TekSavvy tops in Canada

TekSavvy Solutions took home two awards at this year’s Canadian Telecom Summit in Toronto – one that gratified them and the second that surprised them.

For the third year in a row, the firm was named Telecom Employer of Choice in the Corporate Culture & Employer of Choice (CCEOC) competition.

For the first time, company CEO Marc Gaudrault was named Top Telecom CEO.

“The employer of choice means a lot because of the way it’s handled,” he said. “Random employees (excluding management) are interviewed and all non-management employees are allowed to vote.
We’re not privy to any of it. The votes are added and we came out first.”

Gaudrault said he wasn’t aware of the CEO honour until his name was called.

“I was surprised because I didn’t even know my name was submitted for it,” he said.

As one of the largest private employers in Chatham with 450 workers (and another 100 in Gatineau, Quebec) Gaudrault said his firm has a tremendous relationship with the community.

“TekSavvy couldn’t be TekSavvy without the support of the community. “The response we get from the community, the staff, the interaction we have with different groups; it’s all part of what we do. It’s a real testament to everyone in Chatham-Kent.”

He said the company continues its commitment to its more than 250,000 customers and the telecom industry.

“We’ve changed the national landscape,” he said. “That’s benefitted not only our customers but Internet users throughout the country.”

He said the firm’s advocacy of more access and lower prices continue.

“We say we’re different in a good way and we mean it,” he said. “We’re more involved in regulatory issues than ever. We have a whole team that focuses on that. We won a favourable decision last year but the matter took four years to resolve.”

He said without changes brought in by smaller telecom firms, Canadians would have less choice and access to services.

“If we’re not there fighting for what we believe is right, there’s no doubt people would end up getting short-changed. We try to bring some measure of reasonableness to the table.”

Stuart McFadden, deputy director of economic development for Chatham-Kent, called TekSavvy “an incredible corporate citizen, very much involved in the community.”

“What Marc and his team have done to generate local employment and be there for various community groups is absolutely fabulous. We’re very grateful to have them here and look forward to helping them in any way possible for years to come.”