Jim Taggart, President & CEO, Electro-Federation Canada
Jim has a wealth of in-depth industry knowledge combined with extensive management experience gained at various industry organizations throughout his career. Prior to joining Electro-Federation Canada in November 2010, Jim was the Vice President, Vendor Relations at Sonepar Canada, one of the largest electrical distribution companies in Canada. Prior to that role, Jim served as President of Legrand Canada, a leading provider of electrical wiring devices and home systems. Jim is also Past Chair of Electro-Federation Canada and has served as Chair for EFC’s Electrical Equipment Manufacturers Association of Canada (EEMAC) council. Jim provides strong leadership to EFC, providing the Association and its councils with strong strategic direction in the Canadian electrical and electronics markets. Jim can be reached at jtaggart@electrofed.com, 647-260-3093.
Larry Moore, Vice President, Canadian Appliance Manufacturers Association (CAMA)
After graduating from the University of Ottawa, Larry joined one of Canada’s premier retail operations and was a Senior Vice President and officer of the company over a career spanning a number of decades. Larry joined EFC in 2007 as Vice President, bringing a wealth of sales, operating, human resource and strategic planning experience. Larry is a past director of Allstate Insurance of Canada. He is President of the Canadian Electrical Stewardship Association (CESA), a national, not-for-profit stewardship agency serving the needs of the small and major appliance industry. In addition, he is Founder, Past Chair and current Director of EFC’s Installation, Maintenance and Repair Sector Council (IMR), serving the training and workforce development needs of the major appliance and consumer electronics product repair industry in Canada. Larry can be reached at lmoore@electrofed.com, 647-260-3088.
Sharon Borda, Manager, Canadian Appliance Manufacturers Association (CAMA)
A skilled manager in not-for-profit organizations, Sharon Borda offers years of experience in association management and franchise operations. Sharon graduated in Computer Studies and Database Management. Her career has spanned a number of industries, including insurance, franchise operations, and corporate finance. Since 2000, her focus has been in the field of association management. Sharon joined EFC in early 2008 as Manager, Consumer Councils, bringing expertise and experience in member relations, strategic planning, governance, budgeting and operations from both trade and professional associations. Currently dedicated exclusively to CAMA, Sharon’s areas of focus include member relations, communications, recruitment, CESA secretariat, research industry trends, publications and environmental scanning. Sharon can be reached at sborda@electrofed.com, 647-258-7479.
Richard Martel, P.Eng. Vice President, Technical Services, Consumer, Electro-Federation Canada
A highly-experienced executive manager, Richard Martel spent 28 years in the major appliance industry. Before joining Electro-Federation Canada in 2009, Richard was Vice President, Technology and Officer of Mabe Canada (formally Camco Inc.), a General Electric affiliate. As senior technology leader for several years, Richard has been directly responsible for the design and introduction to the market of a wide variety of new and innovative products in North America, South America, Europe and other eastern countries. Richard is a graduate of Laval University (Québec) in electrical engineering and has completed post-graduate studies in Advanced Engineering at Ecole Polytechnique (Montréal). Richard has a wealth of knowledge and technical expertise in areas such as product safety, policy and standards development, compliance, design and manufacturing processes, and more. In addition to providing advocacy and technical assistance to CAMA members, Richard focuses on the management of issues related to energy and water consumption, environmental and health protection (chemicals, pollution control, Extended Producer Responsibility – EPR), product safety and codes and standards. Richard can be reached at rmartel@electrofed.com, 647-260-3095.
Rick McCarten, Vice-President, Electrical Council
Rick has spent more than 30 years in the electrical market, most recently serving as Vice President of the past Supply & Distribution (S&D) Council. Rick has been instrumental in developing training, education, market research, and national and regional networking programs for the electrical market in Canada. Prior to this role, Rick managed the Ontario Electrical League. He spent eight years on the board for the National Association of Wholesale-Distributors (NAW) Research Foundation, during which time he assisted in the publication of over 50 books on the topic of distribution. Rick can be reached at rmccarten@electrofed.com , 647-260-3087.
Suzanne Alfano, Manager, Sections, Electrical Council
Suzanne has over 20 years of experience championing the development and coordination of national and North American harmonized standards, covering electrical product safety, energy efficiency and renewable energy. She demonstrates solid business acumen with strong skills creating and initiating business development strategies to increase revenue and diversify funding. She is an accomplished leader and consensus builder with a proven record in orchestrating activities of multiple stakeholder groups across North America.
Her past work experience includes serving as a Consultant at Electrical Safety Authority and as a Program Manager at Canadian Standards Association. She holds a diploma in Electrical Engineering Technology from Sheridan College and is a member of the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT), Ontario Association of Home Inspectors (OAHI), and the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE). Suzanne can be reached at salfano@electrofed.com , 647-260-3081.
Anne Harrigan, Vice President Marketing Resource, Electro-Federation Canada
After graduating from York University with an Honours BA in Economics, Anne Harrigan joined the Electronic Manufacturers Association of Canada in 1987 as a statistical clerk. In the merger with CEDA in 1995, Anne assumed the role of Manager, Statistical Services for EFC. As the depth and complexity of the statistical department continued to grow and expand, Anne was appointed Vice President, Marketing Resource in 1999 to oversee the entire statistical operations for all councils within Electro-Federation Canada. Anne can be reached at aharrigan@electrofed.com, 647-260-3084.
Susan Winter, Vice President, Consumer Electronics Marketers of Canada (CEMC)
Susan is responsible for managing member relations, strategically positioning CEMC in the Canadian consumer electronics market, strengthening relationships with key industry organizations, identifying membership growth opportunities, and enhancing existing and developing new value-added programs to meet members’ requirements. Susan also represents EFC on a number of committees at the Standards Council of Canada, including one on International Standards for Consumer Product Safety and ISO Consumer Policy. Susan joined EFC in July 2010, bringing a wealth of association management and strategic planning experience. Susan has worked in senior management positions in not-for-profit associations since 1989. Prior to joining CEMC/EFC, Susan served as Manager, Committee and Consumer Services at the Canadian Standards Association (CSA). Susan has also held senior-level management positions at other associations, including the College of Medical Radiation Technologists of Ontario, the Society of Certified Management Accountants of Canada, and the Canadian Medical Association. Susan can be reached at swinter@electrofed.com, 647-427-0197.
Bill Bryans, Vice President, Technical Services, Electrical, Electro-Federation Canada
Bill is responsible for electrical standards activities pertaining to Canadian electrical safety and energy efficiency in relation to the Electrical (Industrial) products market, ensuring members’ objectives and needs are fairly represented. He works closely with Canadian Standards Association, Electrical Safety Authority, National Electrical Manufacturers Association, Standards Council of Canada and numerous other national and international organizations on the development and harmonization of codes and standards. Bill has extensive technical experience in codes and standards, having most recently served at Standards Council of Canada as Senior Program Officer. Bill has also served at IBM Canada Ltd. as a Corporate Program Manager for Product Safety Standards and Hardware Compliance. In 2006, Bill was awarded the prestigious “IEC Centenary 1906 Award” for his contribution in promoting the IECEE CB Scheme in Canada and within IBM. He was also presented with CSA’s “Award of Merit” in 2001 for his work in high-tech product safety standards at IEC and ISO Management Systems standards development. Bill can be contacted at bbryans@electrofed.com, 647-260-3089.
Wayne Edwards, Vice President, Sustainability & Electrical Safety, Electro-Federation Canada
An electrical industry veteran, Wayne joined EFC in 2004. He has worked at General Electric Apparatus Division, Hubbell Lighting and Philips Lighting in increasingly responsible national roles. He is bilingual and worked in Québec for much of his career. Wayne represents electrical manufacturers at CIPEC (Canadian Industry Program for Energy Conservation, of Natural Resources Canada) and ESTF (Environmental Sustainability Task Force for British Columbia) concerning lamp, fixture and battery disposal. He also serves with Stewardship Ontario and with the federal government regarding lamp and battery disposal programs. Wayne also is a Director on the Board of the Product Care Association. Wayne can be reached at wedwards@electrofed.com, 647-258-7483.
John Jefkins, Director, Marketing and Communications, Electro-Federation Canada
John delivers innovative and integrated marketing and communication strategy and results across a wide range of cause-related and corporate sectors. A relationship builder, who demonstrates a collaborative and consultative leadership style, John has provided consulting and project management to organizations such as Heart & Stroke Foundation of Ontario, Sheridan Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce and Cogeco Cable Solutions. In addition, John has a unique combination of marketing experience in the corporate, not-for-profit and government sectors. John has held senior positions with Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, Bell Mobility, Foster Parents Plan, The Arthritis Society, Ministry of Government Services (ServiceOntario) and Ontario Centres of Excellence. In addition, John started his career working at leading advertising and direct response agencies jjefkins@electrofed.com, 647-260-3091.
Nathalie Lajoie, Manager, Conferences & Special Projects, Electro-Federation Canada
Nathalie has over 20 years experience in event management. Her areas of expertise at EFC include leading the association’s training and education programs, networking events—including the electrical industry’s premier conference—and securing sponsorship recruitment. Nathalie also acts as a liaison with Canadian Electrical Leagues and Regions, and helps steer the EFC Foundation Scholarship Committee. Nathalie joined EFC in 1999 as a Program Coordinator and shortly after, was promoted to Manager of Conferences & Special Projects. Prior to EFC, Nathalie worked at Humber College Business & Industry Services, where she led conferences, seminars and tradeshows. Nathalie’s education background is as varied as her skills, having studied Project Management, Volunteer Management, Fashion Arts and Interior Design at local metro colleges. Nathalie can be reached at nlajoie@electrofed.com, 647-258-7484.
Brisette Lucas, Vice President, Government Relations & Policy & Chief Privacy Officer
Brisette leads and coordinates EFC’s government relations and public policy initiatives in Canada. Her duties include setting policy strategy, driving EFC-member government relations priorities, steering the EFC Government Relations Committee, as well as monitoring and advising on Canadian federal and provincial policy and regulatory issues. Brisette also represents EFC before federal and provincial institutions at senior levels, and interacts with all relevant members and other key stakeholders. Brisette began at EFC in July 2011. Previously, she worked at LG Electronics Canada Inc. as a Compliance Manager in the Legal department. Prior to LG, she worked in the Compliance, Corporate Oversight & Regulatory Affairs department of Atomic Energy of Canada, Ltd. Brisette also served as a Lawyer at Hudson Legal and worked at Citigroup as a Compliance Officer. Brisette earned a B.A. in Political Science from Stony Brook University in New York, before completing her Juris Doctorate at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law. Brisette can be reached at blucas@electrofed.com, 905-602-6214.
Jeff Miller, Executive Director, Installation,Maintenance & Repair Council
As Executive Director, Installation,Maintenance & Repair (IMR) Sector Council & Trade Association, Jeff brings expertise in business operations, inbound and outbound call centres and customer care operations, IT applications development and change management. Jeff has been a part of IMR for close to ten years as a Director of the Board prior
to joining as Executive Director in 2008. Jeff brings a wealth of experience withover twenty years with Sears Inc. overseeing the Home Installation and Parts & Service businesses across Canada and with Direct Energy integrating new businesses and optimizing service. Jeff can be reached at jmiller@electrofed.com or 647-258-7478
