Hi, a bit of intro: I've been living in Ottawa since 1972 except for 2 years away for research and teaching work in Computer Science at the U of Regina, Sask. After graduating from Carleton U with M.Eng in 1974, my first job was with Bell Northern Research. Since then, I've taken up various technical and senior R&D management positions at Mitel, Newbridge, Cambrian Systems, Nortel and DragonWave Inc.
Most of my 20+ years of management experience involved building up and growing R&D organizations for young companies, with responsibilities including : operation goals & strategy, recruitment and team development, overseeing task execution and organization performance.
What skills will you contribute to the NCF Board ?
I believe I can help by applying the people, organization and problem-solving skills that I acquired over the years of working. I would like to help promoting the NCF cause to public, education and industry organizations, and to seek collaboration and support. And hopefully the many contacts I established could come in handy for some of the NCF needs.
What do you think are the most important functions of NCF for its members ?
In addition to the continuing need to provide members with reliable connections, value-added contents and quality support, as NCF has done admirably over the years, I think it is important that NCF continue its role in contributing to the general community within the region, to education and to local industry. Not only is that such effort in line with the NCF cause, but it may be key for maintaining visibility and for gaining support, which will likely lead to direct benefit for NCF members.
Why do you want to be an NCF director ?
First and foremost is that I am most impressed by the cause and the history of NCF. What I see is a rare success story of how a group of individuals, with shared technology and keen community interest, was able to keep an admirable initiative going and growing, amid the many changes and challenges, for so long - on a not-for-profit, primarily volunteer and self-dependant basis. I think it reflects an amazing team of people : members, volunteers, staff and the Board, past and present.
I wish to be part of this great team, and serving on the Board would be a way for me to contribute actively. I also see this to be a great opportunity for me to learn from my fellow-members and from the experience itself.
Shing