Chartwell finance veteran on the move

Veteran finance chief at turnkey provider Chartwell Technology, Don Gleason has resigned from the Calgary-based head office with immediate effect in order to pursue other and unspecified business interests. He will consult for the company during the takeover by his successor, real estate and IT finance manager Dale Kearns.

Kearns was recruited following Gleason's announcement that he was moving on from his position as Vice President, Operations and Chief Financial Officer.

Chief Executive Officer Darold Parken said, "We are particularly pleased that someone of Mr. Kearns' calibre and experience has chosen to join us. Mr. Kearns' skill set and prior public company experience in the technology sector will be a valuable asset to Chartwell in achieving its business objectives and continuing its growth. I would also like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank Mr. Gleason for his numerous and significant contributions during his tenure at Chartwell during which our growth rate exceeded the industry average. He played an integral part at a key stage in the Corporation's development and we wish him the very best in his future endeavours."

Kearns will take over in late August with Gleason aiding in the transition period. For nearly two decades Kearns has been involved with international businesses, assisting in raising equity capital for various projects and spearheading mergers and acquisitions. He is an experienced senior executive with solid public company experience as Chief Financial Officer, and has been involved in holding company and operating company environments.

Kearns is a Certified Management Accountant and a member of the Society of Management Accountants, the Financial Executives Institute and the Calgary Chamber of Commerce. Most recently, he was the Chief Financial Officer of Zi Corporation, a Nasdaq and TSX listed technology company. He has also previously been the Chief Financial Officer of O & Y Properties Corporation, a TSX listed real estate company.