Jeffrey T. Sims 

Jeffrey T. Sims created SDI in 1998 and has led the company into a prominent successful business. He holds a Master’s Degree in Business, a Baccalaureate in Social Sciences, a College Diploma in Business Administration and a BC Insurance License.

During a successful four-year contract with the University of Ottawa, Mr. Sims initiated a self-funding model for the Athletic Department that resulted in the development of a $50M state of the art sports facility. In 1996, he was recruited to the University of Victoria to develop commercial and community relationships as a new initiative. He excelled from his U of V experience and helped secure some of the largest commercial partnerships in UVic history. While doing this, successful activities included the coordinating and hosting of an NBA game, the inception of the UVic golf team and development of the first of many strategic alliances resulting in agreements valued over $20M. 

In 2000, he was again recruited by Royal Roads University to assist in the building and development of this fledgling institution. As Executive Director, he helped position RRU as a leading online, community-based university and built significant, long-lasting partnerships with businesses and community leaders, as well the media and government officials.  He was responsible for an annual national business forum that hosted events in major cities throughout Canada and China and included development of a Chinese-Canadian business exchange program, a France-Canadian MBA program exchange and the inception and lasting RRU Homecoming event with the Royal Roads Military College graduates.

Mr. Sims exercised his entrepreneurialism in 2003 with the structuring of the Thrifty Foods buy-out offer and succession plan for Alex D. Campbell.  It was the groundwork to one of the most successful business transactions on Vancouver Island.  Subsequently, he led a business team to rapidly grow and sell an artisan bakery 12,000 sq ft manufacturing plant with a chain of five retail outlets and sold his stake in: a sushi company; a packaging distribution company; a seafood trading company; and, a produce import business. This provided a wealth of business acumen along with the knowledge of research and development tax credits in manufacturing and processing.

From this, he has continued working with companies in their succession and growth planning. Accomplishments in other corporate successions include a restructuring of the Nickel Bros. house moving company and Pac Rim Coolant Recyclers. Working with the owner and CEO of Black Press in 2008 helped Sims gain a wealth of knowledge in acquisitions and corporate financing of a half-billion dollar operation.

Scientific Research and Experimental Tax Credits (SR&ED) and other financing and tax specialties for the past three years has brought a wealth of knowledge and success to Sims and his SDI team. The benefits have been financial premiums that provides many of his clients such as Black Press, Talon Helicopters, Accounts Recovery Corporation A.R.C., Driftwood Brewery, Calabria Bakery, and South Island Aggregate to name only a few, with a significant opportunity to fund their innovation and growth.

Characterized as an engaging public speaker and community leader, and throughout his business and volunteer activities, he has managed significant boards and committees, as well as recruited and managed hundreds of dedicated volunteers. Personal interest achievements include producing a series of television specials aired on Global Television, coordinating production/editing of special interest magazines and publications, designing and implementing websites and electronic newsletters, to writing successful annual reports and grant applications. 

Mr. Sims' portfolio also includes experience in playing professional sports, as a Marketing Manager for a National Sport organization, and Head Coach of an American Football Team in Europe.  In sports, in business and in life, he has earned a reputation as a visionary and results-driven leader coaching individuals and organizations to maximize their potential and achieve success. He builds productive and sustainable business partnerships and solutions. His drive, commitment and passion and his ability to see the potential in new and challenging ventures has proven time and again his ability to develop winning strategies for successful organizations.

He is a current Governor of the National Theatre School of Canada, a member of the Small Business Alliance and the Royal Colwood Golf Club, and is Vice-president of Lambrick High School PAC.