Keynote Speaker: Dr. Albert (Al) J. Rosa

Al Rosa received his Bachelor of Electrical Engineering from Manhattan College (NY) in 1963, his MSEE from the University of Missouri (Columbia) in 1964, and his Ph.D. (EE) from the University of Illinois (Urbana) in 1975.

Dr. Rosa spent almost 24 years in the U.S. Air Force. As a young officer he worked on sensitive intelligence-gathering RF systems. In mid-career he taught at the USAF Academy. He spent a sabbatical as the chief scientist for the Air Force in London, UK. After being promoted to colonel he was given a dual appointment as chief of the Systems Integration Staff in the Unified Space Command and the director of architecture for the System Integration Office. His effort resulted in a seven volume architecture that integrated global and space-based systems that is still in use.

Rosa was awarded a Legion of Merit upon retirement from the Air Force. He also received an Air Force Commendation, five Meritorious Service medals during his military career, the IEEE Centennial Medal and the IEEE Millennium Medal. In December 2001 he was awarded a Presidential Award for mentoring underrepresented youth by the White House.

For a more detailed biography, click here.

Topic: Education in the New Millennium

Nothing changes more rapidly than modern technology.  Engineers, Computer Scientists, Technologists face the daunting task of staying current or face obsolescence.  To stay current means to be involved in life-long learning.  This never-ending task requires a commitment to continual adaptation and education.  Education, too, is undergoing change.  For centuries education followed the tutor-mentor model.  Then, with the advent of the twentieth century and for many decades to the present day, education was delivered in a familiar classroom lecture and lab formats.  But times they are a changing.  A comparison between the Space Age that began in the late 1950s and today’s Information Age shows starkly how what is important has changed.  How does one keep up?  How is education evolving to meet these challenges? What are your responsibilities as a technical professional in these regards?  What are some of the pitfall to avoid and how can you avoid becoming redundant?  These are topics that will be covered.

Nicholas Kokkastamapoulos

The “Art of Networking” has been instilled into Nicholas Kokkastamapoulos, ever since he was as a young five-year old “helper” in his uncle’s tailor shop.  He watched in awe how his uncle “schmoozed” his patrons with great flair (earnestly and sincerely) and story-telling – regardless of their profession or walk of life.  Every day was always a mix of clientele lounging in the shops’ centered leather sofas, gabbing hours on end in a variety of diverse topics.  Networking for his uncle was about developing and keeping “rapport”.  From that time, Nicholas grew up understanding and appreciating the importance of having a circle of diverse friends, colleagues, associates as well as knowing the rules of “netiquette” when meeting and socializing within networking environments.  Networking (and sometimes job opportunities) has been used in each of his varied roles encompassing military service, hospitality/food & beverage industry, not-for-profit/non-government sectors, legal career, education, and corporate relations.  And to find a new tailor when his uncle sadly passed away.  It was networking, too, that led Nicholas Kokkastamapoulos to his current career within the Edwards School of Business.

Topic: Networking Workshop

You have heard people talk about “networking” but for you it’s: 1) still something you’re trying to understand when it comes to your own career and social circles; 2) important but you see it more as a trial hindered by your lack of confidence and techniques (or simply plain fear of rejection to engage a complete stranger); or 3) something you’ve heard it all or there isn’t really more to learn!  Well, networking is the key to relationship building, whether it finds you jobs, recruit talent, win new customers, discover investors who’ll support your ideas, or simply finding the right hairdresser!  It is a skill to be learned and a principle held dear.

In this networking workshop, you will learn a few concepts and techniques such as:

• The importance of “investing” in your networking (it’s giving – not taking!)
• 15 most common barriers to networking
• 17 rules of networking etiquette (“netiquette”)
• 10 sure-fire ways to improve your networking skills
• “Advice call” techniques and other ways to engage your current/potential network
• Organizing your network so it works more effectively
• Professional image and dressing according to the occasion

Come and enjoy an interactive session where you will walk away with straightforward, unique insights and practical, clear advice when it comes to building your business and social circles.  Build the confidence needed to begin networking for the first time or enhance the skills already used.

Scott Johnston

Scott Johnston is a Certified IT Specialist working in IBM’s Systems and Technology Group providing pre-sales technical support for IBM Power Systems.  He has been with IBM Canada for 18 years. Scott received his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical engineering from the University of Saskatchewan in 1993.

Topic: IBM Watson

Watson represents the latest achievement in machine learning and natural language processing.  In February, 2011, Watson competed against and defeated the best human players, Ken Jennings and Brad Rutter on a nationally televised Jeopardy! tournament.  Watson is a cluster of 90 IBM Power 750 servers executing IBM’s DeepQA software spanning across nearly 3000 Power7 processor cores. Learn about Watson, the natural language processing and analytics behind it, and how Watson technology will revolutionize information technology from providing advanced diagnostics in healthcare, to online web-based support.

Roger Pierson

Roger Pierson is a Professor and Director of Research in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences in the College of Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan. He received BS and MS degrees from Purdue University and a PhD in Reproductive Endocrinology/Physiology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Roger is a Fellow of the European Academy of Sciences, Canadian Academy of Health Sciences, Canadian Institute of Academic Medicine and a Past-President of the Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society. Dr. Pierson’s research has generated more than 500 papers, technical reports, book chapters and abstracts, in addition to more than 30 copyrighted computer programs. He is the co-editor of Imaging in Infertility and Reproductive Endocrinology, a state-of-the-art text and reference book.

Dr. Pierson’s research is multi-disciplinary and revolves around ovarian follicular development in natural cycles and under ovulation induction and hormonal contraception conditions. Studies on ovarian function in women by Dr. Pierson and colleagues at the University of Saskatchewan were cited as one of the top 100 scientific discoveries of 2004. Some of the tools developed in Dr. Pierson’s laboratory for the analysis of high-resolution ultrasonographic images have proven useful, not only in the assessment of ovarian function, but also in the assessment of ovarian masses and tumours and breast masses. Other areas of research include development of computer software for tissue characterization and analysis of ultrasonographic and MR images, 3-dimensional ultrasonography, early embryo development, automated detection of embryonic anomalies and development of animal model systems for investigation of human reproductive dilemmas. Roger is a jazz musician and has a small portfolio of sculptural works.

Topic: Reproductive Imaging, Technology and Disease Management

Roger is going to give out a very dynamic speech on his work in the biomedical industry focused very closely on the audience.  He is planning on touching various topics in the industry such as imaging in reproductive imaging, reproduction technology and the future of disease management. He is going to identify areas all along that path where engineering and business development have things in common and where technological advance is going to create business niches.

Dinner Speaker: David Callele, P.Eng., Ph. D.

David is an electronics engineer and computer scientist with over 25 years of professional experience. Familiar with almost every aspect of the operations of customer-focused organizations committed to the delivery of superior high-technology products and services, David specializes in helping the customer determine what they really need, then delivering it.
David’s diverse experience includes technology-based entrepreneurship, managing new product R&D, telecommunications, and video game design and development. Currently Business Development Manager at TRLabs Saskatchewan and President of his own video game studio, Experience First Design Inc., David has been an employee, an employer, a consultant, an entrepreneur, and an academic.
David is a University of Saskatchewan Alumni, starting his studies in the College of Engineering at the University of Saskatchewan in 1979. Between 1979 and 2011, he obtained a B.E. (Electrical), B.Sc., M.Sc. and Ph.D. (Computer Science) and enough course credits to make one shake their head and wonder why he just kept going back again and again.

Topic: The Lighter Side of Engineering, Innovation and Entrepreneurship

You can’t spend 30 years as an engineering entrepreneur and have everything go as planned. Sometimes things go in unexpected directions, that’s just reality. Unexpected events can make it seem like the sky is falling but that old adage about time healing all wounds actually has a strong kernel of truth. I really can look back at some of the wilder things that have happened and laugh about them now. I hope that you will join me as I share some truly unexpected tales from the “What just happened?” side of our profession and the valuable lessons learned.

Panel: Business of Innovation

While the participants in this panel bring very diverse backgrounds and experience to these discussions they share a common passion – namely “innovation” and more particularly “The Business of Innovation”. Successfully bringing innovative solutions to market presents some very significant opportunities but also present some very significant challenges. Our presenters today will each share their perspectives on the opportunities and challenges associated with “The Business of Innovation”.

Panel Chair: Gordon A. Sparks, Ph.D, P.Eng, MCIP, CMC

Dr. Gordon Sparks is a Professor of Civil Engineering at the University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and the Director of the Engineering Entrepreneurship Program in the College of Engineering, U of S. He holds a B.Sc. (University of Alberta) 1967, M.Sc. (University of California, Berkeley) 1969, and a Ph.D. (University of California, Berkeley) 1971. Dr. Sparks has over 35 years experience in teaching at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, and contract research and consulting in the area of transportation engineering, engineering economics and decision analysis. Most recently Dr. Sparks lead a multi – year research program funded by ISIS Canada, one of the Networks of Centres of Excellance funded by the Federal Government, on Life Cycle Engineering & Costing. In addition to his teaching and research at the University of Saskatchewan, Dr. Sparks is a Managing Partner, Vemax Management Inc., a Canadian – based company with offices in Edmonton and Saskatoon in Canada as well as Sydney and Melbourne in Australia. VEMAX specializes is providing asset management systems to public sector agencies and has, for the past decade, provided the asset management systems used by two Highway Departments plus a number of Cities in Western Canada as well as a numerous Councils and Shires in Australia. In addition to being a Registered Professional Engineer, Dr. Sparks is a Certified Management Consultant, Registered Community Planner, and Member of the Boards of Canadian Environmental Technology Advancement Corporation – West and CAA Saskatchewan. Dr. Sparks is a member of the Saskatchewan Angel Investment Network.

Panelist: Jerome Konecsni

Dr. Konecsni joined Innovation Saskatchewan in October of 2011. The organization was created to coordinate and facilitate the strategic development of an innovation agenda for the province. His appointment was based on extensive experience in Saskatchewan’s research and innovation community. Before joining Innovation Saskatchewan, he served as Director General of the National Research Council’s Plant Biotechnology Institute in Saskatoon recognized as Canada’s technology leader in plant science.

Dr. Konecsni also brings an entrepreneurial background from prior positions as the President and CEO of both Genome Prairie and BioSmart Technologies, and as Vice President Corporate Development for Bioriginal Food & Science Corporation. He also served as Vice President – Agricultural Biotechnology, Small Industry Services, Marketing and Commercialization and Corporate Services at the Saskatchewan Research Council. He has extensive international experience and has managed and facilitated many international research collaborations and consortia. His leadership profile also includes service on a number of Boards and Committees such as: Chair of AgWest Bio and the Saskatchewan Nutraceutical Network, Vice Chair of STEP and Member of the Knowledge Translation Committee of SHRF.

Dr. Konecsni was born in Saskatchewan and received his education from University of Saskatchewan and a doctorate from Karunya University in India.

Panelist: Blair Knippel – Technology, Media and Telecom Group Leader/ CleanTech Group Leader – Saskatchewan

Profile
Blair has worked with Deloitte throughout his entire career starting in 1988. After working extensively with Technology, Media and Telecommunication (TMT) clients throughout most of his career, Blair was appointed Deloitte’s TMT and CleanTech leader in Saskatchewan.

Experience
Blair serves a wide variety of Canadian and International TMT, CleanTech and other clients. He concentrates his professional practice on Canadian and international business consulting assignments. Blair is experienced in providing tax and general business advice to TMT and CleanTech clients throughout the continuum of business operations, from start-up to IPO/sale. He works in conjunction with TMT, CleanTech and other practitioners across North America to bring leading edge tax and business ideas to clients. Blair is currently Deloitte’s lead on a project with the Government of Saskatchewan to bring TMT clients, particularly in the Bio-Tech and IT sectors, to Saskatchewan.

Professional affiliations/certifications
• Guest Lecturer, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Saskatchewan and University of Saskatchewan (W. Brett Wilson Centre for Entrepreneurial Excellence)
• Chair, Saskatchewan Capital Network (Saskatchewan’s sole angel investment organization)
• Co-Chair, Saskatoon Chamber’s Science City Committee/Enterprise Committee (2004 to date)
• Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce, Director 2002-09 / President 2007-08
• University of Saskatchewan Huskies Football Foundation, (2000 to date)

Education
CPA – State of Illinois, 2002
CA, 1991
BComm, University of Saskatchewan, 1988

Panelist: Patrick Kolla

Patrick was raised in the small farming community of Cudworth, SK. Patrick is currently completing a B. Sc. in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Saskatchewan with the Engineering Entrepreneurship option. His work experience includes a year with Ensign Energy in the oilfield prior to University and three summers with Cameco Corp. throughout. Patrick has also had the opportunity to be a part of several student groups during University. He is currently the V.P of the Mechanical Engineering Students Association and was previously the President of the PPP. The PPP is a university wide student group, which has donated over $100,000 to local charities. Upon completion of his degree, Patrick will be working with BHP Billiton as a Mechanical Engineer in Training.

Panelist: Razvan Rusescu

Razvan is originally from Romania and has moved to Canada 11 years ago. He has completed an internship with PCL Construction Management Inc. in 2010 where he assisted with the construction of the VIDO-InterVac building on the U of S campus. For the past two years Razvan has been volunteering for the Canadian Society for Civil Engineers Student Chapter (CSCE) and is currently holding the role of treasurer. The CSCE is a not for profit group that organizes student events and raises money for the Civil Engineering banquet and local charities. Razvan will be finishing his Civil Engineering degree from the University of Saskatchewan with the entrepreneurship option in May 2012 and is going on to work for CETAC-WEST in Calgary, Alberta.