About Us

 

We’re Powering Change.

Sun Country Highway Ltd is a progressive Canadian owned company leading the electric vehicle movement across the nation by raising awareness and promoting the adoption of zero emission transportation. Founded by president, Kent Rathwell, Sun Country Highway was created to build the most sustainable electric vehicle infrastructure in the world.

Vision

Empowering Canadians to lead global change by adopting a model for economic and environmental sustainability.

Mission

To create the most ‘earth-friendly’ country in the world. Our aim is to empower Canadians to make choices that promote economic and environmental sustainability; we want to help green Canada’s highways by fostering a culture shift toward greener living.

2012/2013 Strategic Objectives

  • Develop a national infrastructure for green vehicles
  • Educate and build awareness for the EV industry
  • Increase the adoption of EVs in Canada and abroad
  • Partner with Canadian businesses to make them more profitable and competitive

Leadership Team

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“Currently Canadians spend a lot of hard earned money on transportation. Our vision is focused on helping Canadians keep money in their pockets and spend time with their families, while fostering a culture of economic and environmental sustainability”
—K Rathwell, President/Founder

“We want to do the right thing for future generations…change is inevitable as we move toward more sustainable energy choices. There is a readiness among Canadians, an exciting time.”
—C. Misch, Vice President
 
Kent Rathwell
President and Founder

Kent’s career spans over 20 years across many industry sectors and is focused on his vision to transform “have not” provinces in Canada to “have” provinces. Specifically, his career work has focused on introducing a business model geared toward economic, social, and environmental sustainability- his life-long commitment to GREEN Canada. Kent has developed and owned several successful companies over the past 20 years. Some career highlights include co- founding an aircraft restoration company while still in College, joining the family business which focused on the development of Ontario’s agricultural sector, and acquiring Sun Country Farms, the first green powered company in Saskatchewan. As the President and Founder of Sun Country Highway, Kent hopes to move one step closer to his vision of creating the most economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable country in the world.

What is your reason?

To provide a light for those caught in the dark! To provide hope by creating the most economically, socially and environmentally sustainable country in the world.

 
Christopher Misch
Vice President

Christopher shares Kent’s vision for a greener future for Canadians. He has contributed an active role in the development and the launch of Sun Country Highway since its inception. Christopher has a professional degree in Kinesiology from McMaster University and has completed post-graduate programs in business administration and marketing at the University of Western Ontario and the University of Calgary. Christopher currently has a teaching appointment at the University of Western Ontario in the area of Occupational Health and Safety Management. Christopher has extensive experience working with provincial governments in the areas of governance, policy, compliance, and legislative reform.

Christopher comes to Sun Country Highway with over 20 years of progressive leadership experience in the private and public health care sector and has worked across Canada in various government consulting roles. More recently, he worked in a senior leadership capacity at a large community hospital in Ontario, providing broad portfolio leadership in areas of quality improvement, risk management, and safety. Christopher has a keen entrepreneurial interest in innovative technologies and environmental stewardship.

What is your reason?

To take an active role in making the world a better place for future generations to follow.

 
Douglas George
Douglas George
Director of Research and Innovation

Doug joined Sun Country Highway in the Spring of 2012. He completed his B A.Sc. in Engineering from the University of Toronto and a Masters degree in Engineering from Carleton University. Doug is an electronics engineer with 28 years of experience. In 2001, he received an Engineering Medal for Engineering Excellence from the Professional Engineers Ontario. He has extensive experience in a diverse range of technology development including early satellite telephones, helicopter navigation systems, bearing failure sensors for jet engines, child safety systems for swimming pools, and scientific imaging systems. He is listed as co-inventor on five patents. He is also an accomplished astronomer who has been credited with the co-discovery of Comet Skorichenko-George and 12 supernovae in distant galaxies.

What is your reason?

To ready our country for the challenges of the next century, by moving both consumers and industry towards a fully sustainable economy.

 
Rob MacGregor
Regional Director - British Columbia

The first time I met the president of Sun Country Highway and heard his story, I was hooked.  SCH’s mission filled a hole I had spent years grappling with through industry connections and research & development projects.  So, after 31-years as an Associate Dean and a Director at the British Columbia Institute of Technology I called it quits to join the dynamic young team at SCH.

Kent and his small (but dedicated) workforce has committed to placing electric vehicle chargers (EVC) from Vancouver Island to Newfoundland, electrifying Canada.  I am excited to be part of this energetic group as we pro-actively apply the business model of working with municipalities, regional planners, the Fraser Basin Council and local businesses.   This includes hotels, tourist attractions, city halls, repair shops – anywhere it makes sense to accommodate anyone with an EV that needs or wants to make an extended stop.

What is your reason?

To be a part of the largest transportation paradigm shift that will rock popular beliefs. I want to be a part of the clean legacy that will position Canada as a world leader – for all the right reasons

 
Stephen Bieda
Regional Director - Ontario

Stephen Bieda received an HBA in Communications Studies from Brock University in 1994. He is the former Canadian Director of Sales and Marketing for Silicon Valley-based Zero Motorcycles and worked for 19 years as VP and GM of an award winning powersports dealership. As a cleantech consultant, Stephen has worked with utilities, government agencies and municipalities to develop electric vehicle strategies and has been a pioneer in the electric vehicle industry since 1990. Stephen is an executive member of the Golden Horseshoe Strategic Energy Alliance (GHSEA), and a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). He is a entrepreneurship mentor with the Innovation Factory, past board member of Electric Mobility Canada, and was a candidate in the 2011 Federal election. He is also the Founder of the Golden Horseshoe Electric Vehicle Association (GHEVA) and served as the Director of Communications and Marketing in a consulting capacity to the McMaster Institute for Automotive Research and Technology (MacAUTO).

What is your reason?

To teach my children and people around the world that electric vehicles are a key enabler for the next industrial revolution. To educate consumers on more sustainable means of living and to encourage the business world to adopt the people, planet, profit mantra.

 
Dave Rowlison
Dave Rowlison
Director National Dealer Development

An accomplished Manager in cultivating and nurturing executive relationships and driving business development as well as project management, Dave gravitated into the realm of sustainables about 6 years ago after many years in the telecom, industrial development and municipal economic development fields. Since then, he has held  progressively senior roles in two alternative energy related firms, (a major LDC utility and a PV manufacturer of leading edge ‘thin film’ product) assisting them in establishing themselves in a very competitive and emerging business and technical environment.

Many years in government liaison/economic development, industrial development and the telecom industry on several fronts, including site acquisition – development, business development, deal making & contract expertise and negotiation, along with responsibility for facilities and real estate round out Dave’s background. David has excelled in driving organic business growth.

What is your reason?

David has been able to ‘marry’ his automotive and sustainability / renewable passions.

Sun Country Highway © 2012