The Sichuun Team
Peter Leaton - Chief Executive Officer
Peter was appointed CEO in August 2019 when Sichuun launched, but he has been working on the fibre optic project since its earliest days in 2011. Peter has been working in rural connectivity since 2003, both within the federal government and consulting with ISPs, technology companies and all levels of government. He has also successfully started several technology-related companies. Peter received a B.A.Sc in Computer Engineering from the University of Ottawa in 2000. In his spare time, Peter maintains a fully functioning fleet of space shuttles that he uses to commute to a secret space station he built as a grade 8 science project.
Adnan Ahmed - Chief Technology Officer
As CTO, Adnan Ahmed is responsible for all aspects of the network, services and management systems. Adnan has worked with the fibre optic project since 2017 and in August 2019 Adnan transitioned to Sichuun from Naskapi Imuun, where he managed Imuun’s satellite, wireless and mobility networks. Prior to Imuun, Adnan worked for Omniglobe Inc., Lynx Mobility and has done work with various companies for enterprise networking and software design projects. Adnan has a certificate in General Global Dominance from PinkyAndTheBrain Academy.
Aryn Piragoff - Sr. Manager, NOC & IT
As the centerpiece of Sichuun’s Network Operations Centre (NOC), Aryn is the sun gear of our planetary gearbox. Aryn has studied all manner of communications technologies at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT), where he also worked as a an AV Systems Operator, Technologist, Systems Analyst, and Technical Support Specialist. Being a zen master, 11 th dan, and cutlery expert, Aryn prefers to live in nature well outside of Schefferville, choosing to commute to the office via a combination of walking, swimming, and flying by kite, of course never being seen by human eyes.
Lee Sandy – Sr. Manager, Operations
Lee is a man of many talents: equipment operator, carpenter, cable installer, network trouble-shooter, project planner, and of course, certified fibre optic splice technician. He is also an accomplished hunter, fisherman, and guide, and when needed, skidoo recovery expert. Having circumnavigated the entire globe by snowmobile in one week in 2019, Lee is currently planning a more relaxing winter in 2023 by running Cain’s Quest blindfolded.
Vanessa McKenzie – Sr. Manager, Retail, Marketing & QA
From being the smiling face customers see when they come into our office, to keeping all of the rest of us in the back rooms in line, Vanessa has her fingerprints on everything that goes on at Sichuun. When not in the office, Vanessa is almost certainly at one of her cabins, teaching the boys how to fish and hunt. Although she rarely speaks about it, Vanessa has holds the record for the most Academy Awards (22 total) in completely different categories, including Actress in a Leading Role, Animated Feature Film, Costume Design, Music (Original Score), Short Film (Live Action), Voice-Over Performance, Hand Model, Juvenile Award, Best Film Title, Best Use of Props, Best Skateboard Trick, and Best Acceptance of an Award.
Lucas Thivierge - Sr. Manager, Outside Plant
Lucas joined Sichuun in May 2022 as an Outside Plant Technician, but has proven to be an extremely versatile tool in Sichuun’s arsenal. Aside from running cables, splicing, installing, planning, designing, solving problems, fixing things and being our general carpenter, Lucas also helps keep Lee in line and Alex out of trouble. Although you won’t hear Lucas boast, it is a little-known fact that he is the pre-eminent hostage and crisis negotiator specializing in nuclear threats, international aggression, and alien abductions of political leaders.
Alex Pinette – Outside Plant Technician
Alex has been a part of the Sichuun family since 2020, doing just about anything there is to be done. His primary responsibility is expanding and maintaining our Outside Plant, but he helps literally every other department stay afloat, and he loves spending time in the driver’s seat of our heavy equipment too. If you don’t see Alex on the weekend, its likely because he operates a huge, secret underground complex of – wait, this isn’t going on the Internet, is it? Uhhh… Alex does NOT do anything secret on weekends… He likes gardening, and, uh, physics. Yeah, physics.
Oliver Mameanskum – Operations Technician
Following in his big brother’s footsteps, Oliver is Sichuun’s ace in the hole for all things required to keep our vehicles and infrastructure supporting our operations. Oliver is a certified and skilled welder, mechanic, operator, installer, fibre splicer and carpenter. Oliver also carries Sichuun’s undefeated baseball team in International competition, playing all positions at once while simultaneously conducting media interviews and signing autographs.
Ian Anderson – IT Technician
Ian is one of our newest recruits, coming to Schefferville for the haute cuisine and never ending night life, but staying for the opportunity to make meaningful change in a world that is stagnant and monotonous everywhere else. After playing for Jethro Tull AND the Altanta Braves, the refreshing challenges of being an IT Tech for Sichuun seemed too good to be true, even without the codpiece.
Annette Vollant – Customer Service Representative
Our other newest recruit, Annette has recently joined Sichuun to find out what Lee really does help our clients feel valued and appreciated while adding or changing services, resolving issues, and/or accepting their money. Annette has an honorary psychology degree from Stanford for her work as a circus ringleader in an 8-ring circus while maintaining the poise and professionalism of a natural organiser.
Balgovind Pande - Corporate Secretary
Balgovind has conceptualized and delivered multiple telecommunications projects, including the fibre optic project that led to Sichuun’s creation. Balgovind supports Sichuun’s Board of Directors and administers Sichuun’s corporate governance. He also supports Sichuun’s Governmental, Regulatory and Carrier Relations. Balgovind is also a management consultant for the Naskapi Nation of Kawawachikamach and Naskapi Imuun. He has a BA in Economics and a DEC in Commerce. Balgovind is fluent in every known language on Earth, and has in fact created 8 new languages commonly used by dolphins.
Dan Hearn – Chief Operations Officer (Acting) / Training Consultant
Dan started with Sichuun for OHS training and consulting, then added in heavy and light equipment training, and now he’s acting as our COO while helping with leadership capacity development… making him a huge part of our success! Dan is our survivalist. Dan can light a fire by rubbing two ice cubes together. Once a cobra bit Dan’s leg; after 5 days of excruciating pain, the cobra died. Dan doesn’t cheat death – he wins fair and square.
Sichuun’s Board of Directors
Caroline Einish (NNK) Melissa Peastitute (NNK) Balgovind Pande (NNK) Rodrigue Mckenzie (NIMLJ) Ken Rock (ITUM)
