Initially an electronics engineer by profession, Michael spent 36 years in Canada's federal public service, including 28 years with the Canadian Coast Guard, and six in IT management within a government common services agency, in a combination of operations, technology, and executive management jobs. Experience in the Coast Guard and senior levels of the public service has since been complemented by 15 years in the private sector.After leaving the federal government, Michael consulted for governments (including internationally) to improve citizen service, through the successful introduction and management of technologies within civil service organizations. (Usually referred to as "e-Government"​.) In this context, he also produced and delivered seminars, workshops, and other training sessions, and spoken at numerous conferences on various aspects of e-Government..In the corporate sector he served mainly as a Vice President with Wesley Clover International, a global investment and management firm with equity investments in about 70 Information, Data Networking and Telecommunications Technologies companies. In this capacity he provided strategic advice, issues management, and external relations support for the company and its Alacrity Global program. Michael also served on Canada's Defence Science Advisory Board for ten years while an executive in the private sector and has previously been a member of the Advisory Board of the NRC's Emerging Technologies Division, the Advisory Board of the Association of Public Sector Information Professionals, and Board of Wavefront. He is currently serving as an Advisor or Board member for several non-profit organizations. Specialties: -Knowledge and experience of the business and investment practices associated with creation of new tech start-ups in the area of Information & Communications Technologies (ICT). -Experience in leadership and management of ICT operations within the Canadian Federal Government including e-Government, as CIO and Assistant Deputy Minister of a large federal organization and member of the exec team for the Government on Line program in Canada..-Knowledge and experience in the area of government policy as it relates to industrial and innovation strategy and familiarity with Defence policy and operations. -Knowledge and leadership experience with marine operations management, marine and shipping legislation & regulation.