Sterling Jimenez - Candidate

What skills will you contribute to the NCF Board?

I am a goal oriented professional with strong knowledge in valuation, SME financial and economic risk, and a great deal of experience in the international business environment. Also, one of my research subjects is corporate government and value creation through financial risk management.

Briefly, my background includes financial planning, financial management and value analysis experience gained as a finance and operations director at Curacao Trading (The largest creditor and electronics retail store chain in the Caribbean). Much of my board experience came as consulting principal for Sjr Financial Consulting, a company that has allowed me to be, for the last 12 years, a financial planning and risk consultant for the boards of some of the biggest banks, corporations, & international investors in the Caribbean.

Additionally, I have gained a considerable amount of expertise serving as an international financial theory & valuation professor, and financial management researcher. Lately, I am participating as an associate international professor at the international doctoral programs of the Université de Bordeaux, where my responsibilities include teaching corporate finance, risk, investments, financial markets, valuation, as well as financial management research courses in Latin America, Asia and Europe. I conduct financial and economic risk research on SME’s for the Institut de Recherche en Gestion des Organisations (IRGO - Bordeaux, France).

I also bring to the table strong computer proficiencies in Office Suites, ERPs, database applications and statistical software. I Speak English - Advanced (IELTS - 8.0), French - Intermediate (DELF B1 - 84,5) and Spanish (Native Language).

What are the most important functions of the NCF for its members?

Privacy has become one of the main concerns of the citizens of the internet in the recent years. With the uncovering of the Cambridge Analytica - Facebook scandal, people have become more aware of the importance of having a trusted and secure email service protected by Canada's privacy laws. By offering a free, safe, spam free email service, NCF fulfills a crucial function for its members.

Also, according to a 2016 report from the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, compared to other first world countries, the cost of the internet in Canada is very high. Canadian prices place near the top most expensive in the world for most home Internet packages, although on average are a little cheaper than in the United States. In my view, by offering high-speed DSL internet access at not-for-profit prices, NCF is making a significant impact on the life of its members. This not only assures access to the internet for people with lower income but also gives a relief to the disposable income of NCF's members.

Why do you want to be an NCF director?

I believe that in this day and age, access to technology and freedom to connect are primary needs to exercise and enjoy one of the most fundamental human rights, the freedom of speech. By serving on the board of directors of the National Capital FreeNet, I will be contributing to the furtherance of bringing broadly available internet access to the Ottawa region.

Furthermore, I firmly believe in the cooperative service model in which people are not treated as mere customers, but take part in a community of members that serves the common goal of delivering safe, affordable, high-quality connection to the internet.

I consider that the National Capital FreeNet makes a substantial contribution to the Ottawa community and I would love to take part in it.

Sterling Jimenez (ga867)