Description

Join us on Thursday May 28^th for a webinar panel discussion with RBC to learn some of the essentials of “Getting Back to Business”.  Our expert panelists, Gus Kotsiomitis VP of Business Financial Services in London/St. Thomas and Don Ludlow, Regional VP of Business Financial Services in Southwestern Ontario will discuss how they are helping businesses prepare for the new economy.

You will also learn about some of the major advocacy initiatives of the Ontario Chamber Commerce and how the Chamber network has been benefiting the business community during this challenging time.

Please note: Login Credentials will be sent to registrants via email on the week of the 28^th.

Our Expert Panelists

About Gus Kotsiomitis

As the Vice President for Business Financial Services for London and St. Thomas, Gus leads a team of financial services professionals focused on helping small and mid-market companies succeed and grow in the marketplace.  

Born in Toronto, Ontario, Gus joined Royal Bank in 1990 and has held various account management and management positions in small business, corporate and real estate markets including the roles of National Manager, Strategic Segments, National Manager, Small Business, Sales & Market Manager, Not-for-Profit, Professionals/Business Services and Public Sector Markets and National Market Manager, Public Sector Markets.  

A graduate of University of Toronto (BA) and McGill University (MBA – finance/marketing), he has been involved and supported a number of not-for-profit organizations throughout his career. In July, 2007 in Toronto, he was awarded the Newcomer Champion Award by the Province of Ontario for showing leadership in developing and advancing strategies that effectively link London’s newcomers with relevant employment opportunities. Through this work, in March 2012 he was invited by the Province of Ontario to be on the Expert Advisory Panel on Immigration (membership is by invitation of the Minister, Order-in-Council of the Province of Ontario).  His passion for his community has led him to variety of roles with local charities and associations including Chair of the London/Middlesex Immigrant Employment Council (2007-2016), President of the London Chamber of Commerce (2012-2013) and Board Member (2009-2014), Cabinet member of the United Way (2010-2013), and current Board member for the YMCA Western Ontario Board and the Greater London International Airport Authority since 2016. He is also a mentor to many and active in a number of community organizations, such as the YMCA and Children’s Hospital Foundation.
 
He is married, his wife Bessie is a high school teacher and they have three grown children.  Outside of work he enjoys playing sports and travelling with his family.

About Don Ludlow

Don is the Regional Vice President for Business Financial Services in Southwestern Ontario Region at RBC, leading a team of financial services professionals focused on helping small and mid-market companies succeed and grow in the marketplace.

Previous roles at RBC have included National Head of Specialized Sales, Vice President, Commercial Markets, Director of Corporate Strategy and Development and Senior Manager in the Corporate Marketing Department.

Prior to joining RBC in 2001, Don served as an Infantry Officer in the Canadian Army where he led soldiers on a number of domestic and international operations and worked in both staff and training roles.   Don has an MBA from McGill University, an MSC from the London School of Economics & Political Science and a BA from the Royal Military College of Canada (Kingston).

Don also believes in giving back to the community, and currently serves on the Board (and was a co-founder) of the Treble Victor Group (3V) a network of ex-military leaders who work to support one another in their post-service careers, as well as help military leaders transition to new careers.   He’s also on the Board of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce and Northstar Trade Finance Corporation.

Outside of work Don enjoys playing sports with his wife Fiona and son Max, travelling and skiing.