Is it nature or nurture that creates great leaders? In the case of today’s guest, it’s a lot of both! In this week’s episode of Rough Seas Ben speaks with Lieutenant Jerome Downey. As founder of DMF Energy Inc. and as public affairs officer in the Canadian Armed Forces Reserve, Downey’s journey has been rooted in integrity. He has drawn inspiration from his family’s legacy of leadership and service - and is passionate about helping the next generation cultivate that same sense of purpose and willingness to serve community and country.
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The Right Wavelength - feat. Tom Knox
In this personal and candid interview, we join Tom Knox on his marine tech journey, beginning in radar, fibre optics, and RF testing under the tutelage of BAE Systems on the Isle of Wight, to eventually finding him as entrepreneur extraordinaire on Canada’s east coast . His philosophy regarding R & D and financing is a refreshing take on how to develop and market marine innovations.
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Sustainable Sovereign Steel - feat. Nick Macan
In this episode we're joined by Nick Macan, an engineer and executive who’s spent his career in the thick of big challenges—from West African oil projects to Russian sanctions to concrete and Canadian steel mills. Nick now leads at Algoma Steel, a company taking bold steps of swapping out coal-fired blast furnaces for electric models, cutting emissions by 70%, and powering a new era of local, sustainable steel. He and Ben discuss why producing steel close to home matters, the challenges and opportunities of “green steel,” and how strategic procurement can strengthen Canada’s economy and sovereignty.
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Accelerating Innovation - feat. Robyn Warrier
In this episode, Robyn Warrier, Program Manager at COVE’s NATO DIANA accelerator joins Ben to discuss her journey in ocean tech and commercialization. Together, they explore how dual-use innovation helps SMEs blend defence and commercial applications, offering new opportunities for growth and impact in the marine technology sector.
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Synthesizing Opportunity - feat. Jim Hanlon
Today we welcome the absolute legend that is Jim Hanlon, a true pioneer in ocean technology. While many people have struggled to commericalise cutting edge tech, Jim has made a habit of it. With over 40 years of experience in engineering, marketing, and management across civilian, academic and military sectors, Jim has not only built an impressive career but also revolutionised how we think about collaboration and innovation in the ocean economy. In this playful conversation he and Ben discuss the finer points of facilitating collaborative research which can best be surmised in the mantra, "Synthesizing Opportunity out of Disparate Things”.
Rough Seas – the Marine Engineering Podcast focuses on the challenges facing industries operating in the marine environment and how overcoming these obstacles makes the world a better place.
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