Publisher & Editor

Mark has more than 20 years of media experience, including more than a decade in a senior management role with Metroland Media Group Ltd., Ontario’s largest and most successful newspaper publisher. Most recently, he served as press secretary to the Hon. Ted McMeekin, MPP and Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Mark started his career as a reporter and editor at various newspapers across Ontario, before moving to Hamilton in 1999. As a journalist, editor and columnist, Mark has received numerous national and provincial awards for his work, including earning the prestigious Mary Knowles Award for Community Service from the Ontario Community Newspaper Association in 2005.

Contributor

Andrew Hall is a recent graduate of the Mohawk College Journalism program, as well as the Mohawk Students’ Association President. While completing his diploma, Andrew also interned at TSN’s Off The Record. A true Hamiltonian, and die-hard fan of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Andrew has a passion for telling stories and his writing reflects that. The stories he loves to write about most involve this great city.

Community Manager

Community manager Margaret Lintott brings her knowledge of client coordination and public relations to yourhamiltonbiz. She has experience working with local businesses – both large and small – and has coordinated projects for companies like Ellisdon Construction, Hamilton International Airport and Innovation Factory. Social media savvy, Margaret can’t wait to engage with the Hamilton community both on and offline. Margaret is passionate about Hamilton, her hometown.

Reporter

Abigail Cukier has been a journalist for almost 15 years, including a decade in Hamilton. For seven years, she served as editor of the Stoney Creek News. She has a special interest in healthcare and education reporting and how they shape – and are shaped by – the local economy and business environment. Cukier has won multiple provincial, national and international awards for her writing, layout and editing.

Columnist

Abigail Santos holds a BA Honours in Communications Studies from McMaster and a Post Graduate Diploma in Broadcast Journalism from Seneca College.  She currently is the Marketing and Admissions Coordinator at Ontario Dental Education Institute.  She enjoys the sights, tastes and sounds of downtown Hamilton where she lives.

Contributor

Ashley reports on health, agriculture, labour policy and education in addition to the myriad financial, municipal and provincial issues for QPBriefing.com. She came to QP Briefing after almost a year of reporting for the Waterloo Region Record, where she was nominated for an Ontario Newspaper Award for novice reporting. Ashley earned a master's degree in journalism from Ryerson University and an honours English literature and rhetoric degree from the University of Waterloo.

Columnist

Reporter

Cassandra has been a reporter over the past five years in places across Canada, from big cities such as Calgary and Toronto, to small towns such as Grand Forks and Christina Lake, British Columbia. She has written about the International Women's Nations Cup and various U18 and U20 tournaments for Rugby Canada, and taken photographs for Snap! newspaper in Mississauga. Most recently she was reporter in B.C. for the Grand Forks Gazette where she covered local events, meetings and business associations.

Columnist

David Estok was born and raised in the East End. He loves all things Hamilton - Roma pizza, the Tiger Cats, the view from the brow and Hamilton's Art Gallery. He is the former Editor-in-Chief of The Hamilton Spectator. You can reach him at david.estok1@gmail.com.

Contributor

Greg began working in journalism at the weekly Grand River Sachem in his home town of Caledonia and went on to the Hamilton Spectator, Owen Sound Sun Times, Kitchener-Waterloo Record, the Financial Post and the National Post. He was senior writer for the Leader of the Official Opposition, senior communications advisor for an Ontario cabinet minister, and senior policy advisor for the Mayor of Hamilton before returning to daily journalism with QPBriefing.com. Greg holds an honours BA in political science from McMaster University, an MA in journalism from the University of Western Ontario, and an MBA from Queen's University.

Reporter

Joseph is a recent graduate of Humber College’s advanced journalism program, where he studied print, broadcast and online journalism. As a part of the program, he interned with the CBC, where he wrote for the features and in-depth department of CBCNews.ca. Court cases, hearings and lawsuits are areas of focus for him at YourHamiltonbiz.com. As well, he will cover issues related to development within the city. Prior to attending Humber, Joseph earned a degree in English and Political Science from York University.  He has worked in a number of industries, including tourism and food service.

Columnist

Mario Carr is a freelance writer with a passion for astronomy and president of the Carr Marketing Group. He writes a monthly astronomy column for a number of weekly newspapers and appears on CHCH-TV to talk about the night sky. He is also a Rotarian and sits on the Burlington Chamber of Commerce Communications Committee.

Columnist

Paul Bates is a Certified Management Accountant (CMA), Fellow of the Society of Management Accountants (FCMA) and Certified Management Consultant (CMC). He is currently serving at McMaster University as special advisor to the president and pursuing a Master of Theological Studies, at McMaster’s Divinity College.

Contributor

Rachael Williams is a journalism student at Mohawk College. She has a BA in political science and a Masters degree in history from McMaster University. Rachael was born and raised in Hamilton.

Reporter

Saira has been a reporter for more than 10 years and covered national and local beats for outlets including CTV National News (CTVNews.ca), CP24.com and The Peterborough Examiner. Most recently she was a national reporter for OpenFile, a web startup focused on applying professional journalism standards to crowd-sourced ideas. She has also contributed extensively to Toronto alternative weekly NOW Magazine. Since returning to Hamilton to join YourHamiltonBiz.com, Saira has come full circle: Her first journalism job, a summer placement, was with local weeklies in the Hamilton area more than a decade ago. Saira was nominated for a Canadian Online Publishing Award in 2011 and received a Professional Writing Association of Canada Awards honourable mention in 2012.

Reporter

Sherry joins Yourhamiltonbiz.com from Hamilton Health Sciences where she was a financial analyst for more than two years. During her time at HHS, she gained a deep understanding of hospital operations and has developed a strong financial background. She has built a wide network within the health care community and other not-for-profit organizations. Sherry is proud to be a McMaster alumni and a Hamiltonian. She earned her Honours Bachelor of Commerce from DeGroote School of Business with a focus in finance and accounting and a minor in economics. As a young professional, her passion lies in entrepreneurship and she is looking forward in cultivating her ideas in the business community. Sherry will be covering the big private companies in Hamilton, following the activities of the port, air port and focusing on all the fascinating things taking place at the Innovation Park.