Board Members
John Doma FCPA, FCA | President / Chair
John brings over 20 years of public accounting experience as an Assurance Partner to help clients grow their business. Working with a diverse array of clients, his approach is to get to know the business first-hand by listening and understanding the owner-manager’s business and personal concerns. In collaboration with the client, John prioritizes business goals and assists in developing appropriate recommendations to preserve and grow the family’s business assets. John recently published a chapter on “Tax Strategies for the Owner Manager” and is a member of the Independent Review Committee of Portland Investment Counsel Inc.
“Each family business is unique,” notes John. “It’s my job to understand the needs of the business and family, and provide the owners the individual attention they deserve.” John finds that meeting his clients outside of the boardroom helps him better understand their goals. His approach is to get to know the business first-hand by walking through the facility, meeting the employees and understanding what the business is all about.
“Getting to know the clients personally helps me to develop the most appropriate recommendations to protect the family and the business’s net worth.”
Working closely with his clients, John shares his personal experience in strategic acquisitions and financing to help businesses prosper. John’s expertise also extends to planning for real estate transactions with an emphasis to minimize tax.
Academic Achievements
- Bachelor of Business Administration, Wilfrid Laurier University
Memberships and Professional Designations
- Slovenian Honourary Counsel General for Canada
- Treasurer, European Union Chamber of Commerce in Canada (EUCCAN)
- Co-Founder/Director, Canadian Slovenian Scholarship Foundation
- Founding member, Innovation Night
- Member, Independent Review Committee of AIC Ltd & Copernican Capital Corp.
- Past Executive Director, Golden Horseshoe Venture Forum
- Past Executive Member, Burlington Community Professional Advisor’s Committee
- Member, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario
- Advisor and Coach, Burlington Youth Soccer Club
Contact: jdoma@batemanmackay.com
Bill Kocjancic | Vice-President
Bill Kocjancic graduated from Humber College as an Architectural Design Technologist. Since then he has been involved in the woodworking industry from manufacturing to machinery sales and everything in between. Growing up on the shop floor and moving into the management side has given Bill the perspective needed to see all sides of the challenges involved in operating a manufacturing business.
Bill grew up in the Toronto area and has been involved in the Slovenian Community for as long as he can remember.
He was member of some popular Slovenian bands; Zvoki Slovenija, Petovio & Planinski Kvintet. This experience gave him the opportunity to travel to different Slovenian Associations across North America.
In Toronto he was involved with Slovenian Radio Program for 20 years before taking over as the president of The Slovenian Hunters & Anglers Club.
Bill realizes the importance of maintaining these ties with the Slovenian Community and wants to ensure that these ties are available for generations to come.
Richard Vitrih B.Eng. | Board Director
With an educational background in engineering and management Richard brings 10 years 
of technical and management skills specializing in design, analyses, project management and financial budgeting as well as 15 years of experience in the Canadian food industry. While his current career path has taken him into the Aerospace Industry he also continues to support and be an active participant in the food industry.
Coming from a Slovenian entrepreneurial family in the food industry that has been serving the community for over 35 years has provided Richard with a multifaceted view into the Slovenian small business community.
Richard has been involved in the Slovenian community from a young age, participating in the Mladi Glas Dance Group, Cubs and Scouts, a graduate of Slovenian School and volunteering for the Slovenian Cultural Radio Show. Growing up in a Slovenian family, working closely with Slovenians and participating in the numerous cultural community activities has allowed Richard to stay close to his roots and heritage.
Richard is Canadian born with both Canadian and Slovenian Citizenship and is looking forward to his next visit to Slovenia.
Combining this blend of entrepreneurial and professional experience as well as Slovenian roots, Richard is looking forward to working closely with the business members of the Slovenian Chamber of Commerce and further our membership’s presence both locally and internationally.
Contact: rvitrih@gmail.com
Justin Zigante | Board Director
Born in Slovenia, Justin received most of his mechanical education at Tomos Koper, one of 
Europe’s leading manufacturers of motorbikes and mopeds. After leaving Slovenia at the age of 19 and a year of living in France, he finally made Canada his home. His work as a machinist brought him to different industrial companies including the de Havilland Aircraft Company Limited.
His machining work was followed by 16 years of successful sales practice as a real estate agent before he opened his own company Just Aluminum and Glass (JAG). Justin built JAG into a successful doors and windows manufacturing and installing business. Today JAG employs 50 people and supplies custom windows solutions across Canada and USA. Product diversification added two additional brands to the JAG family: Trillium vinyl doors and windows and Bigfoot Door high-end / high-efficiency European windows systems which produced, among other solutions, the largest sliding door in North America.
Justin has been involved with various Slovenian organizations, such as Slovensko Letovisce, Slovenian Canadian Culture Exchange, and an active member of the CSCC for over 20 years. Justin is a great supporter of a number of Slovenian organizations and initiatives.
Contact: justin@justaluminum.ca
Boris Ulcar | Board Director
With a background in IT and finance, Boris has consulted in almost every business sector 
from banking, insurance, manufacturing to engineering.
His database design skills and information gathering expertise has kept him in demand.
Boris has had the opportunity to consult with startups and kick-start their operations. In the past few years, he has honed his skill in web development and digital marketing. Many businesses have benefited by getting increased exposure in the market place.
When not working, you may see him at the Slovenian events with a camera in his hand.
Contact: ulteksystems@gmail.com
Jason F. Gorel, CFA, CPA, CA, ICD.D, CPA (Illinois) | Board Director
Jason Gorel has more than 20 years of strategic financial experience with exposure to the real estate, telecommunications, manufacturing, entertainment, banking and insurance industries in both the private and public sector.
Jason is Canadian born with both Canadian and Slovenian Citizenship and has contributed to the Slovenian community in many capacities. He serves on the Board of Directors of Moya Financial Credit Union, and is the Chair of the Governance & Human Resources Committee. Jason also holds a membership in Slovenski Dom, has supported Dom Lipa and other Slovenian community associations.
Jason has held senior finance positions in the real estate sector, is currently the (Interim) Chief Financial Officer of Covalon Technologies Ltd., Toronto, Canada, and was previously Senior Director Finance forSmartCentres REIT, and Financial Officer & Treasurer for Toronto Community Housing Corporation, Canada’s largest landlord.
In 2012, Mr. Gorel received a Diamond Jubilee Medal from Her Majesty honouring his community service, and has completed the Director Education Program at the Institute of Corporate Directors through the University of Toronto (Rotman School of Management).
Jason holds Chartered Professional Accountant, Chartered Financial Analyst, is a graduate of the Institute of Corporate Director’s Director Education Program (Rotman), and other financial and professional designations. He is also a member of Financial Executives International, as well as the Royal Canadian Military Institute.
Tim Cestnick, FCA, FCPA, CPA(IL) CFP, TEP | Board Director
Tim Cestnick enjoys a reputation as one of Canada’s most respected experts and public speakers in the areas of tax and personal finance. Tim is Co-Founder & CEO of Our Family Office Inc., one of Canada’s leading wealth advisory firms to affluent families.
Tim consults and speaks in all areas of personal finance. In addition to his CA designation, he is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), Certified Public Accountant (Illinois), a Certified Financial Planner (CFP), and a Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP).
Tim’s national speaking profile is confirmed by his position as a personal finance columnist for the Globe & Mail’s Report on Business, Canada’s national newspaper. He has authored 18 best-selling books, and is a regular contributor and on-air personality on radio and television. He appears regularly on CTV, CBC Newsworld, BNN, and the best-known money programs in the country.
Tim recently explored his Slovenian heritage, including a visit with his wife, children, and father to extended family in Slovenia. His grandfather was born and raised in Slovenia and came to Canada in 1929. He and Tim’s grandmother, who have both now passed away, returned to Slovenia on numerous occasions to live there for several years at a time.
Tim says” It was when I first took my children to Slovenia in 2012, and took my father with us, that we came to really understand my grandfather much better. It was an emotional experience for our family, and the connection to Slovenia and our family there has continued since that time.”
Tim and his wife Carolyn have three children and two dogs. All are hockey fanatics – especially the dogs.
Margaret Rudolf, Ph.D | Treasurer, Secretary
Dr. Margaret M. Rudolf completed a 30-year career in senior management with the federal government of Canada. Her work experience ranges from advising Cabinet Ministers on communications change issues, to managing complex transformational projects in a number of large organizations.
A native of Montreal, Margaret is multilingual and works globally. By combining research with practice, Margaret takes a “prac-academic” approach in her chosen field. Margaret is a true believer in ethical management, having understood through her experience that transformative change cannot happen without organizations seriously considering how to enable, build, and maintain trust in the workplace.
Margaret obtained her PhD in 2009, from Fielding Graduate University. Her dissertation chair and mentor is Dr. Thierry Pauchant, Chair of Ethical Business Management at HEC, (Hautes Etudes Commerciales), Université de Montréal.
Margaret is a skilled communicator and is fluent in English, French, Spanish, Italian and Slovenian. In 2016, she was made Honorary Consul for Slovenia to British Columbia and is passionate about her Slovenian heritage.
Margaret has had a very impressive career and has generously agreed to join the Canadian Slovenian Chamber of Commerce as Director of the Board.
Memberships and Professional Designations
- Honorary Consul for Slovenia to British Columbia
- Professor, Global Organizational Behaviour, Acsenda School of Management
- Book: Trust And Organizational Capacity For Change, Published By Lambert Academic Publishers http://www.amazon.com/Organizational-Capacity-Change-Margaret-Rudolf/dp/3846533556
- GTEC Team Distinction Award, Bronze Medalist 2008, Gold Medalist 2000
- Academy of Management ♦ VANOC (Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games) ♦ OD Network (Organizational Development) ♦ Ottawa OD Network ♦ CP square (Communities of Practice) ♦ CPRS Accreditation Chair (Canadian Public Relations Society) ♦ IABC Job Networking Chair (International Association of Business Communicators) ♦ IKMF Forum (Canada Interdepartmental Knowledge Management Forum) ♦ Vancouver International Song Institute Advisory Board Member ♦ Gleneagles Community Centre, Board Member at Large ♦ Whistler-Blackcomb mountain host and ski instructor ♦ Piano concerts at Silk Purse through Piano Cantabile
Contact: sloveniaconsulbc@gmail.com
