About Us

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Stephen Hill

DIRECTOR

Stephen Hill is the Managing Director of Product Development at Avalon Holographics, where he leads a multidisciplinary group of engineers, scientists, and technical specialists developing the world’s most advanced holographic displays. Over the past 15 years, he’s built his career in Newfoundland and Labrador’s tech sector, focused on developing new technologies, leading technical teams, and translating innovation into real-world solutions.

Stephen holds a bachelor’s in electrical engineering from Memorial University. He has contributed to patents in light field rendering and display design, and has shared this work through talks at PEGNL, NECEC, and local innovation events. Throughout his career, he has taken part in the Genesis Evolution program and spent several years working from the Genesis Centre, where he connected with local entrepreneurs and early-stage startups.

Stephen brings a collaborative and practical mindset to everything he does and believes strongly in learning by doing. He focuses on building a strong engineering culture rooted in clarity, autonomy, and mutual respect. Outside of work, he helps his wife run their small business, is a father of two with a third on the way, and enjoys woodworking, rowing, 3D printing, and home automation.

Stephen is eager to contribute to the board’s strategic work and help guide the province’s evolving tech landscape with a practical, builder’s perspective. He’s proud to be part of Newfoundland and Labrador’s growing tech ecosystem and looks forward to sharing his experience and supporting others who are building meaningful, high-impact technology, particularly in deep tech and product development.

Managing Director of Product Development, Avalon Holographics

Founder and majority shareholder of ROCK Networks Inc.

Joe’s career has spanned over 25 years with roles in Canada, the US, and India having conducted business in over 40 countries around the world. Joe has always been an innovator in whatever role he has held. His career started with Northern Telecom after he graduated from Engineering at Memorial University. After he finished his Executive MBA at the University of Toronto, Joe joined Nortel’s first IP business unit and moved from business development to mergers and acquisitions. After completing $700M in acquisitions Joe moved to California to join the Shasta Networks business and became the youngest Vice President and General Manager in Nortel. After Nortel, Joe became CEO of two venture-funded startups both of which were later acquired. Afterwards, Joe moved to India as the SVP Customer Relations for ACME Telepower transforming the company from a product sales focused business to a managed services business, winning a major contract with Aircel worth $400M. After returning to Canada Joe joined Ultra Electronics in a Global VP Business Development and Marketing role where he was responsible for a $650M contract with the US Army and the lead in the creation of a next generation radio product, now known as Orion. After Ultra, Joe joined Christie Walther Communications, a small family-owned business where he turned the company into a profitable, award-winning company and helped them to achieve the accolade of becoming the first Canadian Dealer for Motorola to win their Global Customer Excellence Award in 2015. After the acquisition of the company Joe embarked full time in running ROCK Networks. Joe Hickey is the founder and majority shareholder of ROCK Networks Inc. Headquartered in Ottawa with a name based on his native province of Newfoundland, ROCK supplies wireless radio equipment and maintenance services to customers ranging from the Department of National Defence to Cape Breton’s Cabot Links golf course. The firm has 30 employees and operates sales offices in Calgary, Ottawa, Moncton, Dartmouth, and St. John’s, while its e-commerce site has customers in every province and territory within Canada. ROCK Networks was recently ranked #1 on the Fastest Growing Companies list in Ottawa with 3 year growth of over 5000%. Joe has a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from Memorial University of Newfoundland and an Executive MBA from the University of Toronto. Joe spends his volunteer time on boards including the Ottawa Children’s Treatment Center (2004-2008) and CENGN (2014 to Current) and in his local community church. Joe and his wife Jeanette have 5 children, 2 grandchildren, and 2 dogs.

Jacqueline Lee CHAIR

Johanna Brown VICE CHAIR 

Lynn Sullivan DIRECTOR

Joe Hickey DIRECTOR

Colette Goodyear DIRECTOR

Hasan Hai DIRECTOR

David Gibbs DIRECTOR

Neil Coombs DIRECTOR

Randy Billard DIRECTOR

Dan Brake PAST CHAIR