Inspiring Leaders
WCG Leadership
WCG's Senior Leadership Team is defined by strong leadership and extensive professional experience. Our leadership works to ensure the longevity of our cooperative and upholds WCG’s legacy.
Our Leadership Team
Meet the dedicated leaders who guide WCG.
Bud Keys
Chief Executive Officer
Bud is the President and CEO of Westman Communications Group. He received a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Simon Fraser University and has worked his way up internally at WCG from the position of Senior Director of Commercial Market Development, where he was responsible for business sales and the formerly WCG-owned radio stations – Q Country and Star FM. Before joining WCG in 2012, Bud held senior sales leader and technology roles as part of a telecommunications career that spans 35 years. Bud is a member of the Business Council of Manitoba, and serves on the boards of the Manitoba Cooperative Association Inc. and the Canadian Communications Systems Alliance (CCSA).
Kim Magalhaes
Chief Financial Officer
Kim is a Certified General Accountant with a Bachelor of Business Administration from Laurentian University. Kim is responsible for the overall financial management of the business, including shareholder services, financial, accounting, tax, and auditing activities. She is also responsible for the strategic evaluation of business ventures and oversees the organization’s ongoing business process improvement and supply chain and property management. Before joining Westman in 2021, Kim held various leadership roles in the Agriculture and Natural Gas trading industries. Most recently, she was the Controller for a Canadian food distribution company.
John Quail
Chief Operating Officer
John is the Chief Operating Officer; prior to that, he was the Chief Customer Officer and joined Westman in 2012 as the Chief Marketing Officer. He is responsible for customer care (technical support, installation & repair), plant infrastructure and design, construction, and project management. Key initiatives he is leading include deploying higher service reliability/Internet speeds to all markets and environmental sustainability. His career began in the oil and gas industry and then shifted to telecommunications, where he held various roles. Quail has degrees from the University of Western Ontario (Economics & MBA). Local community involvement encompasses serving on the Brandon Regional Health Centre Foundation and the Assiniboine College Business Administration Advisory Council.
Derek Radics
Senior Director, Sales and Market Development
Derek is the Senior Director of Sales and Market Development at WCG. He is responsible for residential sales, market expansion development, wholesale, and government relationships. He joined WCG in 2023 as the Director of Market Development and Government Relations. Derek has worked in the telecommunications industry for over a decade, working for fixed wireless providers at the provincial and national levels in senior sales and business development roles. Among his many accomplishments at his time in telecommunications industry, Derek helped secure over $1 Billion in government funding to bring high-speed Internet services to underserved communities across Canada.
Sonia Cole
Senior Director, Human Resources
Sonia is the Senior Director of Human Resources and is responsible for developing and leading our WCG’s human resources strategy. Her responsibilities include evaluations of talent acquisition and management, team learning and performance, diversity and inclusion, and team member experience. Sonia joined WCG in 2013 with an extensive history of professional experience across multiple industries, including manufacturing, sales, marketing, municipal government, and human resources. She has a high pedigree of qualifications, including a Bachelor of Commerce Degree with Honours in HR and Marketing from the Asper School of Business, further certificates from York University and Queen’s, and has achieved a Chartered Professional designation in Human Resources (CPHR).
Trent Hutsal
Senior Director, Network Services
Trent is the Senior Director of Network Services and leads the Network Services and Corporate Information Technology Teams. He is responsible for leading and managing the operations, direction, and evolution of the Westman Communications Group voice, video, data infrastructure and subsequent service delivery. Prior to joining Westman Communications Group in 2024, Trent held technical and leadership roles in the education and finance sectors.
Meet Our Board of Directors
Discover the vision and expertise that drives our company forward.