Canadian Defence Review
From High Fashion to Armoured VehiclesBy Heather Pilot Download the Article PDF
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From High Fashion to Armoured VehiclesBy Heather Pilot Download the Article PDF
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Colonel Robert Tyler joined the Canadian Army Reserve in 1992 as a Gunner with 15th Field Regiment in Vancouver, British Columbia and later commissioned as an Artillery Officer. After graduating from the University of British Columbia with a Bachelor of Science in Cellular Biology, he transferred to the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) as a Pilot.
After receiving his wings in 2003, Colonel Tyler was selected for helicopter pilot training and posted to 408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron (408 THS) in Edmonton, Alberta, flying the CH146 Griffon. During his time at 408 THS, Colonel Tyler completed his first deployment to Afghanistan, as a member of the Tactical Air Control Party in Kandahar.
Colonel Tyler was then posted to Townsville, Australia where he flew the CH-47D Chinook with C Squadron, 5th Aviation Regiment, returning to Kandahar, Afghanistan in 2010 to fly with the Australian Army Chinook Detachment.
Upon his return to Canada in 2012, Colonel Tyler assisted in the stand-up of 450 Tactical Helicopter Squadron (450 THS) and the introduction of the CH147F Chinook. Upon promotion to Major in 2013, he took over as the first operational CH147F Flight Commander.
In 2018 Colonel Tyler was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel while serving with the RCAF Headquarters in Ottawa, Ontario. In 2019 he deployed as the Chief of Staff for Air Task Force-Mali as part of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) and Canada’s Operation PRESENCE-Mali.
In 2020 Colonel Tyler took Command of 450 THS, leading the Squadron through the COVID-19 pandemic while ensuring Chinook support to Canadians during multiple domestic missions in response to the pandemic and other natural disasters.
In 2022, Colonel Tyler completed language training followed by a short posting to Chief Force Development. He was promoted to his current rank in 2024 and is currently Director Air Requirements, within the RCAF Headquarters.
Colonel Tyler is a graduate of the Army Operations Course (2013) and the Joint Command and Staff Program (2017), where he earned a Master’s Degree in Defence Studies from the Royal Military College of Canada.
Colonel Tyler has two, amazing, teenaged daughters.
Rod Stagg is a proud Metis businessman, tradesperson, father, coach and mentor.
As the founder of Cougar Technical Services, a successful mechanical service company working in Calgary AB and surrounding areas for over 30 years, Mr. Stagg is a dedicated family man and community member. Rod has 2 sons, Jeremy and Joel, who are actively involved in daily operations. Jeremy Stagg is President of Stag Construction Solutions, a General Contracting firm, while Joel Stagg is an experienced Plumber who handles a wide array of Mechanical service requests and assists with estimating jobs.
With the continued success of Cougar Technical Services, Rod began to conceptualize his idea to help Canada’s Indigenous youth over 20 years ago. Through this journey, the idea of the Indigenous Incubator was born.
The Indigenous Incubator Inc. (III) is a newly launched initiative, comprised of 7 different Indigenous Trades Companies:
1. Cougar Technical Services
2. Stag Construction Solutions
3. Wolf HVAC Services
4. Grizzly Electrical Services
5. Mother Earth Energy Services
6. Tomahawk Indigenous Engineering
7. Polar Bear Janitorial
These companies are all focused on providing Mentorship, Education, and Training to Indigenous Peoples. In the past year, Rod has hired 4 Indigenous persons in both the field and the office. These individuals are encouraged to bring their own cultural knowledge and retain their Indigenous values while working for the Incubator. This cultural empowerment and meaningful career opportunities creates “Economic Reconciliation through Employment”.
The Indigenous Incubator focuses on developing Individuals’ skills in a wide array of trades and professional services. Within the 7 different Indigenous companies, Individuals have the option to further their career path in many avenues including: janitorial work (unskilled labour), mechanical work (plumbing, HVAC, electrical, construction), as well as professional services (accounting, dispatch, marketing, engineering). These flexible career pathways give individuals the opportunities they need to further their careers, bolster their annual income, and in turn create generational wealth within Indigenous communities. This furthers the Indigenous Incubator’s commitment towards Reconciliation within Canada.
The Indigenous Incubator group of companies are currently focused on serving Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional (ICI) markets within Calgary and surrounding Alberta areas. However, after proving this concept in these areas, the Incubator will be ready to take on projects and help Indigenous communities across Canada.
Born and raised in Southern Ontario, Lieutenant-General Wright enrolled in the Canadian Armed Forces in 1990 and joined Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI) in 1994. He has served in all three Canadian Mechanized Brigade Groups and deployed on operations with all three Regular Force infantry regiments. He spent 11 years with 2 PPCLI in Winnipeg and Shilo, commanding at the platoon, company and battalion level. He also served three years with the Second Battalion of the Royal 22e Regiment. He commanded 2 CMBG from 2017-2018. He was Commander CFINTCOM and Chief of Defence Intelligence from June 2021 to July 2024. On promotion to Lieutenant-General in July 2024, he was appointed as the Commander of the Canadian Army.
Operationally he has deployed to Bosnia, Afghanistan, and the Middle East, and served on domestic operations in support of the 2010 Winter Olympics and the 2011 Manitoba floods. He was awarded the Medal of Military Valour and the Meritorious Service Medal as a rifle company commander serving with the First Battalion of The Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group in Kandahar Province in 2006-07. From May 2020 to May 2021, he commanded Joint Task Force Impact and Task Force Central, the CAF missions in the Middle East.
Lieutenant-General Wright has served in staff positions as the Chief of Staff of CFINTCOM, J3 of the Canadian Joint Operations Command, Executive Assistant to the Chief of the Defence Staff, Chief of Staff and G3 of 1 CMBG, as well as positions at the Canadian Army Headquarters and the Canadian Forces Joint Headquarters.
Lieutenant-General Wright holds an Honours Degree in History and Political Science and a Masters of Defence Studies from RMC, is a graduate of the National Security Programme, and has completed the Joint Force Land Component Commander Course at the US Army War College. He and his wife Hilary live in Ottawa and their two adult sons live in Southern Ontario.
Le lieutenant-général Wright est né et a grandi dans le sud de l’Ontario. Il s’enrôle dans les Forces armées canadiennes en 1990 et se joint au Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI) en 1994. Il sert dans les trois groupes-brigades mécanisés du Canada et participe à des opérations au sein des trois régiments d’infanterie de la Force régulière. Il sert 11 ans au sein du 2 PPCLI à Winnipeg et à Shilo, où il assure le commandement au niveau du peloton, de la compagnie et du bataillon. Il sert également trois ans dans le 2e Bataillon, Royal 22e Régiment. Il commande le 2 GBMC de 2017 à 2018. Il agit à titre de commandant du Commandement du renseignement des Forces canadiennes et de chef du renseignement de la défense de juin 2021 à juillet 2024. Lors de sa promotion au grade de lieutenant-général en juillet 2024, il est nommé commandant de l’Armée canadienne.
Sur le plan opérationnel, il participe à des déploiements en Bosnie, en Afghanistan et au Moyen-Orient, et il participe à des opérations nationales à l’appui des Jeux olympiques d’hiver de 2010 et des inondations de 2011 au Manitoba. Il reçoit la Médaille de vaillance militaire et la Médaille du service méritoire comme commandant de la Compagnie de fusiliers au sein du groupement tactique du 1er Bataillon, The Royal Canadian Regiment, dans la province de Kandahar en 2006-2007. De mai 2020 à mai 2021, il commande la Force opérationnelle interarmées Impact et la Force opérationnelle interarmées (Centre), les missions des FAC dans le Moyen-Orient.
Le lieutenant-général Wright occupe divers postes d’état-major à titre de chef d’état major du Commandement du renseignement des Forces canadiennes, de J3 du Commandement des opérations interarmées du Canada, de chef de cabinet du chef d’état-major de la défense, de chef d’état-major et de G3 du 1 GBMC, ainsi que d’autres postes au Quartier général de l’Armée canadienne et au Quartier général interarmées des Forces canadiennes.
Le lieutenant-général Wright détient un baccalauréat spécialisé en histoire et en science politique et une maîtrise en études de la défense du CMR. Il est diplômé du Programme de sécurité nationale, et il a réussi le cours de commandant de la composante terrestre d’une force interarmées multinationale au Collège de guerre de l’Armée des États-Unis (US Army War College). Sa femme Hilary et lui habitent à Ottawa et leurs deux fils d’âge adulte vivent dans le sud de l’Ontario.
MGen Peter Dawe joined the Canadian Forces in 1990 as an artillery officer. Following a tour to Cyprus as a troop commander, he reclassified to the infantry and joined the Second Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI). MGen Dawe has commanded from platoon to brigade level, to include 3 PPCLI (2009-2011) and 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group (2013-2015).
MGen Dawe’s extra-regimental employment has included tours at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School; the Canadian Special Operations Regiment; Canadian Special Operations Forces Command Headquarters; and on the Strategic Joint Staff as the Director General Operations.
His operational tours include Cyprus, Bosnia, and two tours to Afghanistan. In 2002, he served as the 3 PPCLI Battle-Group Operations Officer for Operation APOLLO in Kandahar, Afghanistan, for which he was awarded the U.S. Bronze Star Medal. From May 2011 to March 2012, he served as the Deputy Commander of Canada’s Contribution to the Training Mission in Afghanistan and was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal. MGen Dawe was appointed Commander of the Order of Military Merit in 2019.
MGen Dawe is a graduate of the National Security Program, the U.S. CAPSTONE Program, and the Coalition Joint Forces Special Operations Component Commander Course. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Military Arts and Science, a Master’s degree in Defence Studies, and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the Royal Military College of Canada. He is also a graduate of the Senior Executives in National and International Security program at Harvard University. MGen Dawe was appointed Deputy Commander Canadian Special Operations Forces Command in September 2016 and assumed command of Canadian Special Operations Forces Command in April 2018. MGen Dawe assumed his current role as Chief of Combat Systems Integration in July 2023.
Rob Tebb is a highly skilled machinist and entrepreneur of Métis descent who has made a name for himself in the manufacturing industry. Rob’s career as a machinist spans decades, throughout which he has gained a wealth of experience and knowledge, as well as built a reputation as problem solver and solutions provider. Rob began as an apprentice machinist, eventually working his way up to journeyman, and ultimately becoming General Manager of the machine shop at which he worked for many years. In 2013, Rob and his wife Katherine founded Xtended Hydraulics & Machine, an Indigenous-owned and operated machine shop based out of Emerald Park, Saskatchewan.
As Co-Founder and CEO of Xtended, Rob brings his extensive experience and expertise in machining to the forefront, helping to build and lead a team of skilled machinists, millwrights, welders, and others that design and manufacture products and offer services for a variety of industries, including the mining, oil and gas, agriculture, and construction industries, just to name a few. Rob instills a focus on providing quality products and solving problems by providing solutions to client problems, rather than band aid fixes.
In addition to his knowledge and skills as a machinist, Rob is also a proud member of the Métis community and is committed to supporting Indigenous businesses and causes. Through Xtended, Rob strives to provide meaningful employment and career opportunities to Indigenous peoples, and actively contributes to the economic growth and development of Indigenous communities and businesses.
Philip Ducharme is currently the Vice President of Entrepreneurship & Procurement at the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business. In his role he is responsible for leading Supply Change™, CCAB’s Aboriginal Procurement Strategy and the Tools and Financing for Aboriginal Business (TFAB) program.
In the last 25 years, Philip has held several senior roles with various Indigenous organizations across Canada in a variety of sectors including business, health, education, employment and awards and recognition. Philip currently participates as a member of the Supplier Stakeholder Network, Procurement Assistance Canada – Ontario region as well as being a member of the DIAG Indigenous Procurement Working Group.
Philip graduated from the University of Regina in Business Administration.
Philip Ducharme is a proud Métis with all eight of his Great-Grandparents attached to Métis Scrip applications and is a member of the Manitoba Métis Federation.
Colonel Anthony MacIntyre joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 1994 and was commissioned in Yellowknife, NT as an Armour officer. He was posted to Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians) (LdSH(RC)) in 1998 after completing a bachelor’s degree through the Regular Officer Training Program.
Throughout his career, Colonel MacIntyre has held command and staff positions, most notably; he had the privilege to be the Commanding Officer of Canadian Forces Base Shilo (2017-2019), officer commanding a Sabre Squadron (2011-2013) with LdSH(RC) and was G3 Operations for 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group (2014 – 2016).
Colonel MacIntyre has several operational tours including the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Stabilization Force in Zgon, Bosnia (2000), Joint Task Force Afghanistan in Kandahar (2006 and again in 2008) and a domestic deployment to Operation Podium (Olympic Games) in 2010.
Colonel MacIntyre’s staff assignments have included tours with The Royal Canadian Armour School (2004), Directorate of Land Requirements (2005-2007, 2016, 2019-2020), and 1 CMBG (2014-2016). He is a graduate of the Land Forces Technical Staff Program and the Advanced Command and Staff Course in Shrivenham, United Kingdom where he received a Master’s Degree in Strategic studies from King’s College London. In 2020, Col MacIntyre completed the Senior Course at the NATO Defence College in Rome and has completed DP4 through the National Security Program.
Colonel MacIntyre returned to the Canadian Army Headquarters in 2019 as Deputy Director DLR coordination, completed a year in the Canadian Army operations branch and, upon promotion, assumed the role of Director Land Requirements in August 2022.
Colonel MacIntyre is married to Shannon and has two children, Gavin and Meaghan.
Len Anderson is the CEO of a consortium of certified Indigenous technology companies operating in the Ottawa business landscape and providing cybersecurity solutions, engineering services, system integration, MRO, and logistics support to telecommunications, defence, and commercial markets.
A seasoned executive, Anderson’s 30-year career spans the disciplines of telecom operations, production planning, program management, and strategic leadership gained throughout a multifaceted career across a wide spectrum of technology companies culminating with a 10-year career at Nortel prior to founding the cornerstone company within his consortium, Renaissance Network Reinvent. Acquisitions of TerraNova Solutions Rewired and Dafocom Solutions Inc. both followed thereafter.
Anderson’s vision extends beyond the immediate success of his companies. He is dedicated to innovation, sustainability, and the responsible management of technological and defence solutions. His work in bridging the gap between past and future technologies underscores a broader goal of creating resilient, efficient systems that serve both current needs and future challenges. Anderson has demonstrated this through the successful development of cybersecurity and anti-hacking technologies, and high-quality, engineered solutions that ensure the operational readiness and longevity of mission-critical military assets.
Beyond his business achievements, Anderson is recognized for his Indigenous heritage and his efforts to support Indigenous business growth through entrepreneurship. His leadership in companies that prioritize Indigenous roots and partnerships reflects a commitment to fostering economic development and empowerment within these communities.
Jason Dudek is President and co-founder of Sky Canoe Inc., a leading Indigenous-owned drone designer/manufacturer. A successful entrepreneur and impact investor, Jason has brought award-wining businesses from inception to scale. He previously chaired one of Canada’s most respected philanthropic Foundations and holds an MSc from the London School of Economics (UK). Jason believes business is at its best when serving urgent human or environmental needs. He is inspired by Indigenous approaches to reciprocity, community and technology.
Captain (N) Drew Graham joined the Canadian Armed Forces as an officer in the Cadet Instructors Cadre in May of 1995 at Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps QUINTE in Belleville Ontario. Upon completing undergraduate studies at the University of Ottawa he transferred to the regular force as a Maritime Surface officer in the Royal Canadian Navy. He completed his training at the Naval Officer Training Centre in 2002 and joined HMCS TORONTO as a Bridge Watchkeeper. While serving in TORONTO he deployed to the Persian Gulf as part of Operation Altair. He trained as a Shipborne Air Control Officer and joined HMCS IROQUOIS in 2005. While serving in IROQUOIS he deployed to the Mediterranean Sea as part of Operation Active Endeavour with Standing NATO Maritime Group 1. On leaving IROQUOIS LCdr Graham traveled to the United Kingdom to attend the Ammunition Technical Officer course with the British Army. He returned to Canada in 2009 and served as the Formation Ammunition Technical Officer in Halifax for 2 years. He re-joined IROQUOIS as an Operations Room Officer in 2012 and served as Operations Officer, Weapons Officer and finally Combat Officer. While serving in IROQUOIS he deployed on Operation Caribe as part of the North American war on drugs. After serving for two years as the Command Ammunition Technical Officer at Naval Headquarters in Ottawa LCdr Graham moved to Toronto to attend the Joint Command and Staff Programme at the Canadian Forces College where he earned a master’s degree in Defence Studies. He was appointed as the Executive Officer of HMCS REGINA in 2016 and served in REGINA until 2018 when he moved back to Ottawa into the position of Above Water Warfare Requirements Section Head in the Directorate of Naval Requirements. Cdr Graham assumed Command of HMCS FREDERICTON in July of 2020 and deployed as the Flagship of Standing NATO Maritime Group One in support of Operation Reassurance in 2021. Promoted to his current rank in 2023, he is currently serving as the Director of Naval Requirements on the Naval Staff. He lives in Ottawa with his very tolerant and understanding wife Amanda and their two boys Spencer and Braedan.
Born in Toronto ON, Colonel (Col) Paolo Pavese, joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 1997, graduating from the Royal Military College in 2001. Upon graduation and completion of his infantry training, he was posted to the 1st Battalion The Royal Canadian Regiment in Petawawa ON, where he served from 2001 to 2005, as a Platoon Commander, Assistant Adjutant and Battalion Operations Officer, including a deployment to Bosnia-Herzegovina.
In 2005 he completed the Land Forces Technical Staff Program in Kingston ON. This was followed by a posting to the Canadian Forces Land Advanced Warfare Centre (CFLAWC) in Trenton ON within Trials and Evaluations and later as the Standards Officer. His interest in perilous activities and technology quickly led him to Canadian Joint Incident Response Unit (CJIRU) within the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command’s (CANSOFCOM) where he served from 2008 to 2012 as a Troop Leader and Squadron Commander.
From 2013 to 2016 Col Pavese completed staff tours in CANSOFCOM HQ, student time at the Joint Command and Staff Program in Toronto and further staff time within Chief of Programme. Upon promotion to LCol in 2016, he was posted back to CANSOFCOM HQ serving in both Force Development as DSR2 and Operations as the J3.
Col Pavese had the privilege of commanding CJIRU from June 2019 until June of 2021, best job he ever had. Following command, he completed a year of language training once again returning to CANSOFCOM HQ in 2022 within the Commander’s Advisory Group. In 2023, he accepted a voluntary occupational transfer to the newly created Special Operations Forces Officer trade.
Col Pavese was promoted to his current rank in June of 2023 and assumed his current role within CANSOFCOM as the Director Force Development (DFD) where he works to ensure the members of CANSOFCOM have the tools required to conduct and enable operations.