Ken Smithard began working at Cogeco Connexion in 1999. He spent nearly two decades with the Montreal-area cable operator, holding various positions involving the oversight of sales and marketing, organizational performance, strategy, and process improvement before advancing to the role of president and chief executive officer. Ken Smithard developed an effective management team during his time as the leader of Cogeco, allowing him to focus on long-term strategic planning and business improvement goals.
Mr. Smithard has received several industry awards throughout his career, including honors for his accomplishments in marketing, branding, and product development. His businesses have ranked among the top 10 best employers in Quebec on several occasions, and he has received recognition as one of Canada’s most sustainable executive leaders.
Mr. Smithard became a doctoral candidate with the J.J. Strossmayer University of Osijek Faculty of Economics in 2023. He has focused his studies on innovation, with an emphasis on Canada’s gross domestic product growth compared to other G7 countries. He holds a master of business administration from Concordia University and a commerce degree from McGill University.