Karen Sheriff named President and CEO of Q9 Networks

Bell Aliant CEO assumes new role with Canada's leading provider of outsourced data centre services in January 2015

TORONTO, Nov. 25, 2014 /CNW/ - The Board of Directors of Q9 Networks today announced that Karen Sheriff will become President and Chief Executive Officer of Q9 on January 5, 2015, based at the company's headquarters in Toronto.

"Karen Sheriff is a top-tier executive renowned for her strategic leadership in technology and service innovation that delivers clear benefits for customers. Karen knows the data business and she knows how to make great companies even better. We're delighted that a leader of such exceptional calibre will be taking Q9 forward," said Bogdan Cenanovic, Chair of Q9 Networks.

"On behalf of everyone at Q9, I offer sincere thanks to our current CEO and founder, Paul Sharpe, who has been integral in establishing Q9 as Canada's outsourced data centre leader," said Mr. Cenanovic. "While Paul has decided to depart the company, we appreciate that he has agreed to remain through early 2015 to ensure a seamless transition."

As President and CEO of Bell Aliant since November 2008, Ms. Sheriff transformed the Halifax-based telecommunications company with $2.8 billion in annual revenues into an innovative, efficient and highly successful competitor ranked with the best telecom operators across North America. She led Bell Aliant in its game-changing broadband fibre network build and the development of data centres across Atlantic Canada.

"The Q9 team has built a spectacular Canadian technology business that is primed for growth. The top brand in Canadian data solutions, Q9 offers an array of unparalleled high-availability data centres and the best network connectivity available," said Ms. Sheriff. "I love this business and am thrilled to be able to lead the Q9 team in delivering high-value solutions that support our clients' evolving mission-critical data requirements."

Recognized as one of Atlantic Canada's Top 50 CEOs by Atlantic Business magazine, Ms. Sheriff has also been named one of Canada's top 25 Women of Influence, Woman of the Year by Canadian Women in Communications and Technology, and one of Canada's Top 100 Most Powerful Women by the Women's Executive Network (WXN).

About Q9 Networks
Q9 Networks Inc. is Canada's leading provider of outsourced data centre infrastructure for organizations with mission-critical IT operations. Q9's national footprint of 14 high-availability data centres spans three provinces, including Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario and serves customers in both the public and private sectors. Q9 is owned by an investor group comprising Canada's largest communication company, BCE Inc., and some of the largest and most experienced North American pension and private equity funds, including: Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan, Providence Equity Partners and Madison Dearborn Partners LLC.

SOURCE: Q9 Networks Inc.

Kevin Spikes, Director of Marketing & Corporate Communications, Q9 Networks Inc., 416-848-3311, Toll Free: 1-888-696-2266, [email protected]