Gerald P. Potter

Colonel (Retired)

CD, MBA

Expertise

An intuitive, highly adaptive leader who specializes in strategic planning, business process analysis and improvement, project leadership and management. He is a skilled and insightful facilitator of transition and transformation, who anticipates needed change, guides the development of comprehensive implementation plans ensuring the satisfaction of stakeholder equities. Possessing highly refined communication and interpersonal skills Gerald plays a pivotal role in ensuring the participants in change initiatives are well informed and engaged. Gerald’s notable high ethical conduct and personal standards have been instrumental in his being entrusted with the highest levels of confidentiality within national and international contexts. Gerald’s great sense of humour, and calm and steady demeanor in the midst of high intensity operations serve to instill confidence and trust. As a polished mentor who facilitates the personnel and professional development of subordinates and associates, Gerald is a builder of teams.

Professional Experience

Independent Consultant Present

Director of Consulting

CGI 2014-2015

Working to understand and satisfy the IT/IM needs of the Canadian Armed Forces, the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Defence community. Specializing in improving CGI’s cyber security offerings to the Canadian military.

Developed and implemented a strategic engagement plan to support the pursuit of a $150 million funnel.

Developed and delivered key leader engagement with the Director General of Cyber Space for the Canadian Armed Forces providing thought leadership for the improvement of the military’s cyber security.

Developed and implemented a comprehensive recruiting initiative that provided new source of trained and talented cyber security professionals for CGI’s rapidly expanding managed security services.

Provided strategic advice to Senior VP and VP Consulting Services.

Senior Adviser

Soteira Solutions 2013 – 2014

Soteira Solutions designs and improves system safety frameworks for regulators and operators within safety-critical industries.

Collaboratively developed and implemented predictive performance management frameworks that enabled regulators and operators in safety-critical industries to proactively anticipate, mitigate and performance manage systemic system safety risks.

Spearheaded the integration and adaptation of a prototype information management solution for use by regulators and operators in safety-critical industries that enables predictive system safety risk management.

Developed strategic plans, business plans, safety plans, policies and procedures for regulators of safety-critical industries.

Provided expert system safety assessments to the wind energy industry in Southern Ontario.

Provided strategic advice to CEO and Senior Principle.

Associate Director General Science and Technology Operations

Defence Research & Development Canada (DRDC) 2010-2012

DRDC is the R&D arm of the Canadian Armed Forces and the Department of National Defence as well as primary provider of capability to Public Safety.

Lead the development and delivery of the agency’s response to the federal government directed strategic operating review, which resulted in a plan for a 10% reduction in staff and operations costs.

Developed a team of 14 lieutenant colonels who were dispersed across a nine research centres from Nova Scotia to Alberta to deliver first-ever consolidated strategic military advice to DRDC’s Executive Council.

Redesigned DRDC military member footprint processes to enable a 35% reduction in staff and associated costs, streamlined business processes with an improved quality of value-added services.

Developed and led the deployment of the first DRDC consulting team to Kabul Afghanistan and subsequently crafted the agency’s revised engagement strategy for providing support to the Canada military mission.

The DRDC program of classified projects was failing due to a critical breakdown in professional relationships between key stakeholders. Utilizing highly developed conflict resolution skills led the identification and subsequent resolution of all failure points.

Provided strategic advice to the DRDC CEO, DRDC Director Generals and to the Chief of Force Development.

Director Military Career Administration (DMCA)

Military Personnel Command, Canadian Armed Forces 2009-10

DMCA on behalf of the Chief of the Defence Staff conducts investigations and renders career decisions on members whose conduct or medical condition have deteriorated to the point where termination of employment is warranted.

Led the development and implementation of innovative interdepartmental policy to regulate the release of soldiers suffering from PTSD.

Led a team of 70 human resource specialists in the conduct of over 1600 investigations annually, making decisive career action in every case.

Provided strategic advice to the Chief of the Defence Staff and the Commander Personnel Command.

Deputy Chief NORAD Strategic Planning

NORAD-USNORTHCOM Headquarters 2007-09

NORAD-USNORTHCOM is a bi-national headquarters that directs the provision of Air Security for North American and directs the provision of military capability in support of US interests within the Command’s area of responsibility.

Led the development and implementation of an engagement strategy that resulted in full consideration of NORAD’s requirements by the Canadian military’s force development process.

Led the development and implementation of an engagement strategy for introducing prototype surveillance systems to Canadian stakeholders.

Served as principle NORAD liaison to the senior leaders of the RCMP who were responsible for 2012 Olympic security, building trust and understanding between all stakeholders.

Acted as “Trusted Agent” on behalf of Canada facilitating the transfer of classified technology, capabilities and information between Canada and the US.

Provided strategic advice to NORAD-USNORTHCOM senior leadership

Special Operations Command Strategic Operations Officer: 2006-07

The organization was in the midst of initial set up, with three active special force task forces operating throughout Afghanistan.

Developed and implemented an innovative theater-wide strategic operations decision support system that was instrumental in disrupting enemy operations.

Provided strategic advice to Commander Special Forces Command and the NATO Political Advisor to the Afghan Government.

Director Air Personnel Management: 2003-06

Air Force was suffering a loss of experience that was undermining the Air Force’s operational capabilities.

Led the development and implementation of an innovative retention campaign plan that improved the retention of high-value employees during a period of excessive turnover.

Led a team of 18 military and civilian specialists in the development and implementation of personnel management policies, services and programs to support the 14,000 members of the Royal Canadian Air Force.

Led the Senior Non-Commissioned Member Revitalization Project that resulted in a redesign of the Senior Leader roles and responsibilities.

Led the Air Command – 1 Canadian Air Division Personnel Services restructure project that resulted in complete clarity of roles, improved and more efficient delivery of HR services to the 14,000 clients of the Air Force.

Provided strategic advice to Air Force senior leadership.

Previous Experience

Aerospace Control Career Manager National Defence Headquarters, Ottawa

Air Traffic Control Unit Manager: Canadian Forces Base Trenton

Chief On-Scene Controller of Emergency Response: CFB Trenton

Staff Officer Air Traffic Control Policy: Air Command Headquarters, Winnipeg

Crisis Action Team Evaluator: Air Command Headquarters, Winnipeg

Chief Controller Tower Operations: Canadian Forces Base Lahr, Germany

Survival to Operate Evaluator: Canadian Forces Base Lahr, Germany

COMSEC Custodian Canadian Forces Base Lahr, Germay

Terminal & Tower Controller: Canadian Forces Base Moose Jaw

High Domestic & Oceanic Controller: Gander Area Control Centre

Education

Masters of Theology

Heritage Seminary, Cambridge 2014 - Present

Productivity & Innovation 2014

Athabasca University, Edmonton.

Operations Leadership 2012

Ivey School of Business, London

Strategic Human Resource Leadership 2005

Sprott School of Business, Ottawa.

Command and Staff Course 2003

Canadian Forces College, Toronto.

Masters of Business Administration 2001

Athabasca University, Edmonton.

Awards

General Campaign Star: South-West Asia

Special Service Medal: NATO

Canadian Forces Decoration: Second Clasp

Commander’s Commendation: Commander Royal Canadian Air Force

Community Activities

President of a national charity that provides support to Canadian military community.

Member of Air Force Officers Advisory Council

Board member of Ottawa-based community charity.

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