Garry Wall
Co-President
Garry Wall, SparkNet Communications Co-President, has been a successful
radio programmer, promoter and content creator. During his 30 plus
years in radio, Garry has successfully launched and consulted many
dynamic radio formats in the United States. He launched the first FM
Talk station in New York, KLAC in San Francisco, re- launched KBCO in
Denver and started Q106 in San Diego—all respective market leaders.
Garry has also advised top entertainment companies such as Sony, Time
Warner, RCA, MCA and Virgin Records on the trends and opportunities in
the consumer marketplace. He has also worked with and developed
personalities such as Jimmy Kimmel, Kevin & Bean, & Carson
Daly. In 2003, Garry and Pat Bohn decided to form SparkNet
Communications in order to license the JACK-FM brand in America and
worldwide.
Pat Bohn
Co-President
Patrick Bohn has been working in radio broadcasting for 37 years and is
the co-President of SparkNet Communications. Pat’s radio experience
includes President of Bohn & Associates, Canada’s largest radio
consultancy and was the program director of several successful radio
stations. This includes his time at CHED in Edmonton, which was voted
Canada's Radio Station of the Year under his direction. Pat has acted
as a regional representative of the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts
and Sciences, a consultant to the Canadian Association of Broadcasters'
FM Radio Policy Committee and more recently as an advisor to a number
of successful applications for new radio and television licenses. In
2002, Pat consulted Rogers Communications with their successful launch
of JACK-FM in Vancouver, which led to the expansion of JACK-FM
throughout North America.
Jean-Marie Heimrath
Executive Vice President, SparkNetworks
Jean-Marie is Executive Vice President, SparkNetworks, a newly formed content development and syndication division of SparkNet Communications. Heimrath will direct business development for programming and marketing across multiple platforms for radio stations. He is best known in Canadian boardrooms for his leadership as President, General Manager and Executive Producer of Standard Broadcasting’s Sound Source Networks. In his 35+ years in the Canadian online, radio broadcast and music industries, Jean-Marie has used his skills as a strategist, communicator manager and marketer to build Orbyt Media into Canada’s pre-eminent syndicated radio provider, transform Astral Media’s online identity and oversee the national content strategy for Standard Radio. His tenacious curiosity in 21st century communication has allowed him to build on his extensive background in creative marketing, senior management, international sales, promotions and communications to become the leader of one of Canadian Media’s most forward-thinking media companies.
Ken Benson
Executive Vice President, International
Ken Benson spearheads SparkNet's strategic development of the JACK-FM brand for various European, Australasian and African markets. He orchestrates and facilitates the setup, launch and continued integrity of a global JACK-FM. Ken came to us with the knowledge and expertise that comes from over 27 successful years on air, programming and researching. As a program director, Ken led KKRZ Z100 in Portland, Oregon to multiple ratings and revenue records, which included nine consecutive quarters as the number one station in the area. His work did not go unnoticed amongst the radio community, as he was a six-time Billboard nominee for Program Director of the Year while the station enjoyed six Station of the Year nominations. Ken also had an influential run as VP of Music Programming at MTV in New York, where he was a key contributor to the creation and success of the hit video show, Total Request Live.
George Burns
Research Analyst
George Burns began his broadcast career in 1957 while still a student at Tufts University in Boston, Massachusetts. In the early part of his career, he held programming positions in Worcester, Providence, Binghamton, York, Los Angeles and Cincinnati. In 1969, he became Vice President for Programming at Pacific and Southern Broadcasting in Atlanta. He had overall programming responsibility for P & S stations in Atlanta, Cincinnati, Denver, Portland and the greater New York City market. In 1972, he started Burns Media Consultants. For the next 28 years, Burns Media worked with hundreds of stations throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe, Australia and Eastern Asia. During that time, he published several books on programming and research and conducted the popular Burns Media Radio Studies seminars in cities all over the United States. George retired in 2000 but maintains an exclusive working relationship with SparkNet Communications.
Arnie Celsie
Senior Consultant
Arnie Celsie brings more than 38 years of programming and consulting knowledge to SparkNet Communications, including experience as a radio morning announcer and program director. Arnie put Canada's first Oldies station on the air when he signed on Vancouver's CISL in 1980 and began consulting with Bohn & Associates in 1990. Working with clients in both large and small markets, Arnie has helped to develop innovative programming strategies, coach talent and build creative marketing and promotional campaigns. His hands-on experience in a variety of formats makes him second to none as a strategist and tactician.
Hillary Hommy
Director of Operations
Hillary Hommy is SparkNet's director of operations. She was educated at the University of Calgary and previously worked as a consultant for various companies in the sectors of finance and human resources. She is the leader of the operations team and manages the organization’s day-to-day operations and ensures the successful completion of all projects. She strives to make sure the company’s values of trust, innovation, growth, passion and fun are emulated in every project that is completed. In her spare time, Hillary enjoys camping and hiking.
Rick Walter CMA
Controller
With over 29 years of experience in finance, Rick Walter’s analytical nature, extensive experience and expert financial reporting, budgeting and planning skills make him an amazing addition to the team as Controller. As a designated CMA, Rick is responsible for many financial aspects of the business at SparkNet, including day-to-day financial leadership and strategic analysis. Prior to joining us, Rick worked for Telus, where he served in a variety of financial capacities. When he’s not enjoying his time here at the office, Rick enjoys skiing and hiking.
Corbet Rutzer
Consultant
Corbet Rutzer is a Consultant at SparkNet. He is responsible for building relationships between the company and the clients through providing expertise to help clients achieve their objectives and supporting their growth and development. While originally from Calgary, he also spent considerable time in Victoria and Taiwan before settling in Vancouver. He graduated from the University of Calgary with an English degree and had been working as an assistant web editor for a travel website prior to joining us. Corbet's hobbies include mountain biking, basketball, writing, photography and absorbing as much music as possible.
Yvonne Kwok
Marketing Coordinator
Yvonne Kwok is the Marketing Coordinator at SparkNet and is responsible for a variety of creating, editing, marketing and branding tasks in order to enhance the corporate image of SparkNet Communications (JACK FM and SparkNetworks) through all documentation, electronic communication and online marketing. Born and raised in
Vancouver, Yvonne graduated from
Simon Fraser University with a degree in Communications and had been working in the Marketing and Promotions industry prior to joining us. Her hobbies include yoga, snowboarding, going to the movies and dining out.
Andrew Forsyth
Consultant
Andrew Forsyth, a veteran of Rock radio, has performed, programmed and consulted in a variety of formats in both English and French. He has been a broadcast consultant with SparkNet Communications since 1994, during which time he has used his expertise in regulatory affairs, music research and product design to help meet the needs of various clients. Andrew has applied his strategic planning skills to provide solutions to a wide range of companies within the Broadcast Industry. He is a co-founder of TSC (The Shopping Channel) and the Canadian Satellite Users Association. He was also a tenured professor of Communication Arts at Seneca College at York University during the 1990s. Andrew also works closely with BDS Radio Canada, especially in the realms of sales, client liaison and market development. He has headed key research projects for SOCAN, CAB and the CRTC.
Max Dugan
Consultant
Max Dugan offers a wealth of experience in Major Markets for virtually all of the largest broadcast companies. Max was most recently Director of International Research & Programming for Pinnacle Media Worldwide. Prior to that Max was Program Director for CBS Radio at Washington's WJFK & WARW. He also served as Regional Vice President of Programming for Clear Channel in Dallas & Regional Rock Programming Brand Manager for Citadel Communications.
Kajal Kumar
Business Administrator
Kajal Kumar is SparkNet’s Business Administrator. Her responsibilities revolve around a multitude of administrative, accounting, and general office duties. Having graduated high-school early, Kajal enrolled into the British Columbia Institute of Technology at the age of sixteen. With a diploma in Financial Management, Kajal has held positions in both accounting and office administration prior to joining us. Kajal’s personal interests lie in teaching piano, dancing, acting and spending generous time with her family.
WE THE PEOPLE