OAKVILLE, ON – Weather company Pelmorex has named former Google Canada exec Sam Sebastian as its new president and CEO as part of a planned transition to an information networks and data solutions business.
As part of this new strategic direction, founder and former CEO Pierre Morrissette will become executive chairman of the newly renamed Pelmorex Corp. effective September 5, 2017, continues Tuesday’s announcement.
Evolving beyond weather and media, the company will create the Pelmorex Weather Networks Division and the Pelmorex Data Solutions Division to “pursue aggressive international expansion plans” in the U.S., Europe, Latin America and other target markets.
Sebastian (pictured) has been with Google since 2006, most recently as VP and managing director of its Canadian operations. Prior to that, he held senior positions at Classified Ventures LLC (1999-2006) and Arthur Andersen LLP (1993 – 1999). He also serves on the Board of Directors of Tennis Canada and Kitchener-Waterloo-based tech startup Bridgit.
“We have been focused on addressing the company’s CEO succession needs as well as attracting top talent to execute the company’s transformative strategy and aggressive international expansion plans”, said Morrissette, in the announcement. “Sam is a perfect fit, both culturally and in terms of experience and expertise. Simply put, he is a tremendous leader and a great people person. Sam is the steward that we have been looking for and we are thrilled to hand over the reins of our family business to him. We have come a long way since 1989 but today marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter and we are only getting started.”
“As an international market leader in the weather information space and in digital media, Pelmorex Corp. is exceptionally well positioned for continued growth in the rapidly evolving big data, analytics and insights market,” added Sebastian. “In addition to its entrepreneurial and innovative corporate culture, Pelmorex Corp. has a great team at all levels, dedicated to going early to market and I am thrilled to be coming aboard. The founder has given me a clear mandate to lead the team to the next level while working closely with the founder, his family and the Board of Directors to ensure that the company’s goals are met for the long haul.”
