Speakers
Dr. Robert Boyd
Hybrid Lift Portfolio Mgr., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Advanced Development Programs (or Skunk Works)
Dr. Robert (Bob) Boyd is the Hybrid Lift Portfolio Senior Program Manager at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, Advanced Development Programs, or “Skunk Works” in Palmdale California. In this position, he manages multiple programs including both internal development efforts (IRAD) and externally funded efforts related to heavy lift and ISR hybrid aircraft systems. He has been responsible for all Hybrid Aircraft development at Lockheed Martin over the past eight years, including several variant of lift vehicles. He managed the LM Walrus team for the 2006 DARPA effort. Dr Boyd received the LM NOVA award for his leadership as Program Manager of the P-791 Hybrid Aircraft Demonstration program, the results of which you have likely seen, but not heard much about. Such is the way of the Skunk Works…
During his tenure at Lockheed Martin, he has worked a wide variety of programs including low and high altitude airships, high speed concepts including missiles, aircraft and space launch systems, in-space architectures such as tethers, advanced unmanned aircraft and heavy transports. His leadership responsibilities represent more than $150M in contracted development work.
Dr. Boyd holds a Phd and BS in Aerospace Engineering from The Ohio State University, has authored papers, has five patents granted and others pending, and is a graduate of the DAU Advanced Program Managers’ Course. Outside of Lockheed Martin, he has served as Assistant Dean for Academics at the Ohio State University College of Engineering, Technical Fellow at NASA Glenn Research Laboratory, co-founded two independent businesses.
Dr. Boyd has been happily married for more than 20 years and has three teenage sons. He volunteers his time in youth sports, coaching and officiating multiple sports. For his most impassioned sport, soccer, he has been a volunteer referee for more than 30 years. He also enjoys disc golf and is an avid home remodeler.
Dr. Harvey Brooks, Deputy Minister of Yukon Economic Development
Government of Yukon, Whitehorse, Yukon
Dr. Harvey Brooks was appointed Deputy Minister of Yukon Economic Development on July 17, 2008.
Along with a significant amount of public and private sector experience, Dr. Brooks brings with him expertise in cross-departmental approaches to economic development, and national and international initiatives.
A former deputy minister with the Government of Saskatchewan, Dr. Brooks served four different departments during his tenure: Agriculture and Food, Government Relations, Highways and Transportation and Rural Revitalization.
Dr. Brooks’ career has focused on economic development, encompassing policy, research, management consulting and management and operations.
Dale George
Chief Technology Officer, BASI
Dale is a graduate of Industrial Design Engineering from Georgian College. Dale was a guest of honour at the Innovation Center at Waterloo University and lectured in Product Design and Materials Sciences at York University.
In 1994 Dale co-founded, Mobile Airships Inc. Dale provided technical and design support to JPL, (Jet Propulsion Laboratory) and NASA for their study of LTA flight exploration of Titan, Io and MARS.
In 2007, Dale founded, Canadian Airship Manufacturing Inc. CAMI and was awarded the, “green light” by Transport Canada to proceed to establish Canada’s first Airship construction, flight testing and pilot training center.
In 2008, Dale worked with Magenn Power Inc. developers of the World’s First high altitude wind turbine. Dale was the, “go-to-guy” on this project which was recently show-cased on The Discovery Channel’s, “Infinite Winds”.
Dale is a member of the AA, (Airship Association), EAA, COPA, UPAC, and MAAC.
Dale holds a Private Pilot’s license and has restored and owned many different aircraft including airships.
Hardy Giesler
Business Development Director, Hybrid Air Vehicles - UK
Hardy Giesler joined Hybrid Air Vehicles in August 2011 as Business Development Director. Born in South Africa, he studied Economics at the University of Stellenbosch before moving to the UK in 1990. Over the past twenty years he has worked in a number of consulting and line management positions, including London Underground, where he was a member of the Engineering Board and General Manager of three of the eight engineering companies. He was also tasked with the divestment of some of the assets as part of their strategic sourcing (Make or Buy) review. Thereafter he worked with Archie Norman on the turnaround of Energis Communications (the UK’s third largest telecoms provider), prior to the trade sale to Cable & Wireless. He then joined Anglo American as MD of one of their nationwide Tarmac businesses. In consulting he worked extensively in the Energy, Mining and Transportation Sectors, before becoming MD of the Manufacturing Sector in Europe. Clients included ExxonMobil, Shell, BP, Total, BHP, Alstom, British Airways and Ericsson.
Guy Ginter
Acting IBA Director - Moose Cree First Nation,
· Guy received his Honours Bachelor of Administration Degree from Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada.
· Guy is a Certified Supply Chain Management Professional and a Certified Professional Purchaser through the Purchasing Management Association of Canada.
· Guy is also a Certified Instructor with the Purchasing Management Association of Canada
· Guy has over 20 years experience in Supply Chain Management with specific emphasis in the areas of Logistics and Contract Law.
· Guy's work experience is primarily in the area of Mining, First Nations, and Forestry.
· Guy is currently Consulting with Moose Cree First Nation and holds the position of Acting Director, Impact and Benefit Agreement.
· Previously, Guy was the Contracts Superintendent for De Beers Canada.
· In his capacity with De Beers, he was responsible for leading negotiations in all contract obligations including the James Bay and South Winter Roads.
Ian Glenn, MSEE, P.Eng.
Chairman and CEO, ING Engineering
Ian Glenn has been a leader in the unmanned systems field since 1996 when he assumed responsibility for the Canadian Army’s UAV program. In 2000, Ian founded ING Engineering, Canada’s Robotics Aviation Company, and serves as Chairman and CEO.
With ING’s unprecedented delivery of over 30,000 hours of Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Services in Afghanistan with the Canadian Army for both their Small and Mini-UAV requirements over the past three years, ING Engineering now provides services across a full range of commercial and civil applications. ING addresses the aerial and underwater sensor needs of sectors as diverse as law enforcement, forestry, mining, and oil and gas with world-leading solutions that are effective, affordable, safe and environmentally sound. Ian is also Founding President of Unmanned Systems Canada.
He currently also serves on the Board of UVS International. Ian served as a Canadian Army officer for over 22 years before realizing his entrepreneurial aspirations. His education includes a Masters of Science in Electrical Engineering (USNPGS) concentrated on digital signal processing, electro-magnetics and data fusion, as well as a Mechanical Engineering degree (RMC), graduate studies in tank design in the UK, and the Canadian Army Command and Staff College. In 2008, he received the prestigious Catherine Fargeon Award for his contributions to the global UVS Community, as well as, the UVS Canada 2008 Individual Achievement Award. Ian is passionate about the opportunities to grow the Unmanned Systems market in Canada and internationally. As he found in Afghanistan, saving lives with unmanned systems is more than a job!
Francis X Govers III
Special Missions Manager, Airship Ventures
Francis Govers is the Special Missions Manager for Airship Ventures, the operators of the Zeppelin Airship “Eureka”. Francis grew up in a small town called Houma, Louisiana, sixty miles south of New Orleans.
He started his career as a Satellite Communications specialist in the Air Force, and after getting out of the service and finishing college at Texas State University, he worked at NASA as one of the lead engineers on the International Space Station. Other notable positions have included Director of the Advanced Simulation Laboratory, Head of Flight Simulation for F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and inventor of the Decision Support Center for SGI.
Francis has an extensive background in unmanned vehicles, as the Deputy Chief Engineer for Unmanned Ground Vehicles for the US Army’s Future Combat Systems, a participant in the DARPA Grand Challenge race, and as Chief Engineer for Elbit Systems of America. Recently he served as Vice President for Engineering at Sportvision, the company responsible for the “yellow line” first and 10 markers seen on NFL games.
He is a commercial rated pilot, and was on the Board of Directors of the National Space Society.
Brian Hall
CEO Airship Ventures
Alan Handley
President, Varialift Airships PLC, UK
With over 45 years of designing bespoke process lines and equipment for the steel industry he has worked on heavy lift equipment encompassing the handling of all types of heavy loads.
Having hands on experience in design, fabrication and welding in steel and aluminium along with pneumatics, hydraulics, electric control systems and the use of programmable controllers.
For the past 8 years he has worked on variable buoyancy and heavy lift in airships bringing in new ideas and now owns the IP and Patents in the USA , Europe and Hong Kong with regard to the Varialift Airship.
Oliver Hedgepeth, Ph.D. Program Director, Reverse Logistics Management
American Public University System
Dr. Oliver Hedgepeth is the Program Director (PD) for the online undergraduate and graduate programs in Reverse Logistics Management (RLMT) with American Military University (AMU) and American Public University (APU). Previously, he was PD of Transportation and Logistics Management (TLMT). Prior to joining the AMU/APU team, he was a tenured Associate Professor of Logistics at the University of Alaska Anchorage. While at UAA, Dr. Hedgepeth pursued research into the business opportunities of hybrid aircraft, the use of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology for tracking and tracing cargo, and how logistics does not seem to work in a disaster.
Prior to joining UAA in 2001, he taught at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va., from 1992 to 1995 as an adjunct, and was a guest lecturer for the Army Logistics Management College, 1985-1990. He earned his Ph.D. and Master’s degree from Old Dominion while also working for TRADOC (Training and Doctrine Command) at Fort Monroe, Va. His Master’s and doctorate are both in engineering management. His undergraduate degree is in chemistry and mathematics from Atlantic Christian College (now Barton College) in his hometown of Wilson, N.C. His Ph.D. dissertation was the analysis of 400 years of combat history using neural networks and traditional statistical methods.
For 28 years he was with the Department of Defense, employed as a civilian operations research analyst. He shuttled among the Pentagon, Crystal City, Fort Monroe, Fort Leavenworth, Fort Lee and Fort Belvoir areas while conducting cost and operational effectiveness analyses, developing computer models, and artificial intelligence applications for logistics and combat systems. He eventually rose to the rank of GS-15.
One of his really cool assignments was as the first Director of the Artificial Intelligence Center for Army Logistics, Fort Lee, 1985-1990. Earlier, he was appointed the Director of Data Management for the Army Model Improvement Management Office, 1981-1984, at Fort Leavenworth. After his life in DOD, he worked for GRCI, which eventually merged with AT&T. While there he was a senior scientist for Army logistics program developments.
His first book, "RFID Metrics," was published in 2007 by CRC Press. He is working on a book chapter, “Technology Use in Transportation Management,” for Dr. Darren Prokop of UAA.
Oliver and his wife Elizabeth have two adult children and four fantastic grandchildren. Being a grandparent really is one of life’s hidden rewards. In 2010 they moved from Alaska and currently live on the beach, 10 feet from the golden sands of the Chesapeake Bay. They have found two opposite environments where indeed “Cares Fade Away,” which incidentally is the name of one of the couple’s favorite paintings by one of their favorite artists, Alaska’s Charles Gause.
Tim Miller
ILC Dover, LTA Principal Engineer
Timothy Miller is a Principal Engineer for ILC Dover in Frederica, Delaware. He has been a key contributor to the ILC team that has delivered more than 250 large Lighter than Air (LTA) envelopes over the last thirty years. Tim has more than 20 years of experience in the design, development and fabrication of LTA and other large inflatable structures. He has been the lead envelope design engineer on an incredible variety of Lighter than Air projects that have transitioned from concept to flight, including: 620K Logging Balloon, 420K Aerostat, Zeppelin LZN07, American Blimp A-60+, A-150, A-170, and MZ-3A, CargoLifter Aircrane, 56K XL Aerostat, Lockeed Martin High Altitude Long Endurance Demonstrator (HALE-D), 74K Aerostat, Global Near Space StarTower and most recently the Northrop Grumman Long Endurance Multi-Intelligence Vehicle (LEMV).
His experience with ILC includes conceptual and detailed design, materials development, process development, manufacturing support, acceptance testing, and field support. Prior to joining ILC, Mr. Miller was a Captain in the United States Air Force working on the Strategic Defense Initiative.
Dr. Barry Prentice
Dr. Prentice is a Professor of Supply Chain Management, at the I.H. Asper School of Business, University of Manitoba and the former Director (1996-2005) of the Transport Institute. He has authored or co-authored more than 250 research reports, journal articles and contributions to books. His scholarly work has been recognized for excellence in national paper competitions and awards. In 1999, National Transportation Week named him Manitoba Transportation Person of the Year.
Dr. Prentice has served on the Boards of Directors of several transportation organizations. He was instrumental in founding a major in transportation and logistics within the B.Comm. (Hons.) program at the I. H. Asper School of Business (fall 2003). Since that time a new Department of Supply Chain Management has been formed, and in 2006 a M.Sc. program in supply chain management was initiated.
In 2005, Dr. Prentice co-founded ISO Polar Airships Inc., a not-for-profit research institute, at the University of Manitoba Smart Park. ISO Polar is dedicated to encourage the development of airship technology for sustainable transportation and logistics applications in the Northern Latitudes.
Stuart Russell
VP Business Development, BBE, Calgary, Alberta
Stuart Russell has established himself as a result oriented transportation and logistics expert with a broad knowledge of all modes of transport utilized in the delivery of arctic cargo.
From his early start as a ground handler on the Yellowknife NWT airport ramp with Pacific Western Airlines in 1971, to his worldwide travels as a Loadmaster on the Lockheed Hercules cargo aircraft and on through to his assignments in Contract and Charters and Airport Operations, he continued to expand his knowledge of air transportation systems, capabilities and processes.
While with Canadian Airlines International, Mr Russell was responsible for managing system wide Airport Standards and Procedures for Aircraft Weight and Balance, Load Planning, De-icing, Aircraft Handling and Servicing. He later went on to complete his 29-year career in the airline industry by overseeing and managing the airline schedule for 80 jet aircraft operating on 5 continents.
In 2001 Stuart returned to the arctic logistics world with Braden-Burry Expediting playing an instrumental role in expanding BBE from a Yellowknife based organization to one with operations across Canada, supporting some of the largest resource companies who were developing their projects in remote locations across the North with harsh climatic conditions and limited access.
Mr Russell and BBE have been actively encouraging the airship and Hybrid Air vehicle development efforts for Northern Canada, believing the time is right to move beyond the current delivery methods that are constrained by high operating costs of aging cargo aircraft, changing operating windows with a warmer climate and environmental concerns, as well as the need for improved efficiencies.
Dr. Ananthakrishna Sarma
Senior Scientist, SAIC
Dr. Sarma is a Senior Scientist at Science Applications International Corporation, specializing in the numerical simulation of planetary atmospheres. He was instrumental in the design and development of a state of the art atmospheric simulation system, Operational Multiscale Environment model with Grid Adaptivity (OMEGA), which combines the best methods offered by the fields of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP). His current activities include the application of OMEGA to reconstruct high-resolution climatologies, developing route optimization algorithms for airships, and the dispersion of hazardous materials in the atmosphere. During his tenure at SAIC from 1986 he has worked on problems ranging from the numerical simulation of the fallout of radioactive material from nuclear explosions to simulation of natural events such as hurricanes and terrain-induced flows and dispersion of airborne materials.
Dr. Sarma is an expert in numerical weather prediction, cloud microphysics, atmospheric chemistry and high performance computing.
Dr. Sarma received a M. Sc. in Mathematics from University of Kerala, India, a MS in Meteorology from South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, and a Ph. D. in Atmospheric Science from Colorado State University.
Dr. Sarma is an affiliate professor at the George Mason University, Fairfax, VA. In that capacity he has taught courses at GMU and advises Ph.D. students.
Dr. Sarma is a recipient of the SAIC ESTC Publication Award and the SAIC Achievement Award. He was nominated and selected as an SAIC Technical Fellow in 2009.
He is a member of the American Meteorological Society (AMS) and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA).
Ruth Sol
President, Westac
Ruth Sol was appointed President of WESTAC in 2003 and has over 25 years of experience in transportation economics and business and policy research. Ruth joined WESTAC in 1983 as a research economist and has held progressively senior positions over the years. As President, she provides strategic direction for the Council’s policies and program. Ruth’s extensive knowledge of the transportation industry, and her ability to guide a diverse membership towards collaboration, cements WESTAC’s role as the catalyst of supply chain excellence in Western Canada.
In previous positions she led concept development, research, writing and editing of transportation policy and related publications, authored or co-authored WESTAC briefings and organized meetings, workshops and conferences.
Before WESTAC, Ruth worked in market research with a consulting engineering firm and an integrated forest products company. Ruth holds an undergraduate degree in economics and an MBA, both from Simon Fraser University.
Michael Talesnikov
VP Marketing and Sales, RosAeroSystem Intl. Russia
Michael Talesnikov was born in 1965; in 1989, he graduated from Lviv Polytechnic National University with qualification of power engineer. He has six Certificates of Invention in the field of industrial heat-power engineering.
From 1999 to 2002, he was “Car mechanic” magazine publisher and CFO, the series of articles in automobile topic author as well.
From 2002 to the present day, he is Aeronautical Center “Augur” Commercial Director and “Augur-RosAeroSystems” Vice-President.
Mr. Talesnikov is member of International Airship Association .
Richard Van Treuren
Author
R.G. Van Treuren was born in Ohio in 1951, was raised near Cleveland, and joined the US Navy in 1969. He served on the USS Roosevelt (CVA-42) with VA-176, and the AIMD on the USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63). Introduced to the Space Shuttle as he was finishing his tour at Pt. Mugu, California, Van Treuren joined the Space Shuttle Orbiter contractor team in 1979. Van Treuren married the former Deborah Pelzer in 1982 and built a geodesic dome complex near Edgewater, Florida. He concluded the Shuttle program as a senior Astronaut Crew Changeout technician (16-1) with the United Space Alliance, serving at the Kennedy Space Center, Florida and Edwards AFB, California.
Van Treuren has produced articles, books and videos on the subject of airship history. His many technical and historical papers given in several countries have exposed little-known aspects of LTA history. Working with television contractors and producers on airship-oriented programs, Van Treuren has been instrumental in public domain footage location, historical research, and has occasionally appeared in the programs. Van Treuren currently serves as Editor of the Noon Balloon, magazine of the Naval Airship Association. He is a contributing member to every airship-oriented organization and museum in the world, including Airship Association (UK), LTA Society (US), Airship Heritage Trust (UK), Lighter-Than-Air Institute (NZ), and Friends of the Zeppelin Museum (Germany). Van Treuren’s current project is a motion picture speculating on the early conduct of the Pacific War had the rigid airship been included.
Peter Wallis
President, Van Horne Institute, Calgary, AB.
Peter Wallis is the President & CEO of The Van Horne Institute, which is recognized within Canada and internationally as a North American leader in education and public policy research in transportation, supply chain management, logistics, and regulated industries.
Peter Wallis’ career has included senior positions at Canadian Airlines and in Ottawa as Legal Counsel for the Canadian Transport Commission and Executive Assistant to two federal ministers of transport. Mr. Wallis is a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada and serves on the Board of the Calgary International Film Festival, Tourism Calgary, and AEDA (Alberta Economic Development Authority), and currently serves as Chair of the Fort McMurray Airport Authority on an interim basis. He is Past Chairman of the Calgary Airport Authority, Past President of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce, and Past Vice-Chair of the Calgary Homeless Foundation.
Peter Wallis was recently awarded an honorary life membership by the Air Transport Association of Canada (ATAC). He was born in Toronto, Ontario, and holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto, a Bachelor of Laws from Osgoode Hall and a Master of Laws from the University of London (England).
Dr. Allan Weston
Director of Programs and Projects, NASA Ames Research Center
Dr Alan R Weston is the Director of Programs at NASA Ames Research Center, including SOFIA, Kepler, Worldwind, support to CEV, LCROSS, TPS, LADEE, Mission Design Center and Small Spacecraft.
Before working at NASA, Dr Weston was a technical advisor on small satellites at the Space Vehicles Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory. In this role he provided scientific support to Air Force Space Command, the Department of Defense and the National Reconnaissance Office. He has made nationally recognized contributions in space technology and has comprehensive experience in space systems, responsible for design, integration, test, launch & operations of 22 spacecraft.
Since 1987 he has been the Director of the National Hover Test Facility, a DoD facility that enables free flight testing of spacecraft.
He completed his undergraduate studies at Oxford University in 1978, and he subsequently began working for the Air Force in 1983 after completing his doctoral thesis at Virginia Polytechnic Institute in Blacksburg Virginia.
