The Vanguard Podcast

As Canada's defence ecosystem looks for faster, smarter, and more scalable ways to prepare personnel for increasingly complex operational environments, immersive training technologies are moving from the margins to the centre of readiness planning. In this episode of Vanguard Radio , host J. Richard Jones speaks with Raja Khanna, CEO of Lumeto, and Kavi Maharajh, the company's Chief Product Office...

In this episode of Vanguard Radio , host J. Richard Jones sits down with Peter Dawe, Vice President of Defence Strategy at Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC), to explore why business readiness—not just technology or equipment—is becoming one of the most critical components of Canada's defence and economic security landscape. Drawing on more than three decades of experience in the Canadian A...

Vanguard Radio host J. Richard Jones welcomes Charlie Tucker, Solutions Engineer, Serco North America , for an in-depth conversation on how Live, Virtual, and Constructive (LVC) training must evolve from isolated systems into a fully integrated enterprise capability. Drawing on Charlie's 15 years supporting modeling, simulation, testing, and acquisition programs in the LVC domain, this episode exp...

Interview with Jay Ballard, Vice President of Defence-Learning at Calian Defence Canada. As global threats evolve and operational environments grow more complex, the way militaries train must transform just as rapidly. In this episode of  Vanguard Radio , host J. Richard Jones sits down with Jay Ballard, Vice President of Defence-Learning at Calian Defence Canada, to explore what it takes to prepa...

As Canada accelerates defence spending and advances a new era of military recapitalization, one critical question is coming into sharper focus: are training systems keeping pace with the platforms they are meant to support? In this episode of Vanguard Radio , host J. Richard Jones sits down with Jeff Tasseron to explore why Canada must rethink its approach to military training. Representing CAE De...

Interview with Derek Buxton, VP Business Development & Ottawa, Vard Marine Inc.   In this episode of Vanguard Radio , host J. Richard Jones sits down with Derek Buxton, VP Business Development & Ottawa at Vard Marine Inc. , for an in-depth discussion on the future of Canadian ship design, icebreaker innovation, and the evolution of Canada's National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS). With more than thre...

Interview with Karl Schaub, Chief Solution Architect, Netscout In this episode of Vanguard Radio , host J. Richard Jones sits down with Karl Schaub , Chief Solution Architect at NETSCOUT , to explore how next-generation sensor strategies are reshaping cyber defence, network performance, and mission assurance across federal and public-sector environments. With more than 25 years of hands-on experie...

Interview with Chris Pogue, President, Defence & Space, Calian   In this episode of Vanguard Radio , host J. Richard Jones sits down with Chris Pogue—President, Defence & Space at Calian and a retired Royal Canadian Air Force officer—to explore how Canada is shaping the future of defence, space, and allied interoperability. Drawing on more than two decades of senior executive leadership across Can...

Interview with Andrew "Bundy" Soundy, F-35 Test Pilot, Lockheed Martin In this special episode of Vanguard Radio , host J. Richard Jones sits down with one of the world's most experienced F-35 test pilots: Andrew "Bundy" Soundy , Chief Test Pilot for the F-35 at the 461st Flight Test Squadron, Edwards Air Force Base. A Royal Military College graduate turned Lockheed Martin test pilot, Bundy brings...

In this episode of Vanguard Radio , host J. Richard Jones sits down with Sheldon Gillis, MSC, CD , CPSP Campaign Lead at Babcock Canada , for a deep and timely conversation about what's next for Canada's submarine future—and why sustainment is just as important as the platform itself. With over 25 years of distinguished service in the Royal Canadian Navy—including command at sea, operational deplo...

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 unde...

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...

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 constructio...

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...

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 O...

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...

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 e...

Canada's defence landscape is evolving rapidly — from NORAD modernization to Arctic missions — and data is at the heart of the transformation. In this episode, host J. Richard Jones sits down with John Breitenbach , Director of Aerospace & Defence Markets at Real-Time Innovations (RTI), and David Pratt , Principal at David Pratt & Associates and former Canadian Minister of National Defence, to exp...

In the latest episode of Vanguard Radio, host J. Richard Jones has the opportunity to chat with Reaghan Sunstrum, Mission Specialist at General Dynamics Mission Systems–Canada and Steve Cross, also a Mission Specialist at General Dynamics Missions Systems–Canada. Their conversation revolves around the Canadian Army experience, the Canadian Army in Latvia and Battle Lab. Reaghan Sunstrum is a Missi...

Interview with Cheyenne Wicks, General Manager, Military Sector, J-Squared Technologies In the latest episode of Vanguard Radio, host J. Richard Jones sits down with Cheyenne Wicks, General Manager, Military Sector, J-Squared Technologies. Mr. Wicks is a seasoned, results-oriented professional with extensive business and technology leadership experience. Formerly holding roles at L3Harris and DRS...

Interview with David Males, Director of Business Development, SSI In this week's episode of Vanguard Radio, host J. Richard Jones sits down with David Males, Director of Business Development, SSI. Mr. Males has 35+ years as a trusted sales and marketing executive in IT & Related Services in the US and Canada. His previous experience serving the industrial manufacturing and infrastructure developme...

Interview with Anthony March, Vice President, Marine & Mission Systems, Babcock Canada In this week's episode of Vanguard Radio, host J. Richard Jones has an in insightful discussion with Tony March, Vice President of Marine and Mission Systems at Babcock Canada. A graduate of the Royal Military College of Canada, he holds degrees in mechanical engineering, defence studies, and marine engineering,...

Interview with David Wiseman, Vice President, Secure Communications, BlackBerry Check out this week's episode of Vanguard Radio. Host, J. Richard Jones, sits down for an illuminating conversation with David Wiseman, Vice President, Secure Communications, BlackBerry. With over 25 years of experience, his expertise spans software, security, mobility, and communications, honed through roles at BlackB...

A Conversation with Daniel Kroese, Vice President, Public Policy & Government Affairs Palo Alto Networks   In this week's episode of Vanguard Radio, host J. Richard Jones sits down for an engaging conversation with Daniel Kroese, Vice President of Public Policy & Government Affairs at Palo Alto Networks . Mr. Kroese is leading the company's engagement with policymakers and government stakeholders....

In the latest episode of Vanguard Radio, host J. Richard Jones sits down with France Hébert, Vice-President and General Manager of Defence & Security Canada at CAE . She leads operations across 16 sites with 800 employees. She also serves as President of SkyAlyne and CAE Military Aviation Training, and sits on the boards of CADSI, True Patriot Love, and Invest Ottawa. With 35 years in defence and...