Our Team
Our management team is the best! Their dedication, passion and long term commitment to supporting our customers is unwavering while their personality, charm and character shine. And behind every manager is a great team and it is this whole group that makes Advanced Business Interiors what it is today.Get to know the people who support you, you’ll like knowing them as much as we love having them a part of our team!
Bill Toutant graduated from the Alqonquin College School of Design in 1980, and gained sound experience in Ottawa within the architectural and graphics industries from 1980 to 1984. Consequently, Haworth Inc. of Holland Michigan approached Bill to become their Ottawa-area Market Manager, a position he accepted and held between the years 1984 to 1990.
During 1991, Bill played an integral role in the establishment and expansion of Advanced Business Interiors, becoming an equal Partner in 1992. Subsequent to this, Bill was appointed President of Advanced Business Interiors where, in conjunction with his presidential duties, he continues to provide input for Federal Government activity and ABI’s growth and vision for the future.
As President, Bill leads the company by example. He is known to be customer driven and strongly focused on fostering lasting and loyal relationships, more often than not, converting clients into friends. He also has a strong belief in nurturing a lasting and motivated workforce to carry the company’s reputation forward for many years to come.
Bill lives in Ottawa with his spouse and children where they enjoy a number of outdoor activities and travel.
David Asselin, as one of the founding Partners of Advanced Business Interiors, clearly understood the role of environmental guardianship and, within a few years of the company’s establishment, launched ABI’s Remanufacturing Division.
During ABI’s infancy, Dave held the position of Vice President, Operations where his experience garnered at Grand and Toy as Warehouse Manager, Sales Representative and General Manager Calgary Branch and in Sales with Office Equipment Inc., admirably prepared him for his current career. Dave was twice voted ‘Salesman of the Year for Canada’ during his tenure with Grand and Toy.
In his present role as Senior Vice President, the Remanufacturing Division, Rental and Storage, and the ABI Kingston Branch fall under his direct leadership. Dave lives by the belief that the customer always comes first and it is one of the first things he instills in employees.
Dave resides with his spouse in Ottawa where they enjoy several activities including music, travel and golf. They have two daughters both of whom are ABI employees.
Joel DiBartolo graduated from the University of Ottawa with a Bachelor of Commerce degree and later earned his designation as a Chartered Accountant. He was a founding partner of an Ottawa Public Accounting firm, and has held positions in corporate finance with Canadian public companies in the food and industrial equipment sectors.
Joel’s association with Advanced Business Interiors dates back to its inception. In his capacity as external accountant, he provided financial, administrative, and operational guidance through several years of explosive growth. Since September 2000, he has served as Vice President, General Manager responsible for Operations, which includes Warehousing, Shipping and Delivery; Corporate Finance and Accounting; Design; as well as the company’s significant ISO 9001 (2000) Quality Program.
Joel resides in Ottawa with his wife and three children where he enjoys the sport of golf.
Peter Little earned his degree from Loyola College and joined Advanced Business Interiors in the spring of 1992 following a successful sales career in Montreal. Peter has since served in several capacities at ABI commencing with that of Senior Sales Representative, followed by Vice President, Sales and, currently, Vice President, Marketing/Business Development. In 1999, Peter distinguished himself as one of Haworth’s leading Canadian Sales Representatives achieving the highest level of sales in a single year.
He attributes much of this success to a firmly-held belief that customer relationships must be consistently nurtured through outstanding service, respect and undivided loyalty.
From 2001 to 2005, Peter served as Vice President, Sales reporting directly to the President/Owner, Bill Toutant. Together, they created a more youthful and technologically perceptive sales team who are instantly responsive to the ever-changing requirements of the office furniture industry.
Peter was appointed Vice President, Marketing/Business Development in April 2005. As an active member of OCRI, OCC, BOMA, CMA, Peter will focus his attention on raising Advanced Business Interiors’ profile within the business community. Concurrently, Peter has initiated the creation of ABI’s new web site, which will provide online NMSO service to the Federal Government as well as an e-commerce segment to secure ABI’s future sales growth.
Peter resides with his spouse in Ottawa where they share common interests in family, golf, reading and travel.
Jude Laurin joined Advanced Business Interiors in 1990 as a bilingual Senior Account Representative bringing with him more than twenty-five years sales experience. From the outset, Jude established productive and committed relationships with a number of key Federal Government departments such as, DND-CSE, CRTC, CTA, CMHC and Canada Council. In 1997, he launched ABI’s sister company, Mobilier de Bureau de l’Outaouais, where he developed and expanded growth in both the public and private sectors.
November 2006 saw the amalgamation of the ABI Group of Companies and, with it, Jude’s return to the main location as Director, Sales. His dedication, reliability and sophisticated knowledge of the office furniture industry engender enthusiastic customer loyalty, which is of the utmost importance to him. Jude has also served on ABI’s Total Quality Management and Employee Social Committees.
Jude resides in Gatineau with his spouse and two children where they enjoy golfing, skiing, hockey and snowboarding.
Mike Allen joined Advanced Business Imaging in 2003 as Vice President, Sales and Managing Partner. With more than twenty-five years experience in sales and marketing, he possesses a proven track record in the document management systems industry and has successfully grown ABI to one of the region's largest automation companies, having installed over one thousand Ricoh office technology systems in many large national accounts as well as major legal and accounting firms. He currently administers a team of ten Ottawa-based employees in the service, sales and administration departments catering to all sizes of businesses in both the Ottawa and Gatineau marketplaces.
Mike categorically believes in local, personal attention to clients and his 'hands-on' approach, in all facets of the sales and service teams' efforts, offers 'Imaging Excellence' to all Advanced Business Imaging clients.
Mike earned his bachelor's degree from Carleton University and resides in Ottawa with his spouse and daughter. He is active in hockey, squash and golf as well as coaching his daughter's soccer and ringette teams year round.
Neil Weedmark received his Architectural Technology Diploma in 1983 from Algonquin College. Upon graduation he was employed by Otto & Bryden Architects until 1985. From 1985 to 1987 he was engaged by Tomas Nater Design Inc. which, in 1987, merged with Office Equipment. During these tenures, Neil gained vast knowledge and industry experience as an Architectural Technologist and Designer.
Later in 1990 he joined Advanced Business Interiors and has steadfastly performed in various roles such as CAD Manager, Project Manager, Customer Service Manager, and Facilities Manager.
Throughout his career with ABI, Neil has chaired and served on numerous Committees and is, currently, the Management Chairperson of the Workplace Health and Safety Committee. He assisted in the creation and establishment of the ABI Business Management System, resulting in ABI achieving ISO certification, an accreditation, which they currently hold and he remains a member of the ISO Committee. Additionally, Neil is the Ministry of Labour and Workplace Safety and Insurance Board Management Representative contact for all issues dealing with workplace health and safety. Furthermore, Neil continues to represent the Operations Group at all Management meetings in conjunction with his current role as Manager, Order Quality, Operations and Facilities.
Neil and his wife reside in North Gower and enjoy numerous outdoor activities. He has a great interest in restoring antique tractors and cars as well as building and flying R/C model airplanes and boats. Neil also drafts and renders small building renovations in his spare time.
Carol Sollows earned her Certified General Accountant designation in 1999 and has worked in the accounting field for over 23 years. Since 1997, Carol has been Manager, Accounting and Administrative Manager for Advanced Business Interiors group of companies. In her belief in the goodness of people, Carol led the ERP Committee that established the Employee Rewards Program, which honours and recognizes outstanding employees. In tandem with these responsibilities, she assisted with the development of an employee profit-sharing program that entitles an employee, who has attained one full year of service within the company’s fiscal year, to benefit from profit sharing based upon his/her evaluation score and contribution to profit.
Carol’s dominating community passion is her volunteer work with charitable organizations, especially women’s charities, where she puts her gift of accounting skills to good use. In 2001, Carol and her husband Wayne, the Minister at McPhail Memorial Baptist Church, travelled to Albania, where she implemented an accounting solution that assists the Baptist Centre in reporting mission activities to the government. Carol is currently active with the Baptist Women of Ontario and Quebec and serves as Vice President of the Ottawa Association. Further to this, she serves on the Board of Directors as Treasurer for iSisters Technology Mentoring Inc., whose purpose is to create technology learning opportunities through non-profit partnerships supporting women-in-need. Additionally, Carol is involved with Cornerstone Ministries, a provider of emergency shelter for women and participates in their Program Planning and Fund Raising Committees. Carol firmly believes that, “If everyone gave back a little, our world would be a better place”.
| Bill Toutant |
David Asselin |
Joel DiBartolo |
| Peter Little |
Jude Laurin |
Mike Allen |
| Neil Weedmark |
Carol Sollows |
Bill Toutant graduated from the Alqonquin College School of Design in 1980, and gained sound experience in Ottawa within the architectural and graphics industries from 1980 to 1984. Consequently, Haworth Inc. of Holland Michigan approached Bill to become their Ottawa-area Market Manager, a position he accepted and held between the years 1984 to 1990. During 1991, Bill played an integral role in the establishment and expansion of Advanced Business Interiors, becoming an equal Partner in 1992. Subsequent to this, Bill was appointed President of Advanced Business Interiors where, in conjunction with his presidential duties, he continues to provide input for Federal Government activity and ABI’s growth and vision for the future.
As President, Bill leads the company by example. He is known to be customer driven and strongly focused on fostering lasting and loyal relationships, more often than not, converting clients into friends. He also has a strong belief in nurturing a lasting and motivated workforce to carry the company’s reputation forward for many years to come.
Bill lives in Ottawa with his spouse and children where they enjoy a number of outdoor activities and travel.
David Asselin, as one of the founding Partners of Advanced Business Interiors, clearly understood the role of environmental guardianship and, within a few years of the company’s establishment, launched ABI’s Remanufacturing Division. During ABI’s infancy, Dave held the position of Vice President, Operations where his experience garnered at Grand and Toy as Warehouse Manager, Sales Representative and General Manager Calgary Branch and in Sales with Office Equipment Inc., admirably prepared him for his current career. Dave was twice voted ‘Salesman of the Year for Canada’ during his tenure with Grand and Toy.
In his present role as Senior Vice President, the Remanufacturing Division, Rental and Storage, and the ABI Kingston Branch fall under his direct leadership. Dave lives by the belief that the customer always comes first and it is one of the first things he instills in employees.
Dave resides with his spouse in Ottawa where they enjoy several activities including music, travel and golf. They have two daughters both of whom are ABI employees.
Joel DiBartolo graduated from the University of Ottawa with a Bachelor of Commerce degree and later earned his designation as a Chartered Accountant. He was a founding partner of an Ottawa Public Accounting firm, and has held positions in corporate finance with Canadian public companies in the food and industrial equipment sectors.Joel’s association with Advanced Business Interiors dates back to its inception. In his capacity as external accountant, he provided financial, administrative, and operational guidance through several years of explosive growth. Since September 2000, he has served as Vice President, General Manager responsible for Operations, which includes Warehousing, Shipping and Delivery; Corporate Finance and Accounting; Design; as well as the company’s significant ISO 9001 (2000) Quality Program.
Joel resides in Ottawa with his wife and three children where he enjoys the sport of golf.
Peter Little earned his degree from Loyola College and joined Advanced Business Interiors in the spring of 1992 following a successful sales career in Montreal. Peter has since served in several capacities at ABI commencing with that of Senior Sales Representative, followed by Vice President, Sales and, currently, Vice President, Marketing/Business Development. In 1999, Peter distinguished himself as one of Haworth’s leading Canadian Sales Representatives achieving the highest level of sales in a single year.He attributes much of this success to a firmly-held belief that customer relationships must be consistently nurtured through outstanding service, respect and undivided loyalty.
From 2001 to 2005, Peter served as Vice President, Sales reporting directly to the President/Owner, Bill Toutant. Together, they created a more youthful and technologically perceptive sales team who are instantly responsive to the ever-changing requirements of the office furniture industry.
Peter was appointed Vice President, Marketing/Business Development in April 2005. As an active member of OCRI, OCC, BOMA, CMA, Peter will focus his attention on raising Advanced Business Interiors’ profile within the business community. Concurrently, Peter has initiated the creation of ABI’s new web site, which will provide online NMSO service to the Federal Government as well as an e-commerce segment to secure ABI’s future sales growth.
Peter resides with his spouse in Ottawa where they share common interests in family, golf, reading and travel.
Jude Laurin joined Advanced Business Interiors in 1990 as a bilingual Senior Account Representative bringing with him more than twenty-five years sales experience. From the outset, Jude established productive and committed relationships with a number of key Federal Government departments such as, DND-CSE, CRTC, CTA, CMHC and Canada Council. In 1997, he launched ABI’s sister company, Mobilier de Bureau de l’Outaouais, where he developed and expanded growth in both the public and private sectors.November 2006 saw the amalgamation of the ABI Group of Companies and, with it, Jude’s return to the main location as Director, Sales. His dedication, reliability and sophisticated knowledge of the office furniture industry engender enthusiastic customer loyalty, which is of the utmost importance to him. Jude has also served on ABI’s Total Quality Management and Employee Social Committees.
Jude resides in Gatineau with his spouse and two children where they enjoy golfing, skiing, hockey and snowboarding.
Mike Allen joined Advanced Business Imaging in 2003 as Vice President, Sales and Managing Partner. With more than twenty-five years experience in sales and marketing, he possesses a proven track record in the document management systems industry and has successfully grown ABI to one of the region's largest automation companies, having installed over one thousand Ricoh office technology systems in many large national accounts as well as major legal and accounting firms. He currently administers a team of ten Ottawa-based employees in the service, sales and administration departments catering to all sizes of businesses in both the Ottawa and Gatineau marketplaces.Mike categorically believes in local, personal attention to clients and his 'hands-on' approach, in all facets of the sales and service teams' efforts, offers 'Imaging Excellence' to all Advanced Business Imaging clients.
Mike earned his bachelor's degree from Carleton University and resides in Ottawa with his spouse and daughter. He is active in hockey, squash and golf as well as coaching his daughter's soccer and ringette teams year round.
Neil Weedmark received his Architectural Technology Diploma in 1983 from Algonquin College. Upon graduation he was employed by Otto & Bryden Architects until 1985. From 1985 to 1987 he was engaged by Tomas Nater Design Inc. which, in 1987, merged with Office Equipment. During these tenures, Neil gained vast knowledge and industry experience as an Architectural Technologist and Designer. Later in 1990 he joined Advanced Business Interiors and has steadfastly performed in various roles such as CAD Manager, Project Manager, Customer Service Manager, and Facilities Manager.
Throughout his career with ABI, Neil has chaired and served on numerous Committees and is, currently, the Management Chairperson of the Workplace Health and Safety Committee. He assisted in the creation and establishment of the ABI Business Management System, resulting in ABI achieving ISO certification, an accreditation, which they currently hold and he remains a member of the ISO Committee. Additionally, Neil is the Ministry of Labour and Workplace Safety and Insurance Board Management Representative contact for all issues dealing with workplace health and safety. Furthermore, Neil continues to represent the Operations Group at all Management meetings in conjunction with his current role as Manager, Order Quality, Operations and Facilities.
Neil and his wife reside in North Gower and enjoy numerous outdoor activities. He has a great interest in restoring antique tractors and cars as well as building and flying R/C model airplanes and boats. Neil also drafts and renders small building renovations in his spare time.
Carol Sollows earned her Certified General Accountant designation in 1999 and has worked in the accounting field for over 23 years. Since 1997, Carol has been Manager, Accounting and Administrative Manager for Advanced Business Interiors group of companies. In her belief in the goodness of people, Carol led the ERP Committee that established the Employee Rewards Program, which honours and recognizes outstanding employees. In tandem with these responsibilities, she assisted with the development of an employee profit-sharing program that entitles an employee, who has attained one full year of service within the company’s fiscal year, to benefit from profit sharing based upon his/her evaluation score and contribution to profit.Carol’s dominating community passion is her volunteer work with charitable organizations, especially women’s charities, where she puts her gift of accounting skills to good use. In 2001, Carol and her husband Wayne, the Minister at McPhail Memorial Baptist Church, travelled to Albania, where she implemented an accounting solution that assists the Baptist Centre in reporting mission activities to the government. Carol is currently active with the Baptist Women of Ontario and Quebec and serves as Vice President of the Ottawa Association. Further to this, she serves on the Board of Directors as Treasurer for iSisters Technology Mentoring Inc., whose purpose is to create technology learning opportunities through non-profit partnerships supporting women-in-need. Additionally, Carol is involved with Cornerstone Ministries, a provider of emergency shelter for women and participates in their Program Planning and Fund Raising Committees. Carol firmly believes that, “If everyone gave back a little, our world would be a better place”.
