Board of Directors
C. Scott M. Shepherd, Chairman of Board (Independent)
Born in Ontario, Canada and educated at the University of Toronto and Dalhousie University, Mr. Shepherd has worked with the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Export Development Corporation, Imperial Chemical Industries PLC and Trafalgar House PLC, as well as a stint as Chief Financial Officer with the Nexus group of Companies in Burnaby, B.C. Canada. As President and founding director of NORTHSTAR Trade Finance, Inc., Mr. Shepherd has been active with the promotion and support of small and medium sized exporters throughout the world.
John Gillies, Director (Independent)
Mr. Gillies brings over 33 years of federal government experience, principally within the national and international security and intelligence environment. Mr. Gillies served as an Assistant Director with the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) and as a member of the CSIS Senior Executive Committee. Past duties within CSIS include extensive experience in both counter-intelligence and counter-terrorism sectors in a variety of roles including as Director General, Counter Terrorism Division and Director General, BC Region during the 2010 Winter Olympic Games.
Peter van der Gracht, Director (Independant)
Mr. van der Gracht is a serial technology entrepreneur who has successfully launched, financed, operated and sold five technology companies; including: Nexus, Imedia, Teraspan, Fatport and Wavemakers. In addition, he is an RF engineer who will bring a wealth of development and innovation expertise to Patriot One in technology hardware, software and services. Van der Gracht has worked in some of today’s most technologically advanced industries; such as cableTV, telecom, broadcast, IT and automotive sectors. Furthermore, he has served in management roles with Scientific Atlanta, Cisco and Nortel Networks, as well as held senior technology advisory roles with Canada’s federal and provincial governments.
Victoria Calvert, Director (Independent)
Victoria A. Calvert, Professor Emeritus of Entrepreneurship and International Business at the Bissett School of Business at Mount Royal University with over 30 years in international business operations and consulting. An Independent Director at AltaGas Ltd. that operates a diversified energy infrastructure business across North America. An advisor for the Canadian Alliance for Community Service Learning (CACSL). Has served as a board member of the Heritage Park Society and rejoining June 2019. Community Services Learning Facilitator at Mount Royal University. Published extensively on topics ranging from entrepreneurship, corporation citizenship and community engagement responsibilities. Received her undergraduate degree at Queen’s University and MBA from the University of Western Ontario.
Martin Cronin, CEO & President, Director
Martin Cronin is an expert in the areas of counter-terrorism, conflict resolution, and government/corporate interface. He has extensive experience in high intensity conflict environments and recently served as CEO of a private company specializing in communications and survivability technologies. Before moving to the private sector, Martin was British Consul-General to Western Canada, based in Vancouver. His career includes over twenty years of experience in the field of international diplomacy with the British Government, including postings in Yemen, Jordan, Sweden, Pakistan and Iraq.
Mike Barnsley, CFO & Corporate Secretary
Mike Barnsley is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA), whose career includes over 30 years’ experience providing financial management and corporate reporting services to public companies. He has served as Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary for both TSX and TSXV listed companies, principally within the technology sector. During this time Mike was instrumental in completing several corporate acquisitions, a significant asset divestiture, the formation of several foreign operations and a number of tax re-organizations. Mike commenced his career working as a Senior Audit Manager with Deloitte & Touche and is a member in good standing of the Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia.