About Kognitiv Spark Artificial Intelligence company in Fredericton, Canada
Since 2016 Kognitiv Spark has worked closely with global partners to guide industrial augmented reality solution development with an emphasis on user-centered development. Led by an executive team with deep expertise in cybersecurity oil amp; gas industrial engineering and aerospace amp; defence Kognitiv Spark delivers robust and integrated solutions that surpass advanced performance and security requirements.
Kognitiv Spark was founded by Ryan Groom an accomplished cybersecurity specialist and gifted developer and Duncan McSporran a former military officer who served in various leadership roles in the British Army.
Yan has been at the forefront of the development and support of some of Canadas busiest and most commercially important customer web portals and managed complex projects using blended teams across multiple locations.
He is a results-driven project management professional with a knack for getting things done. He is a partner-centric leader that is motivated to succeed. He has a proven client relationship and portfolio management skills to complement his international IT and managerial experience. His tact and communication skills get the job done every time.
Yan graduated with an MBA – IT Management from Universite Laval. He is the proud father of 4 children and calls Fredericton NB home.
With his experience and expertise in networking software development and security Ryan formed the company CyberSecure in 2002. CyberSecure became Microsoft Canadas first Gold Security Partner and won the 2004 Microsoft Canada Impact Award for Excellence in Security Solutions for the work done with the Toronto Police Department. The company was wholly acquired September 1st 2004.
Shortly after the acquisition of CyberSecure Ryan joined VE Networks as Chief Engineer and later became the Chief Technology Officer which resulted in a successful patent filing.
Ryan has consulted for some of the biggest IT companies including IBM Microsoft Cisco and Bell Canada.
In his spare time between holographic computing Ryan films for his TV show Trekkit and helps out with the local Scouts Canada troop.
Duncan served in various leadership roles as an infantry officer in the British Army including seconded service with both the U.S. Army and Canadian Armed Forces where he was responsible for initial leadership training for officers. He was also responsible for the development and deployment of individual and collective training plans for a force of 25000 troops in preparation for routine and operational employment.
Following his military service Duncan settled in New Brunswick and took on the responsibility of managing the High-speed Impact Research and Technology in Fredericton. This included the management of critical-path test projects for numerous prime contractors and Tier 1 suppliers in aerospace and space systems.
Duncan is a Fellow of the Institute of Leadership and Management and received numerous awards over the course of his military career including the US Army Meritorious Service Medal. He is a coach for the Loyalist Rugby Club Youth Program and director of communications for the Fredericton Amateur Speed Skating Club.
In his previous role as Director of the Geotechnical Engineering group at C-CORE Rodney ensured technical quality spearheaded business development and guided the overall direction of the group at the applied Ramp;D facility located at Memorial University. His time at C-CORE provided him a strong background in the Oil and Gas industry in the areas of extraction operations and transportation of hydrocarbon products. Hes led successful projects for companies involved in both offshore and onshore activities such as ExxonMobil BP Shell TransCanada Husky Energy Suncor Hibernia (HMDC) TransCanada Enbridge Hebron Chevron and Statoil (now Equinor). He has also worked closely with EPCM companies in the Oil and Gas industry such as TechnipFMC Subsea7 and Wood.
Prior to that Rodney worked for Stantec (formerly Jacques Whitford) for nearly 18 years. As Practice Leader for Atlantic Canada he worked extensively in the construction industry and was involved in projects related to highways bridges buildings and pipelines. Within the mining industry he was responsible for the design of tailings dams retention ponds and infrastructure at a number of different mine sites.
In his spare time Rodney stays active with outdoor activities including hiking and mountain biking. Adventure travel to locations such as Iceland Norway and Scotland have also allowed Rodney to combine his love of the natural environment with his passion for photography and videography.
As Kognitiv Sparks Director of Operations Jackie employs her experiences driving product management and technical roadmap development while leading business teams collaboratively with development teams in adopting and implementing cybersecurity and compliance procedures. She has successfully implemented companywide performance management processes changes to software development methodology from Waterfall to Agile and established support infrastructures for international customers based on language requirements operating systems and time zone requirements.
Jackie is a double alumnus of the University of New Brunswick holding a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Education and spent time teaching math and science at the middle and high school levels. She calls New Brunswick home and has two daughters. She enjoys kayaking snowshoeing and spending time with family and friends. Shes an active community volunteer supporting a variety of charities and organizations that are important to her.
Since 2010 hes focused on risk crisis and business continuity training helping organisations become more resilient through training software integration and exercising.
In recent projects he has worked with an NGO operating in former conflict zones the Bank of England the Food Safety Authority of Ireland Gatwick Airport the UKs Computer Emergency Response Team the British Army and the Royal Navy.
Charles lives outside of Manchester in the north-west of England. Hes married with two children. He enjoys watching rugby and helping with the local Explorer Scout Group.
Charles holds a MSc in Risk Crisis and Disaster Management and an MA in International Relations.
Pauls career in Infrastructure and cybersecurity began as a trainer a passion he maintains 25 years later. Passing on knowledge and seeing someones eyes light up when they grasp the concept being taught to them is a feeling he still cherishes today. Paul worked with the team at CyberSecure to develop training curriculum for the Toronto Police Services which helped CyberSecure win the 2004 Microsoft Canada Impact Award for Excellence in Security Solutions.
In the rare event Paul is not in front of a computer he can be found off exploring the trails of New Brunswick on his ATV or out in nature with a camera vying for the perfect sunset to capture.
Iain has been a Principal Consultant for a Leadership and Team Development company established his own strategy and innovation consultancy and held an Interim Directorship with the Marine Additive Manufacturing Centre of Excellence at the University of New Brunswick.
He is a graduate of Loughborough University (BA (Hons) MSc.) and Kings College London (MA) in the UK a former Ridgway Fellow at the University of Evansville USA and a Fellow of the Institute of Leadership and Management (UK).
In his spare time he enjoys skiing hiking and canoeing and is a former national university championship winning rugby coach. He continues to coach rugby for Loyalists Rugby Club Youth Program as well as local Middle and High School Rugby.
Stay in the know with the latest industry/company news and insights.
