The Vanguard Podcast Vanguard Canada

Join J. Richard Jones as he peeks inside the cybersecurity industry with John Davis, Vice President of Public Sector, Palo Alto Networks. Together, they explore the history of the field as well as the technologies, business models, and trends that are driving the biggest changes.
 
Retired Major General John Davis has gained more than a decade of senior executive experience across all aspects of cybersecurity, while directing organizations in the U.S. national security sector. He expands cybersecurity initiatives and policy for the international public sector and assists governments and industries around the world in preventing  successful cyber attacks. Mr. Davis has a proven record of achieving results in cybersecurity operations, strategy and policy. He has valuable experience building trusted leadership relationships across the public and private sectors, as well as the international cybersecurity landscape.
 
Palo Alto Networks is the world’s cybersecurity leader. They innovate to outpace cyberthreats, so organizations can embrace technology with confidence. They also provide next-gen cybersecurity to thousands of customers globally, across all sectors. Their best-in-class cybersecurity platforms and services are backed by industry-leading threat intelligence and strengthened by state-of-the-art automation. Whether deploying products to enable the Zero Trust Enterprise, responding to a security incident, or partnering to deliver better security outcomes through a world-class partner ecosystem, Palo Alto is committed to helping ensure each day is safer than the one before. It’s what makes them the cybersecurity partner of choice.
 
Palo Alto Networks is committed to bringing together the very best people in service of their mission and are proud to be the cybersecurity workplace of choice, recognized among Newsweek's Most Loved Workplaces (2023, 2022, 2021), with a score of 100 on the Disability Equality Index (2023, 2022), and HRC Best Places for LGBTQ Equality (2022).
In this episode:
How Palo Alto is changing the cybersecurity game Biggest impediments to innovation Optimization of innovation Key opportunities on the horizon And more!

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!