CANADIANS FOR CANDU

David Harris’ mission as President and CEO is to ensure that Kinectrics is a vibrant, and growing company by focusing on adding exceptional value to our customers, ensuring our employees have every opportunity to develop to their full potential, and investing in state-of-the-art facilities.

David is a member of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers (UK), as well as the UK Institute of Directors Training Program on Directorship.

BWXT in Canada has over 60 years of expertise in the design, manufacturing, commissioning and service of critical nuclear components, over 50 years of experience in the supply of CANDU® fuel to the Canadian nuclear industry.

With 27 years of nuclear industry experience, Mr. MacQuarrie’s career includes 23 years with the Company.

Mr. MacQuarrie holds a bachelor’s degree and master’s degrees of applied science in mechanical engineering from the University of Toronto.

Mr. Lonechild (White Bear First Nations- Treaty #4) is a well-known advocate in creating new economic opportunities and serves as President and CEO of First Nations Power Authority connecting both Indigenous and Industry leaders in renewable and alternative energy development.  As a first of its kind organization, Mr. Lonechild heads the organization as our strategic leader and serves the FNPA Board and provides leadership direction to the FNPA Team.

Guy served as Vice-Chief and Chief of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (1999-2008 and 2009-2011), where he oversaw the 25-year Economic Development Strategy highlighting important work in Alternative Energy, Oil and Gas, Agriculture, Tourism, Gaming, Housing and Community Infrastructure, Education, Health and Social Development.

Before entering politics, Guy served in various capacities as band administrator and private consultant to First Nations in Business and Community Development.  He holds a Masters of Business Administration in Strategic Leadership from Cape Breton University and Associates Degree in Golf Complex Operations Management. He and his wife Leah have one child, Darian Lonechild and enjoy quality time with friends and extended family.

Dr. Steven Murphy became the fourth President and Vice-Chancellor of Ontario Tech University in 2018.

As the leader of one of Canada’s most dynamic universities, Dr. Murphy recognized Ontario Tech’s energy-related advanced research expertise, which drove creation of the Brilliant Energy Institute, a multidisciplinary facility tasked with building the scientific plan to get us to net-zero emissions.

His vision centres on Tech with a Conscience: finding ethical solutions to problems in our tech-focused world. 

Renowned for his organizational and human behaviour expertise across business and industry, Dr. Murphy draws upon this experience to guide his leadership strategy. 

Dr. Murphy serves the broader community of academics and research at the provincial and national level. He has been appointed member of the National Research Council Canada for two consecutive terms since June 2019.

Riaz Bandali is the President of Nordion and a member of the Sotera Health Corporate Executive Committee. Nordion is the global leader in the provision of Cobalt-60, which is a critical radioisotope used to sterilize 30% of the world’s single-use medical devices. It is also used for the treatment of brain and breast cancer.

Prior to joining Nordion, Riaz held a diversity of senior leadership positions in the health and life sciences industry and several executive positions, with mandates covering global operations, strategy, M&A, and Business Leadership. He currently serves on the Board of the International Irradiation Association.

Riaz holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of British Columbia and an MBA from McGill University. He is an alumnus of Harvard Business School through the completion of its Advanced Management Program.

With over 25 years with the UBC Millwrights Mark Beardsworth has positioned the Millwright Regional Council – Canada to build partnerships based on respect and trust. “We provide skilled, responsible millwrights to meet the challenges of any project. We are committed to getting each project done right, and as professionals, we can discuss and solve any challenges while keeping your project on target.”

For the Millwright Regional Council – Canada, the UBC Millwrights and our industry partners, owners and contractors, safety is the overriding principle for accomplishing our work. As progressive cross-trained maintenance and construction professionals with the capability to work safely and efficiently in a variety of industries, and have the skills to install, maintain, diagnose, and repair precision machinery, UBC millwrights are vital partners in industries as diverse as automotive, aerospace, food processing, pharmaceuticals gas, nuclear, and alternative-energy, power plants and more.

Aaron Johnson is Senior Vice President, Nuclear, with the responsibility of leading the successful pursuit and execution of all nuclear projects within Aecon’s portfolio.
 
Beginning with Aecon in 2006, Aaron has diverse experience across many of Aecon’s operational and corporate teams, including the industrial, nuclear, and urban transportation sectors. He has been responsible for the pursuit and execution of some of Aecon’s most complex multi-disciplinary projects, including the Darlington Refurbishment project, GO Expansion On-Corridor project, and Scarborough Subway Extension project.

Aaron holds Bachelor of Applied Science and Masters of Engineering degrees in Electrical Engineering from the University of Waterloo and is licensed as a Professional Engineer in the Province of Ontario. He also serves on the Board of Directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hamilton-Halton.

Matt has been an integral member of the Bird Construction team since 2008, showcasing a dynamic skillset throughout his tenure as he’s navigated various positions within both business development and operations. Currently the Senior Vice President of Industrial East, Matt brings nearly 20 years of construction industry experience. After gaining 10 years of experience leading major industrial projects in Alberta, Matt moved to Ontario where he has propelled Bird’s success in Eastern Canada under his exceptional leadership.

Spearheading the establishment of the successful full-service industrial team headquartered in Ontario, Matt is leading the team to further expand the portfolio in critical areas including the nuclear, hydro-electric, renewables, manufacturing, and environmental sectors. He holds a BSc in Civil Engineering from the University of Alberta and is LEED Accredited.

Olivier Marcotte is the founder and president of Nucleom, a Canadian company specializing in customized inspection solutions for various industries. An expert in ultrasonic, radiographic, and eddy current inspection methods, primarily applied to CANDU reactors, Olivier leads a team of highly skilled engineers and technicians dedicated to solving complex maintenance problems. Under his leadership, Nucleom was recognized among Canada’s fastest-growing companies, making the Profit500 list from 2016 to 2021. He holds a degree in physical engineering and is a member of the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec (OIQ) and Professional Engineers Ontario. In 2023, Olivier was also honored by the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec with the Honoris Genius award for entrepreneurship. 

Narinder Bains earned his MSc in Manufacturing Systems from Warwick University. He began his career with Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. as a Robotics Engineer, where he implemented automation systems for the inspection and maintenance of nuclear reactors. In a later role, he worked on designing and configuring multi-degree of freedom programmable manipulators for servicing the Space Station Freedom. 

Returning to the nuclear field, Narinder was responsible for significant projects at nearly every CANDU site worldwide. He developed automated tooling from concept to commissioning for the refurbishment of CANDU 6 nuclear reactors.  

In 2012, Narinder joined ATS Industrial Automation as the General Manager of Nuclear, where he focused on developing automation solutions for reactor outages, refurbishment programs, decommissioning, and small modular reactors (SMRs). Currently, Narinder serves as the Vice President of Nuclear Sales, overseeing global sales and positioning ATS Industrial Automation as a leading provider of nuclear automation and services. 

Richard Foster is the Chief Executive and Vice President of L3Harris Technologies Canada. As such, he provides a focal point for L3Harris conducting business in Canada. Foster joined L3Harris in 2016 after 35 years of distinguished service in the Canadian Armed Forces, retiring as the Deputy Commander Royal Canadian Air Force at the rank of Major-General. 

Active in the Canadian Defence and Security community, Foster served as Chair of the Board for AIAC in 2022 and again in 2023. Foster acknowledges the significant role of nuclear power in Canada’s energy landscape, recognizing its value through L3Harris’ long-standing participation in the robust Canadian nuclear supply chain. He advocates for extending the life of existing nuclear plants and increasing their deployment to combat climate change, ensure energy security, and promote industrial and economic development. For over 50 years, L3Harris has been a key member of this vital supply chain.

Emily Heitman has led a dynamic career in the Energy Industry, working for high profile manufacturers in the electrical transmission & distribution space. Most recently, as the Senior Vice President of Power Products and ASCO for Schneider Electric, she is responsible for the LV & MV transactional business in the US.  

Emily started her career at Cooper Power Systems, working in global supply chain and then global product management in the medium voltage transformers and switchgear categories. At ABB, she became a GM, managing several commercial, engineering, and execution teams for their HV transformer business in the US & Canada. When she joined Schneider Electric in 2017, she became the VP of Energy for US & Canada, managing the medium voltage equipment and energy automation business. In 2020, she took on the VP of Power Products business for the US and expanded her role in 2022 to include the ASCO.  

Emily holds a BS in Industrial Engineering from Auburn University and an MBA from Marquette University. Emily is currently based out of Toronto, ON. 

Ryan Plante is the Coordinator for Local 2222 of the Carpenters’ Regional Council, bringing over 20 years of construction experience. Specializing in the energy sector for the past 12 years, Ryan has contributed significantly to refurbishing Canada’s CANDU nuclear fleet.

He prioritizes strong partnerships with contractors, utility partners, and union members, fostering a collaborative environment where all parties work together to achieve excellence. Ryan’s leadership focuses on building a solid foundation for the future by investing in continuous training and development. This ensures a workforce that is not only skilled and productive but also adaptable to industry advancements.

Ryan is dedicated to developing a trained, skilled, and productive workforce that consistently delivers safe and high-quality projects. Through his commitment to collaboration and future-focused strategies, he ensures the long-term success and sustainability of the industry.

When Jerome joined Brotech in 2010, his vision was to develop the company from a transactional supplier of CNC machined components into a strategic supplier to a handful of customer partners in several life-critical industries – Nuclear, Aerospace, Defense, and Medical.  That vision continues today as Brotech progresses on it’s Machining Excellence journey, focusing on customer relationships, operational efficiency, developing talent.  Brotech has been a supporting actor to many of the nuclear industry’s players over the last three decades and more recently has established a long term partnership with Bruce Power.  

Prior to joining Brotech, Jerome spent nearly two decades in the Off-Road Tire and Track manufacturing business.  His first role was supporting the growth of a Canadian forklift tire manufacturer, Unitrac, as Vice President.  When that company was purchased by an international player, Jerome continued in various North American roles in finance, IT, corporate director, and as Canadian GM.  During this time, his chief goals were to support growth and help build strategic advantage from integrating regional units into a unified North American business.  Jerome’s time in that industry culminated in a role with the parent company in Marketing and Operations in Luxembourg, before returning to Canada.   

Peter Dalton is a 40 plus year veteran specializing in Business Development, Sales & Marketing, and Procurement within the nuclear and automotive industries. International experience has served Peter well as he had been previously employed by Atomic Energy Canada Ltd (AECL), Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada, and AGS Automotive Systems. Peter has trained in lean manufacturing practices, participated in many supplier evaluations, Customer Service benchmarking, industry related workshops, and has provided technical and licensing support. These experiences provide Peter with in-depth knowledge of industry best practices and standards in all aspects of customer relations and sales. Peter studied mathematics and natural sciences at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, and resides in Southern Ontario.  

Peter currently works in business development with NWI Precision Tube LLC. NWI has long term experience in the Candu nuclear field. They are known for their production of the end fittings amongst other machined/assembled components. Prior to that I was Director of Procurement at AECL, and Director of Customer Relations and Sales for CANDU Services.  

Mark Healy is an Executive Professional Engineer with extensive experience focusing on general management, regional leadership, project management, engineering/construction support and client services support.  Most recent experience related to the Nuclear, Oil/Gas and Pulp & Paper Industries.

Noted ability in organizational rebuilding, profitability, effectively integrate with all levels of professionals and workers in Client and Contractor organizations with strong team building, leadership and motivation skills.

As the Regional Vice-President, Power Generation Region for Black & McDonald, Mark oversees execution of the company’s business plan and is responsible compliance, health and safety, along with sales and marketing.

With over 15 years of experience in technical sales and account management in Canada and USA, Ash is the Nuclear Regional Sales Manager for Celeros Flow Technology, a global leader in flow control solutions. Celeros Flow Technology’s involvement in the nuclear power market began with the first ever industrial scale nuclear power plant and continues with nuclear class 1, 2 and 3 pump and valve installations in more than 65% of operational nuclear power plants worldwide.

As an energy leader and strategic thinker, Ash has a vision to develop Celeros Flow Technology’s Burlington facility into a strategic supplier for the Canadian and US nuclear markets.

Ash is passionate about the energy transition and providing value-added services and technical support to the market. He is deeply committed to being a nuclear advocate and driving innovation and excellence in all his endeavors.

Ash holds a Certified Technical Sales Specialist credential from SAIT and a Business Leadership certification from McKinsey & Company.

Laurent Pefferkorn is the Executive Vice President of Global Sales at Velan, where he has played a key role in driving the company’s international growth since joining in 2020. With 30 years of experience in the energy sector, Laurent has developed a deep expertise, particularly in the nuclear industry, where he has been actively engaged since 2015. 

Throughout his career, Laurent has held various leadership positions across Europe, South America, and the Middle East, establishing a strong track record in supporting nuclear projects in France, China, the United States, Canada, and South Korea. His work encompasses new builds, research facilities, and the refurbishment of existing plants, highlighting his comprehensive understanding of the industry. 

Laurent holds a bachelor’s degree in political studies and an MBA from NEOMA Business School in France. Based at Velan’s global headquarters in Montreal, he leads a dynamic team of sales engineers and application specialists across all continents. 

Laurent is committed to advancing the nuclear industry as a crucial solution for meeting the global demand for low-cost, safe, and efficient power supply. He is dedicated to ensuring Velan remains at the forefront of this vital industry transformation. 

Dr. Susan Tighe, PhD, PEng, FCAE, FCSCE, FEIC, C.Dir., is Provost and Vice-President (Academic) and a Professor of Civil Engineering at McMaster University. As Provost, she serves as the university’s Senior Vice-President, Chief Academic Officer and Chief Budget Officer, roles that enable her to champion innovation and entrepreneurship.  

Dr. Tighe has fostered a robust support system across McMaster, facilitating the translation of research and knowledge into tangible initiatives that benefit the economy, society, public policy, health, the environment, and quality of life. She is a supporter of McMaster’s nuclear research infrastructure, which provides unique learning experiences for students and prepares them for careers in nuclear.  

With a distinguished career as a professional civil engineer and academic, and with more than $26 million in research funding, Dr. Tighe uses her experience to advance McMaster’s strategic initiatives while building strong partnerships with industry and government partners. 

A proud member of the Red Rock Indian Band, Jason Thompson brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Superior Strategies Inc. and Warrior Engineering Ltd teams. With over 25 years of business and management experience, Mr. Thompson has proven to be a skilled executive and visionary entrepreneur. 

Jason sits as the President and CEO of Superior Strategies Inc., Warrior Engineering Ltd, as well as All 3 Innovation. All three of the businesses Jason is affiliated with are majority Indigenous Owned and Operated Businesses, and have demonstrated continued growth year after year. The never setting and opportunistic traits are also evident in the recent launch of his very own Warrior Brand, which includes a variety of PPE, Work Wear and most recently Warrior Apparel. 

Throughout his career Jason has always demonstrated strong leadership skills and has realized the importance of building and maintaining a successful team. Never settling, collaborative, out of the box thinker are a few adjectives that can be used to explain Jason. A proud father of three, who recently welcomed his third Grand Child, Jason and his wife high Tara (High School Sweethearts) are celebrating 28 Years of Marriage, ultimately linking his success to his strong family support, as well as great support system in and outside his many businesses. 

Jason remains a very strong advocate for meaningful participation of Indigenous People and Businesses on a local and National level. 

Driven by a passion for mentorship and development, Frank Pepers is an accomplished business development executive with over 30 years of experience managing projects and companies in the construction and infrastructure sectors. 

Frank is a graduate of Fanshawe College with a diploma in Mechanical Engineering Technology.  Frank has completed advanced training in project management and leadership. 

He actively contributes to the industry through various boards and committees, underscoring his commitment to fostering growth in the construction sector. 

Frank is currently serving as the Vice President of Business Development at E.S. Fox Limited.  He plays an active role in the pursuit of complex projects across various sectors, including Nuclear Energy, Mining, Infrastructure and Transit.  His expertise encompasses Environmental Health and Safety, Quality Assurance, Construction Management and Contract Law. 

Frank is recognized for his leadership in building cohesive teams that thrive on collaboration and communication.  His strategic vision includes extensive work in the development of regional growth strategies that position the company for sustainable success. 

Outside of work, Frank enjoys writing, cycling, baseball, and maritime history. 

Ryan Simpson is a professional engineer with 20 years of experience in the Canadian nuclear industry, with specific expertise in the areas of instrumentation and control systems, computer system engineering, and fuel channel inspection and maintenance systems.

Ryan began his career at Systemware Innovation Corporation (SWI) as a consultant to many large organizations in the energy and oil & gas sectors. Throughout his career, Ryan has contributed to significant nuclear projects in the areas of refurbishment tooling, waste management automation, reactor inspection tooling, and fuel channel data analysis leveraging AI.

Shortly after SWI was acquired by Alithya in 2017, Ryan took on the role of Vice President of Engineering, overseeing Alithya’s digital technology implementations in the Canadian nuclear industry and positioning Alithya as a trusted technology advisor to Canadian utilities.

Ryan is a strong advocate for women in STEM and is an active member in the Women in Nuclear and Ontario Tech University Women for STEM mentorship programs.

Accenture is a leading global professional services company that helps the world’s leading businesses, governments and other organizations build their digital core, optimize their operations, accelerate revenue growth and enhance citizen services – creating tangible value at speed and scale. We are a talent- and innovation-led company with approximately 799,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries. Technology is at the core of change today, and we are one of the world’s leaders in helping drive that change, with strong ecosystem relationships. We combine our strength in technology and leadership in cloud, data and AI with unmatched industry experience, functional expertise and global delivery capability. Our broad range of services, solutions and assets across Strategy & Consulting, Technology, Operations, Industry X and Song, together with our culture of shared success and commitment to creating 360° value, enable us to help our clients reinvent and build trusted, lasting relationships. We measure our success by the 360° value we create for our clients, each other, our shareholders, partners and communities.

Unified Engineering has been a leader in integrated manufacturing, advancing the growth of nuclear and clean energy in Canada for over 40 years. They provide scalable, end-to-end solutions from concept design to fabrication and testing, powering Canada’s energy future. Through collaboration with universities, colleges, and industry partners, Unified Engineering bridge skills gaps, support innovation, and equip the next generation of energy leaders. With their certifications and unwavering commitment to quality, they are proud to be at the heart of ensuring Canada meets its growing energy demands, delivering safe, sustainable energy for generations to come.

Jarrod Shugg is the Vice-President & General Manager of Shawflex, a Mattr company, accountable for business unit safety, operations, employee development and financial performance commitments.  Shawflex is the leading Canadian manufacturer of engineered Wire & Cable, and Assembly solutions serving critical Infrastructure and Industrial end markets, including a core focus in nuclear power. Shawflex has supplied into Canada’s CANDU nuclear fleet for over 30 years.  

Prior to joining Shawflex, Jarrod held a variety of senior leadership positions in Nuclear, Electricity Transmission & Distribution, and Oil & Gas industries, with mandates covering business development, product engineering, marketing, M&A and strategy.

Jarrod holds a Bachelor of Engineering from the University of Guelph, a Master of Engineering Science in Chemical Engineering from Western University, and an MBA from Wilfrid Laurier University. He is also a licensed Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) in Ontario.

George Legate is a Metallurgical Engineer, graduating in 1980 with a B.A.Sc. from the University of Toronto, and completed a Master of Engineering from McMaster University while working as a Metallurgist in the specialty steel industry.  In 2001, he completed a part time MBA from Sir Wilfrid Laurier University while working in the specialty steel forging industry.

In 2003, George accepted a position as President of Nu-Tech Precision Metals Inc. Over the past 21 years Nu-Tech has made a number of advances in improving the uniformity of pressure tube performance. The company has made significant market inroads in supplying components, research, medical and commercial and US Navy reactors, as well as products for commercial aerospace and military applications.

Senior Flexonics (Canada) Limited, founded in 1952, is a Canadian-registered company strategically located in Brampton, Ontario. As part of Senior PLC (UK), the company leverages over 100 years of expertise in engineered solutions for nuclear, non-nuclear, industrial, cryogenic and medical sectors. Its extensive product portfolio includes metallic and non-metallic expansion joints, flexible hoses, fabric expansion joints and related equipment. Equipped with in-house engineering capabilities and a diverse range of products, Senior Flexonics provides tailored solutions that meet its clients’ unique needs, with a reputation for excellence rooted in the company unwavering commitment to continuous improvement and exceptional customer service. With a longstanding history of supplying products to organizations such as Ontario Power Generation, Bruce Power, and AtkinsRéalis, Senior Flexonics stands firmly behind the quality, reliability, and durability of its products in nuclear industry.

Promation is a leading supplier to nuclear power plant operators as well as the medical isotope and radiopharmaceutical industries, with equipment and systems successfully deployed around the world. Promation has decades of experience delivering remotely operated tooling, robotic and automated solutions, and first-of-a-kind (FOAK) solutions that have reliably operated in harsh radiation environments. The company leverages its robust CSA N285.0 and N299.1 QA program to successfully execute projects to the needs of the customer. As a winner of multiple business awards, Promation has established itself as the supplier of choice for reliable and effective solutions.

Darryl is the President of Promation. Since joining Promation in 2004 as a Manufacturing Engineer, Darryl has risen through the ranks to establish himself as a strategic Operations professional and Executive leader. Coupling his strong and engaging communication style with his previous Engineering, Manufacturing, and Project Management experience, Darryl has been instrumental in driving growth and development evolutions within Promation.

Darryl has been an agent of change and cultural definition, as attested to by Promation winning the Award of Excellence in the Large Business category in Oakville in 2016, the Halton Employer’s Choice Award in 2017, OCNI Service Excellence Award in 2019, 2023, and 2024, as well as the OCNI Innovation Award in 2022, Top 100 SME Employer in Canada in 2020, 2021, and 2022, the Oakville Chamber of Commerce “Business Icon of the Year” award for 2021, and driving Promation’s Canadian Council for Indigenous Business (CCIB’s) certified “Bronze” status under their Partnership Accreditation in Indigenous Relations (PAIR) program in 2023.

Novartis Canada is leading the way in bringing an innovative targeted cancer treatment called radioligand therapy to Canadian patients. This approach uses radioactive particles attached to molecules that seek out and destroy cancer cells while minimizing harm to healthy tissue. For certain advanced cancers, such as prostate and neuroendocrine cancers, this therapy can offer significant benefits. The radioactive materials essential for these treatments are often sourced from the nuclear industry, underscoring the vital link between pharmaceutical innovation in cancer care and the supply of medical isotopes.

As Vice-President for Radioligand Therapy, Celine leads the commercialization strategy of innovative targeted radioligand therapies in the field of nuclear medicine to help Canadian patients with advanced cancer. Celine joined Novartis in 2014 and, during her tenure, has been in a variety of commercial and leadership roles in various geographies including Europe, Asia, Middle East and North America.

Prior to joining Novartis, Celine worked at AstraZeneca and Boston Consulting Group. Celine holds a master’s degree in business from ESSEC Business School in France.

Celine has great passion for developing and leading high performing teams. She is energized by helping patients gain access to innovative therapies that will transform their lives.

Makwa-Dewar is a full-service general contractor proudly rooted in Neyaashiinigmiing, Ontario, that delivers proven performance through a First Nations perspective, blending Indigenous values with technical excellence across a wide range of industrial and infrastructure services.

The company offers comprehensive solutions including outage and project services, scaffold and access systems, insulation, coating and painting, excavation and earthworks, site works, facility and building maintenance, hazardous material abatement, and logistics support. Their integrated approach ensures safety, reliability, and cultural alignment on every project. As an Indigenous-led organization, Makwa-Dewar is committed to building lasting partnerships and delivering high-quality results that reflect both community values and industry standards.