the FI team

Alan Emery, Brian Hibbits, Paul Cowan, Sean Miller, Tim Emery

Alan Emery, PhD, CEO

Alan has held senior management posts in the scientific and academic community. His expertise, coupled with his entrepreneurial experience and relationship with charitable organizations bring great value to FI.

Alan began his career as a marine scientist working in the tropics on complex ecological systems. He then moved to Canada where he continued to study both the tropics and the north. In 1983 he was appointed President of the Canadian Museum of Nature, one of Canada's national museums in Ottawa, Canada. During his academic and managerial career he completed over 100 scientific, technical, managerial, and popular publications. During his thirteen-year tenure as President at the Museum of Nature, the institution rose to international stature. Integrating the museum’s core functions into a single focus allowed it to become a scientific support for national public policy issues in biodiversity, environmental planning, and traditional knowledge of indigenous or aboriginal peoples.

Alan also worked with many charitable organizations ranging from public health, environment, sustainable development, and the traditional knowledge of indigenous peoples around the world. On leaving the museum Alan founded KIVU Nature Inc., whose mission is to help bring people to a greater understanding and appreciation of the natural world through a variety of practical mechanisms. By working closely with the Internet, he recognized the immense potential of to bring charitable organizations to the public view.

Beyond FI work, Alan continues to pursue his scientific and nature-related interests, sometimes swimming with sharks and alligators to photograph their personal habits.

Sean Miller, Sales Director

Sean has a BA from the University of Western and has spent the last decade developing his sales and marketing skills in the entertainment and e-commerce industry at such companies as Double Click and Excite Canada. Sean also has a keen interest in the world of non-profit and has worked as a Youth Counselor at Youthdale and as a Crisis Volunteer at the Distress Centre.

As National Account Manager representing the Excite Web Portal , Sean was able to merge the two worlds of online advertising and not for profit. He developed a successful pro bono advertising campaign for the Distress Centre, and in turn lead to the creation of Free Impressions.

Sean brings the skills gained from these endeavors along with his unbridled enthusiasm to the Free Impressions team.

Away from FI Sean can be seen snow shoeing through Muskoka or hitting tennis balls at the beach.

Paul Cowan, Marketing Director

Paul brings marketing expertise to the FI team. With analytical problem solving and critical thinking skills, he develops innovative marketing strategies with a creative flair. Paul works with the Charities and Portals to develop communications programs that deliver against business objectives.

Holding a BA from the University of Western Ontario, Paul has been involved with various marketing companies developing multi-discipline communications programs; involving advertising, web, events, sponsorship, public relations and direct mail components for top tier clients like Bell Canada, Rogers Communications, and Discovery Channel. Paul also worked in the Marketing Group with Excite Canada, helping build it's profile in both the trade and consumer communities.

Away from FI, Paul is an avid outdoor enthusiast, doing his best to return to the office with all his bones intact.

Brian Hibbits, IT & Business Development Director

Since the infancy of the web Brian has architected and developed various Internet sites and their networks. His strong technical background is coupled with a proven track record for creating functional solutions for business problems, adds valuable expertise to the Free Impressions Team.

Brian has helped grow a number of high profile Internet development companies and sites over the past 6 years. Honing his analytical skills at Acadia University, while earning a BA in Economics at Acadia University, Brian honed his analytical stills that have helped him succeed in his Business Development roles to date. As a member of the Board of Directors for the YWCA Computer Studies Program, Brian was able to help others develop computer skills and offer them positions within the industry.

Outside of work Brian enjoys being outdoors on the snow or the water, depending if he is closer to the mountains or the ocean.

Tim Emery, Creative Director

A graphic designer, web developer and project manager with over ten years of experience in Web design, Web development and advertising, Tim Emery is the resident guru heading up the FI creative team.

Tim's determination to deliver powerful creative projects, on time and on budget, have won him accolades from clients such as Microsoft, Alliance Atlantis and Ericsson. In his six years of working with online brands and campaigns, Tim has provided the creative direction, managed development and guided the launches of many of Canada's top online brands, including Yahoo.ca, CNET Briefs Canada, Quicken.ca, Elibrary.ca, Advisor.ca and many other Rogers iMedia properties.

When not creating for FI clients, Tim can be found burning up the roads on his Specialized StumpJumper (modified mountain bike) or trying to relax wile listening to his collection of vinyl records.