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Leadership

How do we describe the Bluedrop executive team? They’re innovators.

They see business and workplace training opportunities and they transform them into successes, drawing on a unique combination of knowledge, skills and fearlessness. They are our engine of growth, our visionaries, and our expert guiding hands. We’re pleased to introduce our team to you.

Derrick Rowe

Chairman

Derrick is an award-winning business leader with the ability to achieve strong growth in highly regulated industries. As the founder, Chairman, and, until 1999, CEO of Stratos Global...
 Corporation, he built this St. John's, Newfoundland-based telecommunications company into a global success story that was publicly traded on the TSX. Derrick subsequently transitioned into the role of Chairman and CEO of FPI Limited from 2001-2005.

Sought after for his managerial acumen, Derrick has served on many economic advisory committees over the years. They include the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO), the International Trade Advisory Committee, and the Premier's Advisory Council for both the Economy & Technology and the Information Highway. A past director of the Health Care Corporation, Derrick is a current board member with Marport Deep Sea Technologies Inc.

Derrick’s business accomplishments have earned him Top 40 Under 40 honours from the Globe & Mail, the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award and an Export Achievement Award. He is currently active in technology investments through his company Name 3 Capital.
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Emad Rizkalla

President and CEO

Emad is recognized across North America as a pioneer and leader in eLearning, entrepreneurship, and corporate management. An engineering student when he co-founded Bluedrop (formerly ZeddComm) in 1992, Emad...
 has received the Globe & Mail’s prestigious Top 40 Under 40 honours and was profiled in a TIME magazine cover story showcasing eight "young dynamic entrepreneurs who will create the 21st Century."

In addition to publishing numerous articles about learning organizations, corporate leadership, and consulting excellence, Emad’s perspectives have been featured in a variety of media outlets, including CBC's The National, CBC Radio, The Globe & Mail, MacLean's, BBC Radio, and The National Post.

An active member of many national committees, Emad has chaired several not-for-profit boards and currently serves on a Federal Task Force with the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. He holds a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from Memorial University of Newfoundland.
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Bernard Beckett

CFO, FCA

Bernard has a long, distinguished career in senior finance, and extensive expertise in corporate transactions and financing that spans more than three decades. He has been a public accountant...
 with KPMG and Ernst & Young, and has filled senior leadership roles with a wide range of private and public companies. Prior to joining Bluedrop, he served as Corporate Treasurer and CFO of Fishery Products International, a TSX-listed company, and as CFO with Marport Deep Sea Technologies.

Bernard has been providing advisory services to Bluedrop and was the Chair of our Audit Committee before transitioning into his current role. Well versed in our financial and reporting systems, his expert guidance will ensure the continued growth of our company.

A graduate of Ryerson University in Toronto, Bernard is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in both Ontario and Newfoundland and Labrador, and a Fellowed Chartered Accountant.
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John Moores

Chief Operating Officer (CoursePark Learning Services)

John is responsible for leading the operational and delivery aspects of the CoursePark Learning Services business unit and executing the company's growth strategy. With more than 15 years of...
 experience in delivering complex technical solutions to international clientele, John has the knowledge and skills to pursue continued growth for this unit in an effective and profitable manner.

Prior to his current role, John was Bluedrop’s VP of operations. He joined the company following a series of increasingly senior roles with Aliant and Bell Canada, including National Account Executive, Product Marketing Manager and Professional Services Delivery Manager.

Widely regarded for his analytical expertise and managerial skills, John holds a Masters of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Memorial University of Newfoundland.
 
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Michael O'Rourke

Chief Operating Officer (Defence and Aerospace)

Mike is responsible for sales, project delivery, daily operations, and management of the Defence & Aerospace team. Based in Ottawa, he draws on more than 25 years of industry...
 and operational experience to guide business practices and growth strategies across our entire organization.

Prior to joining Bluedrop, Mike served as Director of Operations for CAE Professional Services Group, overseeing a business unit with revenues in excess of $50M. He also served as General Manager of Operations with Software Kinetics Limited and was a regional manager with xWave, with P&L responsibility for a $45M business unit.

Mike holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree from the Royal Military College and was a Naval Combat Systems Engineer with the Canadian Department of Defence. An active volunteer with the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs, Mike has also been involved in youth and adult softball in Ontario.
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