Charles Cazabon
Charles is Vice President, Venture Capital responsible for investments made across Canada by BDC's Telecom, Information Technology, Life Sciences and Advanced Technologies specialty teams. Charles has over 20 years of venture capital experience as well as banking and M & A experience. Previously, he was Managing Director, BDC Venture Capital Life Sciences specialty group. Before joining BDC, Charles was Vice President of Acc�s Capital, a subsidiary of Caisse de d�p�t et placement du Qu�bec. He has served on numerous public and private company boards and is presently President and member of the Board of R�seau Capital.
Mark Chamberlain
Mark Chamberlain is the President and one of the founding partners of Trivaris Ltd., a commercialization company focused on transforming ideas from concept to sustainable companies and social enterprises.
Mark is best known for his time at Wescam where he became President and CEO in 1987. Under his leadership, the company quickly became a leader in visual information systems markets around the world and highly recognized with many awards including an Academy Award for Technical Achievement, 16 Emmy Awards, a Canadian Business Tech Award, a Canadian Export Award and was named one of Canada�s Top 100 Employers in 2000 and 2001. In 2002, Mark sold Wescam to L-3 Communications and after assisting the company through the ownership transition, Mark retired from L-3 Wescam in 2003.
He is currently Chair of the Hamilton Jobs Prosperity Collaborative; Chair of the Golden Horseshoe Innovation Alliance; member of McMaster University Board of Governors; member of the Board of the Ontario Centers of Excellence; and Chair of the Ontario Centers of Excellence Commercialization Committee. In addition, Mark has recently been appointed Chair of the Advisory Committee for Metrolinx, an agency of the Government of Ontario responsible for the development and implementation of an integrated regional transportation plan.
Greig Clark
Greig Clark is the Founding and Managing Partner of the Horatio Enterprise Fund, a venture capital fund that brings both management and money to growth companies. He also serves on the board of a number of small and medium sized companies. He also served as the CEO of several of the portfolio companies in times of transition. Most recently he was CEO from 2002 to 2006 of Arxx Walls and Foundations of which he continues to be a board member. Greig is also known as one of Canada's successful entrepreneurs. He founded College Pro Painters in 1971 while attending university. He grew it to $40 million in sales, with 550 franchisees and over 4000 painters in 1989. He was awarded Entrepreneur of the Year in 1979 and Top Ten Entrepreneur of the Decade in 1990. College Pro remains the largest residential painting company in the world today. He is also a writer for Profit Magazine--the Canadian magazine for growth companies.
Patricia Diver
Patricia is a Consultant with Knightsbridge in Kitchener/Waterloo. Patricia uses her background in marketing and public relations to assist clients in creating effective self marketing materials, to develop focused career search strategies and to craft and articulate their unique message to the marketplace. Patricia has worked with corporate clients from a wide variety of industries and with professionals at all levels of an organization.
As a career coach, Patricia works with her clients to help them identify career goals, strengths and interests in order to support effective decision making as they transition into new employment.
Patricia has worked with Knightsbridge since 1995 but left for several years to build an Alumni Career Coaching program for a post secondary education institution. She has also worked as a Program Manager with a large telecommunications company and Patricia began her career as a Communications Coordinator with an international property development company.
Eric Ehgoetz, Managing Director, BMO Capital Corporation
Eric is a Managing Director of BMO Capital Corporation and shares responsibility for overseeing investments in Ontario. BMO Capital Corporation is a leading provider of junior capital, including subordinated debt, mezzanine financing and equity, to mid-market companies. With $400 million in committed capital and offices across Canada, BMOCC invests up to $15 million in companies with defensible industry positions and stable and predictable cash flows. Proceeds are typically used for acquisitions, buyouts, capital expenditures, restructuring and working capital for growth.
Eric has over 20 years of diversified experience in merchant banking, structured finance and risk management, within Schedule 1 financial institutions, non-bank lenders and insurance companies.
Eric is a Chartered Financial Analyst and holds an Honours Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Wilfrid Laurier University.
Jon K. Grant, O.C., H.BA, KSJ, LL.D.
Jon K. Grant is an examiner for the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD) and an Executive in Residence in the ICD's SME Board Effectiveness Program. Jon is also Chairman of CCL Industries Inc, a leading Canadian owned international packaging solutions company, Chairman of the Ontario Biodiversity Council; and Past Chair of the Nature Conservancy of Canada. Mr. Grant is on the faculty of the Director�s College, McMaster University. He is a Trustee of the T.H.B. Symons Trust for Canadian Studies. He is the retired Chairman and CEO of Quaker Oats Company of Canada Limited, and Retired Chairman of Laurentian Bank of Canada, former Chair of The Ontario Round Table on the Environment and Economy, former Chairman of the Board of Scott Paper Limited, former Chairman of Atlas Cold Storage, former Vice Chair of Agricore United and former Chairman of the Board of Canada Lands Company Limited a commercial Federal Crown Corporation. Over the years he has served on the boards of Consumer Gas Co. Ltd., AXA Insurance (Canada) and the Anglo Canada General Insurance Company, Home Oil Co. Ltd., Genstar Capital, Lac Minerals Ltd., United Grain Growers Limited and B2B Trust.
Mr. Grant is Honorary Governor and past Chair of the Board of Governors of Trent University, a Past Governor of Lakefield College School and was on the Advisory Board of the Erivan K. Haub Program in Business and the Environment, York University. He was Vice Chair, Board of Governors of the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), former Chair of the Business Advisory Council of le fran�ais pour l�avenir (French for the Future) and was a Trustee of the World Wildlife Fund (Canada) and as well has served on the Agricultural Council of Ontario, Past Trustee of the Ontario Science Centre and St. Joseph�s Hospital, the Canadian Council of Chief Executives and the Ivey Advisory Board, Richard Ivey School of Business, the University of Western Ontario. Mr. Grant is a past Chair of the Food and Consumer Products Manufacturers of Canada, was a member of the Federal Government Advisory Group on Working Time and the Distribution of Work, a member of the Ontario Premier�s Council Board and a Commissioner of the Canadian Polar Commission. In 1995 and 1997, he was a member of the Canadian delegation at the Third and Fourth Circumpolar Affairs Ministerial conferences - for the protection of the environment in the arctic, in Inuvik, Canada (1995) and Alta Norway (1997). In 1997 was a member of the Independent Review Committee of the North American Agreement for Environmental Co-operation (NAFTA agreement).
Howard Johnson
Howard is the President of Veracap Corporate Finance Limited and a Partner with Campbell Valuation Partners Limited. He has helped numerous business owners and executives in maximizing shareholder value through acquisitions, divestitures, private equity financing and corporate growth strategies. In addition, Howard has acted as an expert witness before the Courts.
Howard holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from Concordia University (Governor General's Award, 1988), a Graduate Diploma in Public Accountancy from McGill University (Kenneth F. Byrd Prize, 1989) and a Masters Degree in Business Administration from McMaster University (D.M. Heddon Gold Medal, 1992). He is a Fellow of the Society of Management Accountants of Canada and a member of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants, the Canadian Institute of Chartered Business Valuators, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Chartered Financial Analysts Institute and the American Society of Appraisers.
Howard is the editor of Corporate Finance for Canadian Executives, the author of Selling Your Private Company, co-author of The Valuation of Business Interests, co-editor of Canada Valuation Services and has written numerous articles on the subjects of business valuation and corporate finance. Howard is a frequent speaker at conferences throughout North America on the subject of business valuation, acquisitions and divestitures.
Silvio Marsili, MBA
Mr. Marsili is Managing Director of Roynat Capital Inc. based in Toronto, Ontario. Roynat Capital, a wholly owned subsidiary of Scotiabank, lends to and invests in the future potential of growth oriented companies with structures to maximize their value.
Mr. Marsili joined Roynat Capital Inc. in 1989 to assist with expansion into the subordinated debt and mezzanine markets. In addition to Roynat Capital Inc., Mr. Marsili spent several years with G.E. Capital in their Asset Based Lending and Merchant Banking Groups. Mr. Marsili has over 15 years experience in financing and investing in traditional industries. His principal responsibilities at Roynat Capital Inc. focus on transaction origination and market development.
Mr. Marsili has served as a Director of the Association for Corporate Growth and is currently a Director of the Canadian Venture Capital Association. Mr. Marsili has an M.B.A. degree from McGill University, Montreal.
John Neate
John Neate is a Director at VenGrowth, one of Canada�s premier private equity firms.
He joined VenGrowth about two and a half years ago, and is a key member of the Traditional Industries Team, which has invested a total of more than $130 million in nearly 20 companies over the past five years.
The group finds financial solutions for Canadian entrepreneurs of established mid-market businesses � primarily in traditional manufacturing and service industries, and specializes in providing �structured equity,� a combination of subordinated debt and equity.
Prior to VenGrowth, John held various senior finance positions including the role of Director at Roynat Capital, where he originated, structured and negotiated term mezzanine and equity investments.
Ty Shattuck
Ty is the co-founder of Trivaris and is now their Vice President and Chief Operating Officer where he has the privilege of working with inventors, researchers, entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial organizations alike to bring their innovative ideas to business reality. The common theme throughout his career has been transforming great ideas from that magical eureka moment to operational or business reality.
Prior to joining Trivaris, Ty was a Vice President at L3 Communications where, among other responsibilities, he spearheaded corporate initiatives within the product development and product lifecycle management areas. His career began as an Aerospace Engineering Officer in the Canadian Air Force. Later while working with Harris Corporation in Florida, he led the introduction of new automatic test equipment (ATE) into service.
Michael Sherrard
Michael Sherrard is the founding partner of Sherrard Kuzz LLP and an established leader in his field. He is recognized as a Leading Practitioner by Lexpert and a Top Lawyer by Chambers Global.
Michael is Past Chair of the National Labour and Employment Law Section of the Canadian Bar Association and the Labour Relations Section of the Ontario Bar Association.
Michael has extensive experience acting for public and private sector employers in a wide range of industries including manufacturing, health care, education, retail, automotive and construction. His expertise includes: Acquisitions, Divestitures and Restructurings Advising the Multinational and Multi-Jurisdictional Employer Attendance Management Canada Industrial Relations Board Proceedings Collective Agreement Administration Collective Bargaining Construction Labour Relations Employee Relations Employee Screening and Hiring Employment Contracts Employment Standards Executive Compensation Grievance Arbitration Human Rights Injunctive Court Proceedings and Judicial Review Interest Arbitration Management Training Mediation Occupational Health and Safety Ontario Labour Relations Board Proceedings Pay Equity Privacy Responding to Union Organizing and Applications for Certification Sale or Closure Strike or Lock-Out Workplace Audits Workplace Investigations Workplace Safety and Insurance Wrongful Dismissal Litigation.
Harinder Takhar
Harinder Takhar was elected to the Ontario legislature in 2003 and re-elected in 2007. He has served as Ontario's Minister of Business and Consumer Services since 2006. He previously served as Minister of Transportation.
In private life, Takhar has held leadership positions with several Canadian companies, including AGRA Industries Limited, Linear Technology Inc./Gennum Corporation and Timex Canada Inc. He served as the president and chief executive officer of the Chalmers Group of Companies until his election to the Ontario legislature. In 1995, The Financial Post recognized Chalmers Suspension International Inc., headed by Takhar, as a finalist among Canada�s top 50 best-managed private companies. The Ontario Chamber of Commerce also honoured the company with the Outstanding Business Achievement Award in 1999 and the Mississauga Board of Trade presented the company with the Small Business of the Year award the same year.
A tireless volunteer and community supporter, Takhar received the 2001 Community Service Award from the Society of Management Accountants of Ontario for "demonstrating selflessness and kindness for the benefit of society." In addition to a term as chair of the United Way of Peel Region, Takhar has served as chair and member of the board of governors of the Credit Valley Hospital, and associate director and chief financial officer of the Peel District School Board. He is also a founding member of the International Punjabi Chamber of Commerce.
Mark Walsh, FCA
Mark Walsh has been a Principal with the Accounting Standards Board (AcSB) since 2001 and was appointed Chair of the Emerging Issues Committee in April 2004.
Mr Walsh has been involved in a number of AcSB projects including business combinations, pensions, inventories, joint ventures and investment companies and is currently involved in the development of accounting standards for private enterprises.
Prior to joining the AcSB, Mr. Walsh held senior financial positions with Imperial Oil Limited in Toronto and Calgary. He was a member of the Accounting Standards Board from 1998-2001 and of the Emerging Issues Committee from 1988-98. An active member of Financial Executives International (Canada), he is a Trustee and the Treasurer of the Canadian Financial Executives Research Foundation and a past Chair of the Committee on Corporate Reporting. He has been President of Kinark Child and Family Services since 2006.
Grant Walsh
Mr. Walsh is the Director and co-founder of the KPMG Centre for Family Business in Ottawa. For the past ten years, his professional services have been dedicated solely to assisting family businesses in working through their management and ownership issues with a focus on the transition/succession process.
Mr. Walsh is an active member of CAF� (Canadian Association of Family Enterprise) and serves on the Board of the CAF� Ottawa chapter. He frequently writes articles on family business and authored a book on behalf of Agriculture Canada entitled �Managing the Multi-Generational Family Farm�. His most recent publication is entitled �Family Business Succession: Managing the All Important Family Component�. He is often called upon to make presentations and provide advice to local business groups and the local media on family business issues.
Mr. Walsh is also a member of the Family Firm Institute (FFI), an international association of family business professionals providing in depth information on family businesses from around the world as well as ongoing education and training in the field of family business consulting.
Mr. Walsh's career background includes; corporate finance, sales and marketing within a large multinational pharmaceutical company; public administration in a large teaching hospital; owner/manager of a local residential construction firm and associate professor of graduate studies (Finance and Strategic Planning) at the University of Ottawa.
Marylynn West-Moynes
On December 1, 2003, MaryLynn West-Moynes was appointed the sixth President of Mohawk College, one of Ontario’s leading community colleges. Prior to that, she was the Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Durham College in Oshawa, Ontario. Prior to being the COO at Durham, Ms. West-Moynes was the Acting Provost of the University of Ontario Institute of Technology.
In the 21 years MaryLynn has served in post-secondary education, she has had the opportunity to work both in teaching and administration, providing a philosophy of collaboration, teamwork, proactive/creative problem-solving and accountability. With teaching and learning at the forefront, MaryLynn has a solid background and proven track record in strategic planning, human resource development, private and public partnerships, economic development and fiscal responsibility.
MaryLynn has a Master’s degree in Adult Education from Central Michigan University and is working on her doctorate at the University of Toronto/OISE.
Her peers have recognized her with a Leadership Award presented by the Association of Canadian Community Colleges, the national and international voice of Canada’s colleges and universities.
She has recently become an active participant in the Hamilton community. She is a member of the Burlington Economic Development Corporation, the Hamilton Community Foundation Board of Directors, the Hamilton Civic Coalition and the Rotary Club of Hamilton.
MaryLynn is married to Doug Moynes, a secondary school math teacher, and has two sons, Ryan, 27, and Adam, 25. She enjoys golf and skiing.