Team

Our team is comprised of learning strategists, facilitators, consultants, certified coaches, content subject experts, speakers and qualified program designers. With Accelerated Learning as our main focal point, WATMEC professionals work hard to ensure that all of our learners fully grasp and can apply what they learn, without delay, to their work.

The financial benefit of investing in your employees’ education at a fraction of the cost, quickly becomes evident after taking WATMEC’s highly sought after programs. Working with some of the world’s largest publicly traded companies including Honda, 3M and Tim Horton’s in one of the toughest economies gives us the credibility and resources to be your training provider.

 

Dale Wilcox (President and Co-owner)

Dale WilcoxFor over 30 years, Dale has been involved in the education sector. Originally, she worked for the Perth County Board of Education.

In 1980, after working in several diverse fields, she re-entered the education field. Originally hired as general manager of WATMEC, she proceeded to learn the very young field of training and development.

WATMEC was one of the first privately owned T & D companies having grown out of the University of Waterloo Alumni Association in 1974. Under the tutelage of Donald Deverall and Dennis Eaton, Dale became a familiar face in the industry. In 1991, she purchased the shares of Deverall and, in 1996, her husband Russell purchased Eaton’s shares.

Today, the company has expanded from an organization known for its roster of public programs to a full service learning and development organization – including a Centre for Assessments, coaches, consultants (in several key business areas), face-to-face and online learning. WATMEC is the ‘go-to source’ for many medium sized companies who access both their public and customized in-company programs.

This is the third company owned by these entrepreneurs.

At one juncture in her career, Dale was very successfully involved in publishing. She discovered, after four short years, that she did not have ‘ink in her veins’ as most in publishing do, but rather ‘business in her blood’.

“Today, one of my greatest joys is to pick up a business magazine or newspaper and read about the success of companies and individuals that we are working with,” says Dale.

Along with being a successful businesswoman, Dale has served on several volunteer Boards of Directors.

Currently, she is on the board of FaithLife Financial. Previously she has served on the Chamber of Commerce, Lutherwood and several church boards. In 2001-2003 she served as chair of the Ontario Society for Training and Development and, while in that role, took it to the national level. She then served an additional three years as chair of the Canadian Society for Training and Development.

“This is an exciting field to be in. We are constantly working with up and coming individuals and companies that are addressing real business issues and folks who believe in and value their people,” says Dale.

WATMEC helps individuals to have more meaningful lives when they are engaged in their work. This, in turn, creates more successful organizations that drive the economy of this country. Through the taxes paid successful companies, our government can provide the lifestyle we have come to expect in this country and the generosity the rest of the world has come to appreciate from Canada and Canadians.

As an organization we can say: “We are making a difference!”

 

Russ Wilcox (VP of Administration)

Russ WilcoxRussell is the inside man in this operation. He brings his years of management experience from manufacturing where he was the VP of Purchasing of an international conglomerate plus his years as owner of a successful travel agency to the running of the WATMEC operations area. Purchasing, accounting, personnel, the print department and the Centre for Assessments keep Russell busy.

“I truly love it when a plan comes together, so I enjoy the project managing of so many parts of this organization. It seems like each year we have been busy in one way or another; introducing new equipment, new software, new systems, moving into a new location or adding new departments,” says Russell.

“When we talk about constant change with our clients, we truly understand it here at WATMEC.”

Russell represents the business side of this organization, but he also finds time to volunteer and is currently the chair of Church Council at Christ Lutheran Church in Waterloo. Over the years, he has been involved in several groups as diverse as Little Theatre, Masons and Power Squadron.

Besides work, family and golfing he enjoys boating. He spends summer weekends on his Chris Craft Commander docked in Bridgeview Marina at Point Edwards – or making waves as he drives his off-shore racer along the Lake Huron shoreline.

“We know that our company has a reputation for providing effective training. Our facilitators and their abilities in the classroom are part of that success. However, we know the whole experience – from the time we first answer the phone until you send us the final cheque – has to be a consistent, value added success in order for us to maintain our reputation for customer service,” says Russell.

“That takes great people, who enjoy their work, having all the right tools and resources to do it … and that doesn’t happen without a plan.”

 

Carol Scott (In-house Program Coordinator)

As the In-house Program Coordinator, Carol joined WATMEC in September 2001. She works closely with our Learning Strategists and clients to ensure consistency and commitment - and that all details regarding contracts and materials are fulfilled.

 

Caryn Humphreys (Director of Marketing)

As the Director of Marketing, Caryn is in charge of WATMEC’s wide range of print material for our public and corporate courses, as well as our promotional materials.  She is also responsible for our graphic and web design needs.

 

Dan Polischuk (Business Development)

Dan is responsible for communicating and promoting WATMEC as one of the largest Canadian suppliers of training programs.

 

Learning Strategists

 

Issy Nochomovitz

Issy is an entrepreneur and business professional. He has a very successful track record in the corporate world. As the National Sales Manager for Wolverine Canada, he developed training programs for both in-house and client personnel – resulting in healthy sales increases, worker harmony and healthy customer partnerships.

These initiatives were carried forward to his appointment as VP Sales of Puma Canada where he served until 2000.

Issy brings the benefits of this practical experience to his work as a learning strategist for Watmec.

 

Ed Jakub

Ed has more than eight years of experience working with organizations to provide results-driven training, development and assessment solutions. He is focused on uncovering organizations ‘needs and developing training and learning solutions that align to business goals.

His 12 years spent in the technology sector (in the areas of supervision, management, project management, customer service and quality assurance give him a solid understanding of the business challenges that organizations encounter.

 

Bessie Christophilakis

Bessie has over 15 years experience supporting business objectives and performance development goals for global conglomerates in retail finance, credit card call centre operations and Ontario’s energy industry. She has managed international training teams, executed multi-level training programs, needs analysis and learning skills assessments.

Bessie’s proven record for achieving high performance and quality results with adult learning and development, allow her to identify and recommend learning strategies for all levels of business.