The Unified Sensor Advantage: Powering the Mission
The Vanguard Podcast
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 , 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 experience spanning cybersecurity, network architecture, and product management, Schaub explains why the traditional separation between performance monitoring and security tools is no longer sustainable. The...
info_outline
Guardians of the North
The Vanguard Podcast
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 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 Canada’s defence and aerospace ecosystem, Pogue offers a candid, strategic look at Calian’s expanding role in supporting NATO allies, modernizing military training, and advancing...
info_outline
What Canadian pilots can expect from the 5th generation F-35
The Vanguard Podcast
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 graduate turned test pilot, Bundy brings over 1,100 hours in the F-35 and decades of operational and test experience across the CF-18, F-16, and fifth-generation platforms. In a wide-ranging and candid conversation, he traces his journey from RMC to Cold Lake to...
info_outline
Delivering an All-Encompassing and Sovereign Canadian Sustainment Solution
The Vanguard Podcast
In this episode of Vanguard Radio, host J. Richard Jones sits down with Sheldon Gillis, MSC, CD, CPSP Campaign Lead at , 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 deployments across the globe, leadership roles in the Arctic, and senior oversight of naval requirements—Sheldon brings unparalleled insight into what it takes to deliver a modern, sovereign, and mission-ready...
info_outline
Leadership Under Pressure: Managing Complex Defence Projects
The Vanguard Podcast
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 , 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...
info_outline
Canada’s Newest Defense Supplier is One of the World’s Oldest
The Vanguard Podcast
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 &...
info_outline
EllisDon: Supporting Canada’s Defence Strategy through Capability and Collaboration
The Vanguard Podcast
In this episode of Vanguard Radio, host J. Richard Jones speaks with Chris Lane, Senior Vice President and Area Manager at , 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...
info_outline
Building the North: Infrastructure, Innovation, and Indigenous Partnerships
The Vanguard Podcast
In this episode of Vanguard Radio, host J. Richard Jones sits down with Jim Landon, President of , 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...
info_outline
Hanwha: Ready to Deliver Submarines – and Beyond – for Canada
The Vanguard Podcast
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 — a next-generation platform...
info_outline
How Does LR Support Naval Submarines?
The Vanguard Podcast
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 . 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...
info_outlineJoin J. Richard Jones as he dives into conversation with Chris Earl, Vice President, Project Delivery, Victoria Shipyards to learn more about the history and future of Canada’s submarine program and how Victoria Shipyards is uniquely positioned to support it.
Chris Earl joined Seaspan Victoria Shipyards in 2021, and in July 2022, assumed his current role as Vice President, Project Delivery. Chris is a retired Rear-Admiral (RAdm) in the Royal Canadian Navy, where he spent the last 35 years serving Canada. During his last four years in uniform, RAdm (Ret’d) Earl served as the Chief Engineer of the Royal Canadian Navy and was appointed as the Chief of Staff (Material); the most senior military procurement and sustainment specialist within the Material group of the Canadian Armed Forces. In his current role as Vice President, Project Delivery, Chris is responsible for all Naval maintenance programs and National Shipbuilding Strategy build support activities conducted at Victoria Shipyards.
Chris is a graduate of the Royal Military College, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, a Master’s degree in Defence Studies, and is a graduate of both the Canadian Forces College Joint Command and Staff and National Security Programmes.
Victoria Shipyards specializes in complex projects up to complete vessel conversions. It is an integral part of the Canadian Navy frigate and submarine maintenance programs, with its highly specialized and experienced team providing critical maintenance on Canada’s Halifax-class frigates for over 20 years and in-service support for its Victoria-Class submarines for over a decade.
Victoria Shipyards is one of the few North American shipyards executing work on international cruise vessels and performing the first major vessel LNG dual fuel conversion on two ships. Victoria Shipyards operates within the federally owned Esquimalt Graving Dock (EGD), the largest solid bottom commercial drydock on the West Coast of the Americas.
In this episode:
- Seaspan's history as a trusted partner in Canada's submarine maintenance and sustainment program
- The uniqueness of working on submarines
- How Team Victoria Class (with partners Babcock and BMT) is providing value for Canada
- Considerations for the future of Canada’s submarines
- The future of Team Victoria Class and Seaspan
- And more!