About Water Strider Inc
Welcome to Water Strider Inc
We are trailblazers in the field of aerial wildfire fighting technology. We are spearheading the development and deployment large scale UAV fire fighting systems capable of delivering over 500,000L/day per system.
Board of Directors & Management
Hugues Wallen
Chief Technology Officer
Former Project Engineer at Delphi Automotive System, Fluid Dynamics, Forward Group with over 40 Records of Invention for Delphi
Owner: HW Performance Products and Racing Engines, Belgium Championship Winner in several motorsport categories, design and manufacturing of engine testing dynamometers
Holds a BSc, England and an Internal Combustion Engine and Automotive Expert, Belgium
Eric Lawson
Chief Financial Officer
Designated accountant with a B.Comm from the Edwards School of Business, University of Saskatchewan
Over 14 years of experience in global manufacturing and service companies
Proven expertise in finance strategy, business planning, B2B contract negotiation and leadership
Andrew Hicks
Director – IP Strategic Advisor
President and CEO, Hicks IP, with over 30 years in IP, Canadian and US Patent Agent.
Partner, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP (2000-2004).
Masters of Applied Science; Chemical Engineering (1990).
BSc-Biochemistry (1986).
Matt Gowanlock
Director
Former President and CEO, Cleantek Industries TSX-V. CTEK.
Co-Founder and former CEO of Apollo Energy Services.
Former President of Streamline Energy Services, GM at Filterboxx Water & Environmental, Director of Field Ops. at Genalta Power and President of Aithra Projects.
Master Electrician, and electrical SME.
Jon Kennedy
Chairman – Board of Directors
As President and CEO of Glacier Media Inc. from 1998 to 2023, led the growth of the company to $210 million in revenue and 1400 staff.
Beyond corporate success, Jon has been actively engaged in governance and community initiatives.
His expertise in business development, equity & debt capital raising along with strong M&A skills, facilitated pivotal successes like the development of ERIS into a leading North American environmental risk information business and the growth of Glacier FarmMediaand REW.ca as industry leaders. BA/MBA Harvard University.
Jason Wiun
Director
Held a long tenured career at Pembina Pipeline Corporation, culminating in the role of SVP & COO of the Pipeline Division leading 700 staff, $2 billion EBITDA and $1 billion of capital projects, annually.
Oversaw transformational growth through greenfield, brownfield and M&A transactions.
Highly skilled in strategy, business development, leadership development, finance and integration.
Engineering and Design Team
Julien Godard
Aeronautical Engineering
Holds a Master’s degree in Aeronautical Engineering with high honors and a Bachelor’s in Aircraft Technology, specializing in avionics, from HEPH Condorcet, Charleroi.
Assistant Professor, teaching electronics, thermodynamics, and CAD.
Earned Airbus A320 type rating with Brussels Airlines in 2024, building on a strong foundation in aviation with EASA certifications from PPL to ATPL.
Thomas Gautier
Engineering - Controls Lead
Specializes in enhancing engine management systems (EMS) with expertise in autocode redevelopment of Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) control strategies.
Energy and Propulsion Engineer Subject matter expert.
Led notable advancements in air estimation via neural networks, supercharger control, and innovative variable valve timing with a 2-Step valve lift system.
JF Preuhs
Engineering - Launch Lead
Proficient in leading-edge design and simulation software, enhancing innovative product development and testing.
Expertise in project quality control and workflow optimization, and product development processes / efficiency.
Advanced knowledge in electromechanical engineering and test bench engineering, reinforcing product reliability and performance.
Benjamin Valkenborgh
Aerospace Engineering - Aircraft Design Lead
Holds a MSc in Aerospace Vehicle Design from Cranfield University, excelling in drone design efficiencies.
Master's in Civil Engineering with a focus on aerospace structural integrity from the University of Liège.
Instructs future aeronautics leaders as a professor in Aerotechnics and Industrial Engineering.
Claude Gay
Wildfire Aerial SME - Operations
Accumulated 4,746 flying hours by February 2024, with 4,600 as Pilot-in-Command.
Specialized in wildfire-related operations, and certified training in BC-approved mountain courses.
Engaged in diverse flight operations across challenging environments including aerial ignition, with significant flight time in mountainous and Arctic regions.