Executive Team Biographies
Kevin Dee,
Kevin Dee is a founder and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Eagle. As CEO, Mr. Dee has final responsibility for all aspects of Eagle’s performance. In addition, he is responsible for setting the vision and strategic direction of the company, directing the Senior Management Team and building the company culture. He is also Eagle’s external representative, interfacing with clients, the press, industry associations and charities.
Mr. Dee has gained his extensive knowledge of the industry through technical, sales, management and executive roles, predominantly within the system integrator industry and staffing industry. Mr. Dee has a Higher National Diploma in Computer Studies from the UK and more than 30 years of experience in the technology industry.
Since starting the company in 1996, Mr. Dee has led Eagle’s growth from 10 employees, 3 offices and $10 million in revenues to become a $90 million company, employing more than 70 people, in 10 offices across Canada. In 2006, Mr. Dee was named CEO of the Year by the Ottawa Business Journal and in 2009 was consumers choice Businessman of the Year for Ottawa-Gatineau. Under Mr. Dee’s direction, Eagle has also received numerous honours including being named one of Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies every year since 1999.
Mr Dee was a national Board member for nine years, and past President of the Association of Canadian Search, Employment and Staffing Services (ACSESS), which is the Canadian staffing industry association. He currently serves as Chair of the PR Committee for ACSESS. Mr. Dee also sits on the board of the Canadian National Association of Computer Consulting Businesses (NACCB Canada). He is involved with and supports many charities, including devoting significant time and effort on committees with both the United Way and the Ottawa Leadership Table to End Chronic Homelessness.
Janis Grantham,
President & Chief Operating Officer
Janis Grantham is a Co-Founder, President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Eagle Professional Resources, a professional staffing company with offices across Canada. As one of the key architects of Eagle’s strategic direction, Ms. Grantham is responsible for meeting goals, integrating the strategic plan and overseeing the smooth and efficient operation of the company while ensuring the organization remains true to its core values.
Ms. Grantham studied Computer Science at Carleton University and has an MBA from the Queen’s Executive Program. She has more than twenty years of industry experience starting as a computer programmer and working in various consulting and management roles for large system integrators and software companies.
Ms. Grantham is listed in Canada’s Top 100 Women Business Owners Hall of Fame, is listed on Canada’s Most Powerful Women Top 100 list, was the Consumers Choice Business Woman of the Year for Ottawa-Gatineau in 2005, and was a finalist in the 2002 Ontario Entrepreneur of the Year award.
Jonah Laist,
Chief Financial Officer
Jonah Laist is a co-founder and Eagle’s Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Laist is responsible for all aspects related to Eagle’s finances, legal issues, risk management and is heavily involved in developing Eagle’s strategic direction.
Mr. Laist has over twenty years of experience as a Chartered Accountant, and holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree majoring in Economics and History from the University of Toronto and a Graduate Diploma in Accounting from McGill University. Mr. Laist has worked in the staffing industry for the past sixteen years and has focused in the areas of planning, compliance, taxation, treasury management and risk management.
Mr. Laist is a member of the Toronto Board of Trade and is a fund raising committee member, event organizer and volunteer for the Reena Foundation (a not-for-profit organization providing support for developmentally disabled children, adults and senior citizens). Mr Laist also serves on several committees with ACSESS (Association of Canadian Search, Employment and Staffing Services.)
Bill Hanniman,
Executive Vice President
Bill Hanniman, Executive Vice President has been with Eagle Professional Resources since its inception in 1996. Mr. Hanniman’s role is to provide both strategic and thought leadership to the organization as Eagle evolves to its next level. His initiatives ensure that Eagle remains at the forefront of the staffing industry.
Over the recent years, Mr. Hanniman has successfully held numerous executive roles within Eagle including the responsibility for all strategic aspects of Eagle’s national and international recruiting capability and delivery model, as well as managing Eagle’s Western Canada sales and recruiting operations which includes offices in Victoria, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Regina and Winnipeg. Currently, Mr. Hanniman is at the forefront of Eagle’s Virtual Recruiter, Finance and Accounting, and Permanent Placement divisions where he oversees the services and plans their strategic growth. He also maintains close executive level relationships with Eagle’s largest clients.
Mr. Hanniman has a BComm from the University of Ottawa and more than fifteen years experience in the professional staffing industry. He is a recognized expert in the Canadian staffing industry having presented on the subject of recruiting strategies and delivery models at International conferences. Mr. Hanniman is also an active member of CIPS, ACSESS (the staffing industry association) and the Calgary Council for Advanced Technology.
At the community level, Mr. Hanniman’s contributions have included: frequently delivering presentations to I.T. students at universities and technical institutions; offering his time to schools as a ‘Program Advisor’ in the development of new programs that help to align education programs with current and future organizational needs and expectations; and as a mentor to students and professionals to help them establish their career.
Frances McCart,
Vice President Business Development and National Accounts
Frances McCart is Vice President, Business Development and National Accounts and was one of the original founders of the company in 1996. This role builds on Ms. McCart’s 20 years of sales experience within the Professional Staffing and Consulting Industry. In her current role, Ms. McCart is responsible for leading new Business Development activities, and managing the executive relationships of Eagle’s largest National Accounts. Frances works with the regions in developing strategic sales directions and guiding strategic sales with selected target clients in Canada.
Ms. McCart has a Bachelor of Arts in Honours Psychology from the University of Waterloo’s Co-op Program. She has been working in the IT Sector and IT Staffing Industry since graduating from Waterloo.
Ms. McCart is very active in several charities, most notably the Children’s Aid Foundation. She is active in many CAF fundraising activities, in particular the annual CAF – ScotiaBank Charity Run Event and The Teddy Bear Annual Gala. Ms. McCart is the Chairwomen of the CAF’s 2008 Teddy Bear Gala, a gala which raises over $1 Million annually.
Morley Surcon,
Vice President & General Manager, Western Canada
Morley Surcon is Eagle’s Vice President & General Manager for Western Canada and is responsible for the performance of the Victoria, Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Regina and Winnipeg operations. He provides guidance to the sales and recruiting teams; works with them to deliver on corporate objectives. Mr. Surcon’s focus is on the successful execution of business plans, operational excellence and the managed growth of the region. He maintains strategic relationships with Eagle’s customers and actively participates in customer and industry events. As a member of Eagle’s executive, he actively participates in strategic planning activities, assisting in the development of corporate direction and national programming.
Mr. Surcon holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Saskatchewan. He has more than 20 years of IT and Data Communications sales and management experience. Over the course of his career, he has held a number of progressive positions with national and multinational organizations. His expertise lies in business management, sales management and marketing communications.
Mr. Surcon’s community involvement has a youth and education focus. He is active in his residential community – volunteering with youth sports programs; taking part in community centre events; and supporting local education. He has also been a regular billet family for international student exchanges. Involvement with literacy programs through the public library has been another of his past projects.
Jeremy Mason,
Vice President & General Manager, Central Canada and Quebec
Jeremy Mason, Vice President & General Manager, Central Canada and Quebec, is responsible for the Eagle team’s performance in the GTA and South Western Ontario, as well as at Eagle’s Montreal branch. He guides the activities of his sales and recruiting teams, manages those activities to meet corporate objectives, and provides senior management direction and support to his teams. In addition, he develops and maintains relationships with Eagle’s key clients ensuring that Eagle is providing them with exceptional service. As a member of Eagle’s executive team, he participates in the regular strategic planning activities to guide Eagle’s growth into the future.
Mr. Mason holds an Honours Bachelor Degree from McMaster University. He has 14 years of experience in the professional staffing industry, with an in-depth understanding gained through hands on experience as both a recruiter and an account manager. He has had national account responsibility for one of Eagle’s largest accounts and progressive management responsibility prior to assuming the General Management position.
Mr. Mason has an interest in the outdoors, enjoys cottaging, golf, almost all sports, and anything that gets him outside. He has a young family and is very involved in their development. He is also involved with Eagle’s charitable endeavours, most notably the United Way, but also with events to raise money for various other charities including the Heart & Stroke Foundation, Breast Cancer, and the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada.
David O’Brien,
Vice President & General Manager, Government Services
David O’Brien, Vice President & General Manager, Government Services, is responsible for managing all of Eagle’s government business at both the Federal and Provincial levels, as well as the performance of Eagle’s Ottawa and Halifax offices. He guides the activities of his sales and recruiting teams, manages those activities to meet corporate objectives and provides senior management direction and support to his teams. In addition, he develops and maintains relationships with Eagle’s key clients ensuring that Eagle is providing them with exceptional service. As a member of Eagle’s Executive Team, he participates in the regular strategic planning activities to guide Eagle’s future growth.
Mr. O’Brien holds an Honours Bachelor Degree of Commerce from Carleton University. Before joining Eagle early in 2003, Mr. O’Brien spent several years in the Advanced Technology Executive Search Industry, prior to which he ran his own enterprise.
Mr. O’Brien has volunteered as both a coach and executive in minor hockey. In addition, he is a community volunteer in a number of local events and charities, some of which have included the Ottawa Carleton Independent Living Centre and the Jasmine Heal the Children Foundation.
