Profile

Mark Potter, Cumberland Oaks Systems Group, provides consulting services specializing in Leadership, Interim Management, Management Consulting, and Project Management for technically advanced organizations.  Mark’s customers have included the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Trafalgar Engineering Limited in Oakville, and most recently VFM Interactive Inc. in Toronto through an introduction from Data Perceptions.

Mark has been working with VFM Interactive Inc. since April 2001 and is currently the company’s CTO.  The company utilizes a proprietary technology platform architected by Mark, to manage, assemble, distribute and track the performance of multimedia content including images, sound, video, and virtual tours.  VFM Interactive is a leading rich content aggregator and distributor for the travel industry hosting rich content for the largest on-line travel sites including Travelocity, Orbitz, TravelWeb, TripAdvisor, and Mobil Travel Guide.  The client base includes most major hotel chains including Crowne Plaza, Delta, Hilton, Holiday Inn, Marriott, Radisson, Sheraton, Westin and Wyndham. 

Mark also held the interim role of Vice President, Operations, overseeing production, delivery, operations, and technology for VFM Interactive Inc. 

Prior to starting Cumberland Oaks Systems Group, Mark was with L.M. Ericsson AB for 7 years.  Ericsson is a leading provider of mobile communications with revenues in excess of $30B and staff of 120,000. 

Mark supported the Strategic Business Development efforts of Ericsson for Mobile Internet and Wireless Technologies.  Mark worked with Wireless Operators and Large Enterprises to develop Strategic Plans for undertaking the deployment of these emerging technologies.

For 2½ years beginning in 1998, Mark worked internationally spearheading the deployment of global business processes and ERP systems.  In this capacity, he worked with Ericsson senior management teams in over 20 countries to achieve Ericsson’s global mandate of implementing global business processes and systems. 

From 1996 to 1998 Mark served as the Director of Information Technology for Ericsson Canada.   He was responsible for the rapid build-out of the IT organization and the implementation of SAP. 

Mark has enjoyed a diverse career over the past 21 years in the areas of IT, Telecommunications, Management Consulting, and Advanced Technologies.   From 1995 to 1996, Mark was the Information Technology Manager for Equitable Life Insurance.  Prior thereto, Mark was with Digital Equipment Corporation for nine years working in the manufacturing, distribution and telecommunication sectors.  At Digital, Mark held roles in factory automation projects, software support, professional services, and sales support.  Mark also worked with Kodak Canada and Dataplotting Services, a first generation graphics technology company.

Mark lives in the City of Kitchener located in southwest Ontario, Canada.  Mark, his wife Nancy, and his two children Brian (14) and Emily (10), enjoy many family activities including skiing, swimming, cycling, and traveling.  Mark is an excellent cook and loves being around people.

Mark is a versatile professional capable of filling a wide range of management, technical and consulting roles.  He enjoys challenging and difficult positions that include staff management, organization development, and strategy.  Mark is often seen as an evangelist for new ideas, methods and technologies.  He is a highly driven individual, a natural leader, and is committed to results and pragmatic excellence in everything he undertakes. 

Mark regularly speaks at conferences on multimedia assembly, distribution, and the need to fully leverage multi-media investments.  Mark is active in Hotel Electronic Distribution Network Association (HEDNA) and is a co-leader of the Content Management sub-committee as part of the HEDNA IDS Committee. Mark also has well established credentials with the Canadian Federal Government’s Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP), a program which funds research and development in Canada.

If you would like to learn more, you are welcome to contact Mark Potter of Cumberland Oaks Systems Group at Tel:  519-743-0706 or Email: mark.potter@cosg.ca. Alternatively, you may contact Eric Sundin of Data Perceptions at Tel:  519-749-9319 x 1300 or Email: eric.sundin@dataperceptions.com.