Charles Berndt
Director of Technology
& Network Operations
hiboo networks
Charles is hiboo networks’ Director of Technology and Network Operations, providing technical leadership and oversight over all aspects of the network, including support systems, reliability, and performance. Charles has a passion for technology and is always seeking ways to deliver advanced capabilities and performance for his customers.
Prior to joining hiboo, Charles held successive leadership roles in Hydro Ottawa’s Grid Technology Department where his responsibilities included managing critical grid systems including SCADA, Outage Management, and GIS. He also played a key leadership role in driving the Smart Grid technology roadmap, which deployed an advanced optical telecom network, interconnecting all of Hydro Ottawa’s critical infrastructure in a secure and reliable manner.
Before joining Hydro Ottawa, Charles spent over seven years in Ottawa’s high tech sector including stints in both the Aerospace (Com Dev, now Honeywell), and Semiconductor (Altera, now Intel) industries, where he gained significant experience in advanced and high-reliability technology development. .
Charles is a licensed Professional Engineer in Ontario, and holds a Masters of Applied Science in Electrical Engineering from Carleton University. An Ottawa native, Charles grew up surrounded by nature and enjoys spending time outdoors with his family.
Mark Fernandes
EVP
hiboo networks
Mark is a Hydro Ottawa Executive serving as the Executive Vice President of Hiboo Networks. Mark also serves as the Chief Information & Technology Officer for Hydro Ottawa Holdings where he oversees the Digital Strategy, Information Technology, Grid Automation & Modernization, and Cybersecurity. Prior to joining Hydro Ottawa, Mark has held a number of executive positions in the Software industry helping to build, acquire, manage and operate businesses. He is also on the Board of the Zibi Community Utility(ZCU) that provides district utility services to the Zibi development in Ottawa/Gatineau and is on the IT Joint IT Committee of the University of Ottawa Heart Institute.
Christopher Emery
General Manager
hiboo networks
Christopher is the General Manager responsible for Hiboo Networks, overseeing the building of the Network, Go to Market Strategy and Business Plan. He is passionate about technology and a strong champion for the transformation of the Ottawa-Gatineau region into a leading tech hub, with the key to enabling economic development being ultra-high-speed connectivity.
With over twenty-five years of progressive leadership and management experience within the technology and telecommunications sectors, Christopher has a diverse professional background with experience in strategy, planning, sales management, product line management, and partnership and alliance management.
Areas of particular focus include digital channels to market (customer self-serve) and digital marketing techniques all in the quest of creating a better customer experience in the telecommunications industry.
Christopher holds an Executive MBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business, UWO, and a diploma in Applied Science from Loyalist College.
