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.

Richard Gravel is a bilingual (English and French) Engineer.  A retired naval officer, having completed a 35-year career in the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), he achieved navy Captain rank. After his retirement, Richard started his own consulting business, primarily providing Business Development and bid submission support to Canadian and international clients. In 2018, Richard started with Thales Canada, the first of Thales’ team in Halifax, as the AJISS (AOPS and JSS In-service Support) Halifax Manager, and Coastal Operations Manager, reporting to the AJISS Program Manager. Following this experience, Richard joined Heddle Shipyards as Vice President of Government Programs, where he is today. Richard’s more recent naval experiences include Naval Attaché to the USA in Washington, DC, Commanding Officer of Fleet Maintenance Facility Cape Scott in the RCN Dockyard in Halifax, and Deputy Project Manager for the HALIFAX Class Modernization / Frigate Life Extension Project. These were preceded by a number of shore and sea positions in Ottawa, Victoria and Halifax, as well as an exchange position with the Royal Navy in the UK. Richard holds a Bachelor of Computer Engineering, as well as a Masters of Defence Studies, both from the Royal Military College of Canada.

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.