THUNDER BAY – Business – Tbaytel is moving forward. Tbaytel’s Municipal Service Board is pleased to announce the appointment of Dan Topatigh as the company’s newest president and CEO, effective immediately. Topatigh served in the role of interim president and CEO for the past nine months and successfully led Tbaytel’s executive leadership team during a period of sustained growth.
“In his interim role, Dan Topatigh was an integral force driving Tbaytel forward in a number of strategic initiatives, demonstrating a continued commitment to Tbaytel’s employees, customers and the communities in our serving territory,” says Municipal Service Board chair Michael Power. “I have no doubt that he will bring the same level of commitment as the newest president and CEO to continue providing Tbaytel’s customers with innovative telecommunication solutions with an emphasis on exceptional customer service.”
Strategic priorities for Tbaytel will continue to include enhancing the capacity and coverage of Tbaytel’s wireless network throughout northern Ontario, improving existing bandwidth capabilities and expanding current product and service offerings such as digital TV and fibre.
Prior to holding the position of interim president and CEO, Topatigh served as Tbaytel’s chief financial officer since 2007 and was a key player in helping to develop and launch several of Tbaytel’s newest services. Topatigh also led a number of strategic initiatives, including local and regional acquisitions and the evolution of wireless service through Tbaytel’s strategic business relationship with Rogers.
Topatigh has strong ties in Thunder Bay and northwestern Ontario. Before coming to Tbaytel, he held the senior management position of pulp and paper controller at Bowater’s Thunder Bay mill. He was the controller and continuous improvement manager for Abitibi Consolidated’s Thunder Bay mill for 10 years and was a key member of the mill’s management steering committee. He also worked previously for KPMG Thunder Bay where he was the senior manager responsible for overseeing audit and non-audit engagements.
Topatigh holds an honours bachelor of commerce degree from Lakehead University and has a chartered public accountant designation with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario. He has also held a position on the board of directors for the Thunder Bay Boys and Girls Club for the past 10 years.
“Dan is an excellent leader with a firm understanding of Tbaytel’s longstanding history and commitment to innovation, expansion and most importantly, to promoting a culture of exceptional customer experience,” adds Power. “He is forward-thinking and solution-oriented in his approach and in addition to the vast experience he brings in strategic planning at a senior level, he has the ability to engage Tbaytel’s employees and lead the executive leadership team as they continue to move forward in a promising direction.”
