News
Top newsmaker #4: Luc Villeneuve, president of Benchmark
It would be an understatement to describe 2018 as a busy year for Luc Villeneuve.
March 7, 2019
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Who We Are
Founded in 2003, Benchmark is a proven Canadian IT solutions provider that delivers leading-edge expertise and custom solutions, with flexible financing, to its long-term commercial and enterprise customers.
We focus on helping our customers cost-efficiently transform their data centre from legacy infrastructure to a secure, innovative solution that optimizes their operations, boosts productivity and supports scalable growth. We also offer other top-quality technology services and leading-edge solutions to help you meet your business needs.
Who We Are
Founded in 2003, Benchmark is a proven Canadian IT solutions provider that delivers leading-edge expertise and custom solutions, with flexible financing, to its long-term commercial and enterprise customers.
We focus on helping our customers cost-efficiently transform their data centre from legacy infrastructure to a secure, innovative solution that optimizes their operations, boosts productivity and supports scalable growth. We also offer other top-quality technology services and leading-edge solutions to help you meet your business needs.
Strong Technical Expertise
We have highly qualified bench strength of Canada-wide candidates, who can address your niche-skill needs or augment your staff. We also offer end-to-end Openstack and Red Hat Openshift expertise, through certified, well-versed experts.
Our expertise includes:
Engagement and Program Managers
Solution Architects
Cloud Engineers
Infrastructure Engineers
Security Engineers
System Developers
System Analysts
Business Analysts
What We Do
We combine our seasoned team’s skillsets with our trusted ecosystem of top-tier partners, such as Dell EMC, Hitachi, Cisco and Google. Together we deliver:
Infrastructure
Services
Support to design, build and manage a secure, modern infrastructure – lowering your total cost of ownership, while helping you achieve business agility.
Cloud
Computing
Help to develop and deliver a successful public, private or hybrid cloud strategy to support converged and hyperconverged infrastructure.
Big Data, IoT
and Analytics
Guides you through these initiatives – from needs-identification to optimized deployment.
Professional
Services
Offers talented open source and other IT consultants with niche skills – to support your business alignment, assessments, architecture, design, implementation and staff augmentation needs.
Infrastructure
Services
Support to design, build and manage a secure, modern infrastructure – lowering your total cost of ownership, while helping you achieve business agility.
Cloud
Computing
Help to develop and deliver a successful public, private or hybrid cloud strategy to support converged and hyperconverged infrastructure. [insert anchor link to connect heading to pertinent section on site]
Big Data, IoT
and Analytics
Guides you through these initiatives – from needs-identification to optimized deployment. [insert anchor link to connect heading to pertinent section on site]
Professional
Services
Offers talented open source and other IT consultants with niche skills – to support your business alignment, assessments, architecture, design, implementation and staff augmentation needs.
Infrastructure
Services
Support to design, build and manage a secure, modern infrastructure – lowering your total cost of ownership, while helping you achieve business agility.
Cloud
Computing
Help to develop and deliver a successful public, private or hybrid cloud strategy to support converged and hyperconverged infrastructure.
Big Data, IoT
and Analytics
Guides you through these initiatives – from needs-identification to optimized deployment.
Professional
Services
Offers talented open source and other IT consultants with niche skills – to support your business alignment, assessments, architecture, design, implementation and staff augmentation needs.
Long-Term Relationships
Since our inception, we have built strong connections with our partners, as well as long-standing relationships with more than 100 customers across many verticals, including: financial services, government, healthcare, manufacturing, retail and telecommunications. Our personal touch and steadfast commitment to providing exceptional service ensures we keep our customers happy for the long-term.
Why Benchmark ?
Do you need to transform your infrastructure to a secure cloud solution to stay competitive and secure critical data? Need to run workloads or develop leading-edge capabilities to meet new business needs? Outsource your IT development and management to Benchmark.
Here's Why :
High ROI
Guaranteed
At Benchmark, the customer comes first. We consistently deliver top-quality service and innovative solutions, customized to our customers’ needs.
This claim is backed by our long-term Fortune 500 and other enterprise customers. Since 2003, they have looked to us for progressive knowledge, innovation and a high ROI.
Flexible Capacity-on-demand Model
We offer capacity-on-demand and other financing models, with flexible terms and conditions to fit our customers’ budgets and offer upfront value to our vendor partners.
Our team offers leading-edge skillsets that support various solutions and needs, such as: capacity-on-demand, agile converged and hyperconverged infrastructure, secure cloud computing, accessible big data, IoT and analytics.
Specifically, we bring well-versed expertise in a variety of operating systems, networks, virtualization, cyber security and mobility solutions.
We have a trusted eco-system of long-term, top-tier vendor partners, such as Dell EMC, Hitachi, Cisco and Google. To ensure the best results, we collaboratively integrate our partners’ innovations into a custom solution to meet your business needs.
Leadership Team
Our team builds exceptional customer relationships and delivers value by solving critical business challenges, with the help of our vendor partner eco-system.
Kam Sabouri
Managing Director
After serving as Benchmark’s Vice President, Enterprise Accounts, since 2013, and establishing Benchmark as an IT solutions leader among Fortune 500 companies to …
Kam Sabouri
Managing Director
After serving as Benchmark’s Vice President, Enterprise Accounts, since 2013, and establishing Benchmark as an IT solutions leader among Fortune 500 companies to some of Canada’s major enterprises, Kam was promoted to CEO in March, 2018.
Kam’s career spans more than two decades in the IT solutions and consulting fields, where he held various leadership roles in technology and sales. Through his innovative vision and unwavering commitment to customer needs, he forged strong partnerships and relationships during his career.
Kam holds a degree in Electrical Engineering from
State University of New York.
When he’s not battling it out for his clients, Kam can be found battling it out on the squash courts.
Kam Sabouri
Managing Director
After serving as Benchmark’s Vice President, Enterprise Accounts, since 2013, and establishing Benchmark as an IT solutions leader among Fortune 500 companies to some of Canada’s major enterprises, Kam was promoted to CEO in March, 2018.
Kam’s career spans more than two decades in the IT solutions and consulting fields, where he held various leadership roles in technology and sales. Through his innovative vision and unwavering commitment to customer needs, he forged strong partnerships and relationships during his career.
Kam holds a degree in Electrical Engineering from
State University of New York.
When he’s not battling it out for his clients, Kam can be found battling it out on the squash courts.
Luc Villeneuve
President
As president of Benchmark Corp, Luc is leading a customer-first sales and delivery team who are helping the most respected brands transform their data centre with innovative cloud solutions …
Luc Villeneuve
President
As president of Benchmark Corp, Luc Villeneuve leads a customer first, value added Canadian retailer offering fully integrated multi-vendor software solutions to the most respected brands in Canada. Benchmark specializes in transforming their client’s infrastructure with innovative multi-cloud solutions and managed services that reduce the costs of acquisition and integration. This unique offering leverages a single cost-effective point of accountability across multi vendors and cannot be matched by any partner in the marketplace today.
With over 25 years of executive sales and management experience, Luc has built a reputation for turning businesses around by creating winning teams and collaborating with the partner ecosystem to solve the critical business challenges blocking success.
Before joining Benchmark, Luc served in executive roles at Red Hat Canada (where his team were honoured as the North America Region of the Year in FY18), McAfee, NCR, Sun Microsystems, Digital Equipment, GE Capital and CNC Global. Fully bilingual in both official languages, Luc supports his community by lending his expertise to the national boards of the Information Technology Association of Canada (ITAC) and the C4 Canadian Channel Chiefs Council.
He is passionate about gender diversity and inclusion and regularly shares his insight in the traditional media, discusses issues with his over 5700 connections on LinkedIn and hosts an annual Women + Leadership event for female IT executives.
Luc holds a business administration degree from Ottawa’s Algonquin College (where he was nominated for the college Premier’s Award in business in 2011).
When he’s not working, he’s refining his golf handicap or doting on his granddaughter Adeline, who was born in September 2018.
Luc Villeneuve
President
As president of Benchmark Corp, Luc Villeneuve leads a customer first, value added Canadian retailer offering fully integrated multi-vendor software solutions to the most respected brands in Canada. Benchmark specializes in transforming their client’s infrastructure with innovative multi-cloud solutions and managed services that reduce the costs of acquisition and integration. This unique offering leverages a single cost-effective point of accountability across multi vendors and cannot be matched by any partner in the marketplace today.
With over 25 years of executive sales and management experience, Luc has built a reputation for turning businesses around by creating winning teams and collaborating with the partner ecosystem to solve the critical business challenges blocking success.
Before joining Benchmark, Luc served in executive roles at Red Hat Canada (where his team were honoured as the North America Region of the Year in FY18), McAfee, NCR, Sun Microsystems, Digital Equipment, GE Capital and CNC Global. Fully bilingual in both official languages, Luc supports his community by lending his expertise to the national boards of the Information Technology Association of Canada (ITAC) and the C4 Canadian Channel Chiefs Council.
He is passionate about gender diversity and inclusion and regularly shares his insight in the traditional media, discusses issues with his over 5700 connections on LinkedIn and hosts an annual Women + Leadership event for female IT executives.
Luc holds a business administration degree from Ottawa’s Algonquin College (where he was nominated for the college Premier’s Award in business in 2011).
When he’s not working, he’s refining his golf handicap or doting on his granddaughter Adeline, who was born in September 2018.
Dmitry Sorokin
Chief Architect
With an extensive background in the tech industry, Dmitry [Link to Dmity’s LinkedIn profile, if available] joined Benchmark in 2008, impressing customers and partners alike with his …
Dmitry Sorokin
Chief Architect
With an extensive background in the tech industry, Dmitry joined Benchmark in 2008, impressing customers and partners alike with his vast product and services knowledge and technology abilities.
As the Chief Solutions Architect, he meticulously designs and implements complex enterprise infrastructure solutions for Benchmark’s customers. After 20 years of experience in compute, storage, network, virtualization, cloud and data protection solutions, Dmitry continues to lead positive technological change in his customers’ environments. His program delivery and management experience encompasses many industry verticals, including: financial services, manufacturing, pharmaceutical, software, retails, government and telecommunications.
Dmitry holds a Masters of Business Administration (MBA), with an IT specialty, from State Engineering Academy in Zaporozhye city, Ukraine. He is certified “to the gills” in Engineering and Architecture with leading technology partners, including Google, Dell EMC, HPE, Cisco, Oracle, NetApp, VMWare and Hitachi Vantara.
Dmitry Sorokin
Chief Architect
With an extensive background in the tech industry, Dmitry joined Benchmark in 2008, impressing customers and partners alike with his vast product and services knowledge and technology abilities.
As the Chief Solutions Architect, he meticulously designs and implements complex enterprise infrastructure solutions for Benchmark’s customers. After 20 years of experience in compute, storage, network, virtualization, cloud and data protection solutions, Dmitry continues to lead positive technological change in his customers’ environments. His program delivery and management experience encompasses many industry verticals, including: financial services, manufacturing, pharmaceutical, software, retails, government and telecommunications.
Dmitry holds a Masters of Business Administration (MBA), with an IT specialty, from State Engineering Academy in Zaporozhye city, Ukraine. He is certified “to the gills” in Engineering and Architecture with leading technology partners, including Google, Dell EMC, HPE, Cisco, Oracle, NetApp, VMWare and Hitachi Vantara.
Frederik Martin
Director, Marketing & Business Development
With more than 30 years’ experience in the industry, Frederik joined the Benchmark team in 2013. Serving initially as a Senior Account Executive, he’s been leading the company’s …
Frederik Martin
Director, Marketing & Business Development
With more than 30 years’ experience in the industry, Frederik joined the Benchmark team in 2013.
Serving initially as a Senior Account Executive, he’s been leading the company’s business development strategy as Director of Marketing and Business Development to help forge strong relationship with our partners and ensure that we offer the best to our customers. Frederik has led and implemented successful marketing programs across multiple industries and verticals, employing vast knowledge in the product and services offered by our leading partners, such as Dell EMC, HPE and Hitachi Vantara.
He has global experience in the technology industry, having worked in South East Asia and the Middle East, and has been a Rotarian, serving as President of Rotary Club of Etobicoke.
Frederik holds a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Computer Science, from Polytechnic of North London, UK.
Known as the office “Wikipedia” for his vast knowledge in all areas, he enjoys gourmet cooking in his spare time.
Frederik Martin
Director, Marketing & Business Development
With more than 30 years’ experience in the industry, Frederik joined the Benchmark team in 2013.
Serving initially as a Senior Account Executive, he’s been leading the company’s business development strategy as Director of Marketing and Business Development to help forge strong relationship with our partners and ensure that we offer the best to our customers. Frederik has led and implemented successful marketing programs across multiple industries and verticals, employing vast knowledge in the product and services offered by our leading partners, such as Dell EMC, HPE and Hitachi Vantara.
He has global experience in the technology industry, having worked in South East Asia and the Middle East, and has been a Rotarian, serving as President of Rotary Club of Etobicoke.
Frederik holds a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Computer Science, from Polytechnic of North London, UK.
Known as the office “Wikipedia” for his vast knowledge in all areas, he enjoys gourmet cooking in his spare time.
Suzan Kerekian
Director, Talent Management
Joining the team in 2017, Suzan brings more than 15 years of talent acquisition experience. She has helped Benchmark grow the Staffing Augmentation and Professional Service business to …
Suzan Kerekain
Director, Talent Management
Joining the team in 2017, Suzan brings more than 15 years of talent acquisition experience. She has helped Benchmark grow the Staffing Augmentation and Professional Service business to fulfill our customers’ IT talent needs.
As Director of Talent Management, Suzan harnesses acute knowledge of organizations and business support requirements, as well as technical external markets, to continually attract top IT talent. With her vast background in Human Resources, technology and consulting, she leverages innovative methods and industry-leading practices to run a successful Professional Services practice.
Suzan holds a BA in Political Science from York University and is a member of the Human Resources Professionals Association (HRPA).
She enjoys exploring new restaurants and cultural films in her spare time.
Suzan Kerekain
Director, Talent Management
Joining the team in 2017, Suzan brings more than 15 years of talent acquisition experience. She has helped Benchmark grow the Staffing Augmentation and Professional Service business to fulfill our customers’ IT talent needs.
As Director of Talent Management, Suzan harnesses acute knowledge of organizations and business support requirements, as well as technical external markets, to continually attract top IT talent. With her vast background in Human Resources, technology and consulting, she leverages innovative methods and industry-leading practices to run a successful Professional Services practice.
Suzan holds a BA in Political Science from York University and is a member of the Human Resources Professionals Association (HRPA).
She enjoys exploring new restaurants and cultural films in her spare time.
Careers
Benchmark is a growing Canadian IT Solutions provider in redesigning and optimizing the data centre with the most innovative and cost-effective solutions to meet our customers’ business needs. As a learning organization, we also offer training in newer technologies that have a limited supply of resources and a higher demand, as appropriate.
Diversity and Inclusion
Benchmark is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming workplace, where everyone feels they belong and are comfortable sharing their ideas and talents to help us innovate and thrive. This is good for our business, our clients and our community. As a value-added software reseller, we are aspiring to build a diverse team that mirrors the beautiful mosaic that defines Canada. At Benchmark, we value the contribution of every employee and we embrace their need to be themselves and proudly share their unique perspectives. We encourage applications from all qualified candidates and will accommodate applicants’ needs under the provincial human rights codes throughout all stages of the recruitment and selection process.
Message from our Luc Villeneuve, President Benchmark Corp.
“You can’t delegate diversity to human resources or your direct reports. As a leader, you need to be the champion and rally your team with action and results. You need to embed diversity in your goals; support employees in driving change; establish a process to share great ideas; and celebrate stories of success with your team.”
-Globe and Mail Leadership Lab, 2017.
Openings
If you have a customer-first focus with cloud computing/related service expertise and are looking for a new challenge, watch for opportunities here or contact careers@benchmarkcorp.com and tell us why you’re a good fit for our evolving needs.
Giving Back
As we appreciate the value of our local and global communities, we are committed to giving back. We focus on a future where everyone can reach their potential by supporting charities that meet children’s needs.
Some of the charities we proudly support on an ongoing basis include:
Connected North fosters student engagement and enhanced education outcomes in remote Indigenous communities. It works with local service providers, community and school leadership and teachers to implement reliable, secure collaboration technology. At its heart is a network of connectivity galvanizing tech and corporate industry partners to deliver engaging and innovative content to students and teachers. Connected North provides a new model for learning to engage students and connect them to a range of opportunities and experiences.
Childhood Cancer Canada (CCC) is the country’s leading Foundation dedicated to the fight against childhood cancer. Its goal is to improve the lives of children with cancer and their families through vital support programs and investment in collaborative cancer research. After raising funds for CCC since 2010, various companies across the Information Technology (IT) sector created a foundation – IT4ChildhoodCancer to support this charity on behalf of Canada’s IT industry. We believe that together we can and will make a difference.
PC Children’s Charity has committed $150 million over the next 10 years to tackle childhood hunger by feeding kids good food and teaching kids food knowledge. To meet this goal, it feeds kids through school meal programs, after school programs and summer programs. It also delivers programs to educate kids about cooking and the importance of nutrition so they can make better choices.
CHAMP offers comprehensive services to child amputees and their families, including financial assistance, regional seminars and peer support. It serves children in Canada (under 18) who are born missing a limb or have lost a limb due to an accident or medical causes. Children who are missing multiple limbs may also qualify for enrolment in JUMPSTART, which provides financial assistance towards a computer and assistive computer devices for children with multiple or high-level amputations.
WE Charity is an international charity and educational partner that operates collaborative programs in Canada and internationally. Internationally, it empowers communities to lift themselves out of poverty through its holistic, sustainable international development model, WE Villages. In Canada, the US and the UK, it uses WE Day and WE Schools initiatives to educate and empower young people.
Newsroom
News
Luc Villeneuve leaves Red Hat, takes helm at Benchmark
Luc Villeneuve’s time at Red Hat Canada has come to end. The country leader and general manager
February 8, 2019
News
Luc Villeneuve takes helm at Benchmark Corp
Benchmark Corp., an IT solutions provider known for redesigning and optimizing the data centre, announces
December 8, 2018
News
Benchmark Corp announces new CEO
Benchmark Corp, a leading IT solutions provider, is pleased to announce the appointment of Kam
March 1, 2018