Meet Our Team

Technical Manager at ESAFE, Jacques has been with the company for over ten years now. With 35+ years of experience in the industry, he started as a Technician/Technologist in Certification and Special Inspection after completing schooling for Engineering Technology.

Jacques participates in Standards Development, meaning he collaborates with a group of peers and experts to create appropriate requirements for specific electrical products. They provide input into how to address various hazards such as electrical, energy, fire, mechanical, chemical, and radiation. These requirements are then compiled and written into a standard to be included in the Canadian Electrical Code.

Jacques plays a role in the development of Codes and Standards such as the CE Code Part I –, CE Code Part II – for Bonding of electrical equipment (C22.2 no. 0.4), Wind Turbines (272) and Audio/video, information and communication technology equipment (62368-1); various transformer standards (C2.1, C88, C227 series); and Model Code such as the SPE-3000 and the SPE-1000 Model Code for the field evaluation of electrical equipment.  As Chair of the SPE-1000, Jacques manages the subcommittee on the development of requirements for the field evaluation of electrical products.

In his spare time, Jacques enjoys a range of hobbies including woodworking, gardening, and getting out to the great outdoors.

Jennifer is the Executive Administrative Assistant for ESAFE.

With over 20 years of experience at ESAFE she has seen the growth and development of the industry, from Standards Development to Quality Management Systems and Service Delivery.

Jennifer’s solutions oriented mindset brings assistance to inspectors ensuring they are able to meet client’s needs. Whether it be acquiring international Visas for ESAFE’s worldwide travel, or ensuring ESAFE has access to the most up to date standards for inspecting client’s unique products.

Jennifer’s project based work also includes ESAFE’s digital presence. Website and Social Media like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.

If you’re not already following ESAFE on LinkedIn head on over right now and click follow!

Jennifer has two amazing kids that she and her husband love taking camping, biking, and traveling.

When not hanging out with them, you can find her out fishing. As a multi-species angler she is always out on the lake guiding people to their personal best catches.

Jennifer Francis is a Senior Customer Service Representative at ESAFE. With 33 years of total customer service experience with our company, she has been in her Senior role since July of 2009.

Holding a Diploma from Algonquin College for Business Accounting, Jennifer took a range of additional courses towards becoming a Certified Management Accountant prior to joining our team

In her current position, Jennifer tests new programs/computers/phone systems when being implemented to ensure everything is working correctly, allowing ESAFE to continue providing superior service to our clients.

Jennifer works with customers and Inspectors to tackle issues with creative problem solving that leads to positive outcomes. She also contributes ideas for improvements and cost-saving solutions on behalf of the Customer Service department.

In her personal time, Jennifer enjoys taking cruises, doing crafts such as knitting and cross-stitch, and spending time with her family. Her love of baking often benefits appreciative friends, family, and coworkers.

Sara McConnell is a trusted Customer Service Representative at ESAFE. As the first point of contact for our customers, she does everything in her power to leave her clients with a clear understanding of who we are as an organization and what we can do to help make their lives easier.

Sara has worked in the industry for several years and joined the ESAFE team in June of 2021. In her position as a Customer Service Rep, she exemplifies organization, friendliness, and has the ability to take on whatever new tasks a day may bring, with a smile. She is known as a reliable teammate. When an inspector needs assistance, she acts quickly and accurately to provide support. Sara’s goal is to brighten every ESAFE client’s day, whether that’s through answering phone calls, replying to emails, or inputting applications.

In her spare time, Sara enjoys travelling to different provinces in Canada or escaping the winter on sunny beaches in the South. On weekends she enjoys hiking and is always looking to explore new trails in different towns.

Karen Lesage is the Business Processes & Compliance Manager for eSAFE working to ensure eSAFE meets all its requirements with the Standards Council of Canada while also assisting the eSAFE team to guarantee positive, sustainable and prosperous relationships with all its stakeholders.

Karen has been with eSAFE for over 22 years. She has been overseeing the Quality Management System along with financial, data analytics and overall support of business development.  Her strong organizational, strategic thinking and planning skills lends to her continued support of maintaining and ensuring eSAFE remains the top Product Approvals business in Canada.

Karen holds a Business Degree with a focus on Marketing.  She has had the privilege of owning and operating her own business.  She has extensive training in change management, and has had the opportunity to attend many leadership courses.

Karen is a mother of three and loves to spend her time with her family and friends.   In the summer boating in the St. Lawrence or Ottawa River and in the winter Snowmobiling throughout Ontario and Quebec.

Steve Faraone is an ESAFE Senior Field Electrical Approvals Inspector with over 30 years of experience in the industry. Throughout his career, he has worked with a diverse range of industrial automation systems, power distribution equipment, and both commercial and residential electrical equipment. His ability to recognize and adapt to the latest innovative technologies has enabled him to be successful in his various roles.

Steve holds a Certified Technician (C Tech) designation with the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists, a Certified Electronics Engineering Technologist certification, and a Master Electrician licence. In addition to the technical side of his career, he is highly skilled in establishing great relationships with customers, which helps him effectively find solutions when problems arise.

Outside of the workplace, Steve enjoys refurbishing vintage audio equipment and listening to both current and classic vinyl. He’s also an avid sports fan and enjoys playing curling, hockey, and baseball. Steve loves to travel the world and take part in new adventures, which keeps his life exciting and full of surprises.

Joe is a Senior Field Electrical Approval Inspector on ESAFE’s Eastern Ontario Team.

His experience spans over 30 years in the trade with 16 of those years in the automotive industry, where robotics and process automation are a norm. With an in-depth knowledge of the Canadian Electrical Code and CSA Part II Standards, coupled with Joe’s past field experience, makes for a strong resource for the ESAFE team and customers alike.

Joe is by nature a problem solver and with “Where there's a will, there's a way” mindset, that brings workable solutions for our customers to help them meet compliance. With a strong emphasis on customer service, both internal and external, Joe believes that our customers deserve first class customer service and will workout options to meet their needs.

Computer systems and software applications are Joe’s favorite tools to streamline processes and add automation, either at work or at home, where home automation projects are an ongoing spare time hobby during the winter! Summer time is all about the outdoors with lots of BBQ and fun time with family in the backyard, or kayaking in the beautiful Bay of Quinte.

Chris Adamowski is a Senior Field Electrical Approval Inspector on ESAFE’s Certification Team. He boasts over twenty-six years in the trade, with approximately twelve years of Hazloc experience.

Chris has the knowledge, training, and proficiency to uphold the Canadian Electrical Code and Standards. When performing inspections, he is dedicated to assisting the customer in their efforts to produce a safe product.

Chris is committed to ensuring a bright future for the electrical industry in Canada. He enjoys helping up-and-coming students and is involved with Centennial College, as a speaker and volunteer. He is Chair of a Panel Advisory Committee at the college, in addition to sitting on a range of other industry committees.

 A firm believer in doing every job right, Chris is often immersed in electrical codes finding solutions to client questions and would prefer to read a CSA Standard over a novel, any day.

Chris lives by a work hard, play hard philosophy and enjoys travelling the world’s obscure places not seen by many tourists; with Antarctica being the only content he is yet to visit.

In his spare time, Chris can be found working on home renovations, taking the time to instill small touches while fixing up his home.

Jon Heron is proud to be a third-generation electrician. With over 30 years of experience in the trade, 17 of those have been as an ESAFE team member. Known for his reputation for helping customers find solutions rather than roadblocks, Jon finds ways to work safely with new technology that may not fall into the existing codes and standards of the day.

An Electrical Inspector for ESAFE, Jon delivers professional service and expert advice to a wide range of manufacturing and industrial clients.

“I have always enjoyed a challenge… and finding creative ways to approve new and emerging technology for use in North America is never disappointing” – Jon

At ESAFE, we like to think of Jon as our technology guru because he specializes in such a broad range. From extensive experience in alternative energy including wind turbines, solar, biodiesel, hydroelectric, and Energy Storage Systems, as well as HazLoc location industrial equipment installations, nuclear power and critical electrical infrastructure for power generation, and a range of advanced scientific equipment (think lightning bolt simulators and magnetic flux conveyors), Jon has a knack for finding innovative solutions as industries push forward.

In his free time, you can often find Jon enjoying the great outdoors with his family – cottaging, boating, hunting, fishing, camping, and canoeing. He also loves tinkering in the shop and going for dirt bike excursions with his son.

Mike Muir is an Inspector on ESAFE's Western Ontario team.  One of his roles is to ensure that customers in the Greater London region receive timely and professional Field Evaluations for Electrical Equipment.

With an in-depth knowledge of the Canadian Electrical Code, and standards such as CSA, UL and IEC, Mike is able to efficiently evaluate electrical equipment to determine compliance with the safety and construction requirements of the relevant standards.

His 21 years of experience include working with a diverse range of industrial automation systems, power distribution as well as commercial and residential electrical equipment.

Mike not only serves the community through his contribution towards electrical safety, but he also volunteers as a coach in local baseball and hockey teams.  He is currently assistant coach with the London Jr. Knights.

On his spare time, he enjoys golfing, hockey and watching his children's sports activities.
Mike brings many strengths to the ESAFE inspection team.  He is one more reason why ESAFE is respected in the industry for its knowledge and ability to deliver Service Beyond Standard!

Ed Damaso is a Field Evaluation Inspector in the Central Mississauga and Brampton region. Ed has a strong knowledge of The Canadian Electrical Code, CSA and UL standards and is a former ESA regulatory inspector.

For 37 years Ed has worked in the electrical field. He is a Red Seal Construction and Maintenance Electrician with an electronics and industrial refrigeration background and has worked in a wide variety of industrial and commercial settings such as Hospitals, Pearson Airport, Railway, Amusement Park and 12 years as the supervisor for a CSA Panel Shop and Equipment Manufacture.

Ed enjoys working with clients and getting to see behind the scenes of the many industries that we serve and is always happy to help our customers with questions.

Ed is an automotive enthusiast and enjoys travelling, camping, jet skiing, boating, cycling, the great outdoors and spending time with family and friends.

Gavin McConville is a Field Evaluation Inspector in the Western Region for ESAFE. Supporting the industry in the Hamilton and Burlington area, he brings a strong knowledge of The Canadian Electrical Code, CSA, and UL Standards to the ESAFE Team.

Gavin has 21 years of experience working in the electrical field, spanning several sectors, with an additional 10 years in the steel industry serving as an electrical team leader. As an ESAFE Inspector, he enjoys the challenge of working with the wide range of equipment that he inspects daily. He takes pride in working with clients to get new products approved through the development phase. From answering a simple question to traveling abroad to perform an inspection, Gavin is always happy to help a customer out.

Gavin is an avid soccer lover. Coaching all four of his kids’ soccer teams in their earlier years, he continues to play himself, now. In his spare time, you may find him taking in a Hamilton Ti-Cats game with his family.

Mike Schmidt joined the electrical industry in 2000 after three years of study and a brief career in the Natural Resources field, collecting data from electro-fishing feeder streams to the Grand River. Switching over to his electrical career, Mike apprenticed as a 309A electrician focusing on industrial work and found his strength in troubleshooting machinery such as CNC lathes and custom automation cells, etc. He slowly switched to PLC programming and control panel design from concept to commissioning. This area of expertise had him traveling North America to consult, quote, procure, design, program, and commission automotive assembly lines.

Concurrent with the automation role, Mike held a Master Electrician license and ran a small electrical contracting company doing residential/commercial electrical work.

In his spare time, Mike works in his shop doing leatherwork, machining, and, currently, making a CNC lathe. 

As an inspector with eSAFE, Mike enjoys customer interaction and finds that little questions about what the client's hobbies are or what the weekend holds in store lead to great conversation and a sense of connection.

Chris Gonzalez is an inspector in ESAFE’s Central Region team. Being supported by one of the most dynamic and knowledgeable teams, his network covers the core of the Greater Toronto Area. He has over fourteen years in the trade with the ability and ambition to learn and adapt quickly to the demanding and evolving technology and infrastructure. Chris understands and can navigate the constant changes to codes and standards, so he can devote himself to helping customers deliver a safe and compliant product.

Chris has worked in all fields of the trade, including commercial, residential, and maintenance. Growing up and working in the GTA, Chris was fortunate enough to work in the largest and oldest public transit system in the country. He also worked in the health care system and during the height of the pandemic, Chris played a key role in planning and setting up the first COVID-19 testing centre in the province. Working in the core of the GTA, Chris is involved in many projects from custom homes, attraction fairs, and shows, to influential power distribution and medical research facilities. 

Chris is most relaxed when he is outdoors. He enjoys finding Ontario’s hidden treasures and taking his kids on spontaneous adventures. Cooking is another of his favourite pastimes, especially with his homegrown peppers – the spicier the better.

Meet Jeff Melnechenko, a Field Evaluation Inspector on the Eastern Team Scarborough/Markham region. Jeff has a strong knowledge of The Canadian Electrical Code, CSA, and UL standards and is a former ESA regulatory inspector. For 35 years, Jeff has worked in the electrical field.

He is a 309 construction and maintenance electrician with a strong background in electronics and industrial controls. Jeff has worked in a wide variety of industrial and commercial settings, such as hospitals, breweries, printing, ink manufacturing, and food processing.

Jeff enjoys working with clients and the fast-changing world of technology and manufacturing equipment. He is always happy to help our customers with any questions they may have.

While not at work helping clients, Jeff enjoys camping, playing hockey, working on renovation projects around the house, and spending time with family and friends.

Rudi is an Electrical Approvals Inspector in Central/Western Ontario. He has over twenty-two years of electrical experience backed by his Bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences.

Servicing the Niagara region means Rudi is close to the US border and provides many inspections to ESAFE's American customers. Because he is in wine country, he also gets to see lots of different wine-making equipment, a fun quirk to his job. His strong background in estimating and project management gives Rudi an in-depth understanding of clients' deadlines and cost constraints - and he is passionate about working with his clients to get their equipment safely approved from the design stage all the way through to production.

Rudi is married to his beautiful wife and together they have three wonderful daughters. He is actively involved in his church community, and in his spare time enjoys fishing, biking, birding, gardening, apiculture, and raising quail for eggs!

Richard Fox is a Field Electrical Approvals Inspector for ESAFE’s Central/Western Ontario division. With over twenty-five years of experience in the electrical field, he is a valuable member of our inspection team.

Richard has a common-sense approach to electrical safety and excels in problem-solving on behalf of our clients. Self-described as mechanically minded, he is a “car guy” through and through, with extensive experience in the automotive sector to back it up.

Richard is a team player and is willing to travel wherever he is needed to ensure our clients' electrical equipment is safe. Being a proud family man, when not at work, he likes to spend as much time as possible at home with the people who matter most to him.

Nathan Kieffer is a Field Evaluation Inspector in Western Ontario with over 20 years of experience in the industry! 

Nathan specializes in offering quality customer service, as a field inspector, he loves when customers ask him questions. Nathan believes these questions help continue his growth as a professional and encourage him learn more everyday.

Outside of work, Nathan is a man who loves his community, he is locally involved in the farming community and plans on getting involved with the local fair committee. Nathan also loves to be active outside of work, he does this through Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Ice/Rock climbing, mountain biking, and weightlifting.

A community man also means a family man! Nathan loves spending time with his wife and 4-year-old daughter, together they continue to grow the worlds largest pumpkin!

Zoran Rakinic is a Field Evaluation Electrical Inspector in the Eastern Ontario and Quebec regions. Zoran has a strong knowledge of The Canadian Electrical Code, CSA, and UL standards. As a former ESA regulatory inspector, he greatly understands the AHJ's expectations and strives to meet them to improve electrical safety.

With over 20 years of electrical experience and having run his own business for six years prior to his inspector role, he understands the importance of providing prompt and quality service to his customers. He enjoys finding solutions to different challenges and helping his customers through the development stage and ultimately to final approval of their equipment at Canadian or International sites. Ultimate satisfaction is when his customers succeed in building their dream product, pass inspection, and receive the eSAFE label as proof of a safe product that meets standards.

In his personal time, he enjoys spending time with his family, either boating the Ottawa River or RVing through Canada and the USA. He enjoys fishing and spending time in nature.

John Fox is a Field Electrical Approval Inspector for eSAFE’s Western Ontario Team. John has worked in the electrical industry for over 23 years. Within that time, he has acquired knowledge of Hazardous Locations Installations, Automated Industrial Machines, Electrical Design and Controls. John’s certifications include a 309A construction and maintenance electrical licence, Master Electrician’s licence and an Electrical Engineering Technician Diploma from St. Clair College.

As a past proprietor of a Controls Company, John has developed his ability to find the best solutions for the tough problems, with his clients in mind. Always working with the latest technologies, he is prepared for a challenge. He has extensive knowledge of the Canadian Electrical Code Part I and Part II standards that he developed while designing electrical systems and schematics for automated robotic cells. Punctual, respectful and patient. John provides a valuable service for eSAFE clients.

With John’s close proximity to the U.S. border and international airports, he services customers worldwide.  Regardless of the complexity, time restraints, or location, you can count on John to be there for you.

When John is not reading standards and electrical code, he enjoys spending time with his family. Whether it’s canning in the fall, swimming in the summer, or visiting small Ontario towns in the spring, with his free time you will find him with his family.