Board of Directors
Visionary Leadership for the Future
Richard Kolacz
Director
CEO, GSTS
Richard has over 30 years of experience in the maritime, space and advanced technology sectors. Upon completing a career as a Royal Canadian Naval Combat Systems Engineer, Richard successfully managed the start-up and expansion of two global maritime-based business ventures: a space-based maritime monitoring system venture, and a naval training and simulation venture.
Richard holds an Engineering Degree from the University of Alberta, Electrical Engineering qualification from the Technical University of Nova Scotia, and a Masters Degree in Guided Weapon Systems from Cranfield University in the UK.
Johanne Sévigny
Director
VP of Ecofuel Accelerator, Managing Partner of the Ecofuel Fund
Johanne has 15 years of experience in venture capital, financing and management of a cleantech startup, and 10 years of operational experience in engineering. Before joining Ecofuel in 2016, Johanne was a Senior Director at BDC.
She also worked at Negotium, a technology solutions provider, as the Head of Finance and M&A. Johanne was a Portfolio Manager at Entrepia Capital, Innovatech Montréal and Multiple Capital, founded in 2005 to manage the portfolio of Innovatech Montréal, an early stage venture capital fund based in Montréal.
Johanne has sat on the board of several technology-based companies, including serving as the president of the board of a fast-growing RFID gaming start-up for two years. Earlier in her career, she held project management positions for 10 years at SNC Lavalin and Dessau-Soprin.
Johanne holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering from the École Polytechnique de Montréal and an MBA from the HEC Montréal.
Kevin T. Rodgers
Director
CEO, Nautel
Kevin is the President & CEO of the Nautel group of companies. He is a 37-year veteran of the company and owner for the past decade.
Nautel has emerged as one of the world’s largest manufacturers of radio broadcast transmitters with deployments in 177 countries and a world leader in the design, development and manufacturing of sonar systems for international defense and non-defense customers.
Kevin graduated from the University of New Brunswick with a B. Sc. in Electrical Engineering.
Outside the office, Kevin maintains a fervent interest in boating, a testament to his adventurous spirit and his love for the intricacies of navigation technology. He applies the same principles of teamwork, resilience and constant learning from this personal passion to his leadership style at Nautel, fostering a culture of excellence that consistently pushes the envelope of what’s possible in RF technology.
Justin Brasier
Director
Investment Director, Venture Capital at Fonds de solidarité FTQ
Justin has been working in the Quebec entrepreneurship market since 2012, where he has served as a lender, an investor in investment funds, and a venture capital investor. He has been involved in the technology sector for the same period and now exclusively focuses on this industry, seeking out promising technology companies on behalf of Fonds de solidarité FTQ.
He holds a Master’s in Economics from Université du Québec à Montréal.
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