Canada’s 16th Prime Minister―The Right Honourable Joe Clark―is one of the most widely respected Canadians in history. A leader in fighting apartheid and promoting human rights, and the architect of significant Canadian initiatives in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa, Clark’s combination of integrity, commitment, experience, and fiery passion for the betterment of his nation is the foundation of all of his riveting presentations.

Clark rose quickly in federal politics, entering the House of Commons in the 1972 election and winning the leadership of the Progressive Conservative Party in 1976. He came to power in the 1979 election, defeating the Liberal government of Pierre Trudeau and ending 16 years of Liberal rule. Taking office the day before his 40th birthday, Clark is the youngest person to have become Prime Minister. After leaving the office, he returned in 1984 as a senior cabinet minister in Brian Mulroney’s cabinet, and retired in 1993. He later made a political comeback in 1998, to lead the Progressive Conservatives before its dissolution, serving his final term in Parliament from 2000 to 2004.

Clark remains very active in international business and governance as the founder and chairman of a company harvesting underwater timber in Ghana; director of the BDA foundation, which teaches Congolese farmers to harvest and market medicinal plants; and as an active participant in political reforms in developing countries. He has led international election observation teams dealing with difficult elections in Mexico, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, and Lebanon, and is vice-chairman of the not-for-profit Global Leadership Foundation, a small group of former Heads of Government and diplomats who help governments in the developing world face serious crises.

First elected to the House of Assembly on February 9, 1999 to represent the District of Harbour Main – Whitbourne. Mr. Hedderson has served as Opposition Critic for Education (K-12), Parliamentary Assistant to the Leader of the Opposition and as Critic for Youth Services and Post-Secondary Education.

Re-elected for a second term on October 21, 2003, he was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Education and Youth Services and Post-Secondary Education. Mr. Hedderson was appointed Minister of Education on October 1, 2004. He was appointed Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation on November 8, 2005.

On October 9, 2007, Mr. Hedderson was re-elected to the House of Assembly for a third term, and on October 30, he was appointed Minister for Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister Responsible for the Volunteer and Non-Profit Sector.

Mr. Hedderson was appointed Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture on October 31, 2008. On November 27, 2009 he was appointed Minister of Transportation and Works. Mr. Hedderson also served as Acting Minister of Municipal Affairs and Fire and Emergency Services.

He was re-elected once again on October 11, 2011. On October 19, 2012, he was appointed Minister of Environment and Conservation, Minister Responsible for the Multi-Materials Stewardship Board and Minister Responsible for the Office of Climate Change, Energy Efficiency and Emissions Trading.

Mark Ploughman – Moderator
Assistant Deputy Minister, Innovation and Strategic Industries
Dept. of Innovation, Business and Rural Development

Mark Ploughman has spent more than 25 years in the NL manufacturing sector and has experience in quality assurance, operations management, human resource management and new product development. He is a past member of the Board of Directors for the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters and currently sits on the Board of the Research and Development Corporation of NL.

Dan Brake
CEO
EMSAT Corporation

Incorporated in 2010, EMSAT Corporation is a provider of Real Time, Remote Environmental Monitoring Software Solutions for commercial and government sectors. The Company operates from the ‘Genesis Centre’ technology incubator at Memorial University in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada.

In collaboration with key partners, the EMSAT team is developing Real Time monitoring solution by combining together sensor technology, remote satellite communication, and advanced data management software. The combined system provides Industry with decision-making and reporting tools to help reduce the risk of environmental incidents, improve responsiveness, ensure regulatory compliance, and manage environmental reporting.

Ron Collier
Director of Sales & Marketing
SubC Control

SubC Control is a leading provider of revolutionary and reliable solutions for video, image and lighting requirements in the offshore and subsea markets. Based out of Clarenville, NL, SubC Control is a dynamic and innovative knowledge-based company providing leading edge imaging solutions for underwater applications. The company product portfolio includes a comprehensive range of underwater video cameras, digital stills cameras, lighting and media management solutions and systems for Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs), Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) and Standalone installations.

Sheldon George
NL Feed and Fish Health Manager, Cooke Aquaculture
ARIES (Aquaculture Real-time Integrated Environmental System)

Three aquaculture producers in the Coast of Bays area – Cooke Aquaculture, Northern Harvest Sea Farms NL and Nova Fish Farms – have been to working with the Newfoundland Aquaculture Industry Association (NAIA) and its project partners; the Centre for Applied Ocean Technology (CTec) and the Centre for Aquaculture and Seafood Development (CASD) with a project that demonstrates to all operators the potential of near-real-time data to the aquaculture industry as a means of addressing primary data and information limitations influencing day to day operations. The industry players are keenly interested in the concept and recognize the potential operational value of real time data. ARIES, which is now in full operational mode provides near real-time, 24/7 access to dynamic physical data collected at individual cage sites.

Keith Hutchings was born the youngest of six children and grew up in the small community of Mobile on the Southern Shore. Keith attended St. Bernard’s Elementary School in Witless Bay and Mobile Central High. He has been active in the sporting community, involved in coaching, active as a volunteer, serving on various sporting executives and as well chairing various fundraising events.

Mr. Hutchings graduated from Memorial University with a Bachelor of Arts, Majoring in Political Science and obtained a Certificate in Public Administration from Memorial, as well as an Occupational Health and Safety Program from Ryerson University in Toronto.

Mr. Hutchings’ professional career has included 11 years with the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission. He also served as Chief of Staff and Executive Assistant to then Leader of the Official Opposition in the Provincial House of Assembly (1996 -1998) and successfully ran his own consulting business.

Mr. Hutchings was elected as the 9th Member of the House of Assembly for the District of Ferryland since Confederation in a by-election on February 8th, 2007. In the general election of October 9, 2007 he was re-elected and appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment on October 30, 2007. On November 27, 2009 Mr. Hutchings was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health and Community Services.

Mr. Hutchings was re-elected as the Member for Ferryland on October 11, 2011. On October 28, 2011, he was appointed as Minister of Innovation, Business and Rural Development and Minister Responsible for the Rural Secretariat, and the Research & Development Corporation. In addition to his existing duties, on October 19, 2012, Mr. Hutchings was also appointed as Minister Responsible for the Office of Public Engagement and Deputy House Leader.

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