Newest Team Members of Canada’s Ocean Supercluster

Two familiar faces of the OSC interterm Executive Team are now full time with the OSC, being:

Susan Hunt: Chief Technology Officer

Melody Pardoe: Chief Engagement Officer

Please join us in extending a very warm welcome to the newest team members of Canada’s Ocean Supercluster:

Rob Barton – Chief Administrative Officer (CAO)

Rob.Barton@OceanSupercluster.ca

Having held managerial positions in finance and strategy for two large multinational organizations, to both set up and strengthen back office functional areas, Rob possesses a wealth of knowledge in administration. As CAO, Rob will oversee critical functional support services, such as Finance, IT and HR. Rob’s experience spans elements such as systems, solutions, policies and processes that will enable the OSC to support staff and ensure operational delivery for our members and ocean economy stakeholders.

Torrie George – Communications Manager

Torrie.George@OceanSupercluster.ca

As the OSC’s Communications Manager, Torrie George brings extensive marketing know-how to Canada’s Ocean Supercluster, with work that has touched many facets of communications – in both the private sector and not-for-profit arenas. Having held communications positions focused on identifying and promoting the development of Atlantic Canada’s regional energy & resource development projects, Torrie possesses a keen understanding of engaging stakeholders across the ocean economy supply chain and will be working to leverage the profile of the OSC across the country.

Beverly Nowotczynski – Office Manager

Bev@OceanSupercluster.ca

As the Office Manager, Bev Nowotczynski comes to Canada’s Ocean Supercluster with over 20 years of experience providing meticulous office management support to senior management across Atlantic Canada – most recently as an Executive Assistant at Deloitte Canada’s St. John’s office. Bev has considerable experience in event and office management. As the day to day gatekeeper for the OSC, Bev is excited for the opportunity to assist in the OSC leadership team and its members in organizing a viable and sustainable future for our ocean economy.

Melissa O’Rourke – Innovation Ecosystem Program Manager

Melissa.ORourke@oceansupercluster.ca

Curious about people and passionate about economic development, Melissa is a community builder who will be responsible for leading processes to build internal networks across the Ocean Supercluster’s Innovation Ecosystem suite of programs and activities. Prior to joining the OSC, Melissa worked as an Accelerator Program Manager with the University of New Brunswick’s Technology Management & Entrepreneurship (TME) Centre. During this time, she helped 50+ new ventures launch and grow.

Matthew P. Johnson Jr. – Technology Leadership Program Manager
[Secondment – Development Officer (Atlantic), ACOA]

Matthew.Johnson@OceanSupercluster.ca

Matthew is a business development practitioner passionate about viable economic growth for this region and the country. He brings many years of business and economic development expertise to Canada’s Ocean Supercluster, by way of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) – most recently as the Atlantic Development Officer to the Advocacy and Industrial Benefits team at ACOA Ottawa. Prior to his return to ACOA, Matthew was the Director of Business Development and Client Relations at the Centre for Ocean Ventures and Entrepreneurship (COVE).

George Power – Technology Leadership Program Manager
[Secondment – Account Manager, ACOA]

George.Power@OceanSupercluster.ca

A professional engineer specializing in technical and business evaluation, George has been involved in the acceleration of innovation projects across Atlantic Canada for over 40 years, with special focus on large scale financial assessment. George has mentored the business development and project delivery of various regional clients, including the intellectual property agreements for countless academic stakeholders. George’s expertise and knowledge spans cross sectorial advisory positions to alternate energy, oil & gas innovation, ice engineering, environmental projects and health innovation.

Andy Stone – Technology Leadership Program Manager
[Secondment – Director, Business Development, Genome Atlantic]

Andy.Stone@OceanSupercluster.ca

Having spent most of his career helping companies and organizations benefit and thrive from science & technology development, Andy’s experience with the multifaceted aspects of innovation management and his understanding of opportunity assessment, partnerships, de-risking R&D, and technology transfer will be an enormous asset to Canada’s Ocean Supercluster. As Director of Business Development for Genome Atlantic, he has led the successful implementation of an end-user led strategy with a focus on increasing Business Enterprise Expenditure on R&D (BERD). Under his leadership, Genome Atlantic’s cumulative project portfolio has expanded to more than $100 Million in funded R&D projects, with business investment now making up more than 25% of the current portfolio.