Meet Our Team

Dan Topatigh is President & CEO of Tbaytel. He previously held the position of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) since 2007. Dan’s primary focus has been on establishing strategic business relationships, development and delivery of Tbaytel’s strategic plan while supporting a strong corporate culture throughout the organization.

Prior to his roles with Tbaytel, Dan was the Pulp and Paper Controller at Bowater’s Thunder Bay mill (now Resolute Forest Products). He was the Controller and Continuous Improvement Manager for Abitibi Consolidated’s Thunder Bay paper mill for 10 years and was a key member of the mill’s management steering committee.

Dan also worked previously for KPMG Thunder Bay as a senior manager overseeing the planning, supervision, execution and review of audit and non-audit engagements. He is a Lakehead University graduate, holding an Honours Bachelor Degree in Commerce, and has a Chartered Public Accountant Designation with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario.

Dan serves on the Board of the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association, the Executive Cabinet of the Our Hearts at Home Campaign for the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation and the Audit Committee for Confederation College. He has previously served on the Board of Governors for Confederation College and Thunder Bay Boys and Girls Club.

Michael Coffey is Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Tbaytel. Prior to this appointment he served as Controller for GRK Fasteners – a division of ITW Canada and an industry leader in both the wholesale and commercial construction sectors. Michael was also controller and Vice President of Administration for DST Group Inc. and worked previously in the automotive and publishing sectors, as Director of Finance for The Chronicle Journal and Controller with Dieco Technologies Inc.

Michael is a graduate of Lakehead University and holds an Honours Bachelor Degree in Commerce and a Bachelor’s Degree in Administration – Marketing. He received his Chartered Accountant Designation from the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants and remains a member in good standing of the Institute of Chartered Accounts of Ontario.

Kathleen Jones is Tbaytel’s Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Communication. She served previously in the role of Director of Marketing and Communications and led a number of major strategic initiatives for the company. Prior to joining Tbaytel, Kathleen worked for Computer Mind and Air Internet, both operating out of Thunder Bay, to aid in business growth and development.

Before relocating to Thunder Bay, she spent a 10-year period working at some of Canada's premiere advertising agencies managing accounts for Chrysler Canada, General Motors, The Real Canadian Superstore and NN Financial. Kathleen graduated from the University of Winnipeg continuing education Computer Science program and has also completed the Lakehead University Leadership Development in Marketing program. Kathleen currently resides in Thunder Bay with her husband David and their two children.

Kory MacLeod is Vice President, Chief Technology and Information Officer for Tbaytel. He previously held the positions of Network Engineer, Manager of Video and IP Engineering and Director of Network Operations with Tbaytel, lending 15 years of combined experience in planning, designing, implementing and operating telecommunication networks, as well as working to improve network performance and ensure high quality deliverables through process optimization.

Kory is a Professional Engineer who is also a Lakehead University graduate, holding a Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical) and Bachelor of Science (Physics) degrees. He currently resides in Thunder Bay with his family where he also coaches youth sports in the community.

Lison McAuley is Vice President, Human Resources. She is an HR professional with extensive experience in all facets of Human Resources; such as, labour relations, employee development, performance building, and compensation and benefits. Lison has been with Tbaytel since 2006, and previously held the position of Director, Human Resources beginning in 2014. Prior to joining Tbaytel, Lison practiced Human Resources in the health care & community services where she balanced many roles and activities including; recruitment & retention, disability management, labour relations, pay equity, as well as safety & wellness.

With her leadership and knowledge, Lison has implemented programs and changes, such as Tbaytel’s Performance Building and Psychologically Safe Workplace programs, to enhance the employee experience while ensuring legal compliance, best practices and employee well-being were always at the forefront. She has proven success with building relationships of trust with all levels of management, union leadership, and employees.

Lison leads a dynamic team that prioritizes safety, recruitment, diversity, inclusion, training, and respect in the workplace. She strives to hire the best and retain the best people for the Tbaytel Team. She believes in supporting employees to reach their optimum in a work environment that allows for professional growth. To support employees to excel and take pride in what they do, so they can give the finest customer care and service.

Jamie Hays is Vice President, Operations and Outside Plant Engineering for Tbaytel and previously held the position Director, Field Operations since 2011. Prior to his Director role with Tbaytel, and following a 20-year career in the Pulp and Paper Industry holding several production management positions, Jamie was the General Superintendent at Abitibi-Bowater, Thorold Division.

With an accomplished background spanning information technology, manufacturing, and telecommunications, Jamie focuses on delivering high quality solutions through operational excellence with an emphasis on productivity and efficiency, sound planning and execution, employee engagement, and continuous improvement through process optimization.

Jamie is a graduate of Lakehead University and holds an Honours Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science and a Master’s Degree in Management. In addition, he holds a Certificate in Human Resources Management from York University.

Tbaytel Municipal Service Board, Director
Governance & Nominating Committee, Chair
Human Resource & Compensation Committee, Member

Doug Shanks is a lifelong resident of Thunder Bay. He has practised law in Thunder Bay since 1978 and with the Thunder Bay firm of Cheadles LLP since 1984. He has more than 40 years of experience, primarily in the fields of corporate and commercial law.

Doug was on the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre Board of Directors, the chair of the Quality Committee and on the Executive Committee. He has now retired but while in practice was counsel to national and international corporations, chartered banks and various governmental organizations and agencies.

He received a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Western Ontario in 1976 and subsequent training with the University of Windsor Faculty of Law in alternate dispute resolution.

Tbaytel Municipal Service Board, Director
Strategy Committee, Chair
Human Resource & Compensation Committee, Member

Carol Darling is an accomplished senior executive, director and Professional Engineer (P. Eng.) with over 35 years of experience in management, advisory and board settings.

She currently provides executive advisory and search services as Senior Partner at Searchlight Partners Group, serves on Canada’s National Ballet School Board and is a Regional Ambassador for Women Get on Board. Carol was previously VP of Engineering and Broadcast Systems at Shaw Media and Senior VP of Engineering and Operations at Canwest.

Prior to this she was Executive Director of the North American Broadcasters Association (NABA). She has been appointed to over 20 domestic and international forums and government advisory bodies, membership-based and not-for-profit boards and committees. A graduate of Queen’s University in Civil Engineering (1978), Carol is the recipient of the North American Broadcasters Association (NABA) Board Contribution Commendation (2008) and the Canadian Women in Communications (CWC) Trailblazer of the Year award (1997) for her vision and accomplishments in breaking new ground.

Tbaytel Municipal Service Board, Director
Audit & Finance Committee, Member
Governance & Nominating Committee, Member

Paul is a lifelong resident of Thunder Bay who commenced his accounting career in 1979 with Price Waterhouse. In 1982 Paul became the Managing Partner of the local firm Fitzpatrick & Partners, Chartered Accountants, and held that position until 2010 when the firm merged with MNP LLP. Paul was named Regional Managing Partner of MNP for the newly formed Northern Ontario region. Paul retired from this role in 2021.

Paul’s previous board experience includes being a director with MNP LLP, also with the Thunder Bay International Airport Authority and with Rockland Industrial Flooring, an international corporation. Paul has also been involved in numerous community organizations in leadership positions, particularly with the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation.

Paul graduated from Lakehead University in 1979 with an Honours Bachelor of Commerce degree. He graduated as a Chartered Accountant in 1982 and was named as a Fellow of Ontario Institute of CPA’s in 2011.

Tbaytel Municipal Service Board, Director
Human Resource & Compensation Committee, Chair
Strategy Committee, Member

Paul Healey has led organizations as President / CEO for over 25 years creating over $2 Billion in new revenue as a change / growth agent across many diverse industries for some of Canada’s well-known brands including Bell Canada, BCAA, Mr. Lube Canada, and Radiant Communications. Paul has over 20 years of experience serving on boards of all types - including public, private, NFP, federal, provincial and municipal - currently serves on three Canadian boards and acts as a chair for both human resource and audit & finance committees.

Paul graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Commerce and Economics from the University of Toronto, an MBA from McMaster University’s Degroote School of Business and was selected as a Western University Ivey Business School Quantum Shift Fellow. Paul also holds an ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors.

Tbaytel Municipal Service Board, Director
Governance & Nominating Committee, Member
Strategy Committee, Member

Stephanie Noel is an executive with over 25 years of progressive experience in the financial services industry. Stephanie has held the position of District VP of TD Bank, North Western Ontario Commercial Banking division. Within TD Bank, Stephanie was an executive member of both the Women in Leadership and the Business Banking Indigenous Peoples teams.

Prior to joining TD Bank, she held various senior level positions with RBC Royal Bank where she led development and launched a national credit training program for commercial bankers. Stephanie also held a key role in national commercial credit risk management with oversight of analysis and adjudication of transactions within the First Nations and RBC equipment finance sectors.

She is a graduate of Dalhousie University with an Honors Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science/Commerce and holds a Personal Financial Planning designation from the Institute of Canadian Bankers. Stephanie led the 2018 campaign team for the United Way of Thunder Bay and was a committee member of the Corporate Leaders Campaign.

Tbaytel Municipal Service Board, Chair
Audit & Finance Committee, Member
Governance & Nominating Committee, Member

Scott Potts is the owner of SP Management and Advisory Services, providing consulting services to the health care sector since 2018. He has over 30 years of senior executive experience in health care. Scott was previously the VP of Infrastructure and Planning and CFO for St. Joseph’s Care Group, and had prior roles as Chief Operating Officer for the Thunder Bay Regional Research Institute and Executive VP of Corporate and Diagnostic Services at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.

Scott has served on various boards throughout his career, including the board of the Hospitals of Ontario Pension Plan, Medbuy and the Northern Supply Chain. Scott graduated from Lakehead University with a Bachelor of Commerce Degree, holds a Chartered Professional Accountant Designation and a Health Service Management Certificate from the Canadian Hospital Association.

Tbaytel Municipal Service Board, Vice Chair
Audit & Finance Committee, Member
Human Resource & Compensation Committee, Member

In 1995 David founded EPIC Information Solutions, a Winnipeg based IT infrastructure solution provider. Under David’s leadership as CEO, EPIC succeeded in growing organically and through acquiring four other companies. EPIC has been named a Best Work Place in Canada and a Best Small/Medium Employer in Canada. In 2013, David successfully sold EPIC to Manitoba Telecom Services.

After his exit from EPIC, David started Plan B Gurus which provide business consulting, peer group facilitation, and IT strategy consulting. He is a strong component of board governance and has been an active participant in ICD (Institute of Corporate Directors) programs, achieving his ICD.D designation.

David has been the Board Chair of Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet, has served on a variety of other not-for-profit boards, and also currently sits on the Canada Revenue Agency’s Board of Management. David and his spouse Kathleen live in Winnipeg and summer at Lake of the Woods. Together they have four children, and 2 grandchildren.

Tbaytel Municipal Service Board, Director
Audit & Finance Committee, Chair
Strategy Committee, Member

Greg is a consultant providing operational, strategy and corporate development advisory services to C-suite executives, with an emphasis on digital disruption. His clients range from start-ups to public companies.

Greg brings a wealth of experience from his tenure on corporate sector and not-for-profit boards. He is also a board member for OECM, a strategic sourcing marketplace (Audit Committee) and previously served as Board Member at Destination Ontario (Executive Committee, Marketing Metrics Committee). He served on the advisory board of several start-ups.

Greg was previously Vice President, Content Distribution, Business Development and Digital Strategy at Shaw Media, a leading Canadian media and entertainment company. In this role he oversaw various functions including strategy, corporate development (M&A), digital, affiliate sales and marketing, partnerships and business development.

He earned an Honours B.A., Chartered Accountancy Studies from the University of Waterloo and holds the designations of CPA, CA, CMA and is a graduate of the Directors Education Program of the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD.D).

Tbaytel President & CEO

Dan Topatigh is President & CEO of Tbaytel. He previously held the position of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) since 2007. Dan’s primary focus has been on establishing strategic business relationships, development and delivery of Tbaytel’s strategic plan while supporting a strong corporate culture throughout the organization.

Prior to his roles with Tbaytel, Dan was the Pulp and Paper Controller at Bowater’s Thunder Bay mill (now Resolute Forest Products). He was the Controller and Continuous Improvement Manager for Abitibi Consolidated’s Thunder Bay paper mill for 10 years and was a key member of the mill’s management steering committee.

Dan also worked previously for KPMG Thunder Bay as a senior manager overseeing the planning, supervision, execution and review of audit and non-audit engagements. He is a Lakehead University graduate, holding an Honours Bachelor Degree in Commerce, and has a Chartered Public Accountant Designation with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario.

Dan serves on the Board of the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association, the Executive Cabinet of the Our Hearts at Home Campaign for the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation and the Audit Committee for Confederation College. He has previously served on the Board of Governors for Confederation College and Thunder Bay Boys and Girls Club.