We are a collective of commercial cleaning, janitorial, maintenance, and construction experts who work side by side to take care of your buildings. Solo, we excel in our specific roles. But together we are Innovation. Get to know the lead team at Innovation Building Maintenance.
Meet your Innovation team
GET TO KNOW THE PEOPLE WHO POWER OUR WORK FOR YOU
RAY HOOD
Founder and CEO
Growing a business is no easy task. It takes resolve, ingenuity, and setbacks before achieving success. For Innovation Building Maintenance CEO Ray Hood, it’s all based on building and backing a resilient, ethical team.
Ray Hood knows this because he lives it on the daily. “Our clients give us their building maintenance business and their trust. Our equipment requires investment. But it’s our Innovation team who manage and deliver our services 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They are our core strength and most important asset.”
Knowing his team member’s skills, showing them what to look for, and quietly calling the effective play comes naturally to this former college basketball player and longtime Raptors fan.
“Do what you say you are going to do,” is at the core of Ray’s business and life values. That follow-through underscores both Innovation’s “Get It Right, Make It Right” quality assurance promise, and the company’s commitment to ongoing training and continual improvement.
SUSAN HOOD
CFO
What does work-life balance have to do with a healthy balance sheet? Innovation Building Maintenance Chief Financial Officer Susan Hood adds up the impact of company culture and a strong communication loop.
Ask Innovation Building Maintenance CFO Susan Hood what skills count in running a family-family founded, rapidly expanding service business and she quickly comes back with a list. Her must-haves start with, “Empathy, listening skills, and clear priorities.”
“In our workdays, people, especially women, wear a lot of hats. I think it’s important to recognize that we’re all at different points. But we are all in this together. As business leaders, we need to do what we can to balance the load.”
While these days her role is largely behind-the-scenes “planning and paperwork,” Susan is proud of Innovation’s client service and community engagement. Along with getting systems set up and being proactive, she emphasizes keeping your ears open, to clients, team members, and your inner circle. “Know your goals and get to know their goals…How can we help each other do what we each do best.”
TAHSIN BONDOKJI
President Business Development
“We integrate technology and innovation into our business for our clients’ and team members’ benefit.”
Tahsin, President of Business Development at Innovation Building Maintenance, is a long-time powerhouse in Ontario’s janitorial, commercial cleaning, and building services industry. His talent for relationship building and fostering service excellence is a cornerstone of Innovation’s strong reputation.
Alongside his knack for networking, Tahsin’s entrepreneurial mindset has helped Innovation specialize in a range of niche services, markets, and sectors while engaging across industry organizations like BOMA, BSCAI, and ISSA. He champions integrating technology throughout the company, leveraging quality control software and CRM portals to improve customer satisfaction and personalize client collaboration.
“The right technology helps our team work more efficiently, improves the quality of the work, and strengthens trust with clients and tenants.” Tahsin’s approach underscores that successful building maintenance business requires more than hard work and a client list. “It takes strategies to streamline operations, continuously upgrade service, and stand out from our competition.”
A commercial pilot and avid automotive enthusiast, in his spare time Tahsin enjoys being airborne with friends and family.
ANDREW HOOD
Vice President
Having done “just about everything” at Innovation, “pretty much since I can remember,” except for semesters earning his degree at Brock University, Andrew now oversees all our business operations including cleaning, maintenance, and construction.
He sees flexibility as one of Innovation's top client benefits. "Services, schedules, and budgets are all customized with us."
Andrew is focused on investing in accreditations and partnerships to advance Innovation's ESG goals including ISSA CIMS GB with Honors, EcoVadis Bronze medal, and veritree. Community partners like Halton Down Syndrome Association are also very important to him. When he’s not on the job, you’ll find Andrew laughing with his young son and daughter or hitting the gym.
His other passion is cars and motorsports starting with Formula 1. “The very best thing about track racing is the sounds.” If he could meet one person in an elevator at an Innovation-maintained building, it must be LeBron. His question for the power forward, “If you played Michael Jordan, how much would you win by?”
ANDRÉ LADOUCEUR
Senior Executive Consultant
André brings a rare combination of commercial cleaning knowledge and expertise to our Innovation leadership that he has earned client-side, with service providers, and in leading consultancies.
Ottawa-based, André is fully bilingual and familiar with nuances across the building maintenance industry nationally.
Previously, André was a long-time Vice President at DCS Global Advisors and managed regional cleaning services for 50 major contracts, including Loblaws, Metro, and Home Depot. Nimble, from managing teams of 5 to 500, he led business development for a 40-location Tim Hortons franchise group and commercial operations for St-Albert Cheese.
André’s leadership ensures everyone is treated with dignity, respect, and equity while prioritizing client service. As a trusted advisor, he knows, “There’s power in listening and adapting.”
Away from his desk, André’s either celebrating family milestones with his wife, three children, first granddaughter, and pug Lola or cheering on his other lifelong love, the New York Jets. A future with more four-season cottage life and V8 juice (his go-to over coffee) are part of André’s “Always plan ahead!” mindset.
AYSE UCGEC
Managing Partner Client Services
“We listen to you, our clients, to understand your goals and objectives, so that we can help you focus on what you do best.” Ayse is a familiar face of our leadership team at Innovation Building Maintenance.
“In-person quality assurance, accountability, and continuous improvement matter to all of us,” she notes. Prior to her current role, Ayse honed her cleaning industry and customer satisfaction skills on-site at one of our well-known corporate tower clients in downtown Toronto. Her office must-haves include her water bottle and a collection of power jackets that would impress Michelle Obama.
A Sheridan College alum and hockey fan who actually prefers sand over ice, Ayse would choose teleportation as her superpower. The double pay-off on that: bypassing Golden Horseshoe site visit traffic and packing in more beach getaways. Guided by our Founder Ray’s advice to research well then, “Always trust your gut,” Ayse excels at fostering connections between clients and team. She’s also always there for client community outreach initiatives like Women with Drive and One Million Trees Mississauga.
DEBORA DO CARMO
Operations Manager
Meet Debora, our unstoppable Operations Manager at Innovation Building Maintenance. Fueled by constant coffee, she considers her work team, “a second family” and values our capacity to make her laugh on even the most hectic day.
Over two years with us, Debora has streamlined the logistics of commercial cleaning and building maintenance projects while developing her estimating skills. She sees Innovation’s Cross Inspection System as one of the company’s behind-the-scenes strengths and tends to train her eagle eyes on floor corners and washrooms.
After hours, you might finally find Debora unwinding on her couch with Netflix, considering the next addition to her collection of fine perfumes, or dreaming up a Disney adventure. Her adopted motto, “If you mess up, try again!” keeps Debora, and all of us, moving ahead.
STEVEN HOOD
Senior Partner Construction
Steven, our Senior Partner Construction at Innovation Building Maintenance, knows what it takes to maintain complex buildings that are functional, energy-efficient, economically sound, and sustainable.
Before joining the Innovation team to expand our building maintenance offerings and integrate construction services Steven studied at Sheridan College’s Building Environmental Systems (BES) program. Most recently, he served as Building Operator at Etobicoke General during the COVID-19 pandemic. At the hospital, he honed his skills managing all regulatory, preventative, demand, and routine maintenance including mechanical, complex healthcare HVAC, plumbing, life safety, exterior upkeep, and building control systems, along with external contractors, operating budgets, and occupant concerns.
Steven’s professional-level affinity for computer controls extends from facilities to video games. When he’s not keeping building projects running smoothly, you might also find him tackling an ever-growing book list.
MICHAEL ROMAGNUOLO
Partner Construction
As Partner Construction and the current newest member of the Innovation Building Maintenance leadership team, Michael’s mindset and best on-the-job advice comes from his grandfather. “Attack life every day as if it’s your last day.”
Michael brings that energetic, hands-on approach to Innovation Building Maintenance construction projects including back-to-base tear outs of retail units, common area renovations in a single tower, multi-location updates, and all kinds of exterior improvements, as well as complete condo unit renovations and new builds.
“Working with Innovation gets you the best of both worlds: deep pro knowledge, experience, and resources from working in all kinds of buildings within a flexible firm that’s focused on your specific project.”
His must-have tool remains his tape measure, or laser distance measurer, for “accurate sizing, checking, and estimating spaces multiple times a day.” A keen surfer, Michael’s downtime is all about making the drop on waves and catching up with family.
ANDREA DOMOTOR
Accounting Manager
Say hello to Andrea, our seriously detailed Accounting Manager at Innovation Building Maintenance, who comes from Hungary and brings us a world of administrative know-how.
Before joining our team, Andrea tested her financial acumen and adaptability running her own business. Andrea loves reading to relax because it allows her to curl up with her dog and get totally lost in a story, the perfect contrast to complex forms and balance sheets. She’s known for putting mayonnaise on more foods than you can imagine and has perfected her favourite dessert, tiramisu.
When it comes to work role models, Queen Elizabeth II tops Andrea’s list for her “dedication to her role, sense of duty, always showing up prepared, and connecting with others.”
CLAUDIO VASQUEZ
Equipment and Warehouse Manager
As Equipment and Warehouse Manager at Innovation Building Maintenance, Claudio has been an essential force behind the scenes since our early days 15 years ago.
His dedication to maintaining a clean, organized, functional inventory is crucial for our company, which specializes in complete commercial cleaning, including cleaning other companies’ warehouses. Claudio knows that well-maintained equipment and well-zoned space support our entire team’s workplace safety, productivity, and efficiency.
Innovation consults our cleaners on their personal equipment preferences, providing items like vacuums, mops, and brooms that support their ergonomic needs and make their work more effective. That customization, plus standards like our colour-coded cleaning items, including buckets and cloths, keep Claudio on his toes. In a 24/7 business, he always rises to the challenge of ensuring all the gear in our warehouse, vehicles, and at client sites is shipshape.
ALEX PETERS
Operations Team Lead
Alex, our energetic Operations Team Lead at Innovation Building Maintenance, is a dynamo for our cleaning, building maintenance, and construction teams.
He works seamlessly across all our services ensuring workflows are smooth and efficient. Alex’s strengths in quality assurance, time management, communication, and Health & Safety make him a valuable resource for both colleagues and clients.
Perpetually on the move, Alex makes a point of checking in on repeat with team members, to ask how they are doing and ensure they have the tools and training they need to succeed. His hands-on approach represents our commitment to a supportive work environment.
Originally from Chile, Alex is one of our Innovation team members who helps provide additional language training. In and out of uniform, we can count on him to bring the sunshine vibes, rocking sunglasses and hats whether it’s Canadian winter or a palm tree vacation.
SONYA BRAE
District Supervisor
A leader by example, Sonya is an Innovation Building Maintenance District Supervisor and a key connection between our cleaning team members, who work on-site and often overnight, and the rest of our organization.
“Show me how you do it.” With new team members, Sonya starts by having a conversation and observing to understand their existing cleaning methods before providing targeted training.
“Good janitorial services means looking after the places people don’t expect and clients might never see, like the tops of cabinets, baseboards, all the way under the desk, and the counter behind that microwave."
Always prepared, Sonya keeps a supply of disposable gloves at hand. She’s a proud fan of her children, going to the gym, and candy. True to her Jamaican roots, she cooks an amazingly flavourful curry goat. Whatever buildings Sonya is responsible for, her commitment and honesty reinforce our Innovation team.
JOSEFINA GOMEZ
District Supervisor
Josefina considers her mom her biggest role model and connects her mother's mantras, “Whatever you are doing, do it well – and live your life to the fullest,” to her own role as a District Supervisor at Innovation Building Maintenance.
She enjoys working with different people and at different sites, finding the best way to accomplish tasks in specific locations. Josefina realizes first impressions are lasting, so she often spot-checks, and reminds team members to pay attention to, entrances and floor care.
Josefina is charmed by two very different characters -- Latin music star Romeo Santos and Mickey Mouse. For her, cooking isn’t a task but a passion, including comforting pots of soup for Canadian winters. When she’s off the clock, baseball, or “pelota” as it’s
known in the Dominican Republic, is always an exciting watch.
MARY GUILLAUME
District Supervisor
Mary brings 20 years of expertise in the cleaning industry and one simple philosophy to her role as a District Supervisor at Innovation Building Maintenance. “Check the 'little' things. Make the clients happy.”
Her favourite part of her role is training new team members for work. When she’s checking on a building, Mary usually starts with the cleaning carts and the on-site janitor’s room.
“If a cart is well-stocked and organized and the storage area and equipment are tidy that shows pride in your work. If those things are good, then I expect the rest of the tasks will be completed. It’s about how you start and finish the job. It’s how you show you care about the rest of your team too.”
Vanessa Do Carmo
Administration
Meet Vanessa, who helps smooth administration for our Innovation team and clients. She recently completed Humber College’s Paralegal Education Program, where she enjoyed diving into Landlord and Tenant law. Her secret to staying task focused? AirPods! Out-of-office, Vanessa’s mood boost tune is an early aughts throwback, Fergie’s Clumsy. Count on her for friendly, efficient office assistance.