EORN Names New Chief Executive Officer

The Eastern Ontario Regional Network board is pleased to announce that Jason St.Pierre has been named Chief Executive Officer, effective July 11, 2022. St.Pierre takes over from David Fell who departed earlier this year to join Utilities Kingston as President and CEO.

“We are pleased to have Jason take on this vital role with EORN. His experience in the telecommunications sector, management expertise and strong ties to eastern Ontario position him to be an excellent leader – particularly as we continue to manage the rollout of the Cell Gap Project. He will also be a knowledgeable advocate for connectivity across the region,” said EORN Chair J. Murray Jones.

EORN’s Cell Gap Project is improving cellular coverage and capacity across eastern Ontario. The public-private partnership with Rogers Communications is valued at more than $300 million. The project launched in 2021 and will be completed over the next several years.

St.Pierre was selected after a thorough recruitment process. A resident of Ottawa, he brings both knowledge of eastern Ontario and deep telecommunications experience. During more than 20 years in various roles at Bell Canada, he developed a wide range of skills related to management, finance and technology. He brings extensive experience working on public-private partnerships, including broadband expansion projects in northern Ontario, the Province’s Improving Connectivity for Ontario (ICON) projects, and EORN’s Phase 1 broadband project, which was built from 2010-2014.

EORN’s CEO reports to the board of directors, which is comprised of municipal leaders and members of the public with an interest in telecommunications. The CEO provides leadership on strategic planning, management and operational oversight. The role also involves building and maintaining strong relationships with key government and private sector stakeholders.

“Internet and cellular access are essential to local quality of life and economic prosperity. I look forward to working with EORN’s board and staff to help the people of rural eastern Ontario realize their full potential through improved connectivity,” St.Pierre said.

About EORN

EORN strives to fuel economic development and growth by working regionally to improve and leverage broadband access and cell connectivity. EORN is a non-profit organization created by the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (EOWC). Since 2010, it has helped bring hundreds of millions of dollars in federal, provincial and private sector investment to improve connectivity across the rural region.

Currently EORN is working on a $300 million project, funded by public and private sector partners, to improve and expand cellular services across eastern Ontario.

From 2010 to 2014, EORN helped to enhance broadband access for nearly 90 per cent of eastern Ontario through a $175 million public-private partnership. The network was funded by federal, provincial, and municipal governments and private sector service providers. By the end of the project, 423,000 homes and businesses were able to access services of up to 10 Mbps download. It also spurred an additional $100 million of private sector investment in the region beyond initial commitments.

For more information contact:

Lisa Severson, Director of Communications

Eastern Ontario Regional Network

613-213-8520, lseverson@eorn.ca