The Vanguard Podcast

J. Richard Jones is back with another episode of Vanguard Radio. This time he’s sitting down to speak with Tracy Medve, President & CEO of KF Aerospace and Board Chair of SkyAlyne. The discussion covers many topics, including Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) and SkyAlyne, the Canadian-Multi Mission Aircraft project (CMMA) and Team Poseidon. Since she began her career in aviation in 1985, Tracy has held various senior airline management positions, including at Norcanair, Time Air, Canadian Partner, and Canadian Regional Airlines. Tracy was the co-founder of C.T. AeroProjects, a Calgary-based consultancy focused on air transport resource management, working with a wide range of public and private aviation clients around the world. From 2007 to 2012, Tracy was the President of Canadian North Airlines. In May 2013, Tracy was appointed President of KF Aerospace and became President and CEO in August 2021. Tracy is a lawyer by training (University of Saskatchewan, 1982) and a graduate of the John Molson School of Business Global Aviation MBA program at Concordia University (2009). She is the 2007 recipient of the John Molson School of Business MBA Scholarship and was inducted as a member of the Beta Gamma Sigma honour society in 2009. Tracy also served in the Canadian Armed Forces Reserves as a Signals Officer from 1975 to 1981. Founded by Barry Lapointe in the Okanagan Valley, British Columbia in 1970, KF Aerospace is Canada’s largest commercial aviation maintenance, repair, overhaul, and modification (MRO) provider. With a workforce of over 1200 highly skilled employees, KF’s multi-faceted business operations include first-class engineering and design services, commercial aircraft leasing and decades of experience as a commercial cargo carrier. KF Aerospace also has a long history of supporting and working with the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) including managing the CFTS pilot training contract for the RCAF at Southport, MB since 2005. In this episode: The aviation and defence career path Advice for entering the industry Where Canadian aerospace and defence is heading KF Aerospace contract with the Future Aircrew Training Program The KF Aerospace role on Team Poseidon And more!

Join J. Richard Jones as he dives into conversation with Chris Earl, Vice President, Project Delivery, Victoria Shipyards to learn more about the history and future of Canada’s submarine program and how Victoria Shipyards is uniquely positioned to support it. Chris Earl joined Seaspan Victoria Shipyards in 2021, and in July 2022, assumed his current role as Vice President, Project Delivery. Chris is a retired Rear-Admiral (RAdm) in the Royal Canadian Navy, where he spent the last 35 years serving Canada. During his last four years in uniform, RAdm (Ret’d) Earl served as the Chief Engineer of the Royal Canadian Navy and was appointed as the Chief of Staff (Material); the most senior military procurement and sustainment specialist within the Material group of the Canadian Armed Forces. In his current role as Vice President, Project Delivery, Chris is responsible for all Naval maintenance programs and National Shipbuilding Strategy build support activities conducted at Victoria Shipyards. Chris is a graduate of the Royal Military College, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, a Master’s degree in Defence Studies, and is a graduate of both the Canadian Forces College Joint Command and Staff and National Security Programmes. Victoria Shipyards specializes in complex projects up to complete vessel conversions. It is an integral part of the Canadian Navy frigate and submarine maintenance programs, with its highly specialized and experienced team providing critical maintenance on Canada’s Halifax-class frigates for over 20 years and in-service support for its Victoria-Class submarines for over a decade. Victoria Shipyards is one of the few North American shipyards executing work on international cruise vessels and performing the first major vessel LNG dual fuel conversion on two ships. Victoria Shipyards operates within the federally owned Esquimalt Graving Dock (EGD), the largest solid bottom commercial drydock on the West Coast of the Americas. In this episode: Seaspan's history as a trusted partner in Canada's submarine maintenance and sustainment program The uniqueness of working on submarines How Team Victoria Class (with partners Babcock and BMT) is providing value for Canada Considerations for the future of Canada’s submarines The future of Team Victoria Class and Seaspan And more!

In the latest edition Vanguard Radio, J. Richard Jones sits down with Soledad Garrido, Senior Key Account Manager, North America, Navantia. Together they look back on the rich history of the Peral submarine. Launched on September 8, 1888, it was the first fully capable military submarine, and the first successful full electric battery-powered submarine. Sol Garrido has more than 20 years of experience in the Defense and Aerospace sector, living and working in three continents. Working for Navantia since 2019, first as Strategy & Business Development Lead in the Australian branch of the company, nowadays Sol is Navantia´s Key Account Manager for North America. She has an extensive education that includes MsC Control Engineer - University Carlos III de Madrid (Spain), Thesis at the Ecole Supérieure d'Electricité de Paris (France), Master of Business Administration - University of New South Wales (Australia), and other business studies at IESE Business School as well as University of California, Berkeley. Navantia is a state-owned company (SEPI Group), which designs and builds ships with a high technological content for the Spanish Navy and other navies. They integrate systems and provide life cycle support, repairs, modernization, and technology transfer (ToT) services in 20 countries. They are also a highly export-oriented company. Navantia’s activity focuses on three areas: Shipbuilding and Ship Repairs, Systems and Services and Green Energy, where they are an international benchmark in offshore wind energy. Digital transformation and sustainability are two of their future axes. With more than 300 years of history, Navantia is today a company that develops cutting-edge technology (digital twin, 5G, Internet of Things, eco-efficient design, hydrogen technologies) and has a tractor effect on the entire value chain, innovating and creating highly qualified employment and growth. In this episode: Development of the first successful full electric battery-powered submarine Why it was revolutionary How it has evolved through time The evolution of Cartagena shipyard from Peral to S80 And more!

In this exciting new episode of the Vanguard Radio, host J. Richard Jones speaks exclusively with Steve SK Jeong, SEVP, Naval Ship International Business, Hanwha Ocean, and Ret. VADM of Republic of Korea Navy/ Former Submarine Force Commander. The two discuss a range of topics, including the importance of a proven submarine design, the heritage of the Republic of Korea’s Navy Submarine Force, and the history and submarine expertise of Hanwha Ocean. Sungkyun Jeong is the Head of the international business division for naval ships in Hanwha Ocean. He joined in 2023, bringing with him a distinguished career as a former vice admiral of the ROK Navy. Throughout his tenure, he has demonstrated expertise in military strategy, naval capabilities, and requirements, as well as successful leadership in various projects. He chaired Submarine Force Commander, Director for Joint Military strategy and WMD Center of JCS, and DCNO for Naval Capabilities, Requirements and Strategy for ROKN Headquarters. His educational background includes a Bachelor’s Degree in Marine Engineering from the USNA, a Master's degree in Nuclear Engineering from the University of Florida, a Master's degree in National Security and Strategy from the US National Defense University, and successful completion of the Royal British Navy International Senior Leadership Course. Hanwha Ocean has made a remarkable impact on the global market since its foundation in 1973. Since its entry into the naval ship market, Hanwha Ocean has designed and built a wide range of advanced naval ships. It has established its solid position as a leading naval shipbuilder in Korea. Hanwha Ocean's KSS-III submarine design and construction aims to meet the requirements of Royal Canadian Navy. In this episode: Insights into Hanwha Ocean and its submarines Submarine development history at Hanwha Ocean Why is a "sea proven" submarine so significant? What can Hanwha Ocean bring to the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project And more!

In the latest episode of Vanguard Radio, host J. Richard Jones talks with Jack MacDonald, Technical Director, ADGA Group about ADGA’s core services, observations, and insights on defence procurement problems and how ADGA's Value-added Program Management service is part of the solution. Jack MacDonald served 27 years in the Canadian Armed Forces before taking on leadership roles both within government and the defence industry. He brings years of experience in complex procurement, program management and technology innovation to his current role as Technical Director for ADGA Group. ADGA Group is a proudly Canadian-owned and operated defence and security technology company. Their core services include value-added program management, agile software engineering development, and integrated security solutions. ADGA is recognized for employing advanced technology experts who bring unparalleled expertise in defence and security systems. For decades, ADGA have recruited CAF veterans to integrate their unique skill sets and highly specialized training into their workforce and work culture. ADGA’s social mandate is not only to hire veterans, but also family members and fellow citizens who share a passion to protect Canadians and Canada’s allies, and to give back to veteran causes in the community. In this episode: What has changed at ADGA since the acquisition by Commissionaires Ottawa ADGA's core services What is “Value-added Program Management"? How Value-added Program Management supports military members on the battlefield and behind the lines And more!

In the latest episode of Vanguard Radio, host J. Richard Jones has a discussion with Ted Kirkpatrick, Director of Business Development and Government Relations, Heddle Shipyards about shipbuilding in Ontario, Team Vigilance eliminating the boom-and-bust cycles of shipbuilding and repair, and much more. Ted Kirkpatrick, a seasoned maritime professional with a diverse background, joined Heddle Shipyards in 2019. In 2020, he assumed the role of Director of Business Development and Government Relations. Ted's journey began as a deckhand in 2012 with McKeil Marine, where he worked his way up to becoming a Captain and Navigation officer, obtaining his certificates while at sea. Throughout his career, Ted has gained extensive experience on various vessels, from tugs to self-unloaders and pneumatic cement carriers. He has been actively involved in both vessel maintenance and operations, fostering deep connections within the Canadian commercial shipping industry. In his current role, Ted is focused on enhancing Heddle's market presence and nurturing relationships with clients and government entities. Heddle Shipyards is the largest Canadian ship repair and construction company on the Great Lakes operating shipyards in Hamilton, St. Catharines and Thunder Bay. A wholly Canadian owned company, Heddle has been in continuous operation since 1987 and is the leading vessel life cycle services provider on the Great Lakes. Their vision is to be recognized as the most reliable provider of ship repair and maintenance services in Canada and a meaningful partner in the shipbuilding industry. In this episode: The state of shipbuilding in Ontario How the province can support the growth of the industry How Heddle preparing for increased shipbuilding work And more!

In this exciting episode of Vanguard Radio, J. Richard Jones speaks with Derek Buxton, VP Business Development & Ottawa about the Vigilance Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel, and the importance of the proposed Team Canada approach. Derek Buxton has 32 years of combined service with the Royal Canadian Navy and Canadian Coast Guard and is currently spearheading the development of new opportunities for VARD in the global government shipbuilding sector. After completing his engineering degree at the Royal Military College of Canada, Derek started his career in the military serving in many sea-going and shore-based roles. He spent four years on exchange duties in Australia with the COLLINS Class submarine program, and subsequently worked on the acquisition and in-service support of Canada’s VICTORIA Class submarines upon his return to Canada. He then finished his military career in 2007 as the design authority for submarine platform systems. Derek spent eleven years with the Canadian Coast Guard in key leadership roles supporting its renewal program, and most recently was responsible for the requirements definition and concept development for the Coast Guard’s future fleet. Vard Marine Inc. is a consulting naval architecture and marine engineering company established in 1983 and is a wholly owned subsidiary of VARD Group AS in Norway, a Fincantieri company. These partnerships provide for access to design and construction databases from both VARD Group and Fincantieri that can be utilized in projects worldwide. In this episode: The Vigilance Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel design and the proposed approach What the Team Vigilance partners bring to the table The importance of the proposed Team Canada approach Kingston-class replacement vs a life extension program Designing and tailoring for a specific customer The importance of designing in Canada And more!

Join us for another insightful episode of Vanguard Radio. J. Richard Jones speaks with Philippe Perey, Head of Technology, CAE. CAE is at the leading edge of digital immersion, providing solutions to make the world a safer place. Today and tomorrow, CAE is the partner of choice for customers who operate in a complex, highly dynamic, and largely unpredictable environment where safety, mission readiness and successful outcomes are critical. The topic of conversation pits innovation against experience in modern military training. In this episode: What are the key issues driving the need for updated training? What are the critical enablers to transform training? What innovation is CAE working on? And much more!

Welcome back to another episode of Vanguard Radio with host J. Richard Jones. In this episode, we speak with Theo Zafirakos, CISO Coach and Professional Services, Security Awareness Speaker for Fortra's Terranova Security. Theo is an experienced security leader and trusted advisor known for his expertise in security awareness strategy, governance, privacy, and cyber security. He collaborates with CISOs and security leaders globally, assisting them in identifying, evaluating, and managing security awareness risks. Prior to joining Terranova Security, Theo spent two decades at Canadian National Railway (CN) as the CISO, where he was responsible for the information security and governance strategy. He currently leads the Fortra's Terranova Security Professional Services team, which focuses on implementing and executing security awareness programs to achieve measurable results. Terranova Security is a valuable addition to Fortra's comprehensive cybersecurity portfolio, which aims to simplify the complex landscape with innovative solutions. Their risk-based campaigns and high-quality training content empower employees to understand critical practices like phishing and compliance. Customized options align with customer goals, strengthening long-term information security. Terranova fosters an inclusive workplace with equal gender representation and encourages diverse voices to drive innovative security awareness training. Today’s conversation zeros in on the fact that a successful security awareness program should generate a security-aware organizational culture. In this episode: Why should your organization build a Security-Aware Culture? How to Spot a Security-Aware Cultural Shift in a Business? Why leaders need to understand employee cyber security awareness levels Why your organization should be concerned about Third-Party Risk Management And much more!

J. Richard Jones returns with a new episode of Vanguard Radio. This week he is speaking with Colonel (Ret’d) Rick Fawcett, Vice President Operations, ADGA Group Consultants Inc. Mr. Fawcett is no stranger to the show. With 34 years of service in the Canadian Armed Forces, he transitioned to executive roles in the Defense industry and joined ADGA in September 2020. He held various command and staff positions, served in multiple UN and NATO missions, and received notable honors. After retiring in 2013, he established a private consulting firm and later became the Director of Business Development at General Dynamics Canada, focusing on defense and security markets. Founded in 1967, ADGA Group Consultants Inc. is a Canadian company specializing in Advanced Technology Solutions. They work closely with clients in Defence, Security, and Public Safety markets to solve complex business problems by designing, building, operating, and maintaining their systems and processes. ADGA is committed to initiatives and policies that contribute to jobs, innovation, and economic growth across Canada. In December 2021, ADGA was acquired by Commissionaires Ottawa, enhancing its capabilities to provide a full spectrum of security solutions. This week the discussion revolves around industry support to the reconstitution and modernization of the Canadian Armed Forces. In this episode: Why is there such a need for additional support for the CAF? What industry can do to support What is PMO as a service? How can ADGA support? And much more!

J. Richard Jones is back with another episode of Vanguard Radio. This week he speaks with Owen Brine, Sales Director Defence (Canada) at Kongsberg Digital. In his role at Kongsberg Digital, Owen draws upon a distinguished 20 years of active naval service; including four NATO deployments conducting operations in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Among other Navy roles, he was assigned to National Defence Headquarters where he led the defence Human Systems Integration team in the design of the Combat Management System for the Halifax Class warship. Kongsberg Digital is the provider of the K-Sim maritime simulation system that enables efficient and realistic training of students and crew, building vital skills that promote safety, cost-efficiency, and sustainability in operations at sea. Also in this episode: What public sector experience does DXC bring to Canada? How can DXC help the Government of Canada? Turning Data into Insights & Actions Managing and protecting data as a strategic asset And more!

In this episode of the Vanguard podcast, J. Richard Jones is joined by Simon Carroll, President, Saab Canada, and Jason Howard, Saab CPSP Campaign Director. Simon Carroll leads the Canadian Saab teams in Ottawa, Halifax, Medicine Hat, and Burnaby. A former Officer in the Royal Australian Navy, he has many decades of experience in the defence and naval sectors. Jason Howard has 20 years of experience in the defence industry, where he has held positions in business development, strategy, and marketing and sales. Jason has spent the last 5 years working in Saab's naval division, Saab Kockums, where he has now taken responsibility for the company's Canadian Patrol Submarine Project campaign. The conversation dives into a range of topics from Saab’s collaborative approach and the importance of future proofing submarines to Saab’s history with Canada and submarine development. Also in this episode: Why are new Submarines important for Canada? What is Saab's history with submarine development? How has Sweden maintained a successful submarine program? What makes Saab's approach to submarine development unique? And more! And to learn more about Saab, visit Saab.ca

Join host, J. Richard Jones, as he talks to Victor Khoo, Chief Engineer, General Dynamics Mission Systems–Canada and Alkarim Amlani, Director of Cyber Programs, General Dynamics Mission Systems–Canada. Victor’s career has spanned many industries and experiences — from Oil & Gas, SCADA and Telecom to designing cell phones, international airport audio systems, and cryptographic algorithms. He has been with General Dynamics Mission Systems–Canada for the past 16 years. Alkarim has over 30 years of engineering and senior leadership experience with both Nortel Networks and General Dynamics Mission Systems–Canada, having joined the latter in 2002. Alkarim has profit and loss oversight for General Dynamics Mission Systems–Canada’s growing Cyber business unit. This responsibility includes the delivery of existing cyber programs to Canada’s Department of National Defence (DND) while providing oversight and leadership around various business development and opportunity pursuits related to emerging cyber operations programs in Canada and select international markets.  General Dynamics Mission Systems - Canada is one of Canada’s most established defence and security technology companies, delivering solutions and tools that are battlefield proven and have earned the confidence of soldiers and leaders worldwide. In this episode: How the technical challenges of army digitization are progressing Land C4ISR Modernization Programs key considerations when bringing CAF infrastructure to the cloud Making the CAF’s Digital Strategy a reality And more!

In the latest episode of Vanguard Weekly, join host J. Richard Jones for the first of an ongoing series that will discuss the topic of training and upskilling using capstones. He is joined by guests Caleb Walker, Chief Strategy Officer for WithYouWithMe and Major General (Retired) Rupert Jones. Caleb is a 20-year combat veteran with a passion for HR and digital transformation as well as cultural change, and a frequent guest of the show. Rupert is a retired senior British Army officer, who served as the Standing Joint Force Commander from November 2018 to July 2021. Together, they tackle the questions of how to measure the returns on staff training and how to determine what value was gained. Also in this episode: What are capstones, how are they used, and how can they help? How to determine if someone has the skills you need? Mission rehearsal exercise as practical demonstration of skills Capstones as inspiration for solving other problems Attracting and retaining the right talent Driving training to build capability Capstones and the need for digital training The CV test versus the capstone opportunity

Today, host J. Richard Jones is joined by Rick Fawcett, Vice President, Operations ADGA. Richard is retired Colonel who served 34 years in the Canadian Armed Forces before taking on executive roles in the defence industry and joining the ADGA team in September 2020. Founded in 1967, ADGA Group Consultants Inc. is a privately owned and operated Canadian company specializing in Advanced Technology Solutions. In December 2021, ADGA was acquired by Commissionaires Ottawa, converging its capabilities with allied companies to provide a one-stop, full spectrum of cyber, electronic, and physical security solutions. ADGA is also committed to initiatives and policies that contribute to jobs, innovation, and economic growth across Canada. Vanguard asks Rick to explain what and how ADGA delivers for Canada. Also in this episode: What is ADGA's social mandate? Why is the social mandate important to ADGA and how did it come about? What differentiates ADGA from other companies? How does the social mandate help ADGA when it comes to contracts, both present and future? What does ADGA do for veterans? What should veterans and people leaving the military know about ADGA?