Vancouver—Following a comprehensive nationwide search, E-Comm 9-1-1 – the regional emergency communications centre for southwest British Columbia – today announced the appointment of David Guscott as president and CEO effective November 22, 2010.
Guscott, former executive vice-president of celebrations and partnerships with the Vancouver Olympic and Paralympic Organizing Committee (VANOC), has an extensive career spanning both the public and private sectors including deputy minister roles in the provincial government of Ontario.
“David’s 30-year track record of leadership, innovation and building strategic partnerships is a perfect fit for
E-Comm,” says Jocelyn Kelley, chair of the E-Comm board of directors. “E-Comm’s purpose is to help bring emergency communication systems and operations together for the benefit of public safety. We’re confident David will advance that vision into our second decade of operation.”
As a member of the executive team of VANOC, Guscott was responsible for the relationship between the organizing committee and its municipal, provincial and federal government partners and the highly successful opening, closing and victory ceremonies. He developed new lines of business that resulted in more than $30 million in contributions to the Games from government partners. Government responsibilities have included emergency communications planning, crisis management and deputy minister roles within the ministries of transportation, labour, and the Cabinet Office. Guscott has a Master of Public Administration from Queen’s University and a Bachelor of Environmental Studies, Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Waterloo. Guscott assumes the leadership of E-Comm from Ken Shymanski, who announced his retirement in April after nine years of service.
“Thousands of southwest British Columbians call 9-1-1 every day and they may not know that E-Comm is their first point of contact,” says Guscott. “It’s a credit to those who conceived and developed E-Comm and to the people who have steered its evolution that today it is a North American leader in all aspects of emergency communications. We will continue to grow and enhance E-Comm for the benefit of public safety in our communities.”
As the regional 9-1-1 call centre that manages more than one million calls each year, E-Comm also operates the Wide-Area Radio System for police, fire and ambulance personnel, and provides dispatch service for 24 police and fire departments in Metro Vancouver, the Sunshine Coast, Whistler and Squamish.
“There’s no other organization that is taking such a significant and unique approach to emergency communications,” says Guscott. “Its technology innovations, industry leadership and ability to provide fast and efficient service help to save lives and protect property. I am anxious to increase awareness of the contribution E-Comm makes to public safety.”
“David sees the big picture and has a passion for public service and people,” adds Ms. Kelley. “Combine that with his understanding of technology and large-scale operations and we know he will build on the organization’s considerable accomplishments to ensure our partners and the public continue to receive exceptional emergency communication services.”
Guscott will spend this week at the Association of Public-Safety Communication Officials’ national conference in Vancouver with other E-Comm representatives to meet leaders in the emergency communications industry from across North America.
For a biography and photo visit www.ecomm911.ca. To speak with David Guscott contact:
Jody Robertson
Corporate Communications
604-215-4956 (direct)
604-640-1342 (pager)
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An experienced leader with a proven track record of success, David Guscott brings to E-Comm 30-years of public and private sector leadership. His influential voice has been heard throughout B.C. and across the nation, especially evident in his former position as executive vice-president of celebrations and partnerships with the Vancouver Olympic and Paralympic Organizing Committee (VANOC) where he was responsible for building government partnerships and the highly successful opening, closing and victory ceremonies.
Guscott is recognized for his well-honed ability to forge relationships and facilitate communication. He has held several high-profile positions with the provincial government of Ontario, including deputy minister roles within the ministries of transportation, labour and the Cabinet Office. David has been called “one of the most influential deputy ministers in government” and is known for his deep understanding of proactive, strategic communication and issues management.
His roles with VANOC during the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver solidified his reputation for delivering significant results. He was responsible for developing new lines of business that resulted in more than $30 million in contributions to the Games from government partners.
An urban planner by training, David had considerable involvement with initiatives focused on environmental protection, improved public transit and enhancing people’s understanding of government programs. He cites the important strides made under his leadership to increase mobility for Ontarians, particularly people with disabilities, as one of his most gratifying endeavors.
Born and raised in Toronto, Guscott holds a master of public administration from Queen’s University and a bachelor’s degree in urban and regional planning from the University of Waterloo. He is a member of the Canadian Institute of Planners and the Planning Institute of British Columbia.
David, who resides in North Vancouver, is an avid sailor who is married with two children.