Good morning, everyone. We are continuing our study under Standing Order 108(2) on the NATO strategic concept and Canada's role in international defence cooperation.
Joining us today we have Paul Chapin, who is the vice-president of the Conference of Defence Associations Institute, and Colonel George Petrolekas, a member of the board of directors.
Lieutenant-Colonel Petrolekas has a unique background, combining years as an army officer and as a senior executive in the telecommunications industry. He has served in Bosnia, Cyprus, and Afghanistan. In the latter conflict he was recognized as a pre-eminent authority on NATO and coalition warfare in that country, serving as a confidant and trusted agent between the Canadian CDS and senior NATO and U.S. officials on the Afghan file. He is a marketing executive now and has extensive experience in large, medium, and start-up enterprises in high-tech industries, providing network equipment and solutions in over 87 countries.
Paul Chapin is an adjunct professor and research associate in the defence management studies program at the School of Policy Studies at Queen's University in Kingston. He has been the vice-president of programs at the Pearson Peacekeeping Centre, and has joined the board of the Conference of Defence Associations Institute. He left government service after 25 years in DFAIT. During his diplomatic career he served in Washington as the minister-counsellor in charge of the protocol section of the Canadian embassy, as Canada's representative on the NATO political advisers committee in Brussels, and as a political affairs officer at the Canadian embassies in Moscow and Tel Aviv.
So both have had extensive careers. We welcome you both to committee again and look forward to your comments. I turn the floor over to you to bring your first 10 minutes of presentation.