Corel CEO David Dobson. (Darren Brown, OBJ)

The man who has spearheaded Corel Corp.'s turnaround has been selected as the Ottawa Business Journal's 2007 CEO of the Year.

David Dobson joined Corel in June 2005 after a 20-year career with IBM where he held a number of senior sales, marketing, strategy and general management roles, including his last role as corporate vice–president of strategy.

Within his first year, Mr. Dobson completed Corel's return to the public markets with an initial public offering of 6.5 million shares, resulting in a stock listing on the TSX and Nasdaq.

In addition to the IPO, he led two major acquisitions – the purchase of the hugely popular WinZip application and the US$196-million purchase of InterVideo, makers of WinDVD. The IPO and acquisitions put the Ottawa-based software maker in a much stronger financial position.

Mr. Dobson is OBJ's eighth CEO of the Year recipient. He was selected by a committee that is largely comprised of past recipients, including Kevin Dee, Peter Strom, Richard L'Abbe, Roger Greenberg and George Cwynar. OCRI president Jeffrey Dale and OBJ publisher Michael Curran round out the committee.

2007 CEO OF THE YEAR GALA

The CEO of the Year will be celebrated at a black-tie gala planned for Nov. 14 at the Hilton Lac-Leamy. The gala will include a charity draw for $10,000 in jewellery to benefit CHEO. To attend the CEO of the Year gala, please download the ticket order form at www.ottawabusinessjournal.com/www/CEO_Ticket_Form.pdf

For information on tickets or sponsorship, please contact Sue Perry by email at sue.perry@transcontinental.ca or call 613.744.4800 ext. 225.

2007 CEO OF THE YEAR SPONSORS

CEO OF THE YEAR GALA ITINERARY

5:30 pm Cocktails

6:30 pm Guests take their seats

7:15 pm Dinner

8:45 pm Awards presentation