Current Board of Directors

President – Kirk Petroski
President & CEO – Symboticware Inc.

Kirk got his start in the mining industry in 1993 as a field technician for Falconbridge Exploration in Timmins, Ontario. In 1996 he started ERE Services Inc. which provided exploration services and was at the forefront of technology bringing differential GPS surveying to Northern Ontario. In 1999, he moved to Sudbury to complete an MBA and in 2001 began building a network within the Sudbury basin by providing technical and development services for the mining supply and service sector. In 2008, through his network, he began to cultivate an idea of creating an open platform to facilitate the interoperability of diverse systems and the delivery of intelligent software for mining and environmental monitoring and data applications. Today, the idea has moved from R&D to commercialization, which has involved many supporters, collaborations and has put Symboticware on a fast track for expansion and accelerated growth.

Vice President – Tom Palangio
President, WipWare Inc., Topex Inc. & The Bonfield Mining Group Inc.

Tom has had multiple international work experiences and export successes. He began his career with Dupont Canada, Explosives Division which later became ETI. He formed the first of his own businesses in 1995. He was chosen Entrepreneur of the Year in 2003 by Northern Ontario Business and has won various awards for leadership and innovation. He was Chair of Blue Sky Mining Cluster in North Bay, Vice Chair on the board of directors of NORCAT and Vice President of SAMSSA and was recently appointed Chair of the Board of Governors at Canadore College in North Bay. Tom resides in Bonfield with his wife. He has three children and 2 grandchildren.

Treasurer – Mike Mayhew
Director Global Business Services, Mining, – Stantec .

Mike is a Mining Engineer and has been part of many local committees/boards in his career. He won the 40 UNDER 40 award in 2006 for his entrepeneurial spirit. He has worked for many successful domestic and global suppliers and traveled extensively during his 15 years in the mining sector with Toyota Canada, Atlas Copco, MacLean Engineering, Inco and Rock-Tech Sales and Service Ltd. Mike brings 15 years of experience to the SAMSSA Board with his knowledge in Corporate Marketing, Sales & Service, Engineering, and Industry Contacts/Networks at different levels.

Secretary – Andre Ruest
General Manager, B&D Manufacturing

Andre has been with B&D since the company was formed in September 1980 and worked as a licensed machinist until 1988 when he was then promoted to production and field service manager. Since 1997 after the sudden death of B&D President and co-founder. Andre has taken the role of General Manager. As General Manager he has been responsible for developing key strategic alliances with a number of firms across Canada, the United States, UK and South America as well as expanding B&D’s capabilities and services by creating innovative departments within B&D’s organization with the objective of becoming a complete service provider for all resource industries. Andre has also been on the College Boreal Board of Directors.

Director – Dave Rector
Manager of Business Development & Co-operations, Rector Machines

Works in Sault Ste. Marie. Dave is a graduate from the Marketing/Business Administration at George Brown College in Toronto. Upon his return to Sault Ste Marie he attended Sault College and studied Aviation Machining and Welding. Dave has worked through the ranks at his 78 year old family business. For the past 5 years, Dave has been Manager of Business Development and Co-Operations at Rector Machine Works. In the past few years, Rector Machine Works has expanded their customer base and increased sales and staff by 25%. Further expansion is in progress and Dave is excited about the challenge and potential growth.