Darcy Byrtus has over 35 years’ experience in the marine industry.  Darcy served 22 years in the RCN as a Marine Engineering Officer and Naval Architect.  He served in a variety of positions at sea, in the Naval Ship Repair Units and in Major Crown Projects including the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project and as the Ship Systems Manager for the Canadian Patrol Frigate Project.  Darcy also spent 16 years at General Dynamics Canada where he held several positions including the Project Manager for the Hydra Underwater Warfare system for the Royal Swedish Navy, Project Manager Canadian Maritime Helicopter Project, and Director of Business Development for Naval Programs.

Darcy has been President of BMT since 2014. BMT provides engineering, logistics, project management and materials research and to the defence and energy sectors and has supported the Crown on the Joint Support Ship, the Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship and the Canadian Surface Combatant and in the support of the Victoria Class submarines for the last 12 years.        

Darcy has a BSc in Physics & Physical Oceanography from Royal Roads Military College and a MSc in Naval Architecture and a MSc in Mechanical Engineering, both from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.  Darcy also holds a Certificate in International Corporate Direction from the Institute of Directors.

Susanne Vaas is Davie Shipbuilding’s Vice-President, Government and Corporate Affairs. Davie is Canada’s longest established, largest and highest capacity builder of specialist, mission-critical vessels to government and commercial customers. With over 20 years of experience in government affairs, international relations, policy analysis and corporate affairs including governance, Susanne articulates the company’s business objectives through federal government stakeholder engagement, and achieves Davie’s vision to become an exporter of specialized products and services.

Prior to joining Davie, Susanne worked at the Canadian Media Producers Association as Vice‐President, Corporate and International Affairs, and at the Department of Canadian Heritage as a Manager of Business and Legal Affairs. She began her career in private practice at a boutique law firm in Ottawa. Susanne holds Bachelor degrees in Common Law, Civil Law and Arts, and is a member in good standing of the Law Society of Ontario.

Is the President of Duke Marine, which is 100% Canadian, female-owned and operated, and partners with major clients in Canada, the United States and around the world. Sonia brings over 20 years of experience recruiting for the specific needs of the shipbuilding, oil and gas industries. Duke Marine was founded in 2003 by Sonia as an Ontario Corporation to collaborate between industry, academia and skilled talent pools of diverse peoples, including women, Indigenous Peoples, veterans, new Canadians and others. Duke Marine supplies staffing services to such Canadian naval projects as the Canadian Surface Combatants, the Joint Support Ships, and the Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships.

Is an accomplished entrepreneur with over 22 years of executive business experience. Prior to that Mr. Aspin worked through the racks up to senior officer positions within the Canadian Coast Guard after graduating from the Canadian Coast Guard College Marine Engineering program in 1987. Mr. Aspin is the founder and a significant shareholder of several successful businesses that are based in Canada and operating around the world. In his daily role, Mr. Aspin is the CEO/CTO and controlling shareholder of Aspin Kemp & Associates. This company is a leading technology company worldwide providing innovation and solutions to marine and land based power, energy and power to process applications. 

Steven Christiansen is the Vice President, Supply Chain Management at Seaspan Shipyards.  Seaspan is located on the west coast of British Columbia and is proud to be Canada’s chosen non-combat shipbuilder under the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS).  In his role, Steven leads Seaspan Shipyard’s contracting, procurement, logistics, and Industrial Regional Benefits (IRB) program ensuring delivery of economic benefits to Canada and Canadians.

Steven joined Seaspan Marine in 2012 as Director, Corporate Supply Chain Management and holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Simon Fraser University.     

With over 20 years of senior leadership experience in both public and private organizations, Steven is a passionate and energetic person who loves the challenges of rebuilding a shipbuilding industry and supply chain in Canada.  When he is not working, he enjoys spending time with his wife and three kids running up and skiing down the local mountains.    

CMISA is delighted that Alan Novotny has been elected to our Board of Directors. As Wärtsilä Canada's Business Development Manager, Alan is focused on the company’s federal government projects. Wärtsilä is a global leader in innovative technologies and lifecycle solutions for the marine and energy markets. The company has a broad portfolio of marine technology including engines, propulsion systems, hybrid technologies, data and digital tools, liquid and gas handling on vessels and integrated power train systems. Alan developed his passion for the Marine industry starting early in his career with small gas and diesel engines for the pleasure craft and commercial fishing fleet to today’s large projects such as the generator set replacements on the Halifax class frigates and other current large vessel projects. He is keenly interested in helping decarbonise the marine industry and is looking forward to working with CMISA members navigating this shift. We are sure that Alan will make valuable contributions to our Association in his new role as a member of the Board of Directors.

We are thrilled to announce that Luke Joyce has joined the CMISA Board of Directors. A seasoned marketing and communications professional in both public and private sectors, Luke is Genoa Design International Ltd.'s Director of Marketing. Genoa Design International is one of the most sought after production design firms in the North American shipbuilding market and has been providing production design and 3D modeling services to shipbuilding and offshore industries since 1995. Newfoundland-based, Luke’s significant government and commercial experience will help CMISA position itself as a driving force in Canada’s growing shipbuilding sector. We are so pleased to welcome Luke to our Board of Directors.

We are delighted to welcome Ted Kirkpatrick to the CMISA Board of Directors. As Director of Business Development and Government Relations for Heddle Shipyards, Ted is responsible for developing Heddle’s position in the marketplace as well as managing client and government relationships. Heddle Shipyards is the largest Canadian Ship repair and construction company on the Great Lakes operating three large shipyards in Hamilton, St. Catharine’s, and Thunder Bay. Ted comes to Heddle Shipyards from the commercial shipping industry and has served as both a Captain and Navigation officer throughout the Great Lakes, East Coast and Canadian Arctic. With deep connections in the Canadian commercial shipping industry, Ted brings a vessel operator’s understanding to business relationships. We thank Ted for continuing to contribute to our sector by joining the Board of Directors.

It is with great pleasure that we announce that Bruce Cutler is joining CMISA’s Board of Directors. As President and co-founder of Adaptive Marine Solutions, Bruce brings over 25 years’ experience in the ship building industry, ranging from conceptual design to ship maintenance and surveying, in both Canada and the United States. Adaptive Marine Solutions Inc. is a 100% Canadian owned and operated Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering design firm with offices in Ottawa, Ontario and St. John’s, Newfoundland and remote resources distributed throughout Canada. Bruce is passionate about ensuring shipbuilding in Canada thrives and believes that innovating, adapting and mentoring are key components in maintaining success in the Canadian shipbuilding industry. Through his role on CMISA’s Board of Directors, he will help the Association promote and protect Canadian design firms while at the same time ensure shipyards get the support they require in order to be successful. We welcome Bruce to the Board and look forward to his contributions.