Leadership Team

Brian Hepburn
Chief Executive Officer

Brian Hepburn has been with Empowered and Empowered’s predecessor Wandel & Goltermann Canada for his entire career.  He has led Empowered as CEO since 2007, and prior to that was Empowered’s Chief Operating Officer.  Brian is active with customers, investing significant time developing and maintaining the long term relationships that have been the cornerstone of Empowered’s business success. Brian was part of the 3 person team that created Empowered Networks through a management buy-out of Wandel & Goltermann Canada in 1998.  During his 12 years at Wandel & Goltermann, Brian held increasingly senior sales positions until he was leading the sales organization. An Ottawa native, Brian is active in the community, supporting several not-for-profit organizations and helping out with minor hockey.

Glen Emo
President and Chairman

Glen Emo co-founded Empowered Networks in 1998, and held the role of CEO up until 2007, when he assumed his current role of President and Chairman of the Board. Glen led the expansion of Empowered’s portfolio to include IT Management Services in addition to the Test and Synchronization lines of business that came with the creation of Empowered through a management buyout of Wandel & Goltermann Canada.  Prior to Empowered Networks, Glen was President of Wandel & Goltermann Canada for 12 years, and before that he was in Sales and Services management at Hewlett Packard. Glen is a graduate in Electrical Technology from Ryerson Polytechnical University in Toronto.

Gary Mollon, CA
Executive Vice-President, Finance and CFO

Gary Mollon has been Empowered Network’s EVP Finance and CFO since 1998 when he was part of the management buy-out of Wandel & Goltermann.  He has steered the company though 12 years of growth, and was instrumental in the introduction of a rigorous quality framework. Gary was also EVP Finance for Wandel and Goltermann Canada for 13 years. Prior to this, Gary was a partner in a public practice specializing in accounting, tax and auditing. Gary earned a Bachelor degree in Math from the University of Waterloo and received his Chartered Accountant designation.

Mervyn Hann
Executive Vice-President, Sales & Business Development

Mervyn Hann has lead Sales for Empowered Networks since 2001. During that time he has provided the leadership to triple the company’s revenues.  Merv was recruited into Empowered from NBTel where he was the Business Unit Owner for Wide Area Network Management, responsible for everything from market research, through service specification, to building and delivering on sales through the channel. Merv’s decade-long career with NBTel also included positions as Regional Manager of Network Operations, Residential Sales/Service Manager, Major Account Manager and Business Analyst.  Mervyn has a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) from Memorial University and is actively involved in community sports in the Ottawa area.

Stephen Galbraith, P.Eng
Executive Vice-President, Engineering and Technical Services

Stephen Galbraith has held the role of Vice President, Engineering and Technical Services since 2001. Stephen joined the Empowered Networks team in 1999 following an extensive 22 year background with a large Canadian Service Provider where he provided leadership in Engineering and Customer Service departments. His expertise includes engineering, operations and developing and integrating network management solutions. Stephen is a graduate of the University of New Brunswick with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering.

Lynda Partner
Vice-President, Marketing

Lynda Partner has been VP Marketing since 2009. Prior to joining Empowered, she was President and Chief Operating Officer of In-Touch Survey Systems, a consumer insight and market research firm. Before In-Touch, Lynda was CEO of Got Corporation, a developer of e-marketing software.  Lynda was also CEO of web management software company Caravelle Inc., and before that vice president of Sales and Marketing for TMI Communications, a mobile satellite division of BCE. In addition to holding a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Ottawa, she is a Certified Internet Marketing and Business Strategist (CIMBS) and a certified expert quantitative market researcher.

Mark Ciprietti
Vice-President, Sales

Mark Ciprietti is Empowered’s Vice President, Sales. A 25-year veteran in the IT industry, Mark came to Empowered from networking solutions leader D-Link Networks where he was Vice President and General Manager, Business Solutions and VP of North American DMR Channels. He oversaw D-Link’s Canadian enterprise, solution provider, DMR and distributor channels and was also responsible for the company’s expansion into key vertical markets. His impressive track record resulted in increased market share for D-Link and paved the way for new business growth. Mark has also held executive positions with Insight Canada, and NexInnovations and he is a sales and marketing graduate of Mohawk College in Hamilton, Ontario.