8020Info Consulting Team

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The 8020Info Consulting Team

Robert A. Wood
CEO/President, 8020Info Inc.

With more than 20 years of experience in strategic planning, marketing communications, research, and media management, Rob's expertise covers the private, public, and start-up sectors.

Rob's formal education at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario (Commerce '76) concentrated on applied mathematics/statistics, operations research, marketing and computer programming. He followed that with two years working as Executive Assistant to the Minister of Community and Social Services and then two years as an award-winning newspaper editor.

His career background includes his role as Managing Partner of Wood & Wood Communications, a marketing strategy, research and communications consulting firm, which was later purchased (in 1999) by Enterprise Canada Research.

In 1987, Rob's career took him to the Frontenac County Board of Education, as Manager of Administrative Services and Communications, and to the St. Lawrence College School of Business as an instructor specializing in marketing and public relations.

Prior to launching 8020Info Inc., Rob served as General Manager for the CHUM Radio Group where he managed four radio stations in eastern Ontario.

Under Rob's leadership, 8020Info Inc. was nominated in 2000 for the Chamber of Commerce New Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Last year, 8020Info Inc. was also nominated for the Kingston Technology Council's NOVA Award for "a well-managed company poised for exponential growth." Along with his consulting work with many small businesses, Rob led the development team for the "Build Your Own Business" website for local entrepreneurs hosted by the Kingston Economic Development Corporation.

Rob has been active for more than two decades on community boards such as the Kingston Symphony Association, Ontario Federation of Symphony Orchestras, Downtown Kingston Marketing Strategy Committee, and Kingston Tourism Strategy Committee. Currently, Rob is Vice-Chair of the Kingston Technology Council and Chair of the Kingston Cultural Initiative – a multi-year project bringing together business and the arts to promote sustainable economic development.

Harvey Schachter
Content Consultant, 8020Info Inc. Top

Harvey is an editor and writer, specializing in management and business issues. He writes a regular column for The Globe and Mail and contributes to various business magazines, including Canadian Business, Profit and Advisor's Edge. Harvey was the ghostwriter for Getting Clients, Keeping Clients by Dan Richards, the top-selling book at Books for Business in 1999. He edited Memos to the Prime Minister and co-wrote Employee Ownership: The New Source of Competitive Advantage.

A McGill Commerce graduate, Harvey spent more than 20 years in a variety of media management positions.

Donna D. Gillespie
Project Manager, 8020Info Inc. Top

Donna's background is in project management for small businesses. She has experience in human resources, strategic planning, project co-ordination and has advised groups on operational management and communications planning.

Donna graduated from Queen's University, Kingston, with an honours degree in the humanities, and has extensive experience working with cultural groups and non-profit organizations.