Can you tell me a bit about your background and your role at Calian? 

I started my journey in the world of media production during high school, where I founded a video production company. Throughout university, we specialized in creating commercials for prominent companies and delivering cinematic wedding films for numerous clients. 

After completing my studies, I joined SimWave as “Employee No. 1.” There, I assumed roles in project management, business development and overseeing day-to-day operations. During my tenure, SimWave evolved from a startup to a thriving enterprise—particularly due to our innovative applications of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies in various industries, including defence.  

In 2018, I played a pivotal role in a strategic management buyout, becoming an owner of both SimWave and its parent company, SimFront. Over the next three years, we achieved remarkable growth, culminating in Calian’s acquisition of both companies in 2021.  

Today, as the Director of Immersive Learning at Calian, I lead our team in developing cutting-edge solutions, maintaining client relationships and driving business growth. Additionally, I serve as a public speaker, articulating the value of our technology to investors and boards of directors, and at industry conferences. 

How is your role linked with Canadian national defence? 

SimFront, the original parent company of SimWave, has been providing simulation support to the Canadian military since 2006. Notably, our AR training solutions—including our replenishment-at-sea (RaS) solution—equip Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) personnel with the skills to conduct crucial operations in a safe and effective way.  

Furthermore, our ongoing Constructive Visualizer project showcases our dedication to innovation, providing a virtual holographic sand table for immersive training and planning simulations to bolster defence capabilities and readiness. We’ve also provided digital twin support by 3D-modeling the RCN’s ship fleet. 

How does your role support the security of Canada and the rest of the world? 

My role directly contributes to the security of Canada and the global community through our collaboration with the RCN and other military organizations, fostering stability and readiness in an ever-changing geopolitical landscape.  

Firstly, by developing immersive training solutions like AR training for the RCN’s replenishment-at-sea procedures, we enable personnel to receive realistic and effective training, enhancing their readiness for real-world operations.  

As well, SimFront’s flagship VCCI (Virtual Command and Control Interface) product plays a crucial role in supporting simulation-based training for allied military forces worldwide. VCCI serves as a middleware platform that facilitates seamless communication and coordination between third-party simulators and military command and control applications, benefiting defence operations in Canada, the UK, and Australia.  

What is your favourite part of your job? 

My favourite aspect of my job is the opportunity to innovate. Each project presents unique challenges and demands creative solutions, which fuels my passion for pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. I relish the chance to conceptualize innovative solutions for our partners and collaborate with my talented team to bring those ideas to life. The dynamic nature of working in innovation keeps me engaged—and overcoming the perception of extended reality technology as a niche or passing trend is a particularly rewarding challenge. When we succeed in demonstrating the real-world impact and value of our work, it’s incredibly fulfilling. 

How does your work at Calian fit with your view of your place in the world?  

I firmly believe in harnessing technology to tackle real-world challenges and make a tangible, positive impact on people’s lives. Through our immersive learning department, we’ve created an exceptional work environment by blending the finest elements of the video game and software engineering industries. Every day, I have the privilege of collaborating with an outstanding team to develop “video games” that play a crucial role in training individuals dedicated to helping others. These applications are not only vital for military personnel but also for medical professionals and beyond. This fusion of meaningful work and cutting-edge technology epitomizes my vision of making a difference in the world. 

What are you looking forward to about CANSEC?  

CANSEC provides a valuable opportunity to reconnect with colleagues from across Canada, some of whom I may not have seen in years. The conference fosters collaboration and networking, opening doors to potential partnerships on exciting initiatives. Additionally, CANSEC offers a platform to showcase the cutting-edge work being done in the defence sector, underscoring Canada’s collective commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our world. 

What do you enjoy doing outside of work? 

I like to stay active, so I play hockey, powerlift, and sweat my butt off at hot yoga a couple times a week. My wife and I travel as much as we can too—in our early 20s, we decided to begin vacationing like retirees and started cruising, which we’ve continued to do a couple times a year. We do mix it up, however, and have done long travel stints in Europe the last couple years. We’re getting ready to go to Scotland and the Amalfi Coast.  

I also enjoy spending time with friends and family, whether it be at our family cottages or on vacation in fun places like Alaska.  

Lastly, I spend a lot of time with my dog, Carter. We enjoy going on long walks and chilling by the garden, eating cherry tomatoes. Working in an innovative tech company, I suppose I should also talk about all the video games I play as well—StarCraft in particular!