Communities of Tomorrow
250-10 Research Dr., Innovation Place
Regina, Saskatchewan S4S 7J7
P: 306.522.6699
F: 306.522.6695
info@communitiesoftomorrow.ca
John D. Lee
President, Communities of Tomorrow
John has been President and CEO of Communities of Tomorrow since 2006, a public private partnership advancing municipal infrustructure innovation in Saskatchewan. Under John’s leadership, the countries first municipal innovation network has emerged advancing bold new technology advancements and leading edge best practices in collaboration with industry, municipalities and other stakeholders. A strategic visionary John has advocated that while there are huge infrustructure challenges, there is also a tremendous opportunity to transform local ideas into solutions for the growing multi-trillion dollar world infrastructure market.
John was the General Manager of the Regina 2005 Canada Summer Games from February 2002 to April 2006. This $28 million dollar event was the largest multi-sport event ever held in Regina generating a $3.5 million dollar net profit and a multi-million dollar facility, human and financial legacy that will benefit the City of Regina and the province for years to come. John was Executive Director of the Sport Federation, a division of Sask Sport Inc. for 15 years. He was also a partner with his wife Janet in a successful international retail and clothing manufacturing company based out of Regina for more than 9 years. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree, with Honours, from Laurentian University.
Involved in the community, John recently served as the volunteer Senior Vice President and Chairperson - Regina Host Organizing Committee 2010 World Junior Hockey Championships. He is also on numerous committees and boards, including: Wascana Centre Authority Strategic Planning Committee; Director and Vice-President of Sask Sport Inc., Mayor’s Community Advisory Committee, and Past Chair of the Board - Regina Palliative Care Inc. and the Greystone Bereavement Centre. Previously John was President of Regina Community Basketball Association and served as AVP Festivals for Regina’s first Grey Cup in 1995.
P: 522-6698
Email: jlee@communitiesoftomorrow.ca
Kim Exner
Chief Operating Officer
Kim is responsible for the administration of project agreements and funding, government compliance, human resources and finance. She has over ten years experience with related responsibilities in other non-profit organizations. Prior to joining CT, Kim was the Senior Manager of Administration, Finance and Volunteers with the 2005 Canada Summer Games, the largest multi-sport event ever held in Regina.
Kim has held various volunteer positions in the community as a board member, planning committee member, event volunteer, and coach. She is a graduate from the University of Regina with a Bachelor of Administration Degree.
P: 522-6696
Email: kexner@communitiesoftomorrow.ca
Harlan Ritchie
Municipal Innovation Facilitator
Technical Expertise, Municipal and Industry Engagement, Business Development, Brokering Ideas/Opportunities and Innovation Champion.
Harlan has over 35 years experience in the transportation field in a municipal environment in Saskatchewan. Given his experience, Mr. Ritchie has long-term relationships with consultants, contractors, developers, municipal and other transportation agencies which is an asset to CT clients.
Harlan has always had a keen interest in and been involved with new experimental technologies, asset management systems and promoting environmentally responsible and sustainable infrastructure.
He is a member of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Saskatchewan, the Regina Engineering Society and the Canadian Technical Asphalt Association. He earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Saskatchewan in 1971.
P: 536-9961
Email: hritchie@communitiesoftomorrow.ca
Bland Brown
Technical Support & Business Development Coordinator
Bland is a professional engineer with over 40 years of experience in municipal and electrical utility management. He earned a degree in Civil Engineering with Great Distinction from the University of Saskatchewan and did post graduate studies in engineering structures at the same institution.
Bland spent the first 20 years of his professional career with SaskPower where he worked on a number of power generation projects and was Project Manager for the construction of the first generating unit at the Poplar River Power Plant. He left SaskPower to join the City of Saskatoon as City Engineer, a position he held for 6 years. He then moved to the City of Regina to take up a position in senior administration with general managerial responsibilities for environment and infrastructure operations.
Since retiring in 1999, Bland has served as Interim Executive Director for the Saskatchewan Science Centre, Interim Executive Director for Regina Downtown, Regional Contact for InfraGuide and Industry Liaison Officer for the NRC- Centre for Sustainable Infrastructure Research.
P: 949-9536
Email: bbrown@communitiesoftomorrow.ca
Jill McDougall
Executive Assistant
Jill is responsible for supporting the CT Team in all facets.
Prior to joining CT, Jill was the Volunteers and Administration Coordinator for the 2010 World Junior Hockey Championships. In prior years, Jill worked for the Regina Housing Authority, University of Regina, and Level 10 Fitness in various capacities, and was the Director of Business Operations for many years with the Saskatchewan Roughrider Football Club. Jill is an active volunteer with many organizations in the community.
P: 522-6033
Email: jmcdougall@communitiesoftomorrow.ca
Michael Zaplitny
Industry Engagement, Communications, & Special Projects
Michael is a Regina-based communications consultant, operating Zapko Consulting, which provides broad-based strategic communications and advertising consulting services to a variety of public and private sector clients.
Michael spent 30 years in commercial radio as a journalist, program director, and station manager, before co-founding the Zapwell Communications Group in 2005. He has been working with Communities of Tomorrow since 2008.
P: 522-6691
Email: mzaplitny@communitiesoftomorrow.ca
Kevin Marpole
Business Development Officer
Kevin is responsible for the development and administration of a variety of projects focused on meeting specific municipal infrastructure needs through collaborative partnerships with industry and research facilities. He believes Saskatchewan has a vast potential to be among the world leaders in infrastructure technology development.
Kevin holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Western Ontario with a focus on History and Geography. Prior to joining Communities of Tomorrow, Kevin spent 3 years with the Saskatchewan Environmental Industry and Managers Association (SEIMA) as their Environmental Innovations Manager. He also has a strong business background developed through 15 years of experience in the retail management field, as well as field experience in marketing, sales, project management and customer service. Having lived and worked abroad for several years, Kevin provides a global perspective, not only to his work but also his daily life.
P: (306) 522-6690
Email: kmarpole@communitiesoftomorrow.ca