About Viiz

Our Vision

Bringing Together Customized Technology

Solutions and Data-Enriched Call Center Support

Viiz is shaping a new age of network communications that combines creative and customized technology solutions with compassionate, data-enriched human support to connect people with the information, companies or emergency services they need. We come through for clients and their customers in critical moments, believing that what we do makes a difference and can even save lives. 

Executive Team

James Large
James MacKenzie

Chairman of the Board and Co-Founder

 

James continues to lead the growth and ongoing evolution of Viiz’s business. Through investment in resources, customer relationships and more than 15 acquisitions, James nurtured the company from a provider of telephony hardware to a multi-faceted technology and communications company. James maintains a business culture of perpetual start-up mode to drive ongoing business innovation and reinvention. In his 30+ years of industry experience, James has held senior roles in business leadership, sales and marketing and R&D. Prior to Viiz, James was Group Vice-President at Gores Technology Group and Vice-President & General Manager at Nortel Networks.

JohnLarge
John Wilson

Executive Vice-President, Chief Technology Officer and Co-Founder

 

John is a technology visionary, leading the implementation and ongoing evolution of the Viiz technology and network architectures. The Viiz platforms are recognized as being leading edge, with development teams designing solutions to fit the current and long-term needs of our diverse customer base. In his 25-plus years of industry experience, he has also held senior technology roles with Gores Technology Group and Nortel Networks.

Norm Phipps SQ
Norman Phipps

President and CEO

 

Building on more than 20 years of investing in and expanding businesses through revenue growth, tactical implementation and acquisition, Norm joined the leadership team at Viiz in 2022 as President and CEO. 


Prior to Viiz, Norm pioneered multiple liquidity events at Billing Services Group, resulting in more than $400 million in cash distributions and a $500 million market capitalization, and led dozens of acquisitions and related transactions. Norm's dedication to strengthening professional relationships at all tiers through career development opportunities and a welcoming work culture serves to encourage others in their own professional aspirations. 

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Elise Bellick

Vice President of Sales

 

Elise joined the Viiz team in February 2019 as part of the acquisition of the kgb Directory Assistance and Operator Services business. As Vice President of Sales, her focus is on supporting the expansion of our emergency and public safety support services and capabilities. Elise spearheads our outreach to clients as our representative at related industry conferences and events. Elise's contributions have been invaluable in driving business growth, developing new product and service strategies, and increasing customer loyalty. Her knowledge, expertise, and key insights have made a positive and profound impact on Viiz.

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Chad Brothers

Vice President of Emergency Services Programs

 

Chad Brothers has over 25 years of experience in public safety, specializing in Public Safety Communications. He holds numerous certifications, including ENP, PMP, CSM, CMCP, and a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, alongside an MBA in strategic planning. Chad has led a broad range of projects and programs for E9-1-1 and NG9-1-1 solutions including consulting engagements in strategic planning, procurement, and implementation, along with R&D initiatives for Artificial Intelligence (AI). A U.S. Army Veteran and former NENA Institute Board President, Chad is also a frequent public speaker at industry events.

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Christy Diaz

Vice President of Call Center Operations

 

Christy joined Viiz in 2014 as an Account Manager and has grown within the Viiz team. In 2016, she played a key role in the launch of the Viiz call center in Calgary, Alberta. Among Christy’s many other contributions were her involvement in developing our proprietary LiveAgent system, agent call scripting, and their functions. Christy previously held quality assurance, training, and sales positions in our contact center. She works closely with the IT team in service implementation and product enhancement as well as collaborating with the Sales team on emergency implementation and maintaining strong client relations. Christy’s dedication and efforts have greatly contributed to the success of Viiz.

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Kristin Gulka

Vice President of Finance

 

Kristin started with Viiz in 2019 and is responsible for all aspects of financial and internal reporting, tax compliance and cash and treasury management. She has more than 15 years of experience in finance and accounting, having held leadership positions in both public and private companies spanning a variety of industries. Kristin is currently a member of the Institute of Chartered Professional Accountants of Alberta.

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Craig Needels

Vice President of Technology and Operations

 

Craig became part of the Viiz family in 2020 with the acquisition of the telecom clearinghouse portion of BSG Clearing Solutions, where he had led all technical functions for more than 20 years. Craig has extensive experience in communication, programming and database technologies. His responsibilities also include technical and control audits. He has led many technology transitions, reengineering efforts and company integrations and divestitures. Craig previously held technology leadership roles at ITA, Sprint and Southwestern Bell. 

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Nelson Timko

Vice President of Corporate Development

 

Nelson joined Viiz in November 2021. Prior to Viiz, he was most recently a Senior Manager at Deloitte in Transaction Services leading due diligence engagements on over 10 transactions ranging from $50 - $250 million. Additional experience includes investment analysis and portfolio management at a boutique private equity firm with $250 million of AUM and as a Corporate Finance Advisor at KPMG Corporate Finance.

Why Viiz?
The Story Behind the Name

We chose the name Viiz because it represents what technology, backed by human support, can bring to the moments that matter to our clients and their customers. 


V represents VISION, the ability to assess our clients’ network communication challenges and develop creative, technically-advanced solutions. We strive to address the need at hand, but also anticipate future trends and changes so the technology will stand the test of time.


Our two I’s stand for technical INNOVATION matched with human INSIGHT. Viiz offers a stable, fully-redundant cloud-based, mesh network that can transport all modern forms of data, from any device, to enhance and personalize the end-user experience. With that foundation, our R&D team develops novel technologies to address modern communications challenges or update legacy products. That’s innovation in action. At the same time, we believe in the power of human insight to harness that technology and data and use it to support real people in their moments of need — whether in an emergency situation or simply when they need help to resolve a problem. 


And why the Z? Because Z stands for completion and for ZENITH, the time and place in which something is most powerful and successful — and also the name of our powerful, IoT-connected network. Zenith describes our aim for our clients and their end users, to deliver the most satisfying customer experience possible so they feel their problem or challenge was fully understood and addressed. You might call us idealists, but that’s the standard we set for ourselves at Viiz.

In a nutshell, Viiz is both our

uncommon name and

extraordinary goal: to

provide VISION,

INNOVATION, INSIGHT

and a ZENITH experience

to those who entrust us

with their business.

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Our History
Since 2004
Beginnings
In 2004, James MacKenzie and John Wilson co-founded a company focused on delivering technology solutions and services to the telecommunications industry. Their vision was to create a culture that valued employees and customers, maintained the nimbleness of a start-up and fostered development of intellectual property that stands the test of time. Twenty years later, Viiz remains true to those tenets.
Growth
Viiz has grown in size and scope both through research and development — addressing expanding and changing industry needs — as well as through the acquisition of more than 15 similar companies. We continue to help support and modernize voice services for telcos and cablecos throughout North America, while expanding rapidly in the areas of data-driven emergency triage and customer care.
Distinctions
What makes Viiz unique is our ability to pair complex network integrations of our clients’ smart devices and apps with live call center support. We specialize in bringing IoT and other data to the customer experience to create personalized service in the moments that matter.
Our People
At Viiz, we believe our employees are our greatest assets.

From our board of directors to our in-house R&D team to our call center staff and work-from-home customer care agents, we share a common mission to offer smart solutions and stellar service to our clients and their customers. 


We make that happen by doing what it takes to hire the best people, train them well, and retain them through excellent pay and benefits, recognition opportunities and a positive (dare we say “fun”?) work environment.

Careers
Viiz is hiring! Come work for a company that gives employees the freedom to create, innovate and make a difference in the lives of others.
View Open Positions

Associations

Want to Learn More?

Reach out to hear more about the Viiz difference — as an employee or a client.