Leadership Team
Matthew Heffernan
Calgary, Alberta
President and CEO, Zedi Inc.
Matthew joined the Zedi Board of Directors in November 2002 and replaced Keith Smith in November 2006 as President and CEO of Zedi. Matt's breadth of executive management experience in technology, sales, and business development will help Zedi reach financial targets while it evolves as a marketing and sales driven company.
- Held VP of Alberta positions at Telus in their Enterprise Solutions and Business Solutions divisions, before moving to British Columbia to take responsibility for a combined team of Client and Wireless Business Solutions, their largest financial portfolio
- Formed and grew his company, Outrider Technologies Inc. (1999—2001) specializing in niche market solutions in the international defense, government and energy sectors delivering field automation, secure communications and logistics support
- Drove over $12M in annual business for EXOCOM, a consulting and engineering firm, as Vice President Western North America, after opening their western North American office in Calgary; building on previous successes as Vice President of the network engineering, systems and sales divisions. (1986—2000)
- Currently sits as a Director on the Board for Iunctus Geomatics Inc.
- Former board member of Canadian Locators Inc. and the Van Horne Institute
- Member of the Chairman's Circle for Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) and as a council member for the BC Greenway Project
- Formally educated in electronic engineering technology at Algonquin College and business computing at the Anderkoch Institute
Debra Deane
Vice President Marketing
Debra was appointed Vice President Marketing in July 2007. She has been part of the Zedi leadership team since February 2004 where she lead the Customer Service and Support team. Debra has more than 20 years marketing experience in a variety of technology related industries, including oil and gas.
- Telus Enterprise Solutions a provider of outsourced billing and customer care services to technology based companies through an ASP delivery model—Vice President, Managed Application Services
- Veritas DGC Inc., an international geophysical services firm—Vice President and CIO
- FTA/USConnect, a full-service systems integration and software development company—President
- Debra's education includes an MBA from the University of Calgary
Clement Gaudet
Chief Information Officer and Vice President Production & Operations
Clement started with Zedi in spring 2001 and brings with him over 20 years experience in operations management, and data communications research and development. Clem has moved Zedi's manufacturing group forward to meet the commercial production demands for Zedi's Smart-Alek™ product.
- Clem held executive positions with Bovar Engineered Products (1993—1997) and Technical Management Consulting Group, Inc. (1997—2001) and was President & CEO of Sci-Tec Instruments (1990—1993)
- Engineer of the Year, Saskatchewan Engineering Society (1992)
- Design Engineer to Vice President Operations at Develcon Electronics Inc. (1980—1990)
- Education includes a BSc in Electrical Engineering from University of Saskatchewan.
- Professional associations include APEGGA and APES (Alberta and Sask. Engineering Association)
- Former member of Premier's Council on Science and Technology (1988—1990)
- Past President of Saskatchewan Advanced Technology Management Association
Robert W. Gordon
Chief Financial Officer
Robert has been with Zedi since 1992 at which time he served as Vice President General Counsel and Operations. Since then Bob has also held executive positions in finance, marketing and sales. Currently Bob's responsibilities are focused on general counsel, administration and human resources activities.
- Guiding and managing key issues involved in the progressive growth of Zedi Inc. and the transition from a private to public company (1992 to present)
- Associate with Fraser Milner Casgrain in Edmonton (1987 - 1992)
- Chairman on the Board of Governors of Trinity Western University (TWU) for 3 years
- Member of the Board of Governors of TWU for 9 years, from which he received his BA and graduated as valedictorian in 1983
- Earned LLB from the University of Alberta in 1986
- Bob is a member of the Alberta and Canadian Bar Associations and has served on numerous charitable boards and committees
Roderick Heard
Vice President International
Roderick started with Zedi in the summer of 2001 as a consultant to assist in defining and developing our strategic plan. Rod's primary responsibility as VP International is international business development and expansion.
- President and CEO of Tractionworks Inc. where he developed business plans that allowed clients to raise over $60MM (1999—2001)
- As President of Heard Management Solutions—assisted AEUB in managing end of life liabilities that accrue to the public from the oil and gas sector (1997—1999)
- Education includes a BSc in Geophysical Engineering from Queen's University and an MBA from the University of Calgary
Dr. Tokunosuke Ito
Chief Technology Officer
Tokunosuke co-founded Zedi in 1987. His experience includes research and development work for the US Army Human Engineering Lab and Rocket Dynamics, a Space Shuttle associate. Toku has led the design, development and evolution of Zedi's products and technologies, notably the current Smart-Alek™ technology, a remote asset monitoring and data application solution for oil and gas companies.
Prior to Smart-Alek, Toku initiated the development of the world's first downhole shut-in tool that operates at extreme conditions such as high sand level, high pressure conditions (15,000 psi) etc. Toku was also involved in the development of SDS (Surface Data System) which was the world's first portable and self-contained SCADA system. This SDS development paved the way for the development of Zedi's FINE System® concept and the Smart-Alek technology.
- Continues to lead his technology and FINE system vision for the corporation
- Led a research project to develop an intelligent active control design for hydraulic suspension (active suspension) that was adapted by Volvo (1987)
- Was the key to assessing and resolving the contaminant sensitivity of the Space Shuttle's hydraulic servo valves; this problem had been a factor in cancelling a number of scheduled launches (1985)
- Developed a mobile robot system and robotic ammunition loader system for the U.S. Army Human Engineering Lab (1984—1985)
- Authored or co-authored 18 technical research papers and articles for various academic journals, and is a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers
- Education includes a BSc and MSc in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering in 1985 and a PhD in the same discipline in 1987, all from Oklahoma State University
Customer Impact
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