BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The CNOC board of directors is comprised of members from some of Canada’s top Internet & telecommunications service providers. Our board of directors are not only passionate about their companies, they are passionate about the role that competitive and independent Internet and telecommunications service providers play in the industry.
Paul Andersen
Chair and President, CNOC
President, EGATE Networks Inc
With a unique combination of technical expertise, an entrepreneurial spirit and an open and collaborative leadership style, Paul Andersen, P. Eng. has proven himself to be a valuable member of the global Internet community. His commitment to giving back to the Internet community for the benefit of all Internet users is evidenced by the numerous boards and committees he has served on over the past two decades.
Paul has been involved with the American Registry for Internet Numbers since 2003, and currently serves as the organization’s Board Chair. He is also a Board Member at the Canadian Network Operators Consortium. In 2000, Paul joined the board of directors for the Canadian Internet Registration Authority, a role he would retain for 10 years, the last five as chair. From 2007 to 2010, he was a director at the Toronto Internet Exchange, Canada’s largest Internet Exchange Point.
While studying Computer Engineering at the University of Toronto, Paul founded EGATE Networks Inc., an Internet Service Provider, in 1996. Over the past 20 years, Paul has grown EGATE into a leading connectivity, hosting and technological solutions provider to businesses in Canada and around the world, and is currently the organization’s president.
Paul is a licensed member of Professional Engineers Ontario, and holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Computer Engineering.
Ian Stevens
Vice-Chair and Vice-President, CNOC
President & CEO, Execulink
Execulink Telecom Inc. is a privately held, multi-generational family business and a local provider of Internet, Television, Home Phone and Mobile services in Southwestern Ontario. With a goal of connecting people to everything that matters, Ian has been a leader in the transformation of Execulink from a traditional telephone company to an IP-based full service provider.
Although Ian has a graduate degree in Telecommunications Engineering, he has been deeply involved in all facets of the business, including customer facing roles, various management positions, memberships in industry trade associations, and of course, the current CEO.
Ed Antecol
Principal, Ed Antecol Consulting, CNOC Secretary
Ed has more than 35 years of experience in the telecommunications industry. Previously, for 10 years he was with Freedom Mobile in various roles as it evolved from a start-up with no customers or network to Canada's 4th largest mobile carrier with over a million customers, including as Vice President Regulatory Affairs and Carrier Services.
Prior to Ed's involvement with Freedom, he was a partner at the law firm Papazian, Heisey, Myers where he maintained a telecommunications law practice. He has also held various positions at AT&T Canada (a successor to "Unitel") including as Regulatory Vice-President. Ed joined AT&T Canada/Unitel in 1992 immediately after the Canadian long distance market was opened to competition and was involved in establishing many of the rules and processes to support the current Canadian carrier interconnect regime.
Ed began his career at Bell Northern Research in 1982 as a software developer working on telecommunications switching gear. In addition to holding a Juris Doctor Degree from the University of Toronto (1991), Ed has also received degrees of Bachelors of Engineering (Mechanical) (1981) and Masters of Engineering Electrical (Systems) (1983) from Carleton University. He has also taught Communications Law at York University's law school as an Adjunct Professor.
George Burger
Treasurer, CNOC
Co-Founder and Director, VMedia Inc.
George is co-founder and Director of VMedia Inc., a leading, national, independent alternative to incumbent telcos and cablecos. He is responsible for finance, strategy, sales and marketing, as well as GR/PR functions.
A senior C-suite executive with a legal background, George is also a leading advocate for enhancing competition in all areas of telecom and broadcasting in Canada.
George was formerly second in command and a member of the board of directors of Alliance Communications Corp. (later Alliance-Atlantis), at the time Canada’s largest fully integrated media and entertainment company. During his tenure, the company grew in capitalization from $90 million to $500 million, which it achieved prior to the merger with Atlantis.
Prior to joining Alliance in 1994, George was a senior partner, Corporate Finance and M&A, at a major national law firm.
For eight years, ending in summer 2018, George was also a member of the board of directors of Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation (CDIC), and Chairman of the Governance and Nominating Committee.
Education: University of Toronto Law School, LLB., University of Sydney, LLM., Institute of Corporate Directors, ICD.D.
Leonard Eichel
Director, Regulatory Affairs, Cogeco
Colin Legendre
President and Chief Technology Officer, Coextro
Paul G. Smith, ICD.D
Chair and Chief Executive Officer, Rally