The AIS Team:
Autonomous Mobile Robot Experts

Debra Hadden has more than 20 years of international experience positioning, branding and growing complex businesses in the agri-tech, biotech, software, telecom and functional food industries. Prior to establishing Debra Hadden Communications, Ms. Hadden served as Vice President, Marketing and Communications at Ostara Nutrient Recovery Technologies Inc. Ms. Hadden also led the marketing/communications team for B.C. at TELUS Mobility, and started her career as an Account Director at BC’s top public relations agency, Hoggan & Associates, where she provided public relations counsel for companies such as CENTURY 21 Canada, QLT, Ballard, Inex, YWCA, B.C. Literacy and Capers Markets.

John Schmeiser is the CEO of the Western Equipment Dealers Association, and prior to its establishment, served as the CEO of the Canada West Equipment Dealers Association since 1996.
John also serves as the Secretary / Treasurer of the Canada Equipment Dealers Foundation and the Western Equipment Dealers Foundation. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Saskatchewan Opportunities Corporation where he is the Chair of the Human Resources & Governance Committee. He is Past Chairman of the Board for IRON Solutions; Past President of the NA Equipment Association Executives; and, Past Chair of the Board for the Saskatchewan Scrap Tire Corporation.

John is a graduate of the University of Saskatchewan, the University of Arizona, McMaster University and Western Academy Broadcasting College.

Heather Carter is the principle at Digital Punch. An accomplished, results-driven business executive, Heather has more than 20 years of experience in strategic planning, marketing and operations in sectors ranging from technology, packaged goods, SaaS, government, financial, telecom and health. Prior to establishing Digital Punch, Heather was the Managing Director at Publicis Modem Vancouver and Vice President Marketing Services at Radiant Communications. Here she worked with clients such as Rogers, Purolator, Telus Business and Robert Mondavi Winery. Heather is a graduate of Simon Fraser University.

Jonathan Saperstein is the CEO of one of America’s largest nurseries, TreeTown USA. Saperstein became CEO of Treetown after leading a management buyout in January 2015. After assuming the role of CEO, acquisitions and strong organic growth. Today TreeTown and its subsidiaries, Village Nurseries and Hines Growers, produce on over 6,000 acres split amongst 15 facilities located in Florida, Texas, California and Oregon while producing over 30 million plants a year and employing over 2,000 team members.

Shahram Tafazoli is the Founding CEO of Motion Metrics International Corp.
Motion Metrics is developing AI-based reliable and cutting-edge monitoring solutions for mines and quarries and has deployed its innovative solutions in more than 65 mines around the world digging copper, iron, gold, diamond, coal and nickel. Shahram is an Adjunct Professor with UBC ECE department and has a passion for technology and space exploration. He is an angel investor in 20+ Canadian startups.

Gerald Clancey is the founder and CEO of Valid Manufacturing Ltd., one of Canada’s leading manufacturers of innovative and cost-effective solutions for industrial, commercial and recreational vehicle applications. Working directly with customers such as AIS, Valid’s engineering and design teams utilize game-changing innovation and proven technology. Gerald founded Valid in 1991, which operates as a privately owned and operated Canadian company. Valid is located in Salmon Arm, British Columbia, and employs more than 100 team members throughout four facilities.