Technology >> CEO Interviews >> May 23, 2005
JIM SWANSON, Chairman of CON-SPACE Communications Ltd., began his
management career in 1967, obtaining extensive experience in both
management and senior management positions. He has specialized in the
areas of sales, marketing, financial, administration and overall senior
management. In 1990, Mr. Swanson and Terry Ibbetson co-founded CON-SPACE
Communications Ltd. Within CON-SPACE, Mr. Swanson serves as the Chairman
and assumes responsibility for the financial, manufacturing and investor
relations functions of the company. In 1982, he co-founded, with Mr.
Ibbetson, the Magnum Group of companies, which established a worldwide
distribution network for various types of two-way radio accessories.
These included EAR-MIKEs, headsets, vehicular intercom systems and other
auxiliary communication devices designed, developed and manufactured by
Magnum. In 1987, Mr. Swanson and Mr. Ibbetson sold the two main Magnum
companies but continued on as senior management until leaving to form
CON-SPACE. From 1981 to 1983, Mr. Swanson served as President of Santel
West Communications Ltd., a newly formed Canadian organization. He was
responsible for establishing a startup operation including office
selection, staff hiring and training, budgeting, planning and
operations. From 1974 to 1981, Mr. Swanson worked with Motorola Canada
Ltd., a company in the electronic technology business. He served in
various positions, beginning as Controller-Western Canada, moving to
Regional Sales Manager-Vancouver, then Area Sales Manager-Western
Canada, and finally to Vice-President responsible for Western Canada.
From 1967 to 1974, Mr. Swanson worked with Manpower Temporary Services,
serving as Manager of Administration-Vancouver, Office Manager-Edmonton,
and ending as Manager of Operations-Alberta. Mr. Swanson was born in
1944, raised and educated in Vancouver, British Columbia. He obtained a
Bachelor of Commerce degree at the University of British Columbia in
1970 and his Master of Business Administration degree at Simon Fraser
University in 1980. Profile
a picture of things as they are now?
Mr. Swanson: We started in the fall of 1990 with a concept that was
presented to us
