Charles Allen
Mr. Allen is the President of Darmajac Holdings, a holding company with investments in telecommunications and other industries. Mr. Allen is a graduate of the University of Toronto and achieved his Chartered Accountant designation with Clarkson Gordon in 1974. From 1987 to 1995, Mr. Allen was President and Chief Executive Officer of CUC Broadcasting, a Canadian investment company with broad interests in cable television, telephony, broadcasting, paging, satellite-delivered programming and PCS. Mr. Allen also sits on the Board of Directors of Canlan Ice Sports Inc. and P.S. Production Services Ltd.
Bryan Boyd
Mr. Boyd has served as President, Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors of Terago since December, 2000. He initiated and led the development of the company’s business model and managed the roll-out of services to 31 markets across Canada. Mr. Boyd has more than 20 years of experience in the Internet and telecommunications industries, with over 15 years in executive leadership positions. Since 2003, he has served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Wireless Communications Association (WCA) International, a non-profit trade and professional association. Mr. Boyd is a graduate of Queen’s University (Kingston), having received a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering.
Grant Ballantyne
Mr. Ballantyne is the President & Chief Executive Officer and a Director of Canlan Ice Sports Corp., a leading operator of ice rink facilities throughout North America. The company is listed on the TSX and currently operates 22 facilities with 64 playing surfaces. Prior to joining Canlan in 1998, Mr. Ballantyne held various senior executive positions in cable television, carpet manufacturing and distribution, the restaurant and food service sector in Canada and the electric generation and distribution industry in Brazil. Mr. Ballantyne is a graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University and achieved his Chartered Accountant designation with Clarkson Gordon in 1969.
Richard Brekka
Mr. Brekka is a Managing Partner of Dolphin Equity Partners. Mr. Brekka founded Dolphin in 1998. Mr. Brekka is a Board member of a number of Dolphin portfolio companies including Gomez, Inc., (of which Mr. Brekka also is Chairman of the Board) Enpocket, Inc., Epic Cycle Interactive, The Guild, InQ, Island Data Corporation and SeaPass Solutions Inc. Prior to founding Dolphin, Mr. Brekka was a Managing Director of CIBC’s private equity investment unit and the President of CIBC’s U.S. private equity investment subsidiaries. Before joining CIBC, Mr. Brekka was with Chase Capital and prior to that he was an account officer at Swiss Bank Corporation. Mr. Brekka holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from the University of Southern California and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Chicago.
Senator Jerry S Grafstein, Q.C.
Senator Grafstein has wide-ranging legal and business experience in all aspects of media. He was a co-founder of a variety of media companies, focusing on broadcasting, cable, communications, and publication enterprises in Canada, the U.K., Europe and South America. He has worked for several key government ministries, including Transportation, External Affairs and Justice. He was appointed to the Senate of Canada in 1984 by then Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau. Senator Grafstein has served on a number of Senate Committees, including the Foreign Affairs and Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee. Senator Grafstein currently serves as Chairman of the Senate Banking, Trade and Commerce Committee. He continues his law practice in corporate finance and communication law as counsel to Minden Gross LLP in Toronto. Senator Grafstein holds degrees from the University of Western Ontario and the University of Toronto. He has also taught the Bar Admission Course at Osgoode Hall.
Jim McDonald
Mr. McDonald has extensive senior executive experience in the Canadian telecommunications industry. From 1992 to 1995, Mr. McDonald served as Executive Vice President at TELUS, responsible for joint ventures and emerging businesses. Between 1990 and 1992, Mr. McDonald was President and Chief Executive Officer of Novatel Communications. He has served as a Board Member with Novatel, Telecential Communications Limited, ISM Alberta and the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce. Mr. McDonald currently serves as a corporate director and is a professional engineer. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in physics and an MBA from the University of Alberta.
Dennis O’Connell
Mr. O'Connell is a Partner of Dolphin Equity Partners. Mr. O'Connell is a Board member of a number of Dolphin portfolio companies. Before joining Dolphin, Mr. O'Connell served as the North Region President of XO Communications, a leading integrated communications provider. Prior thereto, Mr. O'Connell was the Northeast Region President for AT&T Wireless and was with McCaw Cellular for 10 years, from the initial launch of McCaw's cellular business in 1985 through its sale to AT&T in 1995. Mr. O'Connell holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from the University of Maryland.