When the stakes are high and the timeline is tight, what does leadership look like?
In this episode of Vanguard Radio, host J. Richard Jones speaks with Paul Knowles, Senior Vice President and District Manager at PCL Construction, whose nearly 30-year career spans some of Canada’s most demanding infrastructure projects. From the nation’s capital to remote northern installations, PCL’s work under Paul’s leadership often unfolds in secure, mission-critical environments—where precision, collaboration, and trust aren’t just valued, they’re essential.
Paul shares his insights into what it takes to deliver complex defence projects under pressure, from balancing transparency with security compliance to fostering collaboration among military, government, and private-sector partners. With a background in civil and construction engineering and decades of experience leading high-performance teams, Paul offers a rare look behind the curtain at how large-scale national projects come together—and the leadership mindset that keeps them on track when the margin for error is razor-thin.
Listeners will hear stories of innovation, contingency planning, and real-time problem solving that define modern defence construction in Canada.
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Safran is a name that is synonymous with aerospace and defense innovation and now, this global powerhouse is deepening its roots in Canada. In this episode of Vanguard Radio, host J. Richard Jones sits down with Louis Girardin, CEO of Safran Electronics & Defense Canada, to explore how one of the world’s oldest defense innovators is bringing new energy and cutting-edge technologies to Canada’s evolving defence landscape.
Louis shares his perspective on Safran’s long and storied history, the company’s expanding footprint in Montreal, and the strategic role Safran Electronics & Defense plays in advancing capabilities across air, land, sea, and space. He discusses how Safran’s world-class technologies—ranging from avionics and navigation to optronics and mission systems—are enabling greater interoperability and sovereignty for Canada and its allies.
The conversation also delves into the broader Canadian defense market, the challenges and opportunities facing the country as it strengthens its industrial base, and how Safran is helping to build new partnerships and capabilities for the future.
Whether you’re in the defense industry, a policymaker, or a technology enthusiast, this episode offers a compelling look at how global expertise and Canadian innovation are coming together to shape the next chapter of defense excellence.
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In this episode of Vanguard Radio, host J. Richard Jones speaks with Chris Lane, Senior Vice President and Area Manager at EllisDon Corporation, about how one of Canada’s leading construction and infrastructure companies is helping to strengthen the nation’s defence readiness.
Chris shares insights from his decade-long leadership journey with EllisDon—from his early days in the UK’s construction sector to overseeing major projects in Canada for clients like the Government of Canada, Defence Construction Canada, and the Department of National Defence. He discusses EllisDon’s unique approach to collaboration, innovation, and long-term value creation—factors that set the company apart in an increasingly complex defence infrastructure landscape.
Together, they explore EllisDon’s role in supporting Canada’s National Defence Strategy, its involvement in projects tied to NORAD modernization and the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP), and how agile contract models and integrated project delivery are shaping the future of military infrastructure in Canada.
This conversation highlights how capability, collaboration, and commitment to excellence are driving EllisDon’s contributions to national security and resilience.
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In this episode of Vanguard Radio, host J. Richard Jones sits down with Jim Landon, President of ATCO Frontec, and Jim Stark, Director, North of 60, ATCO Frontec, to explore the company’s pivotal role in building and sustaining Canada’s northern infrastructure. From the Canadian Arctic to Europe, ATCO Frontec delivers the operational backbone that supports government, defence, and industry in some of the most remote and challenging environments on Earth.
Together, they discuss how defence and civilian infrastructure needs intersect in the North, the importance of dual-use projects that bolster both national security and community resilience, and the innovative approaches required to deliver facilities management, camp services, and logistical support where conditions are extreme.
Listeners will gain insight into ATCO Frontec’s deep partnerships with Indigenous communities, including its work with Nasittuq Corporation on the North Warning System and CFS Alert, as well as how these collaborations are creating lasting benefits for northern economies and people.
The conversation also looks ahead to the future of northern infrastructure development, exploring how emerging opportunities in defence modernization, sustainability, and strategic infrastructure are reshaping Canada’s Arctic presence.
Whether you’re interested in defence logistics, northern development, or the growing importance of public-private and Indigenous partnerships, this episode offers a compelling look at how ATCO Frontec is helping Canada build, sustain, and secure its North.
In this episode of Vanguard Radio, host J. Richard Jones sits down with Michael Coulter, President and CEO of Hanwha Global Defence, and Vice Admiral (Ret’d) Steve Jeong, Senior Executive Vice President and Head of Naval Ship Global Business at Hanwha Ocean, to discuss one of the most significant naval programs in Canada’s modern history — the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP).
Hanwha Ocean’s shipyard in Geoje, South Korea, is one of the world’s largest and most advanced shipbuilding facilities, where the company builds the cutting-edge KSS-III submarine — a next-generation platform designed to meet the demands of modern underwater operations. With over 31,000 employees and decades of experience constructing submarines, destroyers, and advanced naval vessels, Hanwha is positioning itself as a global partner of choice for Canada’s future submarine fleet.
Together, Coulter and Jeong explore:
· The advanced capabilities and Arctic readiness of the KSS-III submarine and its alignment with CPSP requirements.
· Hanwha’s delivery schedule and approach to in-service support for one of the largest conventional submarine orders in decades.
· The company’s industrial and economic plan for Canada, including domestic partnerships, job creation, and technology transfer.
· How Hanwha’s unsolicited proposal to the Government of Canada reflects its confidence, capacity, and long-term commitment to Canadian defence sovereignty.
Listeners will also gain insights into what life is like aboard the KSS-III — from advanced automation to improved habitability for submariners — and how Hanwha’s growing North American footprint, including its acquisition of Philly Shipyard, fits into a broader strategy to expand into global markets across Europe, Australia, and the Middle East.
Tune in to discover how Hanwha Ocean is not only ready to deliver submarines — but ready to help transform Canada’s underwater future.
Featuring Matthew Palmer, Global Commercial Lead, Submarines at Lloyd’s Register
Hosted by J. Richard Jones
In this episode of Vanguard Radio, we dive beneath the surface of naval innovation with Matthew Palmer, Global Commercial Lead for Submarines at Lloyd’s Register (LR). A former Royal Navy Engineering Officer who served on nuclear-powered submarines, Matthew brings unique technical insight into how LR is shaping the future of submarine safety, design, and lifecycle assurance.
From the Naval Submarine Code to LR’s Submarine Assurance Framework, Palmer shares how these goal-based standards are enabling navies and shipbuilders worldwide to design, build, and sustain submarines that meet the highest levels of safety, performance, and compliance. He also discusses how LR helps navies extend the life of existing fleets, integrate emerging technologies, and adapt to a rapidly evolving underwater battlespace.
Together with host J. Richard Jones, Matthew explores questions such as:
Whether you’re a defence professional, naval engineer, or simply fascinated by the future of undersea capability, this episode offers a deep look into how Lloyd’s Register continues to define trust and technical excellence in the world’s most complex marine environments.
Interview with Corey Switzer, Director, WaterTech Operations & Military Market Leader, BluMetric Environmental Inc.
In this episode of Vanguard Radio, host J. Richard Jones sits down with Corey Switzer, Director of WaterTech Operations and Military Market Leader at BluMetric Environmental Inc.
With over 13 years of experience delivering mission ready water in some of the world’s most demanding environments, Corey shares insights into how BluMetric designs, builds, and sustains advanced water and wastewater treatment systems for the military, mining industry, and remote communities.
From the Arctic to beneath the ocean’s surface, the conversation explores:
Discover how BluMetric is redefining resilience and reliability in water technology—ensuring access to clean, safe water whenever and wherever it’s needed.