In Memory of Our Founder, Leader, and CEO Terry Hay (1952-2018)

In honor of our beloved Founder, Leader, and CEO Terry Hay, who led Scandinavian Building Services with unparalleled passion, vision, and inspiration. Terry’s leadership and values shaped the core of our company culture, encouraging every individual at Scandinavian to embody and deliver our core values daily—Service, Motivate, Respect, Connect.
 
Through his unwavering commitment and visionary leadership, Terry Hay created the Scandi family we cherish today. We are dedicated to honoring his legacy and continuing the work he started, ensuring his spirit lives on in everything we do.

Russell Hay
CEO

Russell Hay was born and raised in the janitorial industry, learning the trade from the ground up alongside his father, Terry Hay, and developing a comprehensive understanding of the business. With over 20 years of experience, Russell now leads Scandinavian Building Services as CEO, committed to advancing the industry through constant innovation and service excellence.

Russell’s visionary approach and strong work ethic drive ambitious growth goals across North America while ensuring an exceptional experience from beginning to end for every client. Customers remain the top priority at Scandinavian, a principle embodied in the 10-1-24 commitment—guaranteeing swift responses and a personal connection, making certain that a real person is always there to assist. This initiative, and Russell’s dedication to service, continue the legacy of excellence established by his father.Russell is constantly focused on advancing and transforming the janitorial industry through ongoing development and innovation. He actively explores cutting-edge technology, sustainable practices, and efficiency-driven solutions to elevate the standards of cleaning and facility maintenance. Russell truly believes in the strength, impact, and entrepreneurial opportunities that the janitorial industry offers, seeing it as a field ripe with potential for growth and success. By fostering a culture of continuous improvement, he aims to inspire others within the industry to pursue ambitious goals, while Scandinavian Building Services remains at the forefront of industry advancements, setting new benchmarks for quality, safety, and customer satisfaction. His commitment to development extends to refining processes and collaborating with industry partners to bring the best solutions to clients across North America.

Scandinavian remains a family-driven company rooted in accountability, customer service, and a vibrant organizational culture. Russell is focused on implementing innovative solutions that consistently exceed client expectations and elevate the janitorial industry.

Outside of the office, Russell enjoys time with his family, exploring the outdoors, and fueling his passion for music by attending concerts whenever possible.

Mamo Midegdu
President

As the President of Scandinavian Building Services, Mamo Midegdu brings an extensive wealth of knowledge in service excellence, quality, and productivity. With over 27 years of experience in management and leadership roles across both the public and private sectors, Mamo’s diverse expertise in Best Practices continues to be invaluable to the organization.

Mamo holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting and an Executive MBA in Leadership. His academic background, combined with his professional experience, enables him to drive innovative change processes that streamline operations, eliminate redundancies, and continuously add value to Scandinavian’s core mission.

Having transitioned from his role as Chief Operating Officer to President, Mamo remains dedicated to coaching his team, emphasizing the importance of delivering exceptional services focused on quality, efficiency, speed, and safety. His leadership style fosters a culture of continuous improvement, where every team member is encouraged to embrace and drive change, ensuring that client satisfaction remains at the forefront of all operations.

Mamo is deeply committed to the success and development of those around him. He finds great joy in witnessing his team’s achievements and growth. His passion for excellence and dedication to Scandinavian’s clients continue to make him a pivotal figure in the company’s ongoing success and innovation.

Michael Casey
Executive Vice President of Canadian Operations

Michael Casey, born in Montreal, Quebec, has a rich and diverse background, having spent much of his childhood abroad in Saudi Arabia and traveling the world before settling in Ontario. With over 30 years in the janitorial industry, Michael’s extensive expertise spans a variety of roles. He currently serves as Scandinavian Building Services’ Executive Vice President of Canadian Operations.
 
Michael joined Scandinavian in 2009 as the Operations Director and quickly demonstrated his leadership capabilities. By 2011, he advanced to the role of General Manager, and in 2013, he was honored with the Manager of the Year award. His natural calm disposition and strong financial acumen have been instrumental in providing stability during periods of significant change.
 
Michael’s commitment to Scandinavian’s Core Values—Service, Motivate, Respect, Connect—has been evident throughout his tenure. His leadership has been a cornerstone of Scandinavian’s growth and success in the Canadian market.
 
Outside of his professional responsibilities, Michael enjoys quality time with family and friends. He is an avid traveler, often seeking warm destinations, and has a passion for the thrill of roller coasters.

Melanie Brooks
Partner

With over 15 years of experience across all departments, Melanie Brooks has been a vital force at Scandinavian Building Services. Formerly serving as the Executive Vice President of Human Resources and Corporate Services, Melanie has transitioned to a new role as a Board Member.
 
Combining her undergraduate degree with executive leadership and extensive Human Resources training, Melanie is a strategic life-long learner dedicated to fostering organizational growth and delivering creative solutions. She specializes in employee engagement, focusing on retention through open communication, ensuring every member of the Scandinavian team feels valued and encouraged to achieve their professional goals.
 
Melanie’s commitment to community service is evident through her leadership in Scandinavian’s non-profit partnerships across Canada and her support for client-driven charitable initiatives throughout the year. A charismatic leader by nature, she shares her expertise and enthusiasm with both her team and community partners, fostering meaningful connections and driving impactful change. Her dedication to corporate social responsibility ensures that Scandinavian’s values of care and collaboration are reflected in every initiative she leads, making a positive difference in the lives of those they serve.
 
In her heartfelt message to the Scandi Family, Melanie expressed her gratitude for the joy and adventure of working with a nationwide team. She emphasized that this transition is not a goodbye but a change of role. Melanie’s wish for the team is to continue flourishing and being amazing, as she continues to support Scandinavian from her new position.
 
Outside of her professional life, Melanie enjoys spending quality time with her family, embracing the outdoors, and indulging in family movie nights. Her dedication to both her personal and professional communities exemplifies the spirit and values that make Scandinavian Building Services exceptional.
 
 
 
 
 
 

Candace Elford
Partner

With extensive experience in Account Management, Sales, and Procurement in both service and manufacturing industries, Candace Elford has been a transformative force at Scandinavian Building Services. As the Executive Vice President of Procurement & Risk Management, Candace played a pivotal role in growing and developing Scandinavian’s unique and robust Risk Management department.
 
Candace’s innovative approach and focus on aligning best practices with internal policies and procedures have been instrumental in mitigating risks and delivering fair outcomes for both customers and the company. Her leadership extended to overseeing the procurement of insurance and bonds, and meticulously investigating all claim submissions. Her dedication to her procurement team and her ability to bridge departments have encouraged harmonious collaboration across the organization.
 
Candace’s seasoned instincts and persistence have fueled her passion for risk management, always valuing the perspectives of all parties involved. Her efforts have established a strong foundation for Scandinavian’s risk management strategies.
 
Now transitioning to a role as a Board Member, Candace will continue to support Scandinavian’s growth and strategic direction. Her insights and experience will be invaluable in guiding the company towards future success.
 
Believing that life is to be celebrated, Candace spends her downtime with family, often cheering on her children at sporting events or indulging in her love for baking in the kitchen. Her dynamic leadership and commitment to excellence continue to shape Scandinavian’s success and integrity.

Mak Malik
Chief Financial Officer

With over 15 years of experience in both field and corporate settings, Mak Malik brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to Scandinavian Building Services. His extensive professional background includes significant roles in large publicly-traded companies within the oil and gas industry. Mak holds a CPA designation and a Master’s in Business Administration, equipping him with the skills and drive to advance corporate profitability and growth.
 
As Scandinavian’s Chief Financial Officer, Mak oversees the Finance, Accounting, Payroll, and Estimating functions. Recently, he has expanded his responsibilities to include leading the Procurement and Risk Management departments. His rich experience as CFO and his strategic leadership ensure these departments operate harmoniously and efficiently, driving the company’s success.
 
Mak leads his teams by embodying Scandinavian’s Core Values through mutual respect, trust, and open communication. His ability to bridge departments fosters a collaborative environment, enhancing overall organizational performance.
 
A family man at heart, Mak enjoys spending his downtime with his wife and three beautiful children. He is also an avid sports enthusiast, participating in basketball, hockey, and skiing. Mak’s dedication to both his professional and personal life exemplifies the balanced and dynamic leadership he brings to Scandinavian Building Services.

Mirek Cisarovsky
EVP of Business Intelligence

Mirek Cisarovsky is a strategic executive with over 25 years of leadership experience spanning the Retail, CPG, and Health Care industries. His extensive career in Operations, Marketing & Sales, and Administration has equipped him with the real-world experience needed to design and implement transformative solutions that drive company growth and profitability.
 
As the Executive Vice President of Business Intelligence at Scandinavian Building Services, Mirek focuses on delivering value and efficiency through his leadership of the BI Reporting, Systems, Data Engineering, and Information Technology teams. His diverse background enables him to steer these teams towards innovative solutions that enhance overall business performance.
 
In his personal life, Mirek enjoys spending quality time with his family and friends. He is also deeply involved in the swimming community, leading and supporting a competitive swimming organization while being a competitive swimmer himself.

Joe Maloney
Vice President of National Accounts

Joe brings 25 years of senior leadership in national accounts and Canadian operations to Scandinavian. With his extensive background in executive management in both the private and public sectors, he is skilled in sales growth, contract negotiations, change management, operations management, and pricing strategies. As the Chair of the ScandiCare Committee and an active member of Scandinavian’s Innovation Committee, Joe plays a pivotal role in driving both corporate social responsibility and forward-thinking initiatives. By coaching his operational teams across Canada, Joe strives to provide customers with an exceptional experience. Backed by his educational qualifications in Human Resources and Business Management from McMaster University, Joe values creating teams that work collaboratively and are process-driven.

Outside of work, Joe is a father of three and enjoys running, often signing up for regional marathons.

Lisa Howatt
Vice President of Human Resources

Lisa Howatt brings a diverse portfolio of Human Resources expertise to her role as Vice President of Human Resources at Scandinavian Building Services. A graduate of MacEwan University’s HR program and a Chartered Professional in Human Resources, Lisa is a true subject matter expert and lifelong learner in her field. She offers comprehensive HR services through the implementation of best practices, ensuring that Scandinavian’s HR operations are both effective and efficient.
 
Lisa is known for her hands-on approach, fully immersing herself in the organization’s culture and operations to make meaningful contributions. Her steady leadership and guidance are pivotal in overseeing all aspects of recruitment, onboarding, performance management, and daily operational needs. Additionally, Lisa spearheads community involvement and diversity and inclusion initiatives at Scandinavian, fostering a supportive and inclusive workplace.
 
Outside of her professional responsibilities, Lisa is an avid long-distance hiker and a community-minded individual. She can often be found at her local community league or exploring the great outdoors when not at work.

Christina Worobec
Senior Director of Health & Safety

With over 10 years of experience in health and safety management, Christina Worobec is a recognized expert in implementing industry best practices in both industrial and commercial environments. She holds a Bachelor of Business Management from the University of Lethbridge and a certificate in Occupational Health and Safety from the University of Alberta. Christina is also a Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP), certified COR Auditor, and franchise owner.
 
As the Senior Director of Health and Safety at Scandinavian Building Services, Christina specializes in a collaborative approach to ensure health and safety legislative compliance across Canada. She continuously develops and integrates advanced health and safety systems, earning awards and recognition for her innovative use of technology in the field.
 
Outside of work, Christina enjoys exploring new places with her family and cooking delicious meals. 

Sativa Haynes
Senior Director of Risk Management

Sativa Haynes is a seasoned professional in risk management, bringing over two decades of invaluable expertise to her role as Senior Director of Risk Management at Scandinavian Building Services. She graduated from MacEwan University’s esteemed Insurance & Risk Management Program in 2001 and obtained the prestigious Chartered Insurance Professional (CIP) designation in 2004, further showcasing her commitment to excellence in the insurance industry.
 
Since joining Scandinavian, Sativa has been instrumental in leading the risk management efforts, leveraging her extensive experience to develop innovative strategies. Her leadership, expertise, and dedication have been pivotal in driving Scandinavian’s success in navigating the dynamic landscape of risk management. Sativa’s forward-thinking approach continues to ensure the company’s resilience and growth in a constantly evolving industry.

Mark Sellers
Vice President of Procurement

Vice President of National Procurement, Mark Sellers brings over 40 years of experience to Scandinavian Building Services. His extensive background spans the oil and gas, freight/logistics, and warehousing industries, making him a seasoned expert in his field.
 
At Scandinavian, Mark oversees a talented team of industry professionals specializing in logistics, procurement, and maintenance services. Under his leadership, the procurement department has been centralized, resulting in significant efficiencies and cost savings. Mark’s management style is characterized by honesty, trust, and open communication, reflecting Scandinavian’s core values.
 
In addition to his primary role, Mark chairs the Scandinavian Innovation Committee and leads the company’s Sustainability Program, demonstrating his commitment to continuous improvement and environmental responsibility.
 
Outside of work, Mark enjoys spending time with his wife, sons, and dog. A fitness enthusiast, he can often be found walking his dog or hitting the gym to stay active. 

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