Kevin Smith

Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Kevin serves as the Founder and President of Smartrend Manufacturing Group (SMG). He holds the distinction of being the innovator behind the groundbreaking Illuminated School Bus Sign and Fully Illuminated Stop Arm, both of which have found extensive use on school buses throughout North America. Kevin plays a pivotal role in managing operations in Canada, the United States, Vietnam, and China. His impressive business acumen and unwavering commitment to the company are reflected in his ability to cultivate positive and mutually beneficial relationships with valued customers, implement strategic approaches to foster product growth, and empower individuals within the organization to consistently deliver their utmost efforts.

Cam Quan-Smith

Cam, Vice President of Smartrend Manufacturing Group (SMG), plays a pivotal role in the operation’s behind-the-scenes activities. As an accomplished, award-winning performer, Cam is recognized for her exemplary customer service, innovation, sales achievements, leadership abilities, and strong teamwork skills in multinational organizations. A strong believer in a positive culture and diverse workforce, she is experienced in leading continuous improvement initiatives in a variety of diverse sectors including transportation, manufacturing, food processing, industrial, aerospace, mining, and government. With an MBA under her belt, she is responsible for leading and inspiring world class teams in operations, manufacturing, supply chain, quality, and human resources.

Michael Yudelevich, P. Eng.

With over 20 years of experience, Michael is an innovative, out-of-the-box thinker that holds numerous design patents. Michael is a well rounded, strategic thinker that rose through the ranks and now leads our Mechanical Engineering team. The safety of children and the success of the SMG team is what motivates Michael. During his down time Michael enjoys spending time with family and friends.

JOVAN LATISNERE

Jovan brings a wealth of knowledge with over 25 years in the supply chain industry. Having worked in a variety of different capacities in supply chain, he focuses on ensuring material is delivered on schedule and within budget. Jovan seeks to build strong supplier relationships to assist in achieving organizational cost savings goals. His motivation comes from his family and the desire to do meaningful work at SMG.

VICTOR PONCE

With over 18 years of experience in enterprise IT, software development, and technology leadership, Victor is a seasoned professional dedicated to driving innovation and streamlining business operations. As Director of Information Technology, he oversees the development and management of company systems, ensuring all solutions align with strategic goals.

Guided by the belief that no goal is impossible, Victor supports business growth through data-driven, scalable technology initiatives. Outside of work, he enjoys time with family, exploring the outdoors, and volunteering with community and cultural organizations.

DOUG CAMPBELL

With over 20 years of expertise in the school bus industry, Doug’s passion for enhancing child safety began early in his career when he witnessed firsthand the risks children face during school bus loading and unloading. He is dedicated to promoting innovative safety solutions, particularly illuminated products, to improve visibility and protect students. Doug’s career is centered on making school transportation safer for children everywhere.​

Tara Chawla, MBA

For more than 15 years, Tara has helped organizations grow by leading marketing teams in manufacturing and agency settings. She brings curiosity and analytical thinking to her work, with a focus on finding creative solutions to complex challenges. With a Bachelor’s in Cognitive Science from the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from the Asper School of Business, Tara leads her teams with a people-first approach, grounded in how people think, decide, and collaborate. Outside of work, she volunteers with various boards and enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing sports, and travelling.

DYLAN JANZEN

Dylan is a mechanical engineer with over 7 years of experience in manufacturing and operations, primarily in the aerospace and pharmaceutical industries. As Production Manager, he leads production, oversees the manufacturing engineering team, and drives continuous improvement efforts. He’s passionate about combining business goals with a people-first approach. Believing that aligned, informed teams deliver the strongest results. Notably, Dylan helped develop a live production interface for real-time data collection and traceability, and in a previous role, led cost-saving initiatives that resulted in over $1.25 million in savings in just one year. He holds a P.Eng designation and a Green Belt in Lean Six Sigma.

Born and raised in Winnipeg, Dylan values open-mindedness and collaboration. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his wife and young son, and in his free time, explores innovative design through 3D printing. He feels continuously motivated by SMG’s accomplishments and looks forward to growing with the company while working toward a Director of Operations role.

JUDITH CUEPPER

With over 12 years of experience in digital marketing, Judith has built her career on connecting with audiences through creative ideas and strategic campaigns. As a Product Marketing Manager, she’s passionate about delivering positive customer experiences and supporting a mission that’s making school transportation safer.

She values working with a talented, collaborative team that brings big ideas to life. Judith looks forward to growing within the company and continuing to contribute in meaningful ways. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling with her family, outdoor adventures, videography, and discovering hidden food spots.

DMITRIY USTINOV

Dmitriy Ustinov joined Smartrend Manufacturing Group with 8 years of experience in quality and manufacturing across the aerospace, medical, farm equipment, and plastics industries. As Quality Assurance Manager, he leads site-level and global QA initiatives, manages supplier audits, and drives IATF 16949 certification readiness. Valuing a systems-driven, hands-on approach to process improvement, Dmitriy has developed traceability systems for data collection and analysis, introduced automated inspection tools, and established a standardized supplier onboarding process focused on Critical-to-Quality requirements, helping align SMG’s global sites under a unified quality platform.

In his previous roles, Dmitriy led cost-saving initiatives that reduced expenses by $500,000 through optimization of internal manufacturing processes. He is Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certified and holds additional credentials in GD&T as well as various Quality Auditing certifications.

Originally from Karaganda, Kazakhstan, Dmitriy immigrated to Canada after completing his education. Valuing accountability, continuous learning, and clear communication, he believes in taking ownership of his work, supporting his team, and continually seeking ways to make processes more efficient. Outside of work he enjoys active sports, 3D printing, and FPV drone flying. Motivated by solving real-world problems and fostering high-performing teams, Dmitriy is working toward a Director of Quality role while contributing to SMG’s global success.