SAINT JOHN, NB – Jay Thomson, the head of the Canadian Communications Systems Alliance, will retire this fall, according to a release from the industry association representing over 100 independent internet, TV and telephone companies.
Thomson will depart following the association’s annual conference in St. John’s, Newfoundland, which will be held between September 11 and 13. The association has hired an Ottawa firm to search for his replacement, which includes an evaluation of internal and external candidates, the release said.
Thomson joined the association as CEO in 2017 and “over his six years at CCSA, he led a number of successful initiatives to promote the association’s long-term sustainability and continued relevance and value to its members in the face of rapid and on-going changes and disruption in the industry,” the release said.
“His wisdom and leadership will be missed by the industry, the board, the staff and the members, but he has left the association stronger than he found it and we will benefit from his contributions for many years into the future,” added association chair Angela Lawrence.
Before joining the CCSA, Thomson was vice president of broadcasting and regulatory affairs for the Canadian Media Producers Association and president of the Canadian Association of Internet Providers. He also held senior regulatory and policy positions with the Canadian Association of Broadcasters and Telus.
He began his career in the communications industry as a lawyer and policy analyst at the CRTC.
