Brian Neill, B.A., L.L.B, Q.C.
CEO
Key skills:  Successfully taking start-up companies public, financing, strategic partnerships

Brian Neill is also Chairman of Canadian Business Television (BTV+) and Ciel Satellite Holdings Inc. Mr. Neill founded and managed a communications company, Star Choice (which was named fastest growing company in Canada by Canadian Business Magazine) from start-up to an acquisition value of $1.6 billion in four years. At Star Choice, he developed significant strategic partnering initiatives with major corporations such as Hughes Electronics Corporation, Motorola Inc., Shaw Communications Inc., and Radio Shack.

Mr. Neill has raised well over $1 billion in various forms of equity and debt financing for several companies over the last seven years.

Cynthia Howroyd, M.Sc., Human Communication Disorders, SLP ( c )
President & Founder
Key Skills:  Leadership, professional expertise in market

Before founding Virtual Expert Clinics, Cynthia Howroyd was President of the Speech and Learning Institute and a speech language pathologist working with children with autism. From this early experience in the field, she draws her inspiration and drive to make VEC the world’s leading developer of online educational therapy supports for special needs children.

In less than two years, she put together a talented management group and a world-class team of developers and advisers. She has raised approximately $4 million in funding for VEC and achieved strategic partnerships with key market influencers.  Ms. Howroyd also contributed to the design of the software.

Karina Schmidt, B.Sc. Biochemical Engineering, M.B.A.
Vice President Operations
Key Skills:  Execution, sales and marketing, managing and launching new products

Karina Schmidt comes to Virtual Expert Clinics via Procter & Gamble and Mathis Instruments. As VP of Operations at VEC, Ms. Schmidt manages internal processes towards execution of the business plan and the achievement of key milestones.

As Director of Product Management at Mathis Instruments she developed key external partnerships and customer relationships in bringing new online technology to the market and provided leadership to a  multi-functional design team with an excellent track record for success. As a Brand Manager at Procter & Gamble Ms. Schmidt managed sales and marketing in the female market (Feminine Care Sales) and was successful in reversing share decline and growing sales volume. She created and trained a multi-functional FemCare sales team in Canada, developed and delivered marketing plans, governed execution of new product launches, and generated savings of $3.5 million through innovative manufacturing processes.

Carl Ash, FCA
Chief Financial Officer
Key Skills:  Corporate finance, business planning, public company reporting, business valuation

Carl Ash brings a superb level of financial acumen to Virtual Expert Clinics. As CFO of the Barrett Corporation, he raised over $30 million in financing over five years and supervised financial group of seven controllers. As CFO of EMR Microwave Corporation Mr. Ash raised over $6 million in equity via private placement, and over $2 million in government assistance.

As a founding partner of Ash, Casey & Thornton, Chartered Accountants, Mr. Ash played a key role in building the firm up to seven offices serving the St. John Valley with thirty-seven staff and six professional partners specializing in strategic planning, business planning, and corporate finance. Mr. Ash’s specialty is public company reporting and security laws.

David Wagner, B.Sc., B.B.A.
Director of the Board
Key skills:  IT operations, sales & marketing, corporate governance

David Wagner is an Executive Associate of  Accelerator where he provides consulting and executive support to Atlantic Canada business clients such as Q1 Labs and Atlantic Hydrogen. He is the former President and Chief Executive Officer of Unisys Canada Inc.

Mr. Wagner has extensive experience in international sales, marketing, and delivery of IT products and services to government and commercial clients. His specialty is in developing customer service strategies and operating approaches for business success.

Linda Bulmer, M.Sc. Telecommunications, B. Sc., P.Eng.
Director of the Board
Key skills:  IT management, strategic business consulting IP development and service launch, executive coaching, and customer relationship management

Linda Bulmer was recently appointed Chair in Technology Management and Entrepreneurship in the University of New Brunswick’s Faculty of Engineering. Ms. Bulmer is a former Vice President of Fujitsu Consulting with extensive experience in change management, strategic consulting service development, portfolio management, emerging technology evaluations and business transformation.

Ms. Bulmer co-authored and internationally launched The Relationship-Based Enterprise, Powering Business Success Through Customer Relationship Management (McGraw Hill, 2001). As a Senior Business Architect at US West Advanced Technologies she co-developed IEEE Computing User Interface standards that became sector guidelines and best practices.