Top Xplorers: Champions of Reliable Rural Canadian Internet Service

At Xplore, we are proud to recognize the exceptional contributions of our team members who go above and beyond to ensure outstanding customer service and reliable, high-speed Internet connections for our subscribers. Below you can read the unique and exceptional stories of Wendy Tremblay, Etienne Ducharme, Kim MacArthur, Patricia Benoit, Adam Stewart, Austin Haas, Ewurabena Dardoe, Sumit Gahlawat, and Jesse Bunn, our Top Xplorers, who live and work in the communities we serve. As staff members of Canada’s largest rural Internet service provider, their dedication, hard work, and passion have made a significant impact on residents in rural communities.

Wendy Tremblay: A Beacon of Leadership and Support

Wendy Tremblay, Senior Manager of Customer Care, joined Xplore in November 2022. Her proactive approach and detailed feedback have significantly contributed to her team's success. Gurbachan Singh, who nominated Wendy, says, "Her unwavering support significantly contributed to my growth."

Wendy loves everything about her work at Xplore—the people, the job, the role, the company, and their values. She focuses on agents' calls, engaging in call listening, calibrations, and creating new QA forms to ensure an outstanding experience for every customer. Growing up and still living in Minto, New Brunswick, Wendy enjoys rural living where everyone knows everyone. Outside of work, she loves fishing and going on ATV rides.

“Moving to Xplore was the best decision I ever made.” -Wendy

Etienne Ducharme: Master of Network Troubleshooting

Etienne Ducharme, a Field Operations specialist, has been with Xplore for over four years. His expertise in handling network issues keeps Quebec's network running smoothly so that customers have the fast, reliable broadband Internet experience they expect. Ivan Chiasson, who nominated Etienne, says, "Etienne has been a rock star this year, handling network issues in Quebec." His proudest career moment was the successful deployment of fiber optics in Quebec. After overcoming numerous obstacles through perseverance and teamwork his work means that customers in Quebec now have access to gigabit speed, pure fibre Internet access.

Etienne joined Xplore to find a job closer to his small hometown, resonating with the rural aspect of the projects. He loves exploring new places and appreciating the natural beauty and unique communities Canada has to offer. Growing up in Mont-Laurier and currently living in Notre-Dame-De-Pontmain, Etienne enjoys the tranquility and open space of rural living. Outside of work, he loves camping and off-roading.

Kim MacArthur: Creator of the Motivation Station

Kim MacArthur, a Team Manager, has been with Xplore since August 2013. She transformed an unused desk into the "Motivation Station," a vibrant space where agents can share books, recipes, plants, and messages. Wendy Tremblay, who nominated Kim, says, "Kim has been a shiny star on the floor promoting a place where we can share with others." Kim loves the integrity of Xplore, knowing that the company does the right thing for customers who need reliable rural Internet and that they go above and beyond during crises. Her role involves mentoring agents, supporting their growth to ensure they provide the best customer service possible.

Growing up in Southern Ontario and now living in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Kim enjoys the small community feel of her neighbourhood. Outside of work, she enjoys crafting and playing musical instruments like guitar, mandolin, and ukulele.

Patricia Benoit: A Shining Star in Customer Service

Patricia Benoit, a Customer Service Representative, joined Xplore in July 2023. Her role involves handling live chat, campaigns, and working on the solutions project. She has been recognized for her exceptional customer service skills, including her patience, positivity, and commitment. Lee Oliver nominated Patricia because she has received consistent positive feedback from customers about their exchanges with her. Patricia loves the respect and rewards Xplore offers its workers and appreciates the team's support during family emergencies. Growing up in Blackville, NB, and now living in Bellefond, Patricia enjoys rural living and the abundance of wildlife on her 100-acre property. Outside of work, she loves exploring the outdoors, swimming, and gardening. Patricia's proudest career moment is winning the Top Xplorer award.

“I am so honored to be chosen. Never in my wildest dreams would i have thought i would get chosen. Makes me feel really good about myself to know that others see how good of a job im doing.” - Patricia Benoit

Adam Stewart: Problem Solver Extraordinaire

Adam Stewart, a Service Assurance Analyst, has been with Xplore for over a decade. He has been praised for his troubleshooting skills and innovative solutions, leading to significant improvements in customer service. Adam loves tackling complex problems and finding root causes to prevent issues from resurfacing, which is exactly why his colleague Kellie Brown nominated him. His role involves improving internal processes and ensuring efficient customer interactions. Having grown up in Taymouth, New Brunswick Adam enjoys the quiet of rural living. Outside of work, he is an avid gamer and cyclist, aiming to achieve 8000km on his bike this year.

Austin Haas: The Perfect Team Player

Austin Haas, an Incident Analyst, joined Xplore in October 2022. He has been recognized for his exceptional support during critical and time-sensitive events, ensuring seamless communication and collaboration across the company. The staff member who nominated Austin, said, "Austin embodies the characteristics of the perfect team player!" Austin loves the culture and community fostered within the IT operations team and the company as a whole. His role involves enhancing team members' experience and creating smoother workflows to serve customers more effectively.

Outside of work, Austin enjoys spending quality time with family and friends, working on personal IT projects, playing computer games, and playing the guitar.

Ewurabena Dardoe: Insightful Analyst

Ewurabena Dardoe, a Subscriber Growth Analyst, joined Xplore five years ago. She has been praised for her ability develop strategies and campaigns that enhance customer experience and optimize growth. Ewurabena says, "I love that our company offers connectivity in communities which may be hard to reach and helps families stay connected to their loved ones and the world in general." She loves working with a great team that made her feel welcome and supported. Her role involves providing insights that help develop strategies and campaigns to enhance customer experience. Outside of work, she loves traveling with her family and trying new dishes.

Sumit Gahlawat: Backbone of IP Operations

Sumit Gahlawat, part of the IP Operations team, has been with Xplore since 2020. He has demonstrated outstanding grasp of intricate technologies and has been instrumental in managing IP operations. Faruque Ahmed, who nominated Sumit, says, "His dedication always helps us to finish the project on time." Sumit loves playing with new technology, interacting with his team, and being part of something that makes people's lives more comfortable. His role involves managing the backend data traffic and ensuring customers have enough bandwidth to avoid intermittent services. Born in India and now living in Woodstock, New Brunswick, Sumit enjoys the calmness and closeness to nature of rural living. Outside of work, he enjoys playing with his daughter, reading books, and playing video games.

Jesse Bunn: Collaborative and Reliable

Jesse Bunn, Xplore Business Tier 3 Team Lead, has been with his current team since 2018. He has been recognized for his collaborative spirit and accountability. Federicto Menicucci, who nominated Jesse, says, "Jesse’s customer-focused approach drives him to deliver outstanding service, always prioritizing client needs and ensuring their satisfaction." Growing up in Killarney, Manitoba, and now living in Thompson, Manitoba, Jesse misses the quiet of small-town living. Outside of work, he enjoys hiking and camping. Jesse's proudest career moment is helping to eliminate the overnight Tier 2 shift, improving team focus during busier hours.

We are incredibly proud of our Top Xplorers and their contributions to Xplore. Their dedication and hard work ensure that we continue to provide exceptional customer service, and ultra-fast, reliable high-speed Internet service to our subscribers. Congratulations to Wendy, Etienne, Kim, Patricia, Adam, Austin, Ewurabena, Sumit, and Jesse for their outstanding achievements!