Distinguished Alumni

David Williamson, B. Com. '83

2012 Recipient
Senior Executive Vice President and Group Head, Retail and Business Banking, CIBC

David began his tenure at CIBC in 2008 as Senior Executive Vice President and CFO. In 2011 he was appointed Senior Executive Vice President and Group Head, Retail and Business Banking which provides more than 10 million clients across Canada with financial advice, products and services through a team of 22,000 employees.

Prior to his career at CIBC, David worked throughout Europe, gaining valuable international banking experience. Upon returning to North America, his impressive professional path then led him to such roles as President and CEO of Derlan Industries, Executive Vice President and CFO of Clarica Life Insurance and President and CEO of Atlas Cold Storage.

David has also participated as a board member of several public and private companies in Canada, the United States, Mexico and Barbados. He was also a member of McMaster's campaign cabinet from 2008 to 2010.

Gary Kain, MBA '73

2011 Recipient
CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors, Regional Cablesystems Inc. (Retired)

Since graduating from McMaster University with his MBA degree Gary has launched an impressive career path. He proceeded to obtain his CA and CBV designations, then began working in various Toronto-based investment banking and accounting firms in the business valuation, merger and acquisition and corporate finance fields. In 1984 he joined Cancom as the Vice-President, Finance and subsequently moved up to CFO and then COO. Four years later he conceived and founded Regional Cablesystems Inc., a cable television, high speed internet and telecom company with operations throughout Canada and the Bahamas. Prior to retiring, Gary was CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors. In 2007, he was inducted into the McMaster Alumni Gallery and currently sits on McMaster’s Board of Governors.

Marco Marrone, B.Com. '80, MBA '86

2010 Recipient
Chief Financial Officer & Executive Vice-President, Canadian Tire Corporation

During his 23-year career history, Marco Marrone has held progressively senior positions in finance, credit risk management, information technology, marketing and operations. Appointed Chief Financial Officer & Executive Vice President of Canadian Tire Corporation in 2009, Mr. Marrone was previously President of Canadian Tire Financial Services and CEO of Canadian Tire Bank. In addition to his role at Canadian Tire Corporation, Marco is a member of the Board of Directors of Nordstrom fsb and serves in the community as past Chair of the Niagara Health Systems Foundation Board.

Greg Brophy, B.Com. '87, MBA '88

2010 Recipient (Posthumously)
Founder & President, Shred-it Canada

In 1988, Greg Brophy's passion for business and desire to create a highly successful enterprise led him to found Shred-it, one of the world's leading on site document destruction companies. In 1993, Mr. Brophy expanded his business and launched a manufacturing division, now referred to as Securit Manufacturing Solutions (SMS). In 2003, the parent company Securit was established, offering its customers the services of records management and data protection, integrated with the shredding services of Shred-it. Securit employs over 2,200 people at more than 140 locations around the world. Sadly, Mr. Brophy's bright career was cut tragically short in 2007 when he passed away suddenly along with his brother Sean.

Neil Skelding, MBA '88

2009 Recipient
President and CEO, RBC Insurance

Neil Skelding is the president and CEO, RBC Insurance where he has global responsibility for RBC Financial Group’s insurance business. Prior to joining RBC in 2003, he held a number of senior positions in the Canadian insurance industry including Transamerica Life Canada, Money Concepts and Zurich Canada. In addition to his professional successes, Neil is a member of the Board of Governors of North York General Hospital; a member of The Young President's Organization and is part of McMaster's Campaign Cabinet.

Teresa Cascioli, B.Com. '83

2008 Recipient
Founder, Teresa Cascioli Charitable Foundation

During her tenure as CEO of Lakeport Brewing, Teresa was instrumental in leading the distressed company out of bankruptcy protection and successfully positioning it as a major player against the larger competition. Among her many honours, she has been recognized as Entrepreneur of the Year, has placed in the Top 10 list of Canada’s most successful women entrepreneurs and was inducted into the Sales Hall of Fame by the Canadian Professional Sales Association. Teresa has been a guest speaker at the McMaster Alumni Connection Luncheon series and currently serves on the University Campaign Cabinet. In 2004, she was inducted in the McMaster Alumni Gallery.

David Feather, MBA '89

2007 Recipient
President, Mackenzie Financial Services Inc.

Since joining Mackenzie in 1991 David has held numerous positions within the organization. Today his principal roles include leadership of Mackenzie distribution efforts, including overall sales and product shelf management. He has been principally involved in developing investment management relationships and product development prior to becoming MFSI President in June 2002. In addition to his professional achievements, David is a Director of two charitable groups: Canadian Psychiatric Research Foundation and Child Development Institute. In 2002 he was recognized among the Top 40 Under 40.

Rebecca Repa, MBA '90

2006 Recipient
Vice President, Planning, Redevelopment and Diagnostic Services, St. Joseph's Healthcare

A member of the senior management team at St. Joseph's Healthcare, Rebecca Repa plays a central role ensuring the organization remains a leader in the community. She is mandated with leading the service excellence and organizational effectiveness initiatives, as well as the master planning cycle for the institution. A respected and active member of the McMaster and DeGroote Alumni Associations, she is a valued partner in the DeGroote Mentor Program, an active member of several McMaster committees including the DeGroote Business Advisory Council and a frequent guest speaker and participant on various University leadership and student panels.

Ken Troy, B.Com. '75

2005 Recipient
President, Troy & Associates

Ken Troy joined I.P. Sharp Associates (IPSA) where he led a corporate turnaround that resulted in Reuters Limited purchasing the company in 1986. He ultimately became president of Reuters Canada, the position from which he retired in 2000. Ken is executive chairman of Mobile Computing Corporation and a director of Primacy Corporation and Wysdom Inc. He is a member of the DeGroote School's Business Advisory Council and played a key role in creating the Allen H. Gould Trading Floor.

Karen Maidment, B.Com. '81

2004 Recipient
Senior Executive Vice-President and CFO, BMO Financial Group

Karen Maidment has led an impressive career since graduating from DeGroote with an undergraduate commerce degree in 1981. Karen worked her way up the ranks in Canada's financial sector providing a leadership role in the demutualization of Clarica Life Insurance as the Chief Financial Officer. In 2000, Karen was appointed Executve Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer at BMO Financial Group, making her one of highest ranking women in Canadian Banking. In addtion to her professional accomplishments, Karen serves on the DeGroote Business Advisory Council and in 2002 was inducted into the McMaster Alumni Gallery.

Mossadiq Umedaly, B.Com. '74, MBA '77

2003 Recipient
Executive Chairman, Xantrex Technology Inc.

Mossadiq Umedaly is Executive Chairman and CEO of Xantrex Technology Inc. Since joining Xantrex in 1999, Mossadiq has repositioned and transformed the company from a small niche player to a world leader in advanced power electronics. His focused business strategy, targeted at high growth markets, has helped Xantrex grow its revenues from US$15 million in 1998 to more than US$110 million in 2001. Xantrex is headquartered in Burnaby, B.C. and produces sophisticated devices to convert power from DC to AC and vice-versa.

Edward A. Minich, MBA '74

2002 Recipient
President & CEO, Otis Canada

Ed received his Honours B.Sc. in Psychology from McMaster in 1972 and continued on at McMaster to obtain his MBA. Over the past ten years, he has served as a member of the McMaster Alumni Association Board of Directors, and he has been a highly involved member of the DeGroote Business Advisory Council. After serving as a member and Vice-Chair of the University's Board Governors, Ed now sits as the Chair of the McMaster University Board of Governors - the University's highest governing body.

Rob Burgess, B.Com. '79

2001 Recipient
Chairman and CEO, Macromedia

Rob has been recognized for his business savvy in the high-tech industry. As a new Commerce graduate, Rob began his career selling computers to mining companies in Northern Ontario. Two decades later, Rob is Chief Executive Officer at Macromedia, Inc. The company is now the world leader in the Web publishing market with dominant brands such as Flash, Dreamweaver and Shockwave.

Wayne C. Fox, MBA '73

Inaugural Recipient, 2000
Vice-Chairman and Chief Risk Officer Treasury, Balance Sheet and Risk Management, CIBC

Wayne Fox is a committed alumnus, responsible for bringing in significant donations to the School. He has been a strong supporter of McMaster and the business school for many years, and regularly connects with students to share the breadth of his business acumen. He has close to 30 years of experience in the banking and brokerage industry and is currently the chair of The Toronto Stock Exchange.