The Hamilton Spectator published an article on Juch-Tech Inc.’s CEO, Walt Juchniewicz, being chosen as a new member of the Hamilton Police Services Board. Here’s what they had to say:
Councillors have chosen a Hamiltonian with a tough business background as the newest member of the Hamilton Police Services Board.
Walt Juchniewicz, CEO of Juch-Tech Inc., was informed Thursday that he will be appointed to the high-profile position. The city had received 35 resumés from residents interested in taking on the oversight role.
“I thought it would be good to have somebody that’s more business oriented, that has more of a fiscal responsibility,” he said.
Juchniewicz replaces Jim Kay, the former head of Hamilton’s Emergency Services department who resigned in January for undisclosed “personal reasons.” He was appointed by the city in March 2011.
Juchniewicz is joining the board after a tense budget year. The board’s citizen members and Mayor Bob Bratina were under scrutiny for what some in the community viewed as rubber-stamping a budget request from Chief Glenn De Caire instead of asking tough questions.
Juchniewicz says he doesn’t want to speak in-depth about his new role until he is formally sworn in. However, he joked that the interview process was more difficult than he expected.
“It was humbling. I haven’t been interviewed for almost 28 years for a job — so I was actually nervous,” he said with a laugh. “That whole process brought me down to earth.”
The city’s selection committee for appointing board members is comprised of six councillors: chair Brenda Johnson, Chad Collins, Scott Duvall, Sam Merulla, Bernie Morelli and Terry Whitehead.
The board is made up of seven members: three provincial appointees — chair Nancy DiGregorio, Irene Stayshyn, Madeleine Levy — and three members of council — Bratina, Morelli and Whitehead. The remaining spot is chosen by council. Provincial and city appointees receive a $9,000 honorarium. Council members are not compensated.
Juchniewicz’s company, Juch-Tech Inc. is the owner and operator of the Hamilton Teleport, an independent co-operative of satellite dishes that receive and transmit signals via international earth stations. Its clients include business, broadcasters, telecommunication carriers and Internet service providers.
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