When Jas Boparai was promoted from director of finance to chief financial officer of Glentel Inc. (TSE:GLN) in 2010, the Burnaby-based company was already the largest independent multi-carrier mobile-phone retailer in Canada, with annual revenues of $400 million.
Today Glentel spans four countries and three continents, has inked contracts with some of the world’s largest retailers and carrier networks and posted revenues last year of $1.36 billion.
The startling growth is the result of focused acquisitions and alliances in Australia, the Philippines and the United States, where Glentel is now the national premium retailer for wireless giant Verizon through two brands, Diamond Wireless and Wireless Zone.
“Jas, as the leader of our financial management and systems, has brought stability, strategic thinking, sound organizational structure and discipline,” said Glentel CEO Tom Skidmore. “He has demonstrated his ability to manage and navigate through the winds of change and challenge.”
Boparai is credited with building strong finance and accounting teams in the U.S. and Australia to ensure Glentel met demanding global requirements for regulatory filings and compliance, while stickhandling acquisition financing and keeping a myriad of bankers and stakeholders informed, noted Norm Yurik of Deloitte LLP, who has worked with Boparai for the past four years.
Boparai still finds time to remain active in Glentel’s many community outreach initiatives, including Vancouver’s Union Gospel Mission, the Salvation Army and the Canadian Diabetes Association.
CFO of the Year Award judge Sameer Jamal, a director with CIBC Commercial Banking, said Boparai, 39, was the unanimous choice for this year’s “emerging leader” award.
“Jas was instrumental in the growth of Glentel. The company has tripled in revenue under his stewardship,” Jamal said.
