Digital Spotlight: Revolutionizing operations and ESG with artificial intelligence, intelligent drones, and computer vision
Real-world applications of digital technologies in the Canadian hydrocarbon energy industry to reduce GHG emissions, ecological footprint and improve operational efficiency.
This hybrid in-person and webinar event will focus on technology projects at the implementation stage in Western Canada, offering learnings for future projects.
| May 24, 2023 | |
| 9:00 a.m. MST | In-person registration and networking Refreshments provided |
| 9:30 a.m. MST | Webinar starts Digital Innovation Nannette Ho-Covernton, Sustainability Leader, Spartan Controls, CRIN Digital Theme Co-Lead |
| 9:35 a.m. MST | Building the future of industrial operations: the role of purposeful partnerships in creating artificial intelligence-ready software Keri Smith, Managing Director, BlueMarvel AI Jeff LaFrenz, CEO, VizworX |
| 10:15 a.m. MST | Advanced data streaming, storage, analytics, and rendition from BVLOS drones Sean Greenwood, President, Canadian UAVs |
| 10:35 a.m. MST | Industrial Visual Monitoring a key part of any ESG Program Paul Ritchie, Chief Operating Officer, Osperity |
| 10:55 a.m. MST | Panel discussion with the speakers |
| 11:15 a.m. MST | Webinar adjourned |
| 11:45 a.m. MST | In-person event adjourned |
Meet the Speakers
Keri Smith, Managing Director, BlueMarvel AI
Keri Smith is a visionary leader in the tech industry, currently serving as Managing Director at BlueMarvel.ai. She leads a team of top-performing engineers, developers, and machine learning
experts, developing AI and ML ready products that are revolutionizing the complex industrial operations sector. In just two years, Keri and her team have successfully deployed products for
enterprise-level customers generating significant annual recurring revenue.
Previously, Keri held several leadership roles at AltaML, a leading North American applied AI company, including Chief of Staff and Head of Scale. She worked closely with the executive team to prioritize business strategies and growth opportunities. Her impact was felt across the organization as she led key business improvement initiatives, resulting in process improvements and buy-in to the CEO’s vision. In addition, she supported the five JV CEOs by establishing core operating functions in line with business growth plans.
Before her work in tech, Keri served as Vice President of Operations at the Centre for Affordable Water and Sanitation Technology (CAWST) an engineering non-profit that empowers people worldwide to access safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene through affordable technologies.
Keri’s early career began in public relations, where she quickly rose to senior positions at top firms, Edelman and National PR, counselling fortune 500 companies across North America. Throughout her career, Keri has been an active volunteer and advocate for nonprofit and community organizations and currently serves on the boards of Mount Royal University and the
Calgary Humane Society.
Keri holds a Bachelor of Communication in Public Relations from Mount Royal University in Calgary and an M.B.A. in Finance and Economics from American University in Washington, D.C.
Jeff LaFrenz, CEO, VizworX
Co-Founder and President of VizworX, Jeff LaFrenz is a serial entrepreneur, international speaker and technology leader with over 30 years’ experience in technology commercialization. As a multi-disciplinary, multi-industry professional, he thrives on pulling together complex technical and business requirements, contextualizing them in local and global environments and building high performance teams. A strong supporter of the community, Jeff actively volunteers as a member of a number of technology and academic boards and committees.
Sean Greenwood, President, Canadian UAVs
A commercial helicopter, private fixed-wing pilot, and an economist by training, Sean Greenwood founded Canadian UAVs his basement in 2015 as an aviation-first, technology-second unmanned systems operations company. Sean has grown the company from a one-person start-up, to the now twenty-seven people strong corporation with distribution agreements with Lockheed Martin and Textron Systems. With fourteen years in aviation, Sean has concentrated on marrying aviation best practices with novel business models evidenced by the company’s success in both military and commercial heavy industrial applications
Paul Ritchie, COO, Osperity
Paul is the COO at Osperity, an Intelligent Visual Monitoring firm that allows organizations to manage remote assets by exception by using Computer Vision. He leads the day-to-day operations of Osperity including the Operations, Finance, Sales, Marketing and Development teams.
Paul has over 25 years experience and is a proven leader in industrial technologies, specialized equipment fabrication and enterprise SaaS solutions, working with companies such as Evoco and Reuters. He has extensive experience building both sales and operations teams in growth-focused organizations.
Paul has worked closely with organizations throughout North and Latin America establishing a Canadian corporate presence in foreign countries. He has also established joint ventures in Latin America for the manufacturing and distribution of specialized equipment and built successful international channel partner relationships for SaaS based software globally.