Board Members

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ADAM FIDDLER
Director and Chairman of the Board 

Adam Fiddler is a lawyer recently graduated from Lakehead University (2016). His focus has been on Board and Committee work related to economic development, investment management, health, aboriginal governance and education.

Prior to studying Law, Adam was elected to the Sandy Lake First Nation Band Council in 2000, became Deputy Chief in 2004 and ultimately Chief in 2008. Adam's career includes working as a broadcaster with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) Radio from 1995 through 1999.
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STEPHEN SMITH
Director and Vice Chairman of the Board

Steve's career spans over 30 years as an airline executive with extensive experience in starting, revitalizing and transforming airlines. He is the past President and Chief Executive Officer of West Jet, Air Ontario and Zip Air Inc.

Steve designed and started Zip Air Inc. for Air Canada as part of a strategy to compete in the Low Cost Carrier market. Has grown, reorganized, and restructured smaller airlines such as Air Ontario and Air Toronto with great success increasing revenue, profitability and market share within short timelines. Steve was also a member of the team which developed the customer loyalty program Aeroplan.
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ERIC LONG
Director and Treasurer

Eric has been a Chartered Accountant since 1977. Through his career he became the Office Managing Partner at KPMG focusing the practice and lead it through mergers with Ernst & Young and then again with Grant Thornton. Eric lead his team until his retirement in 2008. Since retiring, Eric created and is the Owner/Operator of Team Build Innovations offering services for organization team building, financial management, acquisitions, divestiture of business and consulting.

Eric has been involved with Wasaya in advisory roles since 1999 as Auditor, Manager of Corporate Finances (2008-2010) and as Independent Consultant for governance and responsibilities of the Board and its relationship with the 
CEO.
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AMANDA SAINNAWAP
Director

Amanda is a member of Pikangikum First Nation, a Wasaya ownership community. She graduated with honors from Confederation College with a diploma in Aboriginal Community Advocacy, certificate in Aboriginal Canadian Relations, and Ethics Research in 2013. 

Amanda is a lifelong learner and is finalizing her studies at Lakehead University studying Honors Bachelor of Arts Indigenous Learning with specialization in Economics Development and a minor in Political Science, expecting to graduate in 2017. Amanda is fluent in Ojibway and Oji-Cree languages and has the ability to read and write syllabics.
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GEORDI KAKEPETUM
Director

Geordie has been the Executive Director, Keewaytinook Okimakanak (KO) for the last 23 years overseeing the development of telephonic services in the far North including  K-Net, KO Telemedicine, KiHS and K-Mobile.

He is also the Chief Executive Officer, NCC Development Limited Partnership mandated by KO Chiefs to explore ways to reduce dependency on diesel generated power, such as solar systems on First Nations.  These systems produce power and revenue for their communities.
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IAN MCCORMACK
Director

Ian is a proven community and business leader with 33 years experience in operations and business management, as well as business ownership.
He is a Certified Executive Coach of operational and strategic business leadership and consulting for partnership facilitation, government relations and advocacy.

Ian holds a Bachelor of Science (Honors) degree in Forestry, Lakehead University, 1982.  His experience includes working with Tetra Tech/Wardrop focused on Global Mining, Oil & Gas and Forestry. Board service had included past Chair, Thunder Bay International Airport Authority. and Chair, Ontario Chamber of Commerce.