Jeff Voth

Founder and Editor-in-Chief, Vicarious · Chair, Vicarious Awards

Jeff Voth is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Vicarious and Chair of the Vicarious Awards, overseeing both the editorial direction of the publication and the governance of its annual judging program. With more than two decades of experience in automotive media, he brings long-standing industry perspective and editorial rigor to the evaluation of today’s vehicles.

Jeff began his career in 1998 with the launch of Cartrackers.com, Canada’s first dedicated new-vehicle review website. He has since contributed to major Canadian and international publications, including Cigar Aficionado and Bombardier Experience Magazine, and served as Yahoo! Autos Editor-at-Large from 2006 to 2012.

Today, Jeff leads Vicarious as a nationally distributed print magazine and multi-platform media brand, guiding its long-term vision across automotive, travel, and lifestyle channels.

Dan Heyman

Senior Editor, Vicarious

Dan Heyman is an award-winning automotive journalist and editor with more than 15 years of experience covering the car industry. Known for his sharp analysis and accessible writing style, he has built a respected career at the intersection of journalism and automotive culture.

His work has appeared in leading Canadian outlets including the Toronto Star and Auto123.com, spanning vehicle reviews, industry news, and long-form features. At Vicarious, Dan serves as Senior Editor and lead First Drive contributor, bringing a thoughtful, detail-oriented approach to automotive coverage.

Outside of work, he is a lifelong car enthusiast with a particular fondness for Hot Wheels.

Emily Atkins

Emily Atkins is an automotive journalist, racer, and photographer with more than 15 years of experience covering cars across Canada and internationally. A competitive road racer, she has earned multiple championship titles and brings a driver’s perspective to every evaluation.

Her byline has appeared in the Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, Automotive News Canada, CAA publications, and fleet-focused outlets. Based in eastern Ontario, Emily balances journalism with racing, music, and outdoor pursuits.

Jeff Wilson ★

Jeff Wilson is a freelance automotive journalist and producer with Echo Bay Media. His work blends photography, storytelling, and travel, informed equally by time behind the wheel and behind the handlebars of a motorcycle.

Steven Bochenek

Steven Bochenek is a veteran marketing writer and automotive journalist with hundreds of published pieces across Canadian media. A member of AJAC since 2011, he also teaches advertising and marketing at the post-secondary level.

Peter Bleakney

Peter Bleakney is a multiple award-winning automotive journalist with nearly 30 years of experience. His work appears in AutoTrader, Robb Report, Sharp, and Vicarious, among others.

Outside journalism, Peter is a professional musician and lifelong Volkswagen and Porsche enthusiast.

Matthew Guy

Matthew’s goal is to put readers in the driver’s seat for a unique and entertaining look at the automotive industry – whether penning vehicle reviews with a creative bent, travelling to manufacturer events for first drives of new models, or speaking with industry stakeholders to gain extra insight for an article.

As a lifelong gearhead scribing automotive content for Canadian and American outlets, he has been alternately described as a freelance author, podcast host, road test magnate, and legend in his own mind. A member of AJAC and resident of rural Nova Scotia, readers can find him on social media @DudeDrivesCars or wrenching on his Dodge Challenger R/T in a futile quest for extra speed.

Mark Hacking

Mark Hacking is an award-winning editor, writer, and photographer whose work has appeared in Architectural Digest,Robb Report, NUVO, Forza, and The Globe and Mail. He has also competed in international motorsport, including Targa Newfoundland, Ferrari Challenge, and the Jaguar I-PACE eTrophy.

Kevin Mio

Based in Montreal, Kevin Mio is a seasoned automotive journalist and editor with more than 20 years of experience. A former AJAC member, he co-chaired the association’s EcoRun, highlighting advancements in vehicle electrification.

His work has appeared in Vicarious, the Montreal Gazette, National Post, Driving.ca, and other major outlets.

Tim Dimopoulos

Tim Dimopoulos is Managing Director and Publisher of Automotive News Canada and brings more than 30 years of senior leadership experience in business and automotive media. Prior to joining Automotive News, he held executive roles at Annex Business Media, Glacier Media, and Rogers Sports & Media.

Tim is also a broadcast contributor and host, appearing regularly on national radio programs including 680 News. He holds a degree in Communication Studies from Concordia University.

Gabriel Gélinas ★

Gabriel Gélinas is an award-winning automotive journalist with more than three decades of experience. He is a juror for both the World Car of the Year Awards and the North American Car, Truck and Utility of the Year Awards, and serves as a director for WCOTY.

A former Chief Instructor at the Jim Russell Racing School at Circuit Mont-Tremblant, Gabriel brings extensive track experience to his evaluations. He has also served as Chief Editor of Moto Journal, contributing deep motorcycle expertise alongside his automotive work.

Andrew McCredie

Andrew McCredie is a veteran automotive journalist and long-time member of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada. His work blends vehicle evaluation with travel storytelling, and he hosts the Plugged In podcast focused on electric vehicles.

Based in North Vancouver, Andrew brings decades of global driving experience and a growing focus on electrification to the jury.

Kunal D’Souza

Kunal D’Souza is a Canadian automotive journalist and content creator whose work explores the emotional and experiential side of driving. A regular contributor to leading outlets and digital platforms, he approaches cars as tools for exploration and storytelling.

Petrina Gentile

Petrina Gentile is an award-winning automotive journalist who has covered the industry for more than two decades. A regular contributor to The Globe and Mail, she also appears frequently as an automotive expert on national television and business news networks.

She previously produced 18 seasons of the national TV show Car/Business and holds a Master of Journalism from Carleton University.

Michael Bettencourt

Michael Bettencourt focuses on exotic and electric vehicles and has test-driven thousands of cars over the past two decades. A co-author of The Practical Guide to Electric Vehicles, he regularly contributes to the Toronto Star and international EV-focused publications.

He has been a member of AJAC for more than 25 years and serves as a judge for its annual Innovation Awards.

Additional Automobile Dual-Discipline Jurors ★

Matthew Neudorf ★

Mark Richardson ★

Matthew Neudorf ★

Matthew Neudorf is a long-time automotive and motorcycle journalist whose work emphasizes travel, adventure, and machine-focused storytelling. He has contributed to The Toronto Star, Gear Patrol, Bike Exif, and Vicarious.

Mark Richardson ★

Mark Richardson is a former editor of Toronto Star Wheels and a veteran automotive and motorcycle journalist. He is currently a freelance contributor to Vicarious and The Globe and Mail’s GlobeDrive, bringing decades of editorial experience to both automotive and motorcycle evaluation.

He is the author of several acclaimed books, including Zen and Now: On the Trail of Robert Pirsig and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance and The Drive Across Canada: The Remarkable Story of the Trans-Canada Highway. Based in Cobourg, Ontario, Mark brings a writer’s eye for context, purpose, and how machines shape the journeys they enable.

Justin W. Coffey

Justin W. Coffey is a freelance photojournalist and co-creator of WESTx1000, focusing on motorcycles, motorsport, and adventure travel. His work documents high-speed pursuits and remote landscapes around the world.

Additional Motorcycle Dual-Discipline Jurors ★

Gabriel Gélinas ★

Jeff Wilson ★