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The Vanguard Podcast

Welcome to the Vanguard Podcast, a weekly radio show discussing news, trends, and event coverage for the Canadian Defence Industry. Vanguard is Canada’s oldest trade journal of record that provides a forum for Canada’s security and defence community, discussing strategic perspectives and overviews of government and military policy and practice, through interviews with leading practitioners and contributions from renowned experts, including representatives from industry. Intersecting strategy, technology and policy, Vanguard explores emerging trends and best practices to help enhance Canada’s holistic approach to defence and security, both domestically and internationally.
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Now displaying: September, 2023
Sep 26, 2023

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!
Sep 21, 2023

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!
Sep 13, 2023

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!
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