People at StarDyne

When long-time business colleagues, David Burke and Terry Peabody, surveyed the many small, independent companies that provided the public sector with critical business software, they saw a need for a corporate infrastructure that could bring vision, capital and accountability to the marketplace.

A critical aspect of their vision was to bring together a team of experienced and talented executives who shared the same strong strategic vision. This team has success in both small and large businesses, strong financial backgrounds and a solid understanding of the systems that support the public sector.

The mandate of this management team is to foster and maintain the strategic vision within group companies and ensure each follows a disciplined approach to growth. Each group company is required to set and meet strategic objectives &‐ StarDyne management oversee this process and ensures accountability.

With multiple holdings in similar markets, StarDyne management has a broad perspective on the marketplace and is ideally positioned to provide strategic management. They also understand the complexities and unique requirements of the public sector.

 

Terrence E. Peabody, Chairman of the Advisory Board

Terry Peabody has extensive international experience in both public markets and private companies. He leads the Peabody Group of Companies which has worldwide, diversified holdings, including the StarDyne Group. With an impressive track record and a reputation for returning significant value to the companies he is involved with, Terry provides valuable experience and advice to the StarDyne Group. Terry has been involved in the importation and distribution of Western Star trucks into Australia since 1983. The waste management operations of Transpacific were formed in 1987 by Terry, following the successful public float of Pozzolanic Industries, listed on the ASX by Terry and his family since 1985.In 1991, business interests associated with Terry acquired the North American parent company of Western Star, successfully listing the company on the Toronto Stock Exchange in 1994. In 2000, the North American Company was purchased by Freightliner LLC (a Daimler group company) with the Australian operations retained by business interests associated with Terry, and now forming part of Transpacific. Terry has had extensive international success in building waste management, transportation and manufacturing companies. He has held the position of Executive Chairman of Transpacific since its incorporation in 1987. Terry attended the University of Maryland where he studied civil engineering.

 

David L. Burke, Chief Executive Officer

StarDyne was established in early 2001 by Terry Peabody and David Burke to make strategic investments in technology-based companies focused on the public sector. David and Terry share an entrepreneurial spirit and have a solid, long-term relationship based on past success running growth-driven companies. David has financial, systems and operational backgrounds and has participated and led the strategic planning and visioning of both large and small companies within several industries. Before assuming his current CEO role, David was with Western Star Trucks Holdings Ltd., a publicly traded company, as Chief Financial Officer and as an Executive Director of the company. Prior to Western Star, David was with Gentek Building Products Inc., and also held various senior financial and systems positions with subsidiaries of Alcan Aluminum Ltd. for 17 years. David began his career in Information Technology with the federal government in Ottawa, Ontario. David is a Certified Management Accountant and serves as a Director or advisory board member for other companies including Purolator Holdings Ltd.

 

Brad J. Imrich, Chief Financial Officer and Vice President Finance

Brad Imrich joined StarDyne Technologies Inc. in 2003 to focus on the financial and strategic objectives for StarDyne and its Group Companies. Brad has over 15 years of experience in growth companies, specifically in the areas of operations, finance and strategy. He is familiar with both publicly traded and privately held companies and manages all financial aspects of StarDyne with the same rigor as a publicly traded company. Prior to joining StarDyne, Brad served in senior financial roles at Pacific Insight Electronics, Western Star Trucks Holdings Ltd. and Placer Dome Inc. Brad graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of British Columbia and obtained his Chartered Accountant designation while with Ernst & Young. He is a past Director for the Economic Development Commission of Kelowna, British Columbia and the Okanagan Science and Technology Council.

 

William R.M. Spittle, Vice President Corporate Development

Bill Spittle joined StarDyne Technologies in 2009, initially focusing on special projects within two of StarDyne’s operating companies. Beginning in 2011, Bill is focused exclusively on the overall management of StarDyne’s Corporate Development initiatives, specifically all mergers and acquisitions activities. Bill has a broad senior management background in government and education software and services, manufacturing and banking that includes hands-on experience in the effective integration of acquired businesses. Bill was the Chief Operating Officer of RFind Systems Inc. in 2008 and prior to that held positions at Bridges Transitions Inc. and Xap Corporation from 2000 to 2008, including VP Technology, VP Product Development, VP Corporate Integration and VP Business Development. Earlier in his career he was the Director of Treasury Operations for Western Star Trucks Holdings and for a dozen years held various corporate finance positions with major Canadian banks. Bill received a Joint Bachelor of Business Administration (Honours) degree from Simon Fraser University and an MBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business.

 

Donna E. Kirisits, Vice President Human Resources

Donna Kirisits joined StarDyne in 2006. With her extensive experience and background in Human Resources and Education, she is ideally positioned to plan, implement and sustain sound human resource practices within StarDyne Group Companies. Donna brings strategic vision to all areas of human resources and internal consulting services including recruitment, employee training and development, succession planning, leadership development, change management, and salary and benefits administration. Prior to StarDyne, Donna was with CCL Custom Manufacturing, Division of CCL Industries, for 20 years, serving as Director of Human Resources. In this role, she was responsible for over 1,000 employees throughout Canada and the United States. Donna has pioneered numerous specialized training programs, primarily focused in the field of leadership in the workplace, has chaired a number of summits and seminars, and was a Senior Continuing Education Instructor with Sheridan College for 24 years. Donna holds a Bachelor of Education degree and graduated with High Honours from Sheridan College. Donna also holds her Teacher Training Diploma and her Certified Human Resources Professional designation.

 

Paul W. Francis, Chief Operating Officer, Asset Management Division

Paul Francis joined StarDyne in 2012 bringing with him over 20 years of experience in attaining consistent business growth and profit performance in  senior leadership roles in Canada and New Zealand. He has 15 years experience as a Director of a privately held company and successfully managed both small businesses and multi-million dollar revenue streams in complex technology environments. He led teams in opening up international markets; managed business transformations and operational efficiency programs; led financial turnarounds and held key roles in managing mergers, acquisitions and divestitures. He has depth and breadth of experience in strategic planning, international business and sales and marketing excellence in technology environments. Prior to joining StarDyne, Paul led the Major Accounts business in B.C. for TELUS. He had previously worked for ISM-BC, Western Canada's largest IT outsourcing company before its acquisition by TELUS. Earlier in his career Paul held positions with Xerox Canada and U-Bix Business Machines in New Zealand where he worked in the capacity of Regional Manager. Paul graduated from Massey University in New Zealand with a degree in Business Studies, majoring in Marketing and International Business.
 

Ron T. Begg, Chief Operating Officer, Government Solutions Division

Ron Begg has a full appreciation for the challenges in bringing technology to the public sector from his background as both a vendor and management consultant. He is well acquainted with the effort and structure needed to organize, identify, select and then implement municipal information systems. Through this experience, Ron appreciates what needs to happen to make clients successful and where StarDyne has to be to facilitate this success.

Ron joined StarDyne in 2006. His background includes positions with major companies such as Shell Canada and CIBC. He began working with local governments in 1987 in operations for a municipal systems vendor. Since 1989, he has been a consultant, working with clients to identify, source and implement technology solutions. Ron has also worked with private sector firms to plan and organise their products and approach for the public sector. Ron is a Certified Management Consultant and a Professional Engineer and holds a Bachelor degree in Engineering from the University of Saskatchewan and an MBA from the Ivey School of Business. Ron is a Certified Management Consultant and a Professional Engineer and holds a Bachelor degree in Engineering from the University of Saskatchewan and an MBA from the Ivey School of Business.


Dave A. Love, President, SRB Education Solutions Inc

Dave Love joined StarDyne in June 2009 as Vice-President, Business Development, for SRB Education Solutions Inc. His strong leadership qualities and strategic vision quickly led him to the position of Chief Operating Officer for three of SRB's five divisions in the spring of 2010. Continuing on his path of promoting SRB and contributing to StarDyne's growth, Dave was appointed President of the Education Solutions Division of StarDyne Technologies, effective July 2012.

Dave's extensive background with executive responsibilities provides valuable business strength to lead SRB in the years ahead. Prior to joing SRB, he was a member of the executive team for Paradigm Shift Technology Group focused primarily in the assessment and data warehousing areas for K-12 education, mainly in the Ontario market. He was also President of Paradigm Shift Achievement Plus, working to deliver assessment and related data warehousing products in new markets. Preceding his work in the education industry, Dave held the position of Chief Operating Officer at Delfour Corporation in the Logisitics industry and executive management positions at ACI Worldwide (Canada) Inc. in the financial industry.

Throughout his career, Dave has always focused on delivering value to customers through quality products and related services. With his executive experience, strategic vision and leadership capabilities, Dave sets SRB for success in the future of education.
 

 

Steve R. Thompson, Director, Advisory Board for StarDyne Technologies and SRB Education Solutions

Steve Thompson joined StarDyne with the acquisition of SRB Education Solutions in 2006, he continued in the position of President and CEO of SRB until July 2012 when he took the position of Director, Advisory Board for StarDyne Technologies. He brings over 30 years of related experience including senior management, technology leadership, product management and marketing roles in both the private and public sectors. Prior to joining SRB, between 1988 and 2000, Steve held the positions of General Manager, Information Technology for the Toronto District School Board and Director of IT with the City of Vaughan & Vaughan Hydro. His earlier experience also included software engineering and marketing roles with the federal government and Gandalf Technologies Inc.

Steve holds an MBA from the University of Ottawa and an honours degree in Political Science and Economics from the Royal Military College in Kingston, Ontario. He is a Certified Information Systems Professional and has served as chair of the Ontario Association of School Business Officials IT Committee and President of the Municipal Information Systems Association.