Reverse brain drain

Paul Goulet (L) and Bernie Vierich are returning to their hometown of North Bay after long absences to join Ontera. Photos submitted. Photo montage by Phil Novak.
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Two hometown boys are returning to North Bay.

Ontera announced today that former North Bayites Paul Goulet and Bernie Vierich will join the newly formed telecommunications company.

Goulet, a graduate of West Ferris Secondary School and Laurentian University has been hired as Ontera's director, technology and operations and information technology.

He returns to North Bay from Washington, DC, where he was director and chief information officer for Deloitte and Touche Outsourcing.

Vierich, also a West Ferris graduate and an electrical engineering graduate from Carleton University, comes aboard as director, marketing and customer care.

He has 17 years experience in customer service, marketing management and engineering management in the high technology sector.

Prior to joining Ontera, Vierich was vice president of customer service for Fortinet Inc., at its Burnaby, B.C. office.

Vierich has been away from North Bay for almost 30 years and said he was glad for the opportunity to return for more than just a visit.

"There are a lot of people I know from North Bay who have moved away for job opportunities, and they tell me they'd come back if they could find the type of job here that they left to find," Vierich said.

"So when this position came up I jumped at it."