the next 12 months.

That’s up from 44 per cent in 2016.

– With files from Courtney Edgar and David Sali

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*Sales Representative **Broker

— SPONSORED CONTENT —

Charting Renfrew County’s economic future Economic Development Summit scheduled for June 21 in Eganville

T

off commercial ventures developing homeland security solutions (Bubble Technology Industries) and supports the broader nuclear industry in Canada – is set to undergo a massive transformation and renewal, armed with $800 million in fresh funding and new private-sector operators.

Meanwhile, Renfrew County businesses in other sectors including manufacturing, agri-business, tourism and media are drawing on their partners, suppliers and customers in

Renfrew County Economic Development Summit

the summit will include a panel discussion about the funding and business support programs available to businesses in the area.

The economic development summit comes at a key time for Renfrew County businesses, which have been leveraging the region’s

Learn more at investinrenfrewcounty.ca Additionally, the summit is expected to attract Renfrew County’s business leaders, who can provide visitors from Ottawa with an unbiased opinion on doing business in the Ottawa Valley and discuss potential partnership opportunities.

The summit’s keynote speaker will be Larry Smith, an adjunct associate professor of economics at the University of Waterloo who’s known for his advocacy of youth leadership and mentorship in startup business management.

affordable land supply, skilled workers – many of whom are drawn to the area’s outdoor lifestyle and recreation opportunities – and strong transportation linkages to ride the global economic recovery.

“All these factors are coming together to make for an exciting time here,” says Mr. Baird.

More information: Contact Jackie Stott, information and research coordinator at the County of Renfrew, at 613-735-0091 or jstott@countyofrenfrew.on.ca.

03 OBJ.CA

When: June 21, 2017 Where: Eagle’s Nest at 178 Jane St. in Eganville Cost: $25

the nation’s capital as they expand.

“Our businesspeople recognize the strong connectivity with Ottawa,” says Alastair Baird, the County of Renfrew’s manager of economic development.

“Highway 417 between Ottawa and the Valley runs two ways.”

Ottawa businesses will have an opportunity to explore those opportunities, form new partnerships and see the potential to live, work and play in an area offering a high quality of life at the Renfrew County Economic Development Summit, scheduled for Wednesday, June 21 at the Eagle’s Nest in Eganville.

Hosted by the county’s warden and attended by the region’s senior political leaders and economic development officials,

MONDAY, JUNE 5, 2017

he historic business ties between Ottawa and Renfrew County are poised to get a major boost in the coming years as one of the Ottawa Valley’s largest employers prepares an $800-million redevelopment and several other firms ready their own expansions.

While the economic connections between the two areas were forged by the 19th century lumber industry, the relationship today has a decidedly high-tech twist.

Kanata life sciences firm Nordion, for example, tapped the nuclear laboratories in Chalk River for more than six decades to develop its medical isotopes used to treat cancer, as well as in medical therapies, sterilization and industrial scanning.

The Canadian Nuclear Laboratories in Renfrew County – which have spun

GO GLOBAL

Adrien Lavoie founded his skateboard apparel store, Wooki, in 2011 and has seen its annual revenues grow to nearly $1 million since then. PHOTO BY MARK HOLLERON

Gatineau skateboard apparel merchant on quite a roll MONDAY, JUNE 5, 2017

Rapidly expanding U.S., international customer base has young entrepreneur on verge of cracking million-dollar revenue mark, thanks to annual growth rate of 85 per cent

OBJ.CA

04

BY DAVID SALI david@obj.ca

A

t an age when many Canadian kids are slinging burgers at fastfood joints to earn spending money, Adrien Lavoie was busy educating himself on the finer points of online retailing.

That was more than a decade ago.

Mr. Lavoie was working at a bicycle

shop, and it didn’t take long for the owner to realize his teenaged helper was something of a computer whiz and put him in charge of figuring out whether a “virtual storefront” would make sense for his operation.

Despite their best efforts, the concept of web-based commerce didn’t really click with the store’s clientele.

“We had like two or three sales per month when we had thousands of products,” says Mr. Lavoie, now 28.

Clearly, the Gatineau entrepreneur has upped his online retail game since then.

Wooki, the skateboard apparel and accessory store he launched in 2011, now sells shoes, hats, backpacks, sunglasses and other items to customers in nearly 50 countries. Though the store maintains its own website, 99 per cent of its online sales come via eBay and Amazon.

Those e-commerce giants charge fees

ranging from about 10 to 15 per cent on each item sold on their platforms, but Mr. Lavoie considers that a small price to pay to piggyback off their mammoth global presence.

“People are just used to going on there,” he says. “Amazon has taken over the world – not just product-wise but shipping-wise. They have a huge reach.

When people are shopping, they don’t really Google the product, they don’t really check certain websites. All they

— SPONSORED CONTENT —

“When you’re selling online, it’s a lot more stable. It’s always sunny somewhere.”

– ADRIEN LAVOIE, WHOSE STORE DOES 99 PER CENT OF ITS BUSINESS ONLINE

do is just go directly on Amazon, check for the price, they find whatever product they were searching for and they just buy on there.”

Specializing in hard-to-find kicks from marquee shoe brands such as Adidas and Reebok, Wooki has been growing at an average clip of 85 per cent a year. In 2016, Mr. Lavoie racked up sales of about $820,000, easily surpassing his projection of $750,000.

He expects to continue on that steep growth curve again this year. Mr. Lavoie predicts he’ll move at least $1.2 million worth of goods in 2017, almost all of it via the Internet. He still runs a brickand-mortar store out of his Gatineau warehouse on St-Joseph Boulevard, but he stopped doing any real marketing for it a long time ago.

“It’s kind of a niche product,” Mr. Lavoie explains. “When you’re selling online, it’s a lot more stable.

It’s always sunny somewhere, it’s always hot somewhere. It’s always cold (somewhere) when you’re trying to sell some winter coats.”

AIR CANADA SERVES OTTAWA-FRANKFURT NON-STOP WITH A BOEING 767 AIRCRAFT.

Ottawa-Frankfurt Air Service pays off for local businesses

S

Air Canada-Star Alliance carrier connections in Frankfurt are simple and fast through special in-transit facilities that enable passengers to proceed directly to their flight without the need to collect baggage.

Like Air Canada, Lufthansa is a Skytrax-rated 4-star airline.

Combined with its subsidiaries, Lufthansa has one of the largest passenger airline fleets in the world. From FRA, Lufthansa flies to approximately 150 destinations with multiple cabin classes, lounges and services to suit all travelers.

YOW’s non-stop overseas flights consist of Air Canada’s year-round London-Heathrow, and seasonal Frankfurt service. Like all air routes, they’re provided by airlines on a use-them-or-lose-them basis. That’s why smart companies like MDS Aero Support Corporation and TaraSpan choose FRA for Europe and beyond travel.

Air Canada Ottawa-Frankfurt Service Fast Facts: • Service runs from May 18October 27, 2017 • Flight departs YOW at 8:55 pm, arrives FRA 10:10 am the following day • Return flight departs FRA 1:55 pm, arrives YOW 4:00 pm the same day • Boeing 767 service, 211 seats, including 24 lie-flat business class • All seats have personal touchscreen TVs and access to power ports

05 OBJ.CA

ince 2008, Air Canada has offered non-stop service from Ottawa (YOW) to Frankfurt, Germany (FRA).

Not only is Frankfurt a global centre for commerce, FRA airport is a major European hub from which Lufthansa – Air Canada’s Star Alliance Partner – connects to a vast network of cities ranging from Abuja to Zurich. Popular final destinations for Ottawa-Gatineau originating customers using this route include Beirut, Rome, Delhi and Dubai.

The Ottawa-Frankfurt flight serves government as well as many National Capital Region businesses.

Frequent users include staff and partners of MDS Aero Support Corporation, an engineering-based organization that supplies test facilities for aviation, industrial and marine gas turbine engines.

“Frankfurt airport connects us to all of Europe and beyond, making it an essential hub for our business,” said Elizabeth MacLeod, MDS Aero Support’s Office and Facilities Manager. “With our headquarters in Ottawa, and a core staff of over 250 project-driven individuals, we know the value of efficiency – YOW-FRA works extremely well for our team.”

Another Ottawa company benefitting from Air Canada’s YOWFRA service is TaraSpan, which specializes in accelerating and derisking India market entry.

“Frankfurt is a key connection point to India because we can easily access the strategic markets of Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai and Pune,” said TaraSpan Chairman Mike Manson. “With more than 200 clients in India, it’s critical that we’re accessible.”

MONDAY, JUNE 5, 2017

EXPANSION PLANS Wooki offers free shipping in Canada and to the United States – which, not surprisingly, is the store’s biggest foreign market, accounting for about threequarters of its overall revenues. Other countries, notably Australia, make up 10-12 per cent of its sales, a share that keeps growing every year thanks to ever more efficient and less expensive international shipping options.

Amazingly, Mr. Lavoie estimates only about three per cent of his clients are repeat customers. Even though online reviews of his store are overwhelmingly positive, “people just don’t come back.

They’re searching for a different product or they find a better price elsewhere.

It’s kind of a difficult market, but, at the same time, if you have a good price, people will buy it.”

With his 5,000-square-foot store and warehouse now bursting at the seams, the University of Ottawa graduate is seeking to expand his operations.

He’s hoping to land funding from the Business Development Bank of Canada to either add space at his current site or buy a bigger facility somewhere nearby.

Mr. Lavoie’s success hasn’t gone unnoticed at eBay. The Californiabased platform’s Canadian arm has already honoured him with two major

awards – naming him its Young-preneur of the Year in 2013 and its “micromultinational” of the year in 2016.

In early May, eBay invited Mr. Lavoie to join seven other business owners from across Canada for a meeting with Minister of International Trade FrancoisPhilippe Champagne in Toronto. The main topic of the 90-minute get-together was a subject close to Mr. Lavoie’s heart: import duties and their impact on Canada’s online retailers.

While a struggling loonie works to Mr. Lavoie’s advantage when he ships goods abroad, he says Canada’s low customs threshold can be a major headache when foreign buyers return a purchase.

In an age when consumers expect to be able to send back any item free of charge, Mr. Lavoie can be slapped with import fees on any item valued at more than $20 that is returned across the border to his store. In the United States, by contrast, the threshold is $800.

Mr. Lavoie says Canada’s current duty-free limit, set 25 years ago at the dawn of the Internet era, is woefully outdated for the modern world of e-commerce.

“It makes things extremely difficult,” he says. “This is a big issue that affects my day-to-day operations.”

The minister appeared to take the business owners’ concerns seriously, he says, adding he hopes to have a chance to revisit the issue with Mr. Champagne in the future.

In an e-mail to OBJ, a Finance department official said the import threshold is “set at a level intended to reduce the administrative burden for customs officials without creating competitive inequity for Canadian retailers,” adding the government would have to weigh the concerns of various business groups before rethinking the $20 threshold.

Strict laws and high import fees in other countries have caused him problems, too, Mr. Lavoie says, forcing him to stop shipping to places such as Argentina and Brazil.

Still, he says he’s very happy with the direction his company is heading, adding the formula for success in today’s retail environment is really no different than it’s ever been.

“You really have to search your product, you need to be interested in your product itself and you really have to … give customers great service.”

COMMENTARY Great River Media 250 City Centre Ave., Suite 500 Ottawa, Ontario, K1R 6K7 obj.ca

Steering clear of higher premiums

MONDAY, JUNE 5, 2017

Provincial regulator offers a little-known but very valuable tool to help Ontario drivers find out who charges the most – and the least – for car insurance, Michael Prentice says

OBJ.CA

06

You get what you pay for, right?

WRONG! It’s what many marketers want us to believe, but often it’s not true.

Auto insurance is a classic example of this. Some Ottawa motorists are paying almost four times as much as others for identical insurance coverage. And many auto insurers charge twice as much as others for identical coverage.

Don’t take my word for it. This comes from latest data from the Financial Services Commission of Ontario, an agency of the Ontario Ministry of Finance. The commission regulates the insurance industry and closely tracks auto insurance rates in the province.

Ontario has the highest auto insurance premiums in Canada despite having one of the lowest levels of crashes and fatalities, according to a recent study by David Marshall, Ontario’s auto insurance adviser.

The average annual auto insurance premium in Ontario is $1,458, which is more than 50 per cent higher than elsewhere in Canada, according to the Marshall study.

The higher premiums paid by Ontario motorists are blamed chiefly on the “system” – that is, on the cost of legal wrangles over who pays, and how much, when there are injuries or fatalities in motor vehicle accidents.

But consumers are wrong if they believe they are paying high insurance premiums solely because the system is flawed or broken, and lawyers are the big winners in this. It’s equally likely that these consumers are being overcharged by their insurance company.

As with anything else, you have to be careful when comparing auto insurance rates. You must not compare apples with oranges. When insurance companies offer widely varying rates, you must be sure they offer identical coverage.

The Financial Services Commission of

Ontario has the highest auto insurance premiums in Canada despite having one of the lowest levels of crashes and fatalities, according to a recent study by Ontario’s auto insurance adviser

Ontario does a masterly job in comparing auto insurance rates. But it does a relatively poor job in communicating this information to the public.

According to its latest data, a married Ottawa couple – both 40-ish, with good driving records and each with a vehicle that is several years old – could pay less

TELEPHONE Phone: 613-238-1818 Sales Fax: 613-248-4564 News Fax: No faxes, email editor@obj.ca PUBLISHER Michael Curran, 238-1818 ext. 228 publisher@obj.ca

than $1,600 a year in auto insurance. Or they could pay more than $5,800 a year for the same coverage.

To take another example, a 35-yearold Ottawa woman with an unblemished driving record and owning a 2012 Nissan Versa could pay as little as $938 a year in auto insurance, or as much as $3,111 – for identical coverage.

When you think about it, it’s not unusual for consumer prices to vary by more than 100 per cent between one retailer and another. That’s what a genuine “50 per cent off sale” means.

I have often noticed that, if you shop around for meat, fruit and groceries, it’s actually possible to cut the week’s food bill in half.

Making purchases online is trendy.

Many sellers even offer free shipping.

But do they offer savings? I doubt it. And, in any case, it’s very difficult to know.

Especially when an Internet marketer offers “70 per cent off” something the same marketer claims cannot be found anywhere else!

Recently, the TV ad that epitomized a mindless consumer featured a woman who boasted she had a poor credit record and could not be bothered to shop around for a car or a car loan. Yet she seemed confident she was getting a good deal.

I always used to be vague on whether I was getting a good deal for car insurance or any kind of insurance. Shopping around is difficult.

But now, it is far less difficult for those who take the time and trouble to consult the Financial Services Commission of Ontario’s website.

Finding what you are looking for – for example, a rate comparison of companies offering car insurance in Ottawa – is challenging. You will probably not find a profile that precisely matches yours. But you will learn a lot about which companies have the highest – and lowest – auto insurance rates in this area.

Go to www5.fsco.gov.on.ca/ autorate/airchooseprofile.aspx, and then follow prompts to get rates for the profile closest to yours.

Michael Prentice is OBJ’s columnist on retail and consumer issues. He can be contacted at news@obj.ca.

CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER Terry Tyo, 238-1818 ext. 268 terry@greatriver.ca EDITOR, PRINT CONTENT David Sali, 238-1818 ext. 269 david@greatriver.ca EDITOR, ONLINE CONTENT Peter Kovessy, 238-1818 ext. 251 pkovessy@obj.ca REPORTER Craig Lord, 238-1818 ext. 285 craig@techopia.ca CAMPAIGN MANAGER Cristha Sinden, 238-1818 ext. 222 cristha@greatriver.ca ADVERTISING SALES General Inquiries, 238-1818 ext. 286 sales@obj.ca Wendy Baily, 238-1818 ext. 244 wbaily@obj.ca Carlo Lombard, 238-1818 ext. 230 carlo@obj.ca CREATIVE DIRECTOR Tanya Connolly-Holmes, 238-1818 ext. 253 creative@greatriver.ca ART DEPARTMENT Regan Van Dusen, 238-1818 ext. 254 regan@greatriver.ca Celine Paquette, 238-1818 ext. 252 celine@greatriver.ca FINANCE Jackie Whalen, 238-1818 ext. 250 jackie@greatriver.ca SUBSCRIPTIONS/DISTRIBUTION Patti Moran, 238-1818 ext. 248 subscribe@obj.ca PRINTED BY Transcontinental Qualimax 130 Adrien-Robert, Parc Industriel Richelieu Gatineau, QC J8Y 3S2 NEWS RELEASES Please e-mail to editor@obj.ca.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR We welcome opinions about any material published in the Ottawa Business Journal or issues of interest to local businesspeople. Only letters with the writer’s full name, address and telephone number will be considered for publication. Addresses and phone numbers will not be published, but they might be used to verify authenticity.

Letters can be e-mailed to editor@obj.ca.

Ottawa Business Journal is published by

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Mark Sutcliffe PRESIDENT Michael Curran All content of Ottawa Business Journal is copyright 2016.

Great River Media Inc. and may not be reproduced in any form without permission of the publisher. Publisher’s Liability for error: The Publisher shall not be liable for slight changes or typographical errors that do not lessen the value of an advertisement. The publisher’s liability for other errors or omissions in connection with any advertisement is strictly limited to publication of the advertisement in any subsequent issue or the refund of monies paid for the advertisement.

A guaranteed minimum of 11,000 copies per week are printed and distributed.

OBIT

IMPROVE YOUR INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO

Paquin remembered as ‘inspiration’ for entrepreneurs

Disappointed with Disappointed with with under Disappointed producing investments? under Disappointed producing investments? with under producing investments? % under producing investments? % Average earned annually since 2015 Average earned annually since 2015 Average earnedand annually since 2015 Monthly dividends an annual return of Monthly dividends and an annual return of Average sincemight 2015 over 7.0% areearned closerannually than you think

BY PETER KOVESSY pkovessy@obj.ca

Business executives from Ottawa and around the world are paying tribute to Antoine Paquin, a serial entrepreneur at the forefront of the city’s telecom boom in the ’90s who remained a leader in Ottawa’s tech industry for more than two decades.

Mr. Paquin, who co-founded Skystone Systems before selling the semiconductor firm to Cisco Systems for $89 million and leading a string of high-tech ventures, died May 23 at the age of 50.

“His contribution to Ottawa’s tech community cannot be understated,” InCa Synergies founder Raj Narula told OBJ. “Antoine was a remarkable individual with a knack of humour, intelligence, compassion and a true sense of respect for mankind.”

COLOURFUL FIGURE

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To date, AMIC has had zero borrower, portfolio is value, plus helps strict fiensure nancialthe vetting of each history ofcareful default.

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Michael Hapke | President/CEO Frank Napolitano | Vice President Dealing Representative Mortgage Brokers Michael Hapke | President/CEO Frank Napolitano | ViceOttawa President Dealing Representative Mortgage Brokers Ottawa Michael Hapke | President/CEO Frank Napolitano | Vice President Mortgage Brokers Ottawa Dealing Representative Mortgage Brokers Ottawa AdvancedMortgage MortgageBrokers Investment Corporation Ottawa Michael Hapke | President/CEO Frank Napolitano | Vice President Advanced Capital Corporation Advanced Mortgage Investment Corporation Mortgage Brokers Ottawa Dealing Representative Mortgage Brokers Ottawa Direct 613-656-0866 Advanced Capital Corporation Advanced Mortgage Investment Corporation www.mortgagebrokersottawa.com Direct Capital 613-656-0866 Mortgage Brokers Ottawa Advanced Corporation www.advancedmortgageinvestmentcorp.com www.mortgagebrokersottawa.com Advanced Mortgage Investment Corporation Direct 613-656-0866 www.advancedcapitalcorp.com www.advancedmortgageinvestmentcorp.com Advanced Capital Corporation www.mortgagebrokersottawa.com www.advancedcapitalcorp.com 613-656-0866 This information is for general information only andDirect is not intended to provide specific personalized advice including limitation, investment, www.advancedmortgageinvestmentcorp.com financial, legal, accounting or tax advice. Please consult an appropriate professional regarding your particular circumstance. Past performance is www.mortgagebrokersottawa.com This information is for general information only and is not intended specifi including with limitation, investment, www.advancedcapitalcorp.com no indication of future returns. Please book an appointment with to ourprovide Dealing Repctopersonalized review the advice risks associated this investment. financial, legal, accounting or tax www.advancedmortgageinvestmentcorp.com advice. Please consult an appropriate professional regarding your particular circumstance. Past performance is This informationofisfuture for general information onlyanand is not intended specifi including with limitation, investment, no indication returns.

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07 OBJ.CA

according to a 2001 Globe and Mail report.

But it was what he did after those transactions that stood out in the minds of some colleagues.

“He was one of the first guys to really celebrate the success of wealth,” said Bruce Lazenby, the former head of economic development agency Invest Ottawa who travelled to China with Mr. Paquin a few years ago.

“He wasn’t shy about it. He was part of that generation that did really well in that crazy time and came back to do it again.

A lot of guys from that generation went off to do other things ... But Antoine kept at it.”

In the early 2000s, he took the helm of Bitflash, a local company that developed early software that enabled graphics to be displayed on wireless devices, as well as semiconductor manufacturer Axiom Microdevices.

Mr. Paquin would later move to California, serve on the boards of a half-dozen firms and join the investor community as general manager of Rho Canada Ventures.

In 2009, he founded Ottawa-based Solantro Semiconductor, a company that designs and manufactures chips for the solar power industry.

“Renewable energy is the place to be,” Mr. Paquin told OBJ in 2015 after Solantro raised $11 million in series-B financing.

“People think the Internet was massive, but we haven’t seen anything yet.”

Jay Khosla, an assistant deputy minister at Natural Resources Canada, said Mr. Paquin’s “keen intellect, creative disposition and drive to make the world a better place will be missed by all those who were fortunate to make his acquaintance and call him a friend.”

– Raj Narula and David Sali contributed reporting to this story

Here in the capital, Mortgage Brokers Ottawa, Canada’s largest and wellHere in one theofcapital, Mortgage Brokers known mortgage brokerages originates Ottawa, one of Canada’s largest and wellHere in the capital, Mortgage Brokers nearly $1 billion in mortgages annually. known mortgage brokerages originates Ottawa, one of Canada’s largest and wellMBO attributes itsinbrokerages success to originates Ottawa’s nearly $1 billion mortgages annually.

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Born in Montreal on Dec. 29, 1966, Mr. Paquin spent his formative years in Quebec, Algeria and France and later studied at the Royal Military College of Canada, Carleton University, the University of California and the Université du Québec en Outaouais, according to an online obituary.

He once described “the direct link between action and consequence” as one of the most rewarding parts of being an entrepreneur.

After a stint at Bell Northern Research, he went on to build and sell two Ottawa semiconductor firms in less than six years. In addition to the sale of Skystone to Cisco, Mr. Paquin led Philsar Semiconductor – a company that raised millions of dollars in venture capital and was sold to Conexant Systems for more than US$200 million in shares in 2000.

“His product became a billion-dollar business unit within the world’s leading Internet telecommunications company.

Not many in Canada have had the luck to create a nine-figure business … and yet Antoine has done several,” said Ray Sharma, the CEO of Extreme Venture Partners.

He said he would remember his “dear friend” as “one of the most colourful of entrepreneurs.

“Although a shy individual, Antoine was graceful … and flamboyant in his love of fast cars, big homes and tech startups,” Mr. Sharma said.

The sales gave Mr. Paquin an estimated net worth of $200 million,

7.75 % 7.75 7.75 % 7.75

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REAL ESTATE

St. Charles Market breathes new life into old Vanier church

MONDAY, JUNE 5, 2017

If only going to church was always this much fun, then maybe the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Ottawa wouldn’t have had to sell Saint-Charles church.

The place was hopping May 25 at the official sales launch of a new mixed-use residential and commercial project that’s breathing new life and vitality into the old Vanier church, just off Beechwood Avenue.

It can count Lindenlea, New Edinburgh and Rockcliffe Park among nearby neighbourhoods.

ModBox is building St. Charles Market with award-winning Ottawa architect firm Linebox Studio, whose projects have included Shopify’s Elgin Street headquarters.

The new condos and townhomes will wrap around the church to create a European-style marketplace with cafés and restaurants, as well as outside public spaces and gardens.

The project got a ringing endorsement from Mayor Jim Watson.

“I predict this is going to be one of the most exciting redevelopment projects in the entire city of Ottawa,” he told the crowd in his remarks.

Attendees included investor and Shopify CEO Tobi Lütke. He got a lift to the event with the mayor, since they were both heading to the same spot following their Invest Ottawa board of directors meeting.

Lütke, along with Cody Fauser (the former chief technology officer of Shopify), were seen chatting with Andrew Reeves, principal architect at Linebox.

His team is not only preserving the 1908-built, Québec Neoclassical church, a designated heritage building; it’s creating a re-energized space that brings the

From left, Whitney Fox with Bob McElligott and Micheline McElligott, and Angela Singhal at the official sales launch of St. Charles Market in Beechwood Village.

From left, Reggie MacIntosh, Jelle De Roeck and Michael Pranger, with Linebox Studio, at the official sales launch of St. Charles Market in Beechwood Village May 25.

community together, as churches used to do. The building was sold due to years of declining attendance and the high costs of maintaining the building.

“We’re very proud of what we’ve come up with as a solution,” Reeves told OBJ. social. “I think it will be a good example of how you can re-purpose and reuse existing buildings that are architecturally interesting but, more importantly, socially interesting.

“We’re hoping that people will gravitate toward it and buy into what we’re trying to make. We’ve surrounded ourselves with the best people, from builders to developers to investors. It’s a truly ‘boutique-y’, touchyfeely local experience that we took very seriously.

“We want to make sure it’s something that will continue to be an example of good development and good architecture in a community that desperately needs it.”

Out supporting the new project

Andrew Reeves, principal architect at Linebox Studio, with his wife Melissa Reeves at the official sales launch of St. Charles Market on May 25.

Developer Tamer Abaza and architect Izza Lapalice at the official sales launch of St. Charles Market.

From left, Ailie Somerville with Shawn Malhotra, Chloe Girvan and Louise Malhotra at the official sales launch of St. Charles Market.

were such Ottawa developers as Shawn Malhotra, a vice-president with Claridge Homes, with his wife, Louise, and sisters Angela Singhal and Monica Singhal, with her husband, Kevin Yemm, from Richcraft Homes.

Guests also included Bob McElligott, president and CEO of Brickland Timberlay Corporation (he and his wife are currently developing a four-season, 450-acre gated cottage community, Clos de SIXTE, between Ottawa and Mont Tremblant).

“You know, I made a bid to buy this,” he told OBJ.social. “I was somewhat disappointed that I didn’t get it … but I think that they haven’t dropped the ball at all.

“They’ve been very, very co-operative with the local communities on both sides of Beechwood, and have worked very closely

with community groups and have worked very closely with the (city’s) planning department. They’ve come up with a scheme that I think is going to work and I think is going to revitalize Beechwood.

“I think it’s fabulous. I really do.”

The launch party was catered by chef Matthew Carmichael and saw the walls adorned with artwork by local artists. There remained a churchy feel to the place with its round arched windows and the odd pew for sitting on.

— caroline@obj.ca

FOR MORE ON THE EVENT, CHECK OUT CAROLINE PHILLIPS’ VIDEO AT OBJ.CA

What will be more important in the future, the right skill set or mindset? ey.com/ca #BetterQuestions

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08 © 2017 Ernst & Young LLP. All Rights Reserved. ED None.

FUNDRAISER Weinstein LLP), who’s taking over in a few weeks’ time from Lawrence Soloway (of Soloway Wright LLP) as chair of the board of the UOHI. The tournament is named after two Ottawa legends: Thomas Fuller, a Second World War naval captain and founder of a family-owned construction company, and his heart surgeon, Dr. Wilbert Keon. dinner emceed by John Rodenburg from Keon was at the dinner. He described TSN 1200.

Fuller, who died in 1994 at age 85, as The tournament netted a record“one of the most interesting people I ever breaking $180,470 for the Heart Institute’s knew in my life.” That’s coming from a expansion project. Since Reklitis became man who has helped several thousands involved, it’s also raised more than $1.5 of people over the course of his medical million. career.

“It’s not a one-man show,” Reklitis “It sounds like a bit of an assembly pointed out, while adding that he’s part line, but it wasn’t; I loved every one of of a larger committee of volunteers. “We them,” said Keon, 82, who’s also a retired work well together. Everybody contributes. senator.

It’s the network of people reaching out that Keon says it’s important for him to makes it so successful.” be at the dinner because he values the Reklitis now plans to pass the torch to power of community. It was there for him Merv Clost, executive vice-president at when he first had the idea of creating Palladium Insurance. The Heart Institute a cardiovascular institute in Ottawa will be naming the family waiting room in (the Heart Institute celebrated its 40th its new building after Reklitis and his wife, anniversary last year).

Penny Reklitis, in honour of his hard work “A lot of people thought it couldn’t be and dedication. done, and I thought it could,” he told OBJ. The announcement was made at the social. “It was this kind of sincere support dinner by lawyer Paul LaBarge (of LaBarge and enthusiasm that made it possible.

FULLER KEON TOURNEY TEES UP SUPPORT FOR HEART INSTITUTE Jim Reklitis is quick to admit that he’s not a gifted golfer, but what he lacks on the golf course he’s made up for in his leadership role with the annual Fuller Keon Golf Tournament for the University of Ottawa Heart Institute.

The Heart Institute did, after all, save his life, as well as the lives of several friends and family members.

For the past 13 years, Reklitis, who’s vice-president and general manager at GDI Building Services, has chaired the organizing committee.

“I wanted to give back to the Heart Institute as much as I could,” the heart attack survivor told OBJ.social at the Loch March Golf and Country Club in Kanata on May 29.

Most of the 180 golfers showed up to play despite heavy rain. Afterward, they went into the clubhouse for auction bidding and prize giveaways during a

Outgoing tourney chair Jim Reklitis, left, with incoming chair Merv Clost.

Handling the politicians was nothing after the local people had come out.”

The public country club is owned by son Mark Fuller and the Fuller family. It also hosts a late-summer golf tournament for female supporters of the Heart Institute in honour of family matriarch Jeanne Fuller.

Last-minute changes to the dinner schedule, due to the bad weather, meant that Heart Institute president and CEO Dr. Thierry Mesana was unable to make it (the cardiac surgeon was busy saving lives) but cardiologists Derek So and Sandy Dick were among the medical staff in attendance. One of Dick’s patients, Chris Troughton, a repeat heart attack survivor, is on the organizing committee.

— caroline@obj.ca

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09 OBJ.CA

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by Caroline Phillips

Longtime supporter Gary Zed, with his daughter, Olivia Zed, at the Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala.

Ottawa-based musician Kathleen Edwards took to the stage to entertain the crowds at the Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala.

Ottawa Riverkeeper Meredith Brown with Sen. Murray Sinclair, the 2017 Honourary Riverkeeper, and the non-profit organization’s executive director, Patrick Nadeau, at this year’s gala held at Lemieux Island on the Ottawa River on May 31.

FUNDRAISER

MONDAY, JUNE 5, 2017

Gala-goers shower Riverkeeper fundraiser with record $265K in donations

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There’s no room at the Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala for fair-weather friends. That’s because it’s the kind of outdoor gala where one happily attends, rain or shine; it’s just that much fun.

And this year’s gala was no different, despite some scattered rain.

Some 450 attendees of the $250-a-ticket gala returned May 31 to Lemieux Island in the middle of the scenic Ottawa River. Popular options for getting there included walking, biking or car shuttle. There, the crowd raised a record $265,000 for Ottawa Riverkeeper, a citizen-based action group that protects and promotes the ecological health and diversity of the Ottawa River and its tributaries.

With the forecast looking iffy, galagoers got updates from organizers throughout the day, including a revised dress code of “riverside cozy.” That meant stilettos were out and Blundstones were in. Surprisingly, many women pulled off the “rain boot look” quite nicely.

A giant clear-topped party tent was beautifully decorated with strings of lights and chandeliers and white umbrellas suspended from the ceiling. A second large party tent (with a billiards table, to boot!) was positioned nearby for social butterflies to escape to during speeches.

Seen were Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson and such city councillors as David Chernushenko, Tobi Nussbaum, Michael Qaqish and Tim Tierney, as well

as Gatineau Mayor Maxime PedneaudJobin, Environment Minister and Ottawa MP Catherine McKenna, Green Party leader Elizabeth May and Treasury Board president Scott Brison. Journalist Evan Solomon was back to host the evening while the lovely Kathleen Edwards, an acclaimed musician and Ottawa Riverkeeper ambassador, performed for the crowd.

Attendees also included those whiz kids from Shopify, including co-founder and CEO Tobi Lütke and COO Harley Finkelstein (here’s a tell-tale sign of a good bash: when those two are there). The evening acknowledged EY Ottawa managing partner Gary Zed, who is leaving the firm on a high note, having led the Ottawa office to new heights and supported its sponsorship of the Riverkeeper event for a number of years. He will shortly be starting a bold new entrepreneurial venture.

Sen. Murray Sinclair, co-chair of the Aboriginal Justice Inquiry in Manitoba and chief commissioner of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, was the 2017 honorary Riverkeeper. He was presented

by Ottawa Riverkeeper Meredith Brown and executive director Patrick Nadeau with a hand-carved canoe paddle, similar to ones given in previous years to prime ministerial wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, former sergeant at arms-turnedambassador to Ireland Kevin Vickers, Bank of Canada governor Stephen Poloz and his predecessor, Mark Carney.

From left, Treasury Board president Scott Brison with Susan Smith, principal at Bluesky Strategy Group, and Brison’s husband Maxime St-Pierre.

From left, Ottawa Riverkeeper board member Colleen Westeinde with Environment Minister Catherine McKenna at the Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala.

From right, Shopify CEO Tobi Lütke at Lemieux Island with Shopify senior vice-president of engineering Jean-Michel Lemieux (no relation to the island) and his wife, Nadine Martel.

Beacon Hill-Cyrville Coun. Tim Tierney and his wife Jenny at the Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala.

From left, Alex Ross and Kathleen Edwards with Mayor Jim Watson and Gatineau Mayor Maxime Pedneaud-Jobin at the Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala.

Sinclair, who was the first aboriginal judge appointed in Manitoba and only the second in Canada, was named to the senate last year.

“Water is life, as you know,” he told the room. “Those of you who follow our traditions and know our teachings a little bit will know that’s a common refrain that you hear.”

He warned of the great risks that exist of losing our waters, both in Canada and beyond, to industry and pollutants.

“It’s really bizarre when you think about it, that we pay more for a gallon of water than we do for a gallon of gas. We pay a huge amount of money for what used to be free, and yet we don’t seem

to have a really good set of policies and laws around that to protect from that kind of exploitation and overdevelopment and misuse and abuse.”

Ottawa lawyer Lawrence Greenspon quieted down the chatty crowd for long enough to sell an all-red Martone commuter bike (snapped up by Dr. Bella Mehta and her husband, Sanjay Shah, president of ExecHealth), a Wood Duck 12 recreational kayak, an oil-on-canvas painting of a view from Lemieux Island Bridge by Ottawa artist David Lidbetter, and an Adventure Canada expedition to Canada’s Sable Island. It went for $11,000.

— caroline@obj.ca

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Fighting climate change by preserving your building GALA

INNOVATION GALA HONOURS BRIGHT MINDS, STEAMPUNK STYLE

Governor General David Johnston speaks at the National Science and Innovation Gala held at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum on May 17.

Lawrence Larouche of Majinx at the National Science and Innovation Gala.

Scrap metal sculptor Tick Tock Tom participated in the National Science and Innovation Gala in May.

Think gothic meets Vi ctorian meets the circus (in its glorious heyday), and there you have the fantastical retro-futuristic steampunk theme of the inaugural National Science and Innovation Gala, held May 17 at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum.

Hundreds of guests arrived in their goggles and gadgets and corsets and cinchers for a steampunk-inspired evening that was more out of this world than the International Space Station.

The evening celebrated the winners of the STEAM Horizon Awards. It’s a newly funded scholarship program that invites Canada’s bright-minded youth to promote positive changes throughout their community using science, technology, engineering and mathematics, together with the arts.

Winners scored $25,000 each to pursue a science or tech field at a Canadian university or college.

On hand for the ceremony was Gov. Gen. David Johnston, who recently coauthored a book with Tom Jenkins on Canadian innovations.

“Is this the stuff of science fiction?” he said in his opening remarks, referring to the gala’s robotic vehicles, virtual reality drones and other gadgets, gizmos and high-tech stuff. “In fact, science fiction writers are having a hard time writing ‘science fiction’ these days because it’s become ‘science fact.’”

The fourth industrial revolution is changing the world through science, innovation and emerging technology, he added.

“And so, in such times, we must find new ways to adapt and keep pace.

If change is the new constant, then innovation is the new imperative,” said Johnston. “The only question then is to what extent do we shape and lead that change? We paddle a canoe rather than being thrust into the rapids and being carried by them.”

The governor general listed a number of Canadian innovations, from the pacemaker to life-saving insulin to the once-ubiquitous BlackBerry. His personal favourite is the light bulb, which was the bright idea of two Toronto inventors.

Unfortunately, the men couldn’t come up with enough financing to continue on and sold their patent to famous American inventor Thomas Edison.

“I love that particular one because we have that expression ‘And the light went on’ as an expression that illuminates our mind when we do something very innovative,” said Johnston.

His presence at the event was appreciably recognized by the evening’s emcee, CBC News Network morning host Heather Hiscox. The governor general, an avid hockey fan, was missing the third game of the Ottawa Senators’ Eastern Conference final series against Pittsburgh to attend, she pointed out.

The $150-a-ticket gala was catered

by Chef Michael Blackie of NeXT, with Sharon House from Avant-Garde Designs bringing the world of steampunk to life through her decor, which included a mechanical, moving creation named Rusty.

— caroline@obj.ca

While emissions mostly come from the use of natural gas to heat a building and provide warm water, experts are increasingly looking at the full lifecycle – including construction, demolition and disposal – of building materials to calculate a structure’s overall environmental impact.

One of the challenges facing property owners and managers is that there is effectively only one key performance indicator for a roof: How many leaks does it have?

Leaks typically lead to an emergency repair job, which, in most cases, just patches over the problem rather than actually eliminating it. In addition to the cost of the work, leaks can result in damage to the building’s interior, inventory, office equipment affect the day-to-day running of the business, and reduce the insulative R-Value.

Yet, the biggest cost – both to the environment and building owner – remains the increased likelihood of a full replacement after a roof develops multiple leaks.

“The way the market works now, there is no sustainable incentive to preserve,” says Mr. Cecchetto. “The incentive is, for the most part, to unfortunately replace the roof.”

However, building owners are increasingly realizing that there are alternatives. Staff at Roof Maintenance Solutions use high-tech diagnostic equipment to find tiny holes and make repairs before they turn into leaks.

Clients of the firm typically see a 70-per-cent reduction in unplanned spending on their roof – in addition to, of course, fewer leaks, and peace of mind.

As Roof Maintenance Solutions expands, it’s seeing particular interest from REITs and other large owners of retail and commercial space, whose primary assets are physical buildings.

RMS has a keen understanding of the impact of preserving that investment to benefit their clients, and the environment.

“Our clients are making the investment because they know it makes financial sense, and it supports and highlights their environmental mandate” says Mr. Cecchetto.

11 OBJ.CA

From left, Summa Strategies Canada vicepresident Jim Armour with Alex Lanthier, senior manager at CN, and John McHughan, a consultant at Summa Strategies.

B

uilding owners and managers know that premature replacement of infrastructural elements comes at a financial cost.

Less appreciated, however, is the considerable environmental impact of the construction and installation required to do so, when the existing elements could instead be preserved.

Manufacturing the insulation and other building materials that make up structures such as roofs consume enormous amounts of clean water, fossil fuels and tree pulp, in addition to emitting large volumes of carbon dioxide. For example, the construction industry accounts for 40 per cent of total water abstraction and only 60 per cent of that industrial wastewater gets treatment before being disposed back into the environment. Consider, also, the tonnes of toxic waste trucked to landfills as a result of such premature component replacements.

What’s particularly troubling for Ernie Cecchetto, president of Ottawabased Roof Maintenance Solutions, is that building owners across the city and beyond are replacing their roofs far more often than needed. If buildings are built to last upwards of 100 years, why are we replacing the roof every 15?

Roof Maintenance Solutions helps property owners and managers preserve and extend the life of one of their most important assets. RMS’s preventative maintenance packages save their clients money, reduce their environmental footprint, and maximize their overall return on infrastructural investment.

“All that carbon has already been emitted in the intial production of the building,” he says. “We want to leverage the environmental investment that’s already been made by these companies.”

Figures published by the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario show that commercial and industrial buildings across the province were responsible for 13 megatons of greenhouse gas emissions in 2014. Despite improvements in energy efficiency, there has been a 28 per cent increase in emissions from the buildings sector since 1990.

MONDAY, JUNE 5, 2017

The inaugural National Science and Innovation Gala held at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum featured a steampunk theme.

Building owners increasingly realize that extending the life of building components creates financial savings, environmental benefits

SPONSORED CONTENT

New perspectives and tools for greater business success FORTY UNDER 40 ALUMNI BEN LALONDE CREDITS TELFER EXECUTIVE MBA FOR HIS GROWTH

Ben Lalonde had already experienced business success when a chance encounter with Dr. Jack Kitts, President and CEO of the Ottawa Hospital, set him on a path of tremendous personal and professional growth. “I mentioned I had once considered an Executive Masters of Business Administration but I had never gotten around to applying. Jack told me that if I was fine with just my two automotive service shops then I shouldn’t bother, but if I ever wanted to expand my business, it would be a good idea to seek out the skills and knowledge an Executive MBA has to offer.”

After researching options across North America, Ben chose the University of Ottawa’s Telfer Executive MBA program, which was the program Dr. Kitts completed in 2001. Ben completed the program in 2016 and was also honoured as one of the recipients of the prestigious Forty under 40 Award that same year. Ben has more than 20 years of automotive service industry and is currently President of Orleans AutoPro with two locations. His entrepreneurial growth continued while in the program when Ben along with three of his Executive MBA colleagues founded Rebel Technologies in April of 2015. Together they are developing an innovative patent pending shop management solution that gives BEN LALONDE, FOUNDER / CEO AT REBEL TECHNOLOGIES complete transparency to the vehicle servicing process. The solution enables consumers to receive service based on their preferences and to access a full suite of service information.

MONDAY, JUNE 5, 2017

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The emotional intelligence aspects of the Telfer Executive MBA has helped me learn how to develop more holistic business strategies in combination with the hard skills that I learned.

”

SELF-EXAMINATION LEADS TO TREMENDOUS PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

“I chose the Telfer Executive MBA program because I felt it was the most relevant and it offered the chance to work on live projects in a peer-based environment,” explains Ben, who admits that he did initially have some self-doubt.

“It was a big leap for me to go right to graduate school because I did not hold a post-secondary education,” he recalls. “I was sitting in a room full of people with university degrees and wondered if I belonged. I then realized that everyone felt the same way to a certain extent and I was going to be OK. I was fortunate to have real world business experience as a serial entrepreneur and knew those skills were relevant.”

“I initially expected that the program would give me the hard skills I was looking for, including learning how to create marketing plans and devise business strategies. I learned all of that, but what I didn’t expect to gain was the soft skills. I learned

how to work more effectively in a team including expanding my communication capabilities. I was always comfortable speaking to large groups but I now feel like I have an increased knowledge and a new vocabulary that gives me the capability to have influence outside of my own industry.

The emotional intelligence aspects of the Telfer Executive MBA has helped me learn how to develop more holistic business strategies in combination with the hard skills that I learned.”

TEAM PROJECTS HAVE REAL-WORLD APPLICATION

As one of the Six Signature Series of Six Business Consulting projects, Telfer Executive MBA candidates are required to complete the Individual Business Consulting Project, either to delve deeper in their current industry or explore new paths. For Ben and his three colleagues, their summer was spent developing the strategy for Rebel Technologies. They continued to leverage the program’s platform in the fall semester, “After the summer, we pitched Rebel as part of the Technology Entrepreneurship course, which requires us to function as though we are running a tech start-up. The course is focused on entrepreneurship and innovation and our classmates along with a panel of investors scrutinized our project like they would an independent company, offering invaluable advice and support.”

Ben concludes the experience he gained through his Telfer Executive MBA was vital to launching Rebel. “Working with my team improved my original design, making the product simpler yet offering more functionality and value. It’s currently testing really well in focus groups because it’s designed to protect the consumer and to help business owners at the same time.”

Ben enthusiastically confirms that the Telfer Executive MBA program is worth every penny.

“It’s the best business decision I’ve ever made. As I work to apply the skills and knowledge I gained from the program, our customer satisfaction is going through the roof. Our sales growth has been tremendous and I believe this is due to a new clarity of focus combined with enhanced marketing and communication, and that’s all thanks to my Telfer Executive MBA experience.”

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613.564.9500 www.emba.uOttawa.ca emba@telfer.uOttawa.ca

MONDAY, JUNE 5, 2017

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FORTYUNDER40

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MONDAY, JUNE 5, 2017

2017 RECIPIENTS

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Eddy Abou-Nehme, seoplus+ Aali Alizadeh, Giatec Scientific Janice Ashworth, Ottawa Renewable Energy Co-op Laura Behzadi, Bicycle Craft Brewery Chris Bisson, Escape Manor David Bouchard, PureLogic IT Solutions Rachel Caven, Caven Nutrition Group Martin Cloake, Raven Telemetry Gordon Cudney, Gowling WLG Haissam Dahan, Ottawa TMJ & Sleep Apnea Clinic Jordan Danger Kent, DANGER Communications Sebastien Dignard, FRAMOS Technologies Kevin Grimes, RE/MAX Affiliates Realty Emily Gruenwoldt Carkner, Canadian Association of Paediatric Health Centres Brock Higgins, Leaders International Catherine Horvath, Ottawa Centre for Resilience Steve Hubbard, Lightenco Hedyeh Javidnia, Facial Cosmetic Surgery, Facial Surgery & Cosmetic Centre of Ottawa Vanessa Kanu, Mitel Stephanie Karlovits, EPIC Fitness + Lifestyle Caitlin Kealey, MediaStyle Briana Kim, Cafe My House Mara Klammrodt, FLUX Lighting Siddhartha Kumar, Access Healthcare Services Sarah Lyons, MNP LLP Lesley Mackay, Ottawa Tourism Kent McCrea, Procom and Keous Solutions Craig O’Brien, Nelligan O’Brien Payne Jordan O’Leary, Morning Owl Chris Pulfer, Posterity Group Aaron Smith, EY Jean-Sylvain Sormany, Snowed In Studios Mark Steele, OCCO Kitchen Jennifer Stewart, Syntax Strategic Trevin Stratton, BDO Canada LLP Justin Tudor, Keller Engineering Megan Wallace, Perley-Robertson, Hill & McDougall Greg Wetmore, Entrust Datacard Ruby Williams, Deloitte Pat Woodcock, Elite Performance Academy

Ottawa’s biggest and best celebration of entrepreneurship Eddy Abou-Nehme, 38

mentor, the late Dr. Mehdi Ghalibafian. He was the most ethical, conscientious and hard-working person I have ever met. As Birthplace: Ottawa a professional civil engineer, he was truly Company: We offer dedicated to improving people’s lives and digital marketing was a role model for not letting his personal services to businesses interests get in the way of this. around the world.

Biggest lesson learned: It is only “sales” Education: Bachelor that matter! Startups can grow and develop of science in computer products in their early days by relying on mathematics, government grants or raising investment.

Carleton University (2002) But the business does not grow unless the Charitable involvement: St. Elias Cathedral founders shift their focus to generating Biggest biz achievement: Co-founding revenue from scaleable sales to customers. seoplus+ with my partner Brock Murray in First job: Selling candies.

2012. We started off with a desk, a laptop Advice I’d give the younger me: Take one and a USB hard drive working out of a thing at a time and don’t worry about the storage facility. Today we have grown to future! a team of 16 amazing professionals with Favourite pastime: Photography clients all over the world.

I’m currently reading: How Google Works Biggest obstacle: Balancing the challenge by Eric Schmidt and Jonathan Rosenberg of running two companies while Favourite movie: Inception volunteering in the community and raising Favourite song: Persian songs by a growing family.

Mohammad-Reza Shajarian Biggest influence: My father, Joseph Favourite local pro sports team: Ottawa Abou-Nehme, immigrated to Canada from Senators Lebanon in 1965. He arrived in Ottawa Favourite local summer event: Canada and started working literally the next day.

Day From there he saved his money, invested in Preferred social media platforms: Twitter, land, built a business and started a family.

Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram He taught me to never give up and that any Twitter handle: @_Aali obstacle can be overcome.

Janice Ashworth, 32 Biggest lesson learned: Be flexible.

Whether it’s regarding your staff, your General manager, Ottawa clients, your suppliers or even your product Renewable Energy Co-op and service offerings, you have to be reasonable and adaptive.

Birthplace: Ottawa First job: Newspaper courier Company: We Advice I’d give the younger me: Read generate green energy more. Everything you’d ever want to know through community is out there and available for you to learn. investments.

I’m currently reading: Scaling Up: How a Education: Master of Few Companies Make It ... and Why the Rest environmental studies.

Don’t by Verne Harnish Dalhousie University Favourite movie: Gladiator (2010) Favourite song: Welcome to the Jungle by Charitable involvement: Ecology Ottawa Guns N’ Roses Biggest biz achievement: Raising Favourite local pro sports team: $7 million in investments from individuals Ottawa Senators in Ottawa and spending all that money Favourite local summer event: on local solar energy projects.

Ottawa Bluesfest Biggest biz obstacle: Developing viable Preferred social media platforms: renewable energy projects.

Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn Biggest influence: The founding directors Twitter handle: @edco2001 of OREC for their vision, commitment, knowledge and good nature!

Aali Alizadeh, 38 Biggest lesson learned: Find the experts who want to work with you. Don’t try to do CEO, Giatec Scientific everything from scratch.

Birthplace: Qom, Iran First job: Gymnastics coach Company: Giatec Advice I’d give the younger me: offers Internet of Be patient. Embrace failures. Question Things solutions to defensiveness. Know when to compromise the concrete industry. and when not to.

Education: PhD in What’s left to do: Continue to learn. Live civil engineering, lightly. Speak up. Leave a positive impact.

University of Ottawa Create a local investment co-op. Support a (2009) co-op farm. House climate refugees. Laugh.

Charitable involvement: American Dance.

Concrete Institute Favourite pastime: Trail running Biggest biz achievement: Selling Giatec’s I’m currently reading: The Burning Answer: first product and exporting it to the U.S. A User’s Guide to the Solar Revolution by Biggest obstacle: Being afraid of failure!

Keith Barnham Biggest influence: My professor and Favourite movie: Moulin Rouge CEO, seoplus+

#ott40

Celebration of success Each year, OBJ and the Ottawa Chamber of Commerce choose 40 of the region’s top young business leaders and recognize them for their professional achievements, expertise and community involvement.

On the following pages, readers can find out more about this year’s recipients, take a closer look at their impressive accomplishments and discover what drives them to constantly strive for greatness.

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Favourite song: Lost Balloons by Caledonia Favourite local pro sports team: Fury FC Favourite local summer event: CityFolk Preferred social media platform: Facebook Company Twitter handle: @ORECoop

Favourite local pro sports team: Ottawa RedBlacks Favourite local summer event: CityFolk Preferred social media platforms: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram Twitter handle: @bicyclebrewery

Laura Behzadi, 36

Chris Bisson, 36

Co-founder and brewer, Bicycle Craft Brewery

Co-founder, Escape Manor

David Bouchard, 39 Managing partner, PureLogic IT Solutions Inc. Birthplace: Timmins Company: We provide IT Solutions to the Canadian federal government.

Education: Electrical apprenticeship, Algonquin College (2005); masters electrician certificate Charitable involvement: Connected North Biggest biz achievement: Working with the executive team create and execute on a business plan that would focus on a number of elements, including increasing both revenue and gross margin. In the first quarter of fiscal 2017, we were able to close more sales than the entire revenue number of the previous year. This will represent more than 125 per cent year-over-year growth.

Biggest obstacle: In 2015, we had a very difficult year and missed our revenue goals.

My business partner and I executed a plan that would cut more than 30 per cent of our operating budget and reduce staff. This was very challenging because we are a small company, but all of our staff kept positive throughout the transition period and I am extremely proud of them!

Biggest influence: Brian Doxtator, CEO of S&S Bolton Group. Brian encouraged me to take on the role as service manager for Bolton Electric in 2009. I felt that I did not have the experience required, but Brian taught me to be more objective and make decisions based on facts, not solely on feelings. He also taught me to evaluate financials as well as create operating budgets – skills that would serve me very well when I joined PureLogic Solutions. I continue to meet with Brian frequently and value his opinions.

Biggest lesson learned: Adapting to the changing market, looking for trends and trying to be at the forefront of change.

There have been many changes in the last five years in how the government of Canada procures IT equipment. We are staying informed and changing our go-to market strategy to ally with our customer requirements.

First job: Paperboy (nine years old) Advice I’d give the younger me: Simply to ask for help more often!

What’s left to do: I have two young children, and I look forward to seeing them become intelligent, respectful and caring adults. Also, I would like to get more involved in local charities and travel more.

Professionally, I would like to continue to see double-digit growth at PureLogic Solutions and expand our current offerings.

Also, I will continue to learn from my business coach and may take an Executive MBA in the years to come.

Favourite pastime: Water-based activities I’m currently reading: Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future

by Ashlee Vance Favourite movie: Shawshank Redemption Favourite song: Black Dog by Led Zeppelin Favourite local pro sports team: Ottawa Senators Favourite local summer event: Ottawa Bluesfest Preferred social media platforms: Facebook, LinkedIn

Rachel Caven, 33 Nutritionist and clinic director, Caven Nutrition Group Birthplace: Ottawa Company: We provide customers with personalized nutrition programs.

Education: Bachelor of science honours degree in biomedical sciences, University of Guelph (2006) Charitable involvement: Ottawa Food Bank Biggest biz achievement: Opening my own office with a retail space and hiring three nutritionists.

Biggest obstacle: Overcoming people’s perception of single moms. I’ve had two business coaches, on separate occasions, tell me that I couldn’t do what I wanted to do because I am a single mom. In reality, my son is why I am successful – when you have no backup plan, you make it work! I am so glad I didn’t listen to them.

Biggest influence: My mom. I don’t know anyone who works harder than her. She runs a business and a farm and has raised five awesome kids. She is my biggest fan and has never once doubted me.

Biggest lesson learned: Trust your gut – it’s never wrong. The one time I went against my gut feeling to hire someone, it didn’t work out. When you follow your gut, your co-workers and employees (and sometimes clients) become like family. If it’s not a “hell yes,” it’s a no!

First job: Veterinary assistant Advice I’d give the younger me: You don’t have to have everything planned out. Just jump in and you will figure it out. Plans don’t always go the way you want them to anyway.

What’s left to do: I want to help more people – professionally by adding more programs and locations and personally by volunteering more with women.

Favourite pastime: Hiking or biking in the summer; skating in the winter I’m currently reading: The Secret Life of Fat

by Sylvia Tara Favourite movie: Elf Favourite song: Anything by

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Birthplace: Ottawa Company: We lock people up in interactive and immersive rooms!

Education: Undergraduate certificate in business administration, Telfer School of Management, University of Ottawa (2007) Charitable involvement: Ottawa Humane Society Biggest biz achievement: Building and growing Escape Manor from a budding idea and part-time project into a real and full-fledged business.

Biggest biz obstacle: I had a pretty big professional setback in 2009 when a business that I co-founded failed. It wiped out all of my savings and confidence in one fell swoop. It took a few years to dig out from that and get back on solid ground before I was able to consider taking another shot at business.

Biggest influence: My late mentor and friend, Telfer Prof. Peter Koppel. Early in my education, he encouraged me to pursue exciting experience-based opportunities beyond the four walls of educational institutions. He instilled the importance of finding something exciting to be passionate about and to integrate real-world learning into the overarching curriculum of life.

Biggest lesson learned: You can’t do it all. When we started this business, we had a hand in just about every part of the operation. We had to. Over time, we learned that with growth and bigger ambitions came the need to become good at finding people that were more talented than us and specialized in different areas of our business.

First job: Landscaping Advice I’d give the younger me: I would simply remind myself to not sweat the small stuff and to spend as much time with family and friends as possible.

What’s left to do: At Escape Manor, our hope is to continue growing into new markets and new entertainment genres to keep people guessing what we’re up to next. Personally, I have ambitions to start a rescue farm with my partner, Brittni.

I would also like to get into the vegan/ vegetarian business space at some point.

Local businesses such as Pure Kitchen are really inspiring success stories to me.

Favourite pastime: Playing hockey.

I’m currently reading: Seveneves by Neal Stephenson – a sci-fi novel that is taking me forever to read, but it’s interesting!

Favourite movie: Home Alone 2

Favourite song: Anything by Zac Brown, baby!

Favourite local pro sports team: Ottawa Senators Favourite local summer event: Ottawa Bluesfest Preferred social media platforms: Facebook, LinkedIn Twitter handle: @BissonChris

MONDAY, JUNE 5, 2017

Birthplace: Stouffville Company: Brewers of down-to-earth craft beer.

Education: Bachelor of arts in history and fine arts, Wilfrid Laurier University (2004) Charitable involvement: re-Cycles Biggest biz achievement: Building a bricks-and-mortar craft brewery from the ground up while increasing production, capacity and revenue yearly.

Biggest obstacle: Gaining new accounts and competing with big breweries that usually dominate the market, particularly during the brewery’s infancy when it was developing a name and product recognition. I’ve taken time to build relationships with new clients while offering a great product and competitive pricing. Having a friendly and close relationship with our clients is something that I value greatly and allows us to provide excellent service.

Biggest influence: My dad, who has owned and operated his own business for 40 years.

He taught me the true value of hard work, the discipline required for self-employment and the value of empathy, honesty and grit.

His successful business inspired me to start my own in an industry that I’m excited and passionate about.

Biggest lesson learned: Be conservative with budgeting startup costs. I started the brewery with what I thought was a conservative calculation of the startup costs; however, when the work actually began, unforeseen costs and obstacles continued to add up. Major electrical work needed to be done and at the end of the job, the electrical cost was over budget by 300 per cent.

First job: Dishwasher at a catering company Advice I’d give the younger me: Dream big and be confident. Starting, owning and operating a business takes courage, and if you have confidence in yourself and your product, you can succeed.

What’s left to do: A lot of delicious beer! I am continuing to expand the brewery by increasing sales and revenue with more fermentation capacity, equipment and distribution.

Favourite pastime: Cycling I’m currently reading: American Sour Beer: Innovative Techniques for Mixed Fermentations by Michael Tonsmeire Favourite movie: The Princess Bride Favourite song: The Trooper by Iron Maiden

Ottawa’s biggest and best celebration of entrepreneurship

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Dave Matthews Band Favourite local pro sports team: Ottawa RedBlacks Favourite local summer event: CityFolk Preferred social media platforms: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram Company Twitter handle: @Caven_ Nutrition

Martin Cloake, 39

MONDAY, JUNE 5, 2017

CEO, Raven Telemetry

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Birthplace: Montreal Company: We create artificial intelligence tools for clients in the manufacturing industry.

Education: Bachelor of engineering, minor in business, McGill University (2003) Charitable involvement: PsychFund.org Biggest biz achievement: I founded Raven in 2013 to fix how manufacturers use their data. Raven now helps Fortune 500 manufacturers increase profits by millions of dollars per year by unlocking the power of their data. The company now employs more than 20 people and has received millions of dollars in equity financing and support from numerous government agencies.

Biggest obstacle: Engineers are trained to believe that the best idea should always win. In practice, this is rarely the case. My realization that the ability to influence others is the most important skill in business significantly changed my approach to both my business and personal life. Regardless of your role, to be successful, you need to be able to persuade others to buy into your vision.

Biggest influence: My wife and fellow 2017 Forty Under 40 recipient Dr. Catherine Horvath has been a huge influence on my career. She has provided sober second thought for all my major business decisions and her support for me has always been unwavering.

Biggest lesson learned: My first job after graduation was working as a manufacturing engineer for Blinds To Go. BTG’s policy at the time was to send all new staff to work in one of its retail stores before working in any other part of the organization. The six weeks I spent selling blinds in Totowa, N.J., had a significant impact on my career and gave me an appreciation for what makes a business succeed. The key to building a great business is happy customers and raving fans. BTG’s policy was genius, and I was lucky to have started my career there.

First job: Paperboy Advice I’d give the younger me: Read The Art of War by Sun Tzu. What’s left to do: Win a gold medal at the world ultimate club championships and change how the world manufactures.

Favourite pastime: Ultimate, ball hockey and crossfit I’m currently reading: Reinventing Organizations: A Guide to Creating

Organizations Inspired by the Next Stage in Human Consciousness by Frederic Laloux Favourite movie: Fight Club Favourite song: Babylon by David Gray Favourite local pro sports team: Ottawa Senators Favourite local summer event: Ottawa Jazz Festival Preferred social media platform: LinkedIn

Gordon Cudney, 38 Partner, Gowling WLG Birthplace: Ottawa Company: Law firm Education: Bachelor of laws, Dalhousie University (2007) Charitable involvement: Royal Ottawa Foundation for Mental Health Biggest biz achievement: Making partner at Gowling WLG. Biggest obstacle: My mother died in 2003, leaving me without parents at a young age.

Biggest influence: My mother. She was a genuine and compassionate person and when I feel lost as a person, I try to gravitate back to her core values.

Biggest lesson learned: Always take the meeting, because you never know what will come of it. My best friend, client and mentor came out of a coffee meeting in 2010 that I wanted no part of. You just never know when something special is going to happen.

First job: Tennis pro Advice I’d give the younger me: Don’t take things too personally. There should be a healthy disconnect between who you are and what you do.

What’s left to do: I would like to be a part of the team at the Royal that changes the way mental illness is treated the world over.

Favourite pastime: Tennis I’m currently reading: The Undoing Project: A Friendship that Changed Our Minds by Michael Lewis Favourite movie: Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery Favourite song: Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right by Bob Dylan Favourite local pro sports team: Ottawa Senators Favourite local summer event: Ottawa Bluesfest Preferred social media platform: Facebook

Haissam Dahan, 38 Dentist/owner, Ottawa TMJ & Sleep Apnea Clinic, Dow’s Lake Dental, Kemptville Smiles Dentistry Birthplace: Beirut, Lebanon Company: We provide dental services with emphasis on facial pain and sleep apnea management.

Ottawa’s biggest and best celebration of entrepreneurship

Less than $250,000

Prefer not to disclose

$250,000 -$499,000

$100 million or more $50 million -$99.9 million

$10 million -$24.9 million

$500,000 -$999,000

$1 million -$2.49 million

$2.5 million -$4.9 million

$5 million -$9.9 million

What is your company’s annual revenue?

n $100 million or more n $50 million-$99.9 million n $10 million-$24.9 million n $5 million-$9.9 million n $2.5 million-$4.9 million n $1 million-$2.49 million n $500,000-$999,000 n $250,000-$499,000 n Less than $250,000 n Prefer not to disclose

17.9% 2.6% 10.3% 5.1% 12.8% 20.5% 10.3% 10.3% 2.6% 7.7%

Education: PhD in dental sciences, McGill University (2016) Charitable involvement: National Council of Canadian Muslims Biggest biz achievement: Starting my first clinic on my own and with very little cash. It is a specialty clinic that relies predominantly on referrals from local dentists and doctors, so I had to go out and knock on a lot of doors to get my name out there. In my first week, I had only one patient. That clinic has since taken off, and its success has given me the confidence to open my second and third clinics.

Biggest obstacle: My staff will tell you that I am a perfectionist. This means that I am always wanting to get better and better. I want better from me, but I also want better from my staff and from my clinics. I’ve realized that attitude can be defeating to my staff, who at times feel that I am never satisfied with our achievements. I think I’ve become better at acknowledging all the great things that they do while still motivating them to be better.

Biggest influence: My father. I grew up watching him start one business after another. Some would succeed but most would fail, so it taught me that failure is part of being an entrepreneur and that

it is nothing to fear. My dad is a typical Lebanese father, which means he doesn’t share his feelings very well, and I think a lot of what I have done in the past has been about trying to get his approval.

Biggest lesson learned: Always look for a win-win situation when dealing with your patients, business partners, contractors and suppliers. It is always easier and better to work together and find common ground.

Every once in a while, I get a patient who is unsatisfied with a treatment I did. I always offer to redo the treatment for free, and if they are still unhappy, then I give them a full refund. Usually the patient is so surprised by my generosity that they become lifelong clients. So it’s a win for them and a win for me.

First job: Pennysaver delivery boy Advice I’d give the younger me: I’d tell myself to stop trying to be like everyone else and embrace my uniqueness. Success happens when you act, think and behave differently than everyone else. The world doesn’t always like people who are very different, so you have to be brave, but it’s worth it in the end.

What’s left to do: My primary goal is to “be” more and “do” less. I want to enjoy my hard work with my family, business partner,

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friends and community. My secondary goal is to continue to improve and evolve my clinics and to take them to the next level in quality and impact.

Favourite pastime: Running near the Ottawa River.

I’m currently reading: Losing my Virginity

by Sir Richard Branson Favourite movie: The Pursuit of Happyness Favourite song: Anything by Coldplay Favourite local pro sports team: Ottawa Senators Favourite local summer event: Canada Day Preferred social media platforms: Twitter, Facebook Twitter handle: @haissamdahan

Jordan Danger Kent, 35 Marketing and user experience manager, DANGER Communications Birthplace: Smithers, B.C. Company: Marketing and communications support for small and medium-sized businesses and nonprofits Education: Social service worker diploma, Algonquin College (2007); social media

management certificate, Algonquin College (2015) Charitable involvement: Numerous organizations Biggest biz achievement: I suppose it would be my first blog, the Project: Priceless Free Wedding Experiment. I blogged for 10 months with one goal: to create a wedding for 150 guests for as little money as possible. The blog went internationally viral; I assembled a wedding valued at $40,000 for about $200 out of pocket. It was a life-changing experience and allowed me to showcase my community engagement and marketing skills, and led me to being recruited as marketing director at UsedOttawa.com, which helped me transition into the corporate marketing world after 10 years of non-profit work. I used everything I’d learned in my many years of promotion and community engagement work in nonprofits, and it resulted in a heartfelt project that led me into a career path shift that I couldn’t have otherwise imagined.

Biggest biz obstacle: As a professional with disabilities, I have faced numerous challenges in finding a career path that was both rewarding as well as accessible to me.

The stigmas associated with disabilities have made my journey longer in some areas than it needed to be; but having a

Ottawa’s biggest and best celebration of entrepreneurship

disability teaches you to improvise, and that skill has helped me find creative ways to meet my goals. If there’s one thing I would say to anyone out there who doubts the abilities of disabled professionals, it’s this: having a disability means you learn how to be nimble – to pivot, to improvise; to work smarter, not harder. And we learn very quickly to take nothing for granted – not our health, our success, our paradigms nor our teammates.

Biggest influence: My best friend Michelle.

She and I have been inseparable for 14 years. With her support I became the first person in my family to graduate from college, and she always encouraged me to explore all my skills and interests. She’s done everything from sitting in cars while I went to job interviews to taking midnight phone calls when I was beyond frustrated with a job challenge. We’re very different personalities, and her calmer, gentler approach to life has provided me with the counterbalance I needed for my own type-A approach. She is routinely the voice in my head reminding me to slow down or kick ass, depending on the situation.

Biggest lesson learned: Years ago I attended a meeting where I had to challenge the status quo on a certain non-profit’s approach to a client issue. The meeting went terribly, and my proposal

was completely shot down for all the wrong reasons. I left the meeting and was talking with an older co-worker who listened to my shock and horror at how poorly everyone had reacted to this very important issue.

She turned to me and said, “What did you think was going to happen? You raised your head above the crowd; of course you were going to get whacked in the head. If you want to rise above, you’ve gotta expect some conflict. It’s not always going to be easy to push for what you believe in.” This was an important wake-up call, and I never again expected it to be a breeze to stand up for a vision.

First job: Key animator at an animation studio. The director saw my drawings and offered me a job despite the fact I had no formal education.

Advice I’d give the younger me: I would tell my younger self to go for what you really want. Don’t compromise just to play it safe.

Expect there will be people who throw up roadblocks and make you second-guess your path – but keep going where you want to go. I would remind myself daily that there are many ways to measure success, and sometimes that includes failure!

What’s left to do: I’m always looking for the next opportunity to really make an impact. I like to be where I can incite powerful change and growth for myself,

Malware. Ransomware. Viruses.

How real is the threat?

Are you prepared?

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tech talks FOCUSING ON SECURITY

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MONDAY, JUNE 5, 2017

CareWorx is the leading IT provider in Ottawa.

In response to ongoing threats such as the recent WannaCry Ransomware attacks we have developed a series of educational TechTalks in conjunction with our world-class partners/industry experts. Our first event will focus on security – what you should know, what you should educate your team about & ultimately how you can mitigate any potential breaches.

Please join us for frank discussions, networking opportunities and free food & beverages.

JUNE

@ 2:30

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Ottawa’s biggest and best celebration of entrepreneurship

2017

for the community and for organizations.

My motto is a quote from Italian filmmaker Federico Fellini: “You have to live spherically – in many directions. Never lose your childish enthusiasm and things will come your way.”

Favourite pastime: Ceramics and archery I’m currently reading: The Miracle of Mindfulness by Thich Nhat Hanh, in between volumes of Deadpool comics.

Favourite movie: Die Hard Favourite song: Roam by Wil Mimnaugh Favourite local pro sports team: Ottawa RedBlacks Favourite local summer event: CityFolk Preferred social media platforms: Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram Twitter handle: @jordandangerinc

Sebastien Dignard, 39

MONDAY, JUNE 5, 2017

President and global head of sales, marketing and support, FRAMOS Technologies

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Birthplace: Ottawa Company: We offer solutions that enable imaging technology from the sensor to the system.

Education: Bachelor of commerce, University of Ottawa (2000) Charitable involvement: I am involved with various local charities, and my business groups include TEC Canada and Gazelles International.

Biggest biz achievement: I am extremely proud that FRAMOS Technologies grew close to 4,000 per cent over the last three years. We successfully combined technology and business innovation to deliver true value to our customers around the world.

Biggest biz obstacle: Balance, whether it’s work-life or balancing the priorities within the business. All your responsibilities can seem overwhelming and conflicting until you exercise the proper balance.

Biggest influence: I have been blessed with many great mentors and coaches during my career; however, most influential are my family, who have always shown me the value of honest hard work, persistence and doing what you love.

Biggest lesson learned: Resourcefulness, persistence, attitude and the right team with the right mindset can achieve almost anything. Throughout my career, I have noticed that these four elements were often the only differentiator between success and failure.

First job: Working at a farm for $4 an hour!

Advice I’d give the younger me: Be patient and enjoy the ride more!

What’s left to do: I would like to continue to spoil the people I love and drive for that perfect balance while learning to play golf.

On a professional level, I am looking forward to seeing FRAMOS play a leading role in cognitive systems as we use our imaging expertise to help machines see and think.

Favourite pastime: Being outdoors.

I’m currently reading: Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike by Phil Knight Favourite movie: The Matrix Favourite song: Mr. Jones by Counting Crows Favourite local pro sports team: Ottawa Senators Favourite local summer event: Canada Day Preferred social media platforms: Facebook, LinkedIn

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Kevin Grimes, 37 Broker of record/owner, RE/MAX Affiliates Realty Birthplace: Ottawa Company: Full-service real estate brokerage Education: St. Mark High School (1999) Charitable involvement: Gerry Lowe Memorial Foundation, Children’s Miracle Network.

Biggest biz achievement: The growth of my company over the past year-and-a-half.

RE/MAX Affiliates now has nine locations throughout the Ottawa region. I am also proud of our company’s community involvement. I get to go to work every day with people who care about the communities they work in.

Biggest obstacle: Recovering from a broken back that I sustained while playing hockey in the minors. I was in rehab for a year-and-a-half, and I continue to have painful daily reminders of this injury. The physical injury was tough, but mentally it was even tougher because it brought my hockey career to an end. Transitioning from hockey to “real life” was difficult, but ultimately it has helped shape who I am today.

Biggest influence: My mom and dad, Mary and Jim Grimes, and my wife, Jacalyn Grimes. Their unwavering love, dedication and support have made me who I am. My mom has taught me compassion, loyalty and what it means to put family above all else. My dad has shaped me as a man, as a father and as a business owner. My wife has played the biggest role in the growth of our company. Her willingness to take calculated risks and never settle has propelled our growth. Her strong faith has carried us through many difficult periods.

Life and business are team sports, and I have incredible linemates!

Biggest lesson learned: Stand by your principles. Some days that can be tough and cost you money, but in the long run your principles will define your company and separate you from your competition.

As Thomas Jefferson said, “In the matters of style, swim with the current; in the matters of principle, stand like a rock.”

First job: Scrubbing golf clubs and cleaning golf carts at the Metcalfe Golf Club.

Advice I’d give the younger me: Invest in real estate!

What’s left to do: I’m 37 years old, and

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9-10 7-8

5-6

3-4

0-2

Negative Prefer not growth to disclose

What was your company’s percentage annual growth rate in its most recent fiscal year?

n 100-499 n 50-99 n 21-49 n 11-20 n 9-10 n 7-8 n 5-6 n 3-4 n 0-2 n Negative growth n Prefer not to disclose

17.9% 12.8% 15.4% 15.4% 5.1% 5.1% 2.6% 5.1% 5.1% 2.6% 12.8%

I’m just getting started. My personal and professional goals are constantly evolving.

I think it is critical to have written goals for all areas of your life.

Favourite pastime: I love fishing, golfing, playing hockey and boating, but at this stage of my life I mostly love spending time with my wife and kids.

I’m currently reading: Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill Favourite movie: Slapshot (never gets old!)

Favourite song: I’m a country boy at heart.

Anything from Garth Brooks or Eric Church.

Favourite local pro sports team: Ottawa Senators Favourite local summer event: Canada Day Preferred social media platform: Facebook

Emily Gruenwoldt Carkner, 38 President and CEO, Canadian Association of Paediatric Health Centres Birthplace: Ottawa Company: A national association representing paediatric health-care delivery organizations across

the continuum of care.

Education: Master of health administration, Dalhousie University (2003); bachelor of arts honours, economics/health sciences, Queen’s University (2001) Charitable involvement: Arnprior Regional Health Biggest biz achievement: The development of a grassroots network called Emerging Health Leaders. This pan-Canadian network encourages and promotes personal leadership competencies and development for aspiring leaders in the health sector. EHL now features eight nodes and more than 1,000 members from coast to coast.

Biggest biz obstacle: Achieving worklife balance in the context of pursuing professional goals while having two very young children and an awesome husband, all of whom I love to spend time with. I also need to find time for activities that re-energize ME. I love my job, I volunteer on an amazing board, I want to see EHL continue to thrive, but at the same time, I want to be part of my kids’ childhood and build a strong relationship with my husband – and stay sane throughout it all.

Tough balls to juggle.

Biggest influence: My peers challenge,

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motivate and inspire me every day.

I surround myself with professional colleagues who love to learn, constantly challenge the status quo and disrupt “business as usual.” We love to brainstorm solutions, not focus on the challenges. My colleagues are invaluable to me, and I hope they know that.

Biggest lesson learned: Challenge orthodoxies. Nothing is forever and we shouldn’t take anything for granted.

Respect the past but focus on the future.

My work at the Canadian Medical Association taught me how vulnerable (and stale) most association business models are. Associations serve an important networking and community-building role, but “membership as we know it” is evolving and association leaders need to be one step ahead of that curve to survive.

First job: Physiotherapy aide at West Physio Advice I’d give the younger me: Surround yourself with big thinkers – people who build you up, not box you in.

Favourite pastime: Any type of exercise – preferably outside!

Favourite local pro sports team: Ottawa RedBlacks Favourite local summer event: Canada Day Preferred social media platforms: Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram Personal Twitter handle: @egruenwoldt

Brock Higgins, 34

Ottawa’s biggest and best celebration of entrepreneurship

been my business partner since I started in Managing partner, Leaders International 2006 until our successful merger this year.

She is simply brilliant and the hardestworking person I know.

Birthplace: Calgary Biggest lesson learned: Plan out what you Company: Executive want in life and then work backwards to recruitment, leadership succession determine the direction of your business.

First job: Skate sharpener and board search Advice I’d give the younger me: Always services. make sure to set time each week to look at Education: Bachelor your business from a bird’s-eye level. Don’t of commerce, get caught in the weeds.

University of Manitoba Asper School What’s left to do: To build Leaders of Business (2010) Charitable involvement: National advisory International into the top executive search firm in Ottawa. Many Skuzzles movie and committee, Purdy Crawford Chair in Aboriginal Business Studies at Cape Breton video game art projects. Get married (in September!). Have kids.

University Favourite pastime: Playing hockey Biggest biz achievement: Successfully I’m currently reading: The War of Art: expanding our executive search business.

Break Through the Blocks and Win Your This includes opening offices in Ottawa Inner Creative Battles by Steven Pressfield and Winnipeg and working with clients Favourite movie: Army of Darkness in nearly every province and territory in Favourite song: Leaving Trunk by Taj Canada.

Biggest obstacle: Higgins Executive Search Mahal or anything by JJ Grey (however, according to iTunes it’s Caribbean Queen by pioneered Indigenous executive search Billy Ocean) in Canada. To do that, we worked with Favourite local pro sports team: clients right across the country in various Ottawa RedBlacks remote areas. This presented a number of challenges, and we have been at the leading Favourite local summer event: Ottawa Bluesfest edge in terms of using technology and Preferred social media platforms: virtual office models to successfully work Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram with clients and selection committees.

Biggest influence: My mother. She has

Catherine Horvath, 39 Founder and executive director, Ottawa Centre for Resilience Birthplace: Rossland, B.C. Company: Specialized mental health services for childhood trauma, attachment and adoption.

Education: PhD in clinical psychology, University of Ottawa (2014) Charitable involvement: PsychFund.org Biggest biz achievement: Turning my passion and dream into a successful business that I love getting up to go to every morning.

Biggest biz obstacle: Starting my PhD in clinical psychology at 30 years old and completing it while starting a family (both our children were born while I was a grad student) and my husband was starting his business. In our thirties, my husband (Martin Cloake, fellow Forty Under 40 recipient) and I have managed to start two businesses, have two children and obtain one PhD. Biggest influence: Dr. Bruce Perry, a psychiatrist and founder of the ChildTrauma Academy, for his visionary leadership in the treatment of childhood

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trauma. Dr. Perry’s work has brought together the fields of neuroscience and attachment to advance our understanding of the impact of abuse and neglect on the developing brain and how to work with children and families to heal these effects.

Biggest lesson learned: It’s not enough to be good at what you do if no one knows you exist. Word of mouth is powerful and will help grow your business organically, but that can be slow. I have learned that if you want to grow quickly, you need to put yourself out there and make networking a priority.

First job: Sandwich artist at Subway.

Advice I’d give the younger me: Be strategic. Keep the big picture and your long-term goals in mind; sometimes the small battles are not worth winning.

What’s left to do: My goal is to grow the Ottawa Centre for Resilience to be a regional centre of excellence in traumainformed, evidence-based programs and services for children, youth and families.

And eventually to open Centres for Resilience across the country.

Favourite pastime: Crossfit, ultimate, reading I’m currently reading: Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Favourite movie: Beasts of the Southern Wild Favourite song: Mining for Gold by Cowboy Junkies Favourite local pro sports team: Ottawa Fury FC Favourite local summer event: CityFolk Preferred social media platforms: Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram

Steve Hubbard, 38

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Director of sales and business development, Lightenco

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Birthplace: Etobicoke Company: We offer subsidized, turnkey LED lighting solutions to commercial, multi-residential, industrial and public institutions.

Education: Master’s degree in social science, global studies program, Albert-Ludwigs University, Freiburg, Germany (2007) Charitable involvement: YMCA-YWCA Biggest biz achievement: Co-founding and developing Lightenco in Canada and Mexico in 2011 along with partners Ray del Cojo & Eduardo Vargas; growing that business from a small, risky investment to a multimillion-dollar international company; and having saved over 10 gigawatt-hours of energy across Ontario through our retrofits – the equivalent to taking about 1,000 homes off grid.

Biggest biz obstacle: Balancing my professional and personal life. My wife and now two-year-old son have sacrificed greatly to see me accomplish my professional goals. Fortunately, as our business has grown and become more successful, we are more able to focus on family. It doesn’t completely end, but it

does get better!

Biggest influence: My father and mother.

They were both extremely hard-working, provided me and my three siblings with a great environment to grow up in and taught us the lesson of earning a dollar very early in life. My mother is still without a doubt the most selfless person I have ever met in my life.

Biggest lesson learned: Always make partners and friends in the community and be a part of that community. Countless organizations such as Hydro Ottawa, the Ottawa Centre EcoDistrict, YMCA-YWCA, Envirocentre, SMARTNet Alliance, Bullfrog Power, the Recycling Council of Ontario and others have helped connect us to business opportunities and co-develop charitable projects to help organizations save energy or to educate organizations and people on the benefits LED lighting.

First job: Fishmonger Advice I’d give the younger me: Grow a beard and start a craft brewery ASAP or meet Steve Beauchesne a lot sooner.

What’s left to do: On the personal side: grow our family, take an amazing camper vacation out west, have more family time.

On the professional side: co-found more businesses, do more to be charitable and volunteer time, get into politics.

Favourite pastime: Music I’m currently reading: Poor Economics: A Radical Rethinking of the Way to Fight Global Poverty by Abhijit V. Banerjee and Esther Duflo Favourite movie: The Big Lebowski Favourite song: OX4 by Ride Favourite local pro sports team: Ottawa Senators Favourite local summer event: Ottawa Bluesfest Preferred social media platforms: Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn Twitter handle: @HubbardSteve

Hedyeh Javidnia, 39 Facial cosmetic surgeon, Facial Surgery and Cosmetic Centre of Ottawa Birthplace: Thunder Bay Company: We provide a full array of cosmetic treatments and surgery for the head and neck.

Education: Master’s degree in public health, Harvard University (2016); doctorate in medicine, University of Ottawa (2007); bachelor of science, Western University (2003) Charitable involvement: Ottawa Makeover Project Biggest biz achievement: Growing our clinic to its current size.

Biggest obstacle: Overcoming the misconceptions of esthetic treatments and surgery. Our business is not about vanity or making a person look fake or overdone.

We are here to help people overcome their insecurities and to help our patients feel confident and great about themselves.

Ottawa’s biggest and best celebration of entrepreneurship We want our clients to look natural and rejuvenated.

Biggest lesson learned: That carefully listening to our patients and understanding their goals is our primary job. From there we help them to achieve those goals.

First job: Laboratory research assistant Advice I’d give the younger me: That hard work and a true passion for what you do will always prevail in the end – even if sometimes it really doesn’t feel like it.

What’s left to do: Personally, to raise my children to be positive contributors to the world and their society; professionally, to take our business to the next level and continue to provide the most up-to-date techniques in a state-of-the-art facility.

Favourite pastime: Spending time with my children and family I’m currently reading: Positive Discipline

by Dr. Jane Nelsen Favourite local pro sports team: Ottawa Senators Favourite local summer event: Canada Day Preferred social media platforms: Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn Company Twitter handle: @FacialSurgeryO

Favourite local pro sports team: Ottawa Senators Favourite local summer event: Canada Day Preferred social media platform: LinkedIn

Stephanie Karlovits, 32 Owner and president, EPIC Fitness + Lifestyle

Birthplace: Middleton, N.S. Company: A holistic fitness facility specializing in functional personal training.

Education: Bachelor of arts honours degree in psychology, Carleton University (2008); fitness and health management diploma, International Sports Science Association (2010) Charitable involvement: Dream Mountains Foundation Biggest biz achievement: My biggest business achievements, besides opening my business in 2012, have been making the business profitable within seven months, doubling gross revenues in two years, Vanessa Kanu, 39 buying out two partners and paying back a $250,000 startup loan in four years, making Senior vice-president of finance, Mitel the business debt-free.

Birthplace: Freetown, Biggest obstacle: Saving the business Sierra Leone after almost going bankrupt in 2014. I went Company: Mitel through a divorce after a short marriage and provides business my ex-husband was tied to the business. communications I had to find a way to gain control of the solutions to enterprises business, deal with my personal emotions around the world. and save the business at the same time. I Education: Bachelor was able to gain majority control, keep 100 of science degree in international and per cent of my staff and clients and double financial economics, Hull University (1998) profits in 24 months. It was the most difficult Charitable involvement: Network of Black time of my adult life, but I wouldn’t change it Business & Professional Women for anything. It was the catalyst to the most Biggest biz achievement: That’s a hard amazing years of my life so far. question, because I don’t feel like I’ve Biggest influence: Without a shadow reached my biggest achievement quite of a doubt, my mother. She has taught yet. That said, I have been quite pleased me the importance of self-reliance and with my experiences at Mitel. From being independence. She has also shown me the involved in the firm’s IPO many years ago, freedom that comes with education. She to M&A transactions since then, to many and I came from very humble beginnings. other projects in between, I have learned a She gave birth to me at age 20, and I had lot and grown professionally. the privilege of witnessing her go from Biggest obstacle: Earlier in my career, I working at McDonald’s with no education often had to challenge many of the more and living in a trailer with me in rural Nova experienced managers in the business.

Scotia to completing a science degree at Some of them assumed that because I was Queen’s University, two master’s degrees new in my role or young, I couldn’t possibly shortly after and then buying a home for us. have enough knowledge to challenge She is one tough woman who also knows them. This was difficult at first, but you how to have one hell of a good time. get through it, you prove yourself and it Biggest lesson learned: All decisions have eventually made me better at what I do. to be made with a “hell yes.” Early on, I Biggest influence: My mother. As a busy kept people in my business whom I should university professor, she showed me what have let go and I did events and agreed to the model of a working mother looks things that I wasn’t all that jazzed about. Of like, and she did it with grace and ease. I course, all of these things did not work out couldn’t have asked for a better role model. in the end. They wasted energy, time and, First job: Flipping burgers at McDonald’s of course, distracted me from what really Advice I’d give the younger me: Relax, it mattered. will be OK. I’d say that to my present me too!

Now, I ask myself the question, “Am I a Favourite pastime: Family movie night ‘hell yes’ about this person, thing, decision, with our two girls. partnership or system?” If the answer is no, Favourite song: Anything by Bob Marley I don’t do it. It has kept me focused, the flow

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Ottawa’s biggest and best celebration of entrepreneurship

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CONGRATULATIONS SARAH LYONS

Ottawa Top Forty Under 40 Award Recipient Innovative. Driven. Professional.

Sarah Lyons embodies the concepts behind these words. Whether delivering risk strategies and privacy solutions to private and public sector organizations or growing a business into an award-winning enterprise, Sarah’s keen insights and strategic methodologies have made her a recognized thought leader in the industry.

Contact Sarah Lyons, CRMA, CISA, CRISC, CGAP, Partner, at 613.271.3700 ext. 518 or sarah.lyons@mnp.ca

MNP.ca

MONDAY, JUNE 5, 2017

As an entrepreneurial accounting, tax and consulting firm, MNP is proud to count Sarah as one of our own. We heartily congratulate her on being recognized as one of Ottawa’s Top Forty Under 40, a recognition by the city’s business community of accomplished and rising business leaders under the age of 40 in the National Capital Region.

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Which of the following best describes the industry you work in?

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Ottawa’s biggest and best celebration of entrepreneurship

of business is easier and I don’t waste a lot Recreation and entertainment of time debating things. I know what to do.

Real estate Restaurant First job: Delivering papers in Kingston at Financial services eight years old.

Engineering or Advice I’d give the younger me: I would architecture give my younger self a really big hug and

Health Association/ say to her, “You are one tough cookie, n Health and wellness 17.9% and wellness non-profit just keep your chin up, your life will be n Technology 15.4% everything you want it to be. Just keep n Consulting 10.3% n Hospitality and tourism 10.3% moving forward.” n Communications/marketing/media 7.7% Manufacturing What’s left to do: Well, I think Mr. Justin n Legal 7.7% Trudeau and Sophie Gregoire need to start n Construction 5.1% Energy and training with me soon. Other than that, I n Energy and natural resources 5.1% natural resources Technology estimate I have 70 years worth of things to n Manufacturing 5.1% n Association/non-profit 2.6% create, see and do. I can’t wait to see what’s Construction n Engineering or architecture 2.6% in store. n Financial services 2.6% Favourite pastime: Hiking n Real estate 2.6% I’m currently reading: The Fountainhead n Recreation and entertainment 2.6% Legal

by Ayn Rand (for the third time) n Restaurant 2.6% Consulting Favourite movie: The Secret Life of Walter Mitty Hospitality Favourite song: Juicy by The Notorious B.I.G. Communications/ and tourism marketing/media Favourite local pro sports team: Ottawa RedBlacks Favourite local summer event: Canada Day Preferred social media platforms: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram Twitter handle: @stephkarlovits ability to captivate a room.

Biggest lesson learned: If your vision lighting controls and shading solutions.

First job: Co-ordinator of a twoevolves, be confident in that evolution, Education: Diploma in arts, literature Caitlin Kealey, 38 day outdoor social justice festival in even if not everyone agrees with your and communication, John Abbott College Newfoundland called the Peace-A-Chord. new direction. When we moved to a new (1997) Partner and managing director, What’s left to do: There is so much injustice location in Hintonburg, we introduced a Charitable involvement: Junior Achievers MediaStyle in Canada that needs to be addressed and I new concept that focused on multi-course Biggest biz achievement: Becoming an Birthplace: Halifax hope to be able to help in as many ways as tasting menus and sharing-style plates. equal partner at FLUX Lighting in 2013. My Company: Public possible. MediaStyle does important work to Not everyone thought the new approach two business partners and I have incredible affairs agency create a more equitable country. was the right choice for the business, but synergy, and our team is outstanding.

Education: Favourite pastime: Mountain biking the concept gave us a competitive edge. As Biggest biz obstacle: I don’t see myself as Master of arts Favourite local pro sports team: a result, we’ve gained new customers who having had any real obstacles. There have (communications), Ottawa Fury FC wouldn’t have tried us out before. been things that didn’t go my way all the University of Ottawa Favourite local summer event: First job: Server at a local restaurant in time, but I’ve always just pushed forward (2010) Ottawa Bluesfest Peterborough when I was 16. and made decisions that I knew would help Charitable involvement: Mamawi Together Preferred social media platforms: Twitter, Advice I’d give the younger me: Keep me get to where I needed to.

Biggest biz achievement: In 2015, we were Facebook, LinkedIn, Snapchat, Instagram following your instincts.

Biggest influence: My parents. My father honoured by OBJ for being one of Ottawa’s Twitter handle: @caitlinkealey What’s left to do: Compete in this year’s owned his own interior landscaping fastest-growing companies. Working with Gold Medal Plates in November. company and used to tell me often, “If you Briana Kim, 33 the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Favourite pastime: Listening to loud love what you do, you’ll never work a day in of Canada as as a communications adviser music. your life.” He was right. My mother in her Chef/owner, Cafe My House and media relations manager is also a I’m currently reading: Alinea, a cookbook early 30s became one of few female sales career highlight. Under my management, Birthplace: Seoul,

by Grant Achatz managers at a huge telecommunications the MediaStyle team successfully handled South Korea Favourite movie: Cafe de Flore company; she has always been a huge thousands of media requests during a Company: VegetableFavourite song: Now I’m All Messed Up by inspiration to me. series of emotionally intense events. focused fine dining Tegan and Sara; Formation by Beyonce Biggest lesson learned: Patience has Biggest obstacle: In my five years at restaurant Favourite local pro sports team: always been something that I’ve been lucky MediaStyle, I have worked hard alongside Education: Bachelor Ottawa Senators enough to have when it comes to business. my business partners to grow the company of social science in Favourite local summer event: Success does not happen overnight; it’s a from a staff of four to 14. As with any political science, Ottawa Bluesfest slow burn and it’s full of learning curves. business, there have been periods of slow University of Ottawa (2008) Preferred social media platforms: First job: Bank teller growth and periods of extremely rapid Charitable involvement: Taste for Hope, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram Advice I’d give the younger me: Stop growth. It hasn’t always been smooth, and For Pivots Sake Company Twitter handle: @cafemyhouse overthinking things.

I’ve learned a lot over the years. As part Biggest biz achievement: We are still What’s left to do: Personally, I would like Mara Klammrodt, 39 of the management team, I have been growing after seven years in business. to travel and spend more time with my involved in domains such as hiring and Biggest obstacle: Moving to a new location children. Professionally, I’d like to work less Principal, vice-president of sales and human resources that were new to me and and expanding from the original location. in order to achieve that goal. marketing, FLUX Lighting Inc. required me to expand my skill set greatly.

It was almost as tough as starting a new Favourite pastime: Golfing badly.

Biggest influence: Working with Sen. business.

Birthplace: Montreal I’m currently reading: Don’t You Cry by Murray Sinclair over the past two years has Biggest influence: My mom! She’s my Company: Mary Kubica had an incredible influence on my life. His biggest supporter and toughest critic. When Manufacturers’ sales Favourite movie: Braveheart dedication to educating Canadians about I first decided to start the business, she agency representing Favourite song: Juicy by The Notorious how our country treated Indigenous and told me that I should be prepared to run a more than 50 B.I.G. Inuit Canadians is awe-inspiring. It’s been business for at least 10 years no matter how manufacturers of Favourite local pro sports team: an absolute amazing experience learning hard it gets. I’m very close to accomplishing commercial and Ottawa Senators from his tenacity, decision-making and that. residential lighting, Favourite local summer event:

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Ottawa Bluesfest Preferred social media platforms: Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram Twitter handle: @marak613

I’m currently reading: The 4 Disciplines of Execution: Achieving Your Wildly Important Goals by Sean Covey Favourite movie: This is a joke with my friends and colleagues. I don’t think I’ve gone to a movie in a theatre since high school. I know I’ve enjoyed movies, but I can’t say I have a good memory of them!

I’ve watched and enjoyed Scarface, Pulp Fiction, Ocean’s Eleven and Bridesmaids, as a few that come to mind.

Favourite song: I like different songs at different times and many different types of music. It’ll always depend on the setting!

Favourite local pro sports team: Ottawa Senators Favourite local summer event: Ottawa Bluesfest Preferred social media platform: LinkedIn

Lesley Mackay, 37 Director of meetings and events, Ottawa Tourism Birthplace: Ottawa Company: Ottawa Tourism leads and grows tourism in the capital region.

Education: Tourism and hospitality program, Algonquin College (2001)

Charitable involvement: Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada Biggest biz achievement: Co-chairing the 2016 One Young World Summit.

Biggest influence: My parents were always passionately involved in all they did for both their careers and their interests. They never made it seem like work, but rather their civic duty.

First job: Co-op student at the Delta Ottawa Hotel Advice I’d give the younger me: Don’t take life so seriously!

Favourite local pro sports team: Ottawa RedBlacks Favourite local summer event: Ottawa Bluesfest Preferred social media platforms: Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Snapchat Twitter handle: @ottawalesley

Kent McCrea, 37 Chief operating officer, Procom Group of Companies Birthplace: Toronto Company: Technology services and staffing for organizations across North America.

Education: MBA, Rotman School of Management (2008)

CONGRATULATIONS We would like to congratulate Trevin Stratton, Advisory Services for receiving the Ottawa Forty Under 40 award.

People who know, know BDO.SM Assurance | Accounting | Tax | Advisory 275 Slater Street, 20th Floor Ottawa ON K1P 5H9 613 237 9331

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www.bdo.ca www.interis.bdo.ca

MONDAY, JUNE 5, 2017

engineering, Queen’s University (2007) Charitable involvement: Institute of Internal Auditors Biggest biz achievement: Building and growing an outstanding team at A Hundred Siddhartha (Sid) Kumar, 39 Answers with my partners. We received an Employee’s Choice Award and were named a Director of strategic development, Profit 500 company, and most importantly, I Access Healthcare Services believe I left each of my clients’ projects with Birthplace: a success story and a strong reference. That’s Gaya, India what means the most to me. We merged Company: Health care with MNP in 2016 based on a common for clients at home client-centred approach and commitment and in communities to value for our customers. around Ontario Biggest obstacle: This past year was full Education: Master of of challenges and yet the best year of my social work, University life. I had the excitement and joy of having of Delhi (2000); bachelor of arts honours my first child while also facing several degree in psychology, University of Delhi new challenges. The experience was (1998) demanding, though also very rewarding.

Charitable involvement: Network of Indian A more specific obstacle that comes to Professionals Canada mind professionally has been overcoming Biggest biz achievement: I advocated for a people’s perceptions of what someone who “solution model” which represented a shift looks young can do and handle. My age (or from the traditional “service model.” younger appearance) came up many times Biggest biz obstacle: Inertia is always over my career as a reason I shouldn’t be difficult to break, especially if big taking on a new challenge or role. While aspirations are sought. Breaking major first impressions were tough, nothing beats goals up into smaller chunks helps others results, so it generally just took a bit more to understand the motivation and process time to demonstrate my capability. behind the ideas.

Biggest influence: My parents. Being a Biggest influence: My grandfather, Dr. parent myself now, I am grateful for my D.D. Das. He is a retired professor of parents in whole new ways! My father psychology who earned his PhD in a time was an entrepreneur and engineer, and when people in India were mostly illiterate I followed in his footsteps when I started and achieving a college degree was a my career. I’ve learned a lot from him, rare accomplishment. His unconditional including the importance of hard work and support and encouragement, especially focus. My mother is a master at balancing during tough times, has made my many different tasks seamlessly. She’s also willpower very strong. professional and empathetic, while being Biggest lesson learned: Persistence pays exceptionally strong and driven. They let me off, but it takes time and a lot of effort! make my own mistakes and demonstrated First job: Researcher that no moment, or set of moments, defines Advice I’d give the younger me: Be more you. No matter what has happened in the confident and celebrate your success! past, you can always move forward.

What’s left to do: A lot Biggest lesson learned: What has made Favourite pastime: Thinking you successful so far won’t necessarily Favourite movie: Many, but one of them is make you successful in the future.

12 Angry Men. Listening, learning and adapting is key.

Favourite song: It’s not a song, but an Listening to my teams, my clients and my expression that inspires me is “When the colleagues is essential for me – it’s how I going gets tough, the tough get going.” learn how to adapt, and it’s what makes the Favourite local pro sports team: journey fun.

Ottawa Senators First job: Babysitter, soccer referee Favourite local summer event: zand hostess at Boston Pizza Canada Day Advice I’d give the younger me: It’s okay Preferred social media platforms: to fail.

Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn What’s left to do: So much! I try to do as Twitter handle: @Sid_Ottawa much as I can each day, personally and professionally, and take things on a day-bySarah Lyons, 32 day basis since the future isn’t certain. That said, I really hope to see my daughter grow Partner, MNP LLP up, I love to travel and want to see as much Birthplace: Ottawa of the world as I can, and I hope to take on Company: We offer many new adventures with my husband accounting and Mo. Professionally, I’m driven to continue business advisory innovating and growing our consulting services. practice through new services that help our Education: Master clients succeed. of applied science in Favourite pastime: Getting out for walks electrical engineering, and hikes with my family and our dog University of Toronto (2009); bachelor of Winnie. I also love skiing, travelling and science in engineering, mathematics and spending time with family and friends.

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Charitable involvement: Sigma Chi fraternity – house corporation for the University of Ottawa undergraduate chapter Biggest biz achievement: I am most proud of my contributions to redeveloping Procom’s back-office platform as a modernized multi-tenant software-as-aservice offering. This platform powers all of Procom’s engagements across North America and stands to make a meaningful difference across our consultant workforce.

Biggest obstacle: My family and I are living it right now. Our daughter was diagnosed with leukemia last fall, and our battle with cancer is under way, with great care and support from the team at CHEO. Biggest influence: My wife, Ruth York McCrea, is my largest influence and a source of great inspiration and support.

Together we find balance in our careers and share the adventures of our young family.

Biggest lesson learned: I have had many teachers and am constantly learning of the value of humility in my business dealings.

Many times I have seen the best idea of a session come from the most junior member of the team. Likewise, I have lived through the truth that it is a small world and a long life, and that capable leaders will show respect to people at all levels of an organization. It is the right thing to do, but what’s more, none of us know what the future may bring.

First job: Fast food french fry cook Advice I’d give the younger me: Slow down, maybe take a gap year before university.

Life only speeds up from here.

What’s left to do: Professionally, I’d like to invest more time to help develop the young leaders of our organization. Personally, I’ve had a long-term ambition to hike the Appalachian Trail.

Favourite pastime: Family time and the great outdoors I’m currently reading: The Miracle of Mindfulness by Thich Nhat Hanh Favourite movie: Bull Durham Favourite song: Harvest Moon by Neil Young Favourite local pro sports team: Ottawa RedBlacks Favourite local summer event: Ottawa Bluesfest Preferred social media platforms: Twitter, LinkedIn Twitter handle: @kentmccrea

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Craig O’Brien, 39

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Partner, Nelligan O’Brien Payne Birthplace: Ottawa Company: Full-service law firm based in Ottawa Education: Bachelor of laws, University of Ottawa (2005); bachelor of humanities with honours, Carleton University (2001) Charitable involvement: County of Carleton Law Association

Biggest biz achievement: As one of the youngest lawyers ever to be named a partner at Nelligan O’Brien Payne, I am now the only partner at the firm asked to lead and manage two areas of law. I am responsible for more than $8 million in revenues and the work of 11 associate lawyers. My biggest business achievement has been to influence the partnership to modernize, including getting the firm to update our IT services, being on the hiring committee for our new executive director and, most importantly, shifting the firm’s focus away from institutional clients and back to the individuals and small businesses that Nelligan O’Brien Payne has made its name representing well.

Biggest obstacle: Succession planning is of particular importance in the legal industry. Clients develop significant trust relationships with particular counsel, which poses particular challenges to any law firm when attempting to transition clients to younger lawyers. In addition, clients often have a bias towards more senior counsel. Being the youngest partner is an accomplishment; however, it is also a challenge I need to overcome in terms of client bias. I have driven a strategy of introductions and engagements between clients and associates or younger partners so that succession planning carries less inherent risk of clients departing when senior partners retire.

Biggest influence: My father, Al O’Brien, is a named partner at Nelligan O’Brien Payne.

I learned to love the law and its nuances around the dinner table. My dad taught me the value of hard work and all about legal ethics.

Biggest lesson learned: Business is a team sport. Lawyers operate in a context that frequently appears to be rather individualistic. However, those with a solid team of intelligent and ethical colleagues are able to achieve far more for their clients with less frustration and effort. Being able to assemble a solid team of trustworthy colleagues really has been the key to my success.

First job: Camp counsellor at St. Brigid’s summer camp in Low, Que. Advice I’d give the younger me: Worrying accomplishes nothing. Doing does.

What’s left to do: Personally, I have three young children and a loving wife.

Watching, loving and mentoring them over the years will be what I want to see accomplished. Professionally, I want to continue to participate in the growth of Nelligan O’Brien Payne as the premier independent law firm in eastern Ontario. I want to continue assisting local businesses to address their legal issues in a timely and affordable way.

Favourite pastime: Skiing I’m currently reading: Fifteen Dogs by Andre Alexis Favourite movie: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind Favourite song: Stay by The Tragically Hip Favourite local pro sports team: Ottawa RedBlacks

Ottawa’s biggest and best celebration of entrepreneurship Favourite local summer event: Canada Day Preferred social media platforms: Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn Twitter handle: @craigonthecob

Jordan O’Leary, 35 Owner, Morning Owl Coffeehouse Birthplace: Ottawa Company: Morning Owl is a gourmet sandwich and coffee bar. We serve thousands of customers all over Ottawa every day.

Education: Bachelor of commerce, Carleton University (2006) Charitable involvement: Canadian Blood Services Biggest biz achievement: In 2016, four Morning Owls opened as well as my new little baby, RAW, a juice and smoothie bar.

Biggest obstacle: Opening five stores in a one-year span was a tough go. It was very successful but definitely had its rough patches. It’s hard to be in five places at once.

Biggest influence: I have lots of influential people in my life, starting with my wife, who is my biggest fan. My parents never stop believing in me and I look up to my new partners every time we get together.

Biggest lesson learned: There is nothing more satisfying than working for yourself.

My days are long, but seeing my business thrive keeps me fuelled. Mondays blend with Sundays.

First job: Bussing tables at a banquet hall. I was 13 and got paid under the table because I wasn’t legal age.

Advice I’d give the younger me: Remember that work-life balance is important.

What’s left to do: Family planning is looking like it’s in the near future. Same with more Owls and RAWs. Favourite pastime: I like having morning coffee with my wife on the weekends.

I’m currently reading: I’m not a big reader.

It requires too much stillness.

Favourite movie: The Boondock Saints Favourite song: Birthday Song by Ben Lee Favourite local pro sports team: Ottawa Senators Favourite local summer event: Canada Day Preferred social media platform: Instagram

Chris Pulfer, 36 Principal, Posterity Group Birthplace: Guelph Company: We provide energy advisory services for governments, utilities and the private sector.

Education: Bachelor of science, University of Ottawa (2006); bachelor of engineering, Carleton

University (2003) Charitable involvement: Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization Biggest biz achievement: Being able to attract a team of incredibly bright and dedicated people, typically by offering fewer dollars and more risk than their other options.

Biggest obstacle: Getting Posterity Group moving from a total standstill. On day one, Alex Tiessen and I were a two-person consulting company with no clients, offering a combined 10 years of experience and operating from our spare bedrooms.

Biggest influence: There have been many, but I’ll go with David Oke, my grandfather.

He encouraged me to experience the world more broadly: science, art, business, nature, everything. Shortly before he died, he sold his farm and gave his grandchildren a portion of the proceeds. My share was used as seed money for Posterity Group.

Biggest lesson learned: Treat people well, no matter the immediate situation or relationship. Arch-nemesis competitors become future colleagues; failed job applicants become future clients.

First job: Labourer on the family farm Advice I’d give the younger me: Spend more time with the people who matter most to you.

What’s left to do: On the personal front, help my kids become strong, confident, kind adults. Make sure my career doesn’t get in the way. On the career front, Posterity Group has done lots of good work.

However, we’re a nine-person operation in a $10-billion industry, simultaneously fighting climate change and giant multinational competitors, so pretty much everything is still “left to do.”

Favourite pastime: Visiting the dinosaurs at the Canadian Museum of Nature with my kids.

I’m currently reading: Clearing the Plains: Disease, Politics of Starvation, and the Loss of Aboriginal Life by James William Daschuk Favourite movie: Dr. Strangelove Favourite song: I’m more of a podcast person these days, mostly about politics in the U.S. I’m trying to wean myself.

Favourite local pro sports team: Ottawa RedBlacks Favourite local summer event: Ottawa Chamberfest Preferred social media platforms: Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn Company Twitter handle: @PosterityGroup

Aaron Smith, 39 Senior manager, Ottawa Health Lead, EY Birthplace: Sackville, N.B. Company: Multinational professional services firm Education: MBA, Schulich School of Business (2007);

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bachelor of science (genetics), Western University (2002) Charitable involvement: Ottawa Jewish Community School, Queensway Carleton Hospital Foundation, Bruyere Research Institute Biggest biz achievement: Becoming the innovation lead at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, contributing to the establishment and growth of an international consulting group at the hospital and contributing to the establishment and growth of a national health advisory practice at EY. Biggest obstacle: Learning to balance out my life. I am still learning this; some days I do well, some days I do not. I think this is a lifelong pursuit that is more about trade-offs than work-life balance per se.

If you want to pursue success, you seem to always be out of balance one way or another; the key I have learned is to allow yourself to focus on what is important to you, so defining what is important to you is essential.

Biggest influence: I have been very lucky to have many mentors and strong support networks at key stages in my life. Consistently, my family has had the greatest positive influence on me. I am blessed to have a very large family and we support each other in many ways both professionally and personally.

Biggest lesson learned: Failure can be a motivator. I was unsuccessful in my first application to business school right out of undergrad. It angered me but ultimately motivated me to find a more focused path.

I was successful a couple of years later in applying to Schulich and studying strategy and health industry management. That initial failure is what put me on the path I am on today.

First job: Busboy at Smitty’s Advice I’d give the younger me: Travel more, read more, love more, eat less.

What’s left to do: So much: Raise my kids, show them the world, learn new hobbies, gain more international experience, continue to grow the EY health practice to make the Canadian health care system better!

Favourite pastime: Playing sports

I’m currently reading: Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman Favourite movie: The Usual Suspects Favourite song: Rosalita by Bruce Springsteen Favourite local pro sports team: Ottawa Fury FC Favourite local summer event: Ottawa Bluesfest Preferred social media platforms: Facebook, LinkedIn Twitter handle: @aaronssmith

Ottawa’s biggest and best celebration of entrepreneurship

First job: Working on a golf course Advice I’d give the younger me: Don’t be shy; go out and meet people. (It’s a lesson it took me years to learn!)

What’s left to do: Professionally, I want to build the biggest game development studio in Ottawa, a home for hundreds of brilliant game developers. Personally, there are so many countries left to be visited!

Favourite pastime: Biking I’m currently reading: Pain and Prejudice: What Science Can Learn about Work from the People Who Do It by Karen Messing Jean-Sylvain Sormany, 38 Favourite movie: Life is Beautiful Favourite song: Rachmaninoff’s Piano President, Snowed in Studios Concerto No. 2 Birthplace: Montreal Favourite local pro sports team: Company: Video game Ottawa Senators developer Favourite local summer event: Education: Bachelor of Ottawa Bluesfest computer engineering, Preferred social media platforms: Polytechnique Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn Montreal (2001) Twitter handle: @jssormany Charitable Mark Steele, 39 involvement: International Game Developers Association Owner/chef, OCCO Kitchen Biggest biz achievement: Starting my company, making it grow to 25 employees Birthplace: St. John’s and favouring diversity in employment.

Company: FullBiggest biz obstacle: Taking a group of service restaurant and talented individuals working in a troubled catering business economy after the 2008 economic crisis Education: Culinary and building a studio from scratch while Arts, College of the there was an overall slowdown of our North Atlantic sector.

Charitable Biggest influence: There is not one single involvement: CHEO answer to this question. I was influenced Biggest biz achievement: Growing OCCO by a group of brilliant people from the local Kitchen from a small takeout with two industry (John Criswick, Scott Simpson, employees to a multi-location full-service Andrew Fisher) as well as other industry restaurant and catering facility with more influencers (Jason Della Rocca) and other than 70 employees within two years. entrepreneurs (Wes Tam, David Fugère Biggest biz obstacle: Staffing in suburbia.

Lamarre) going through similar challenges. Biggest lesson learned: Personal ROI: the Biggest lesson learned: Communication more effort, time and focus you put into a and honesty are the most prized values task, the greater the return. when working with customers. After First job: Line cook a tough project where I was trying to What’s left to do: Do my part in promoting maintain the company’s image by hiding and supporting the local economy and real some issues from a client, things got bad non-processed foods through business and eventually even worse. That was the ventures. last project I did where I was not upfront Favourite pastime: Playing guitar with a client about problems. Today, Favourite song: I’m Shipping Up to Boston transparency is key to all our projects.

by Dropkick Murphys

Favourite pro sports team: Ottawa Senators Favourite local summer event: Canada Day Preferred social media platform: Facebook

Jennifer Stewart, 32 President and CEO, Syntax Strategic Birthplace: Renfrew Company: We specialize in strategic communications, marketing and public affairs.

Education: Bachelor of Journalism, Carleton University (2006) Charitable involvement: Project North Biggest biz achievement: Being named a finalist for Ottawa’s Female Entrepreneur of the Year by the Women’s Business Network and also being named one of Ottawa’s Top 25 Influencers by Ottawa Life Magazine.

Biggest obstacle: Balancing motherhood with being an entrepreneur. Finding that balance has been critical to my professional and personal happiness and success.

Biggest influence: My husband Kevin. He has continued to unconditionally support me as I grow my business and pursue my passion.

Biggest lesson learned: Success doesn’t happen overnight. It takes perseverance and drive, and not giving up when the answer is “no.”

First job: Camp counsellor in Temagami.

Advice I’d give the younger me: To not sweat the small stuff, and to develop thick skin – you’re going to need it.

What’s left to do: Personally, I want to raise thoughtful and kind children who understand the value of giving back to their communities. Professionally, I want to grow and foster a team of communications leaders nationwide.

Favourite pastime: Reading I’m currently reading: Commonwealth by Ann Patchett Favourite movie: Gone with the Wind Favourite song: You’ll Know You Were Loved

by Lou Reed

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Favourite local pro sports team: Ottawa Senators Favourite local summer event: Ottawa Jazz Festival Preferred social media platforms: Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram Company Twitter handle: @SyntaxStrategic

Trevin Stratton, 34

MONDAY, JUNE 5, 2017

Strategic adviser, BDO Canada LLP

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Birthplace: White Rock, B.C. Company: Assurance, accounting, tax and advisory services to clients worldwide Education: PhD in international economic history, the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, University of Geneva (2013) Charitable involvement: Kiwanis Club of Ottawa Biggest biz achievement: Launching BDO Canada’s economic development consulting service line has been an incredible journey. However, I like to think my biggest achievement has been in demonstrating that business and social enterprise do not have to be mutually exclusive. I approach this by pursuing economic development projects that revitalize local economies, promote renewable innovation and advance First Nations communities.

Biggest obstacle: Making a successful transition from academia to the business world. I was a professor in my previous career and have found that the skills I learned as an academic are invaluable as a management consultant. Academia taught me how to identify a problem, develop a methodology, conduct research and devise original solutions.

Biggest influence: I am extremely lucky to have been mentored by the author and professor Paul Kennedy. We first met during my graduate studies at the London School of Economics and, during my PhD, he wrote my recommendation letter to attend Yale University as an International Scholar. His approach to the theory of “grand strategy” has profoundly influenced my approach to business and economic strategy.

First job: Retail clerk at Chapters Advice I’d give the younger me: Do what you’re interested in and can be passionate about – hard work and success will always open doors.

What’s left to do: I like to look at my personal and professional lives together because the one informs the other. My hobbies and work, my family and friends – I know I’m at my best when these elements are thriving. My life-long to-do list includes adventure and success in the first group, shared with and inspired by the second.

Favourite pastime: Trivia I’m currently reading: A House for Mr Biswas by V.S. Naipaul and Technocracy in America: Rise of the Info-State by

Parag Khanna Favourite movie: Citizen Kane Favourite song: Hip Hop by Dead Prez Favourite local pro sports team: Ottawa Senators Favourite local summer event: Canada Day Preferred social media platforms: Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn Twitter handle: @TrevinStratton

500+

100-499 50-99

20-49

Justin Tudor, 32 President, Keller Engineering Birthplace: Winnipeg Company: Condominium restorative, maintenance and investigatory engineering Education: Bachelor of applied science in civil engineering, University of Ottawa (2006) Charitable involvement: YMCA-YWCA Biggest biz achievement: Working with a very dedicated and passionate team to transition from an established generalist engineering firm to a firm focused on condominium service, all while undergoing a management overhaul, without losing a single team member or client.

Biggest biz obstacle: Promoting a new culture and updating the systems and processes of an established company following a management buyout. Although the company had functioned well in the past, updating 30 years of existing processes proved quite challenging.

Biggest influence: My wife, Meighan, and my parents, Doug and Laurelle, for their consistent support of my work, their belief in my capacity to achieve and for always challenging me to see a whole problem and bigger picture even if the best solutions are not the easiest.

Biggest lesson learned: How we deliver projects to our clients can always be refined. Constantly finding ways to improve our methods or products and readily integrating changes into our work has allowed us to more efficiently deliver value to our clients and decrease internal headaches associated with doing things “the way they’ve always been done.”

First job: Filling the skeet machine at a gun club.

Advice I’d give the younger me: Vigorously challenge any explanation that sounds like “that’s just the way it’s always been done.”

What’s left to do: To go from a good father of two to a great father of three, while looking to complete an MBA. Literally 100 other things too.

Favourite pastime: Skiing I’m currently reading: But What If We’re Wrong?: Thinking About the Present As If It Were the Past by Chuck Klosterman Favourite movie: Jurassic Park Favourite song: Black by Pearl Jam Favourite local pro sports team: Ottawa Senators

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How many people does your company employ in the National Capital Region?

n 500+ n 100-499 n 50-99 n 20-49 n 10-19 n 5-9 n 1-4

2.6% 17.9% 15.4% 17.9% 23.1% 12.8% 10.3%

Favourite local summer event: Canada Day Preferred social media platforms: Twitter, LinkedIn Twitter handle: @jtudoreng

been parenting my entire adult life, so my decisions in going to school and starting my career have been made with them in mind.

Biggest lesson learned: Be direct with people and have the hard conversations Megan Wallace, 39 early. People tend to avoid difficult topics, but approaching a contentious issue headLawyer, Perley-Robertson, Hill & on as opposed to making assumptions can McDougall save you a lot of trouble.

Birthplace: Utrecht, First job: Counter staff and food Netherlands preparation employee at a French gourmet Company: Full-service food store. law firm Advice I’d give the younger me: Be less Education: Bachelor afraid to take risks and speak your mind. I of laws, University think women are taught to play it safe and of Ottawa (2009); discouraged from being frank – and I think bachelor of arts with the more quickly we can shake off those distinction in sociology, Carleton University lessons and find our voices, the better off (2002) we are.

Charitable involvement: Youville Centre Favourite pastime: Trying to convince my Biggest biz achievement: I am the most very old dog that he wants to go on a longer proud of having built strong relationships walk. with my clients – I feel very lucky to work I’m currently reading: Disease and History with people who feel they can rely on me

by Frederick Fox Cartwright and to be able to support them in the work Favourite local pro sports team: they are doing.

Ottawa Senators Biggest obstacle: Becoming a parent at Favourite local summer event: a young age was certainly not easy. That Canada Day being said, it was an incredible source of Preferred social media platforms: motivation and has been a key factor in me Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram becoming the person that I am today.

Biggest influence: I think my children have been the biggest influence on me. I have

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Ottawa’s biggest and best celebration of entrepreneurship

Greg Wetmore, 39

Ruby Williams, 39

Vice-president of software development, Entrust Datacard

Senior manager, Deloitte LLP

software-as-a-service product offering, which now accounts for more than 70 percent of the security segment’s revenue and is the company’s fastest growing Birthplace: London, product segment.

Ont. First job: Hockey referee Company: Leading What’s left to do: Being an excellent father provider of trusted and husband requires daily attention – it identity and secure is something that I will never feel that I transaction technology have completed. The information security solutions. industry is incredibly dynamic. I am Education: Bachelor of confident that the years to come will be applied science with honours in electrical full of opportunities to develop innovative and computer engineering, Queen’s technology that really makes a meaningful University (2000) contribution to safety and security of the Charitable involvement: Nepean Girls digital world.

Hockey Association Favourite pastime: Spending time at the Biggest biz achievement: Since I joined cottage. the company in 2000, my team and I have I’m currently reading: The Trust Edge: How profoundly restructured how software is Top Leaders Gain Faster Results, Deeper sold at Entrust Datacard, improved the Relationships, and a Strong Bottom Line by product and software portfolios, grown David Horsager the company’s size and revenue and Favourite movie: The Godfather successfully led numerous acquisition and Favourite song: Lonely Boy by The Black integration processes.

Keys Biggest obstacle: Through the dot-com Favourite local pro sports team: bubble, the financial crisis and two major Ottawa RedBlacks acquisitions, I’ve played a key role in Favourite local summer event: shaping Entrust Datacard’s future and Canada Day ensuring the company flourished. I helped Preferred social media platforms: lead the transition from a traditional Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn solution delivery model to the company’s Twitter handle: @gregwetmore

Birthplace: Edmonton Company: Professional services firm providing audit, tax, consulting and financial advisory services.

Education: Bachelor of commerce, Carleton University (2000) Charitable involvement: Dovercourt Recreation Association, Ottawa Chamber of Commerce Biggest biz achievement: Every transaction I’ve completed is a great achievement on its own. I get to have fun using my financial and M&A expertise to help my clients achieve their business goals, whether it’s evaluating and advising on a cross-border, multimillion-dollar investment or selling a local business for an owner who is ready to retire.

Biggest obstacle: At one point in my career, I found that I was becoming stagnant. I took a chance to switch gears and venture into a new field. Since then, I have been having fun and have not looked back. My obstacle proved to be a great opportunity for me.

Biggest influence: My mom, who shows

me that hard work and perseverance are the foundation of everything, and my dad, who teaches me to take risks and be openminded to whatever life throws at us.

Biggest lesson learned: To surround myself with talented and fun people I can lean on. Success can never be a one-man show.

First job: Support staff at the sales department of a homebuilder Advice I’d give the younger me: Remember to pause and celebrate the little victories in life, because they are what make us grateful and give us the strength to fight the difficult challenges.

What’s left to do: Personally, watching my kids grow up and helping them find their own passion for life and a career they can excel in. Professionally, to continue to grow Deloitte’s M&A practice in Ottawa.

Favourite pastime: Volleyball and golf I’m currently reading: The Spark by Kristine Barnett and Unfinished Business by Anne-Marie Slaughter Favourite movie: Before Sunrise Favourite song: Someone Who Understands

by Tara Shannon Favourite local pro sports team: Ottawa Senators Favourite local summer event: Canada Day Preferred social media platform: LinkedIn

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ongratulations to Lesley Mackay, a leader in the tourism industry, and Ottawa’s secret

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MONDAY, JUNE 5, 2017

Canada’s capital. Local business and academic

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Pat Woodcock, 40 Co-owner and co-director of athlete performance, Elite Performance Academy Birthplace: Ottawa Company: We optimize the physical and mental performance of competitive athletes and recreational fitness clients.

Education: Bachelor of science in marketing, Syracuse University (2000) Charitable involvement: The Caring and Sharing Exchange Biggest biz achievement: Seeing some of our longtime athletes, who started as young teenagers, come up through our program and achieve high-level scholarships and professional opportunities.

Biggest obstacle: Trying to provide the most for our clients while still growing as a business.

Biggest influence: There have been several, and each has provided a different type of influence. Some have impacted me as a coach, some as a businessman and others simply in how to deal with people. Each has been extremely valuable in their own way.

Biggest lesson learned: As with anything

What is the total value of your annual compensation?*

pursue this business while I was still playing football, I waited until after my playing career was over before I got started. If I had started sooner, I believe I could have learned at an easier pace and avoided some of the Less than $100,000 missteps I took when I tried to jump in all at once after I finished playing.

What’s left to do: My personal life is $100,000 to $149,999 always evolving! My wife Melanie and I have four beautiful children – Kaiya, $150,000 to $199,999 Payton, Lilah, and Easton – all under the age of 10. So we are extremely $200,000 to $249,999 busy with all that comes with trying to be the very best parents we can $250,000 to $499,999 be. From a business perspective, I believe the same is true. We are always evolving and reviewing how we can 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 both better serve our clients and our business. n Less than $100,000 14.3% Favourite pastime: Spending time n $100,000 to $149,999 21.4% with my family n $150,000 to $199,999 28.6% I’m currently reading: Tools of Titans n $200,000 to $249,999 10.7% n $250,000 to $499,999 25.0%

by Tim Ferriss Favourite movie: Pulp Fiction *Optional question; 28 recipients responded Favourite local pro sports team: Ottawa RedBlacks Favourite local summer event: else, it’s all in the details! This is something just as true in regard to business.

Canada Day we stress often for our athletes and their First job: Delivering newspapers Preferred social media platforms: performance on the field, and as the years Advice I’d give the younger me: Start now! Twitter, Facebook, Instagram have gone on we’ve certainly found it to be Even though I had a notion that I wanted to Twitter handle: @EliteCoach16

and and and and

present: present: present: present:

Breakfast Series Breakfast Series Breakfast Series Breakfast Series Mayor’s Mayor’s Mayor’s Mayor’s A unique opportunity to opportunity enjoy breakfast with His Worship Jim Watson A unique opportunity to enjoy with His Worship Jim Watson A unique opportunity to breakfast enjoy breakfast with HisMayor Worship Mayor Jim Watson A unique to enjoy breakfast with HisMayor Worship Mayor Jim Watson and hear from business and community leaders about issues critical toissues Ottawa. and hear and community leaders about issues critical to Ottawa. andfrom hear from business and community leaders about issues critical to Ottawa. and business hear from business and community leaders about critical to Ottawa.

Guest Speaker: Guest Speaker: Guest Speaker: Guest Speaker: Honourable Catherine McKenna Honourable Catherine McKenna Ambassador David MacNaughton Ambassador David MacNaughton Canada's Ambassador to theto Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada's Ambassador the Minister of Environment and Climate Change UnitedUnited StatesStates of America of America Thursday, April 27, 2017 Thursday, April 27, 2017 Thursday, June 15, 2017 Thursday, June 15, 2017 Location: Ottawa City Hall Location: Ottawa City Hall Ottawa City Hall Ottawa City Hall Registration: 7:00 a.m.

Registration: 7:00 a.m.

Registration: 7:00 a.m.

Registration: 7:00 a.m.

Buffet Breakfast: 7:30 a.m.

Buffet Breakfast: 7:30 a.m.

Buffet Breakfast: 7:30 a.m.

Buffet Breakfast: 7:30 a.m.

Presentation: 8:00 a.m.

Presentation: 8:00 a.m.

Presentation: 8:00 a.m.

Presentation: 8:00 a.m.

INDIVIDUAL TICKETS: INDIVIDUAL TICKETS: INDIVIDUAL TICKETS: INDIVIDUAL TICKETS: $35.00 + HST Chamber Members) $35.00 + (Ottawa HST (Ottawa Chamber Members) $35.00 + HST Chamber Members) $35.00 + (Ottawa HST (Ottawa Chamber Members) $50.00 + HST $50.00 + (Non-Members) HST (Non-Members) $50.00 + HST $50.00 + (Non-Members) HST (Non-Members)

MONDAY, JUNE 5, 2017

CORPORATE TABLES OFTABLES 8 OF WITH SIGNAGE: CORPORATE TABLES 8 WITH CORPORATE OF 8SIGNAGE: WITH SIGNAGE: CORPORATE TABLES OF 8 WITH SIGNAGE: $245 $245 + HST (Ottawa Chamber Members) +$245 HST $245 (Ottawa Chamber Members) + HST Chamber Members) + (Ottawa HST (Ottawa Chamber Members) $350 $350 + HST (Non-Members) +$350 HST $350 (Non-Members) + HST + (Non-Members) HST (Non-Members)

Join us for the 20th celebration Friday, June 16, 2017 @ Hilton Lac-Leamy.

Network with the city’s rising business stars!

Get your tickets today at OttawaChamber.ca For ticket info, email info@ottawabusinessevents.ca or call 613-236-7029 ext.136 Individual Tickets: $190 Ottawa Chamber Members $210 Non-Members Corporate Tables of 10: $1800 Ottawa Chamber Members $2000 Non-Members #ott40

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PROFILE “I am definitely not the loudest one in the room, nor am I always the most confident, but I am a strong listener and life-long learner.

When I push myself out of my comfort zone, that’s where I find the most success.”

— WELCHGROUP CONSULTING PRESIDENT CANDACE ENMAN

wholesaler and retailer. The company was looking to create a niche market by partnering with motoring clubs around the world, including the Canadian and American automobile associations in North America.

During her seven years with Club Assist, the company opened, closed and amalgamated businesses, set up new divisions and expanded into Europe. Its revenues grew from about $5 million to $80 million over that period.

When Ms. Enman started a family, she took six months off work after the birth of Evan, now 10, and a further nine months with her second son, Alex, now eight. She stayed in contact with her co-workers during her maternity leaves, often dropping into the office with her babies in tow.

“I never wanted to give up my career,” she says.

When Club Assist decided to move its core finance team to Los Angeles, Ms. Enman restructured her team. But she soon found out, while on maternity leave, that her position would also be altered due to the company’s growth in Europe and the need to hire someone directly for that market.

“It was a male-dominated industry, and PHOTO BY CAROLINE PHILLIPS I believe they truly thought they were doing me a favour, because I had two kids under two. But I couldn’t imagine not being part of the management group, helping to lead the business,” she says. “Sitting at my desk and doing the core accounting would never have fulfilled me.”

Ms. Enman left Club Assist and took on an entirely new role by joining Welch’s consultancy firm in 2010 as one of several people leading a one-stop-shop advisory practice.

By 2013, the company’s president, Dragan Veljovic, had parted ways with WelchGroup. Ms. Enman faced two capital to get a Bachelor of Commerce choices: dissolve the practice or rebrand it. degree with honours in accounting at She chose the latter. the University of Ottawa. It was a difficult “That’s been one of my career highlights,” adjustment, going from her small-town she says. “I didn’t throw in the towel, even rural life to the big city, but she managed. though I could easily have done that.”

After graduation, she articled at Welch She determined where the company’s & Co. (now Welch LLP) and earned her key strengths lay and what the Ottawa Chartered Accountant designation. business region needed. She then began “I don’t think any little girl grows growing WelchGroup into a success story (it up thinking they’re going to be an exceeded its revenue targets, growing 180 accountant,” says Ms. Enman, 43, speaking per cent in the past year) with a focus on at the firm’s office on Slater Street. “But business efficiencies, growth and transitions.

I was very good in math and I liked the Ms. Enman juggles her parenting duties business side. It was a practical career with her husband, Chris Chartrand, who choice that likely stemmed from the need works at Nokia. She puts in long hours, to have something steady and wanting to often tackling tasks after the kids go to bed earn a decent enough living.” and on weekends.

Ms. Enman then changed career paths In April, the Women’s Business Network and became director of finance for the of Ottawa recognized her for her years of Canadian Produce Marketing Association hard work and dedication to her profession and the Canadian Horticultural Council. when it named her its Businesswoman of But after three years at the non-profit the Year in the professional category. groups, she was ready for a bigger “I am definitely not the loudest one challenge. in the room, nor am I always the most She moved on to become financial confident, but I am a strong listener and controller for the North American life-long learner,” she says. “When I push operations of Australian-owned Club myself out of my comfort zone, that’s where Assist, a mobile battery replacement I find the most success.”

Numbers speak louder than words for WelchGroup’s Enman P.E.I. native has used work ethic learned from oyster-farming parents to turn accounting firm’s consulting branch into Ottawa success story FIVE THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT CANDACE ENMAN

1

She helped organize the Philadelphia Flyers’ training camp in O’Leary, P.E.I., in 1992. Unfortunately, she had to leave the day before the players flew in, ruining any chance she had of marrying Eric Lindros.

She’s dislocated her shoulder seven times. Two of those times were while dancing.

She used to hate seafood, despite being surrounded by it as a kid. She’s come around, but still won’t touch sushi, mussels or oysters.

4

She’s on the finance committee for the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation and on the sponsorship committee for the Ottawa Network for Education, which, among other things, runs the school breakfast program.

5

W

elchGroup Consulting president Candace Enman’s story begins on the western red shores of Prince Edward Island. That’s where she enjoyed a lovely, low-key childhood full of beach and family life.

It’s also where the tireless business leader first learned the importance of hard work.

She and her older sisters would often tag along and help out their parents, who earned a modest living by harvesting oysters and quahogs. When Ms. Enman was eight or nine, she and her siblings were making enough money to pay for their own school supplies and some clothes by picking quahogs, the harder-shelled cousin of the clam.

It was the mother’s dream that her children get a good education and be spared her life of hard, back-breaking work.

It was an achievable goal for Ms. Enman. She was a shy kid who cried her way through Grade 1, but she was also a straight-A student.

At 18, Ms. Enman headed to the nation’s

29 OBJ.CA

She joined the Toastmasters Club to help with her public speaking. To this day, she still gets nervous every time she has to give a speech.

caroline@obj.ca

MONDAY, JUNE 5, 2017

2 3

BY CAROLINE PHILLIPS

THE LIST 1 2 2 4 5 5 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 13 13 13 MONDAY, JUNE 5, 2017

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18 19 20

Company/Address/ Phone/Fax/Web NAV Canada 77 Metcalfe St. Ottawa, ON K1P 5L6 613-563-5588 / 613-563-3426 navcanada.ca Arnprior Aerospace Inc. 107 Baskin Dr. E. Arnprior, ON K7S 3M1 613-623-4267 / 613-623-1736 arnprioraerospace.com Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions 333 Palladium Dr. Kanata, ON K2V 1A6 613-599-9199 / 613-599-7777 curtisswrightds.com Honeywell* 400 Maple Grove Rd. Ottawa, ON K2V 1B8 613-591-9064 / 613-591-9120 honeywell.com DRS Technologies* 1100-500 Palladium Dr. Kanata ON K2V 1C2 613-591-5800 / 613-591-5801 drs.com Lockheed Martin Canada 870-45 O’Connor St. Ottawa, ON K1P 1A4 613-688-0698 / 613-688-0702 lockheedmartin.ca MDS Aero Support Corp.

200-1220 Old Innes Rd. Ottawa, ON K1B 3V3 613-744-7257 / 613-744-8016 mdsaero.com Telesat 1601 Telesat Crt. Ottawa, ON K1B 5P4 613-748-0123 / 613-748-8712 telesat.com DEW Engineering and Development ULC* 3429 Hawthorne Rd. Ottawa, ON K1G 4G2 613-736-5100 / 613-736-1348 dewengineering.com CAE 2201-150 Metcalfe St. Ottawa, ON K2P 1P1 613-247-0342 cae.com Esterline CMC Electronics 415 Leggett Dr. Kanata, ON K2K 2B2 613-592-6500 / 613-592-7467 cmcelectronics.ca GasTOPS Ltd. 1011 Polytek St. Ottawa, ON K1J 9J3 613-744-3530 / 613-744-8846 gastops.com Boeing Canada 1220-45 O’Connor St. Ottawa, ON K1P 1A4 613-745-8111 boeing.ca Cam-Tag Industries* 2783 Fenton Rd. Ottawa, ON K1T 3T8 613-822-1921 / 613-822-2874 camtag.com Intelcan Technosystems 69 Auriga Dr. Nepean, ON K2E 2Z7 613-228-1150 / 613-228-1149 intelcan.com Kongsberg Geospacial 400-411 Legget Dr. Kanata, ON K2K 3C9 613-271-5500 / 613-591-0774 kongsberggeospatial.com TrueNorth (an SD Company) 1682 Woodward Dr. Ottawa, ON K2C 3R8 613-224-3301 / 613-224-0954 truenorth.aero Neptec Design Group Ltd. 202-302 Legget Dr. Kanata, ON K2K 1Y5 613-599-7602 / 613-599-7604 neptec.com MDA (Ottawa) 57 Auriga Dr. Ottawa, ON K2E 8B2 613-727-1087 / 613-727-5853 mdacorporation.com Plaintree Systems Inc. 10 Didak Dr. Arnprior, ON K7S 0C3 613-623-3434 / 613-623-8603 plaintree.com

No. of local employees

LARGEST AEROSPACE COMPANIES (RANKED BY NUMBER OF LOCAL EMPLOYEES)

Publicly traded?/ Exchange Major markets

Key local executive

Year est.

Major clients

1,324

Neil Wilson president and CEO

1996

N

Canada

Airlines using Canadian airspace

350

Tom Melvin president

2005

N

Canada, United States

Boeing; Bombardier; Safran

350

Cathy Pomeroy vice-president of COTS solutions

1981

Y NYSE: CW

Aerospace and defence

Northrop Grumman; Boeing; Lockheed Martin; Raytheon; BAE Systems; General Dynamics

260

Joanne Walker site leader

1974

Y NYSE: HON

Global

Bombardier; Boeing; Gulfstream Aerospace; military; business and commercial aviation

250

Steven Zuber vice-president and general manager

1990

N

250

Charles Bouchard chief executive for Lockheed Martin Canada

1995

Y NYSE: LMT

240

John Jastremski president and CEO

1985

221

Michele Beck vice-president of North American sales

1969

175

Ian Marsh president

1978

150

Joe Armstrong vice-president and general manager, CAE Canada, defence and security

WND

Y CAE: TSX

130

Ben Hendsbee director of commercial services

1902

Y (parent company) ESL: NYSE

Defence electronics; DND; U.S. Navy; international systems integration military forces

Global

Defence; systems integration

Specialty areas Owns and operates Canada’s civil air navigation service. Provides air traffic control; flight information services; weather briefings; airport advisory services; aeronautical information; electronic aids to navigation.

Commercial and military product integration; assembly and manufacture utilizing precisionmachined and fabricated components. Products include airframe structural assemblies, avionics racking and electronic panels/enclosures.

Engineers and manufactures rugged electronic modules and embedded systems for manned and unmanned defence platforms in the air, sea and land.

Some C4ISR application areas include mission computing, flight management, fire control, vision and graphics processing, and communications systems.

Satellite antennas; microwave/electronic components and subsystems; broadband communications products; airborne connectivity Designs, manufactures and supports naval communications, electro-optics, IRST and deployable flight data recorders for military C4ISR applications, as well as electronic warfare threat simulators.

Naval combat systems; C4ISR; data fusion; ISS; radar systems; manufacturing

N

Private-sector Rolls-Royce; Pratt & Whitney; enterprises; Europe; Air France; Solar Turbines; NPO U.S.A.; Asia-Pacific; Saturn; Siemens; MTU Russia

Global provider of test facilities and test systems for aerospace, industrial and marine gas turbine engines; specializing in the delivery of complete turnkey facilities for development engines to comprehensive maintenance and operational support.

N

North and South America; Europe, Middle East and Africa; Asia

Broadcast; telecom; corporate and government

Global satellite operator, providing secure satellite-delivered communications solutions worldwide to broadcast, telecom, corporate and government customers.

Government

Government; military

Military fleet life extension and re-purpose; design and manufacture; tracked and wheeled military vechicles; armour; systems analysis and support

Defence and security; civil WND aviation; healthcare

Civil aviation; defence and security, healthcare

Global

Aerospace and high tech; airlines; military agencies; government

Cockpit avionics; communications antennas; specialized electronic components; embedded GPS receivers; flight management systems; enhanced vision systems; heads-up displays; human factors engineering

Maintenance management solutions for critical equipment

107

David Muir president and CEO

1979

N

Defence; aviation; energy; marine

Canadian Air Force; Canadian Navy; USAF; U.S. Army; Vector; IMP; PAL; Cougar Helicopters; Pratt & Whitney; Avio; UTC Aerospace Systems; GE; Senvion; Siemens; Nordex, Moventas; EdF; RWE

50

Jim Barnes director of global marketing in Canada

1996

Y NYSE: BA

Global aerospace

Airlines and U.S. and allied governments; Air Canada; WestJet; Royal Canadian Air Force; Royal Canadian Navy

Military aircraft; satellites; weapons; electronic and defense systems; launch systems; advanced information and communications systems; performance-based logistics and training

50

Michel St-Denis general manager

1966

N

Canada; U.S.

Bombardier Aerospace; Messier-Dowty; Goodrich Landing Gear; Héroux-Devtek

Machining, sub-assemblies and complete assemblies for both military and commercial aircraft.

50

Michael Lang CEO

N

Global

Bulgarian Ministry of Defence; Roberts Flight Information RegionWest Africa; Indonesian Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics; Corporation de Aviation de Cuba

Designs, manufactures and integrates communications, navigation, surveillance and air traffic management CNS/ATM solutions.

Supplier of turnkey aviation infrastructure projects including airport development.

50

Ranald G. McGillis president and CEO

1992

N

Defence; security; C4ISR; situational awareness; command and control; air traffic control

DND; NAV Canada; U.S. Department of Defense; Lockheed Geospatial visualization; situational awareness; Martin; Raytheon; Northrop command-and-control software solutions Grumman; FAA

50

Mark van Berkel general manager

2006

N

VIP and head-ofstate business jets; avionics OEMs

BendixKing; Honeywell; Satcom Direct

Cabin communications systems; flight deck communications systems; Wi-Fi systems; customizable handsets

45

Paul Nephin CEO

1990

N

Space; defence; robotics; autonomous systems

NASA; Canadian Space Agency; European Space Agency; Boeing; Airbus; Orbital ATK

Sensors for robotics and autonomous systems

45

Matt Ivis vice-president of Ottawa sales

1969

Y TSX: MDA

Global

Canadian government; ESA; NASA; FAA; Thales Alenia Space; U.S. Air Force; DigitalGlobe; Airbus; NGA; Boeing; Intelsat; Eutelsat; Telesat; CLS; DARPA

25

David Watson CEO

1972

Y CNSX: NPT

Aerospace; fire apparatus firms and fire departments; structural steel

Honeywell; AlliedSignal-Bendix; Goodrich Aerospace; Pratt & Whitney Canada; Meggitt Aircraft Braking Systems

1973

Communications and information company providing systems and services for the surveillance and intelligence market to monitor and manage changes and activities worldwide; and space-based solutions for TV, radio, Internet and mobile communications.

Manufacturer of electromechanical components for the aerospace market, such as: wheel speed transducers, proximity switches, electromagnetic wheel indicators, indicator flags and permanent magnet alternators.

WND = Would not disclose. *Did not respond to 2017 survey – using data from previous years.

Should your company be on this list? If so, please send details to research@obj.ca This list is current as of June 1, 2017. © 2017 by Ottawa Business Journal. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced by any method in whole or in part without written permission by Ottawa Business Journal.

While every attempt is made to ensure the thoroughness and accuracy of the list, omissions and errors sometimes occur. Please send any corrections or additions by e-mail to research@obj.ca. OBJ lists are primarily compiled using information provided voluntarily by the organizations named. Some firms that may qualify for the list are not included because the company either failed to respond to requests for information by press time, because the company declined to take part in the survey or because of space constraints. Categories are drawn up in attempt to gather information of relevance to the Ottawa market.

Research by Patti Moran. Please send questions and comments to research@obj.ca.

FOR THE RECORD People on the move

Hats off

David Mannila was named product manager for Sciemetric Instruments.

Mr. Mannila has more than 20 years of product development and manufacturing test experience in management and senior technical roles. Previously, he was a principal product engineer with Abbott Point of Care.

Ottawa Tourism appointed its new board of directors: Paul Akehurst, Intertask Group of Companies; Steve Ball, Ottawa Gatineau Hotel Association; Michèle Canto, Canadian Museum of History; Michael Crockatt, Ottawa Tourism; Mariève Desmarais, Prescott Russell Tourism; Jasna Jennings, ByWard Market BIA; Nina Kressler, Shaw Centre; Ross Meredith, the Westin Ottawa; Colin Morrison, Ottawa Embassy Hotel & Suites; Geoff Publow, Ottawa Senators; John Smit, City of Ottawa; David Smythe, Lord Elgin Hotel; John Swettenham, Canadian Museum of Nature; Joel Tkach, Ottawa International Airport Authority; Cindy VanBuskirk, CF Rideau Centre; and Steve Wilson, Escape Manor.

The Canadian Advanced Technology Alliance recently held its 32nd annual Innovation and Leadership Awards Gala. Local recipients included Aetonix (Mobility Health Innovation Excellence in Canada’s Health Care Sector); Namir Anani of the Information and Communications Technology Council (Community Leadership); the IN·spire Innovation Hub at Natural Resources Canada (Public Sector Leadership in Advanced Technology); Startup Canada’s Victoria Lennox (Canada’s Next Generation Executive Leadership); Martello Technologies’ Bruce Linton (Private Sector Innovation and Leadership in Advanced Technology); and Ottawa Business Journal’s Craig Lord (Excellence in Science and Technology Reporting).

Ottawa Pianos was named a Top 100 Dealer by the National Association of Music Merchants, a global association of music products and music retailers.

Awards submissions were rated across categories that included customer service, music advocacy, store design and promotions.

SavvyDox was recognized by Silicon Review magazine as one of the 50 most valuable brands of the year for 2017.

SavvyDox is a cloud-based software solution delivering secure document distribution and collaboration.

David McRobie of McRobie Architects + Interior Designers received a fellowship from the Royal Architectural

Contracts The following contains information about recent contracts, standing offers and supply arrangements awarded to local firms.

Ottawa Greenbelt Construction Co. Ltd. 2375 Sheffield Rd. Description: Sanitary and storm sewer separation – Phase II Buyer: National Research Council Canada $3,807,479 IDS Systems Consultants Inc. 818 Boyd Ave. Description: Radar equipment, except airborne Buyer: DND $2,457,762

Institute of Canada. The institute elects individuals who have demonstrated great dedication to improving their communities and their profession.

MindBridge Analytics received a People’s Choice Award at the Payments Canada FinTech Cup awards. The awards provide a forum for fintech and AI startups to get exposure and funding.

The VCAN Group Inc. 275 Slater St. Description: Records management services Buyer: PWGSC $1,271,250

8864926 Canada Inc. 2720 Queensview Dr. Description: Kitchen equipment and appliances – repair and overhaul Buyer: DND $408,901

Totem Offisource Inc. 1 Promenade du Portage Description: Ministerial furniture Buyer: PWGSC $1,020,022

Tannis Trading Inc. 2390 Stevenage Dr. Description: Meat, poultry and fish Buyer: DND $300,000

Tannis Trading Inc. 2390 Stevenage Dr. Description: Groceries Buyer: DND $600,000

Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton 116 Albert St. Description: Forensic Audits Buyer: Elections Canada $293,693

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