A-S-E - Key Persons


Claude Bagley

Job Titles:
  • Advisor
Graduate - University of Toronto. CPA, CA - Ernst & Young ICD.D - Institute of Corporate Directors (Toronto) Past Director - Ceilings and Interior Systems Construction Association and Director/Chair on advisory boards of 3 CCPCs, plus several not-for-profit organizations. As President and CEO of Decoustics Limited, grew company from about 40 staff when purchased to 240 overall (including acquisition of Swiss subsidiary) with sales growing from about $6 million to +$40 million This significant growth required an ongoing focus with the various operating teams to address all the facets of running a successful company. Note - these are the hands-on challenges that every business leader faces, whether there are 2 employees or 2,000. Through ASE - Look to share experience and insights on product/market development, HR/financing/legal issues - and how to help ASE's client companies make money every year. Completed successful (and tax-efficient) sale to public company based in Paris.

Doreen Levitz

Job Titles:
  • Advisor
A graduate of McGill University and post graduate studies in interior design at Ryerson, Doreen joined her two strong interests, arts and business, into a successful Interior Design career, DLI, 1976-1996. In 1996, Doreen opened a high-end resale/retail furniture company, largest in Canada, ‘Of Things Past Inc.'. She remained president and chief administrator until 2013. It was sold to an equity company in 2012. Doreen has been a member of the ‘Women Presidents Organization' [WPO and WPO Next], an organization of women in high yield businesses. Doreen has been nominated for the RBC Canadian Woman Entrepreneur Award, 2008 and named one of the Profit 100 Business Magazine's top female entrepreneurs, 2011. With her extent and scope in business successes, volunteering with ASE has been an excellent opportunity to help others in growing their businesses. Participating with the group of ASE members, who are an exceptional group of entrepreneurs and professionals, has been an especially rewarding retirement experience as well.

Fletch Keating

Job Titles:
  • Advisor
  • Advisor / University of Toronto
University of Toronto Graduate with BASc in Industrial Engineering. Harvard University Executive Marketing course, Canadian Securities Course graduate. Career in Information Technology beginning with IBM in the 1960's and gaining Marketing and Executive Management positions in a variety of Computer Services companies. A stint with AGF Management for 6 years as Vice President of Operations. Founded from scratch a Customer Service Company (Call Centre) in 1990 which was successfully built to a staff topping at 100. The company was sold in 2005 and still operates as a subsidiary of a large US based Call Centre operator.

Hans G. Berger

Job Titles:
  • Advisor
Hans spent 40 years working in the commercial steel building systems and building products industry in Canada, the United States and Europe. He held senior leadership positions including Managing Director and CEO of Butler Europe Limited; President and CEO of Lindab Incorporated and Managing Director and CEO of Astron Buildings S.A. During his tenure at Butler Europe, Hans oversaw the restructuring of the Company, including establishing manufacturing in Hungary. Butler Europe was acquired by Lindab International A.B., a public company traded on the Nasdaq Stockholm Exchange. In 2005 Lindab acquired Astron Buildings S.A., the European market leader in commercial building solutions. Hans led the merger of the two Building Systems Companies. His Board and Advisory experience include Member of the Board of Butler Manufacturing Company (Canada) Limited; Board Member of Norton Edificios Industriales S.A., Bilbao, Spain and Member of Group Management, Lindab International AB, Båstad, Sweden. Hans received his B.A.Sc., in Civil Engineering from the University of Waterloo and is a Registered Professional Engineer in the Province of Ontario.

Hilary Smee

Job Titles:
  • Advisor
Versatile leader with 20+ years of hands-on operating experience delivering results, generating strategy, implementing programs, energizing teams, and making an impact. Multifaceted foundational background in strategy and operations with experience in public and private companies, for-profit and not-for-profit sectors and in emerging and mature businesses. An energetic, agile leader known for creating a differentiated strategic vision, driving operational excellence, tackling complex and ambiguous challenges, gaining stakeholder buy-in and managing ambiguity. Active volunteer in the community with experience at the board and committee level.

Jan Wallace

Job Titles:
  • Advisor
  • Advisor / Employment History
Employment History: Division Manager, IG Wealth Mgt - mentored 22 licensed financial planners Financial Planner (J.M. WALLACE WEALTH MGT) 27 yrs Held following designations; CFP, CLU, CHFC, TEP, CDFA Personal Development: Former Member of WPO (Women's Presidents Organization), a peer to peer advisory board of successful 2nd stage women entrepreneurs Member of WPONext Long time student of Strategic Coach (mentoring program for entrepreneurs) Personally coached by Dan Sullivan, founder Volunteer Organizations: Former President of The Hunger Project (THP) Canada.

Jim Wilson

Job Titles:
  • Advisor
Graduate of U of T Bachelors Honours Economics Diverse business exp…..for 10 years…. President & CEO Can/USA transportation company after having helped build the company from a start-up stage………..initial working experience involved activity in Industrial Relations….collective bargaining……..COO of 2 large multi-office Canadian Law Firms with responsibility for all non-legal services, including Finance, IT., HR. & Office services include Leasing responsibilities. Managing Director of large V.C., leveraged buy-out, company reviewing acquisitions, sales and the means to add value to existing investments.

Mary Ruijs

Job Titles:
  • Advisor
An accomplished corporate and commercial lawyer, Mary has more than 25 years of legal, regulatory and business experience with global medium and large organizations in technology, aerospace and consumer food industries and financial services. She employs a strategic, analytical and tactical approach in helping businesses achieve their short- and long-term goals.

Shishir Lakhani

Job Titles:
  • Advisor
Graduated in UK with Building Economics, and moved to Canada in 1976. After a short stint as a professional in the building Industry, he ventured out and founded a family run manufacturing company. After 27 years of rapid growth and much success, he was able to sell and retire at an early age of 53. The entrepreneurial business life of having worn many hats, gave him solid grounding in many aspects of running and managing a fast growing complex business, but even more important, a deeper understanding of human nature. A lifelong learner, he now flourishes in a phase of ‘giving back'. At ASE, he has been helping businesses find their success. An active volunteer at Heart and Stroke Foundation, and a former Member of the Board A Distinguished Toastmaster (a former Area Governor) and a well-known Public speaker He has numerous Awards including his prided Sovereign Medal from the Governor General of Canada.

Tom Wolff

Job Titles:
  • Advisor
Over a 30+ year career, has held various roles in sales, marketing and general management at General Mills, The Coca-Cola Company, Johnsonville Sausage, Medela AG and Bravado Designs Ltd. Has developed a passion for enabling consumer-driven companies to discover growth opportunities and build the capabilities required to scale to the next level of success. Broad experience leading businesses in consumer-packaged goods, medical devices, and apparel at industry leading companies. Strong working knowledge of retail markets, global supply chains and leading organizations through transition. BA from Emory University and MBA from the University of Wisconsin, moved to Canada in 2014.