Brigette Bennett
Brigette Bennett is a long-time participant within the Calgary Screen Industry. She was a 2nd Camera Assistant on set for 15 years, transitioning into her current position at Panavision Calgary Canada. Panavision is a global company specializing in lenses as well as renting cameras and accessories to various productions. The change in technology from Film to digital has brought the world of broadcast and film production much closer.
Ivona Ries
Ivona Ries is an experienced Second Assistant Camera (2nd AC) with over 15 years in film and television. Based in Calgary, Alberta, she has worked on numerous TV shows, movies, pilots, and productions across Alberta, British Columbia, and internationally.
Passionate about continuous learning, Ivona is always expanding her technical expertise and efficiency in the camera department. She currently works as an Operations Specialist at Arri Rental Calgary, where she applies the same skills and customer service approach that have defined her career in the camera department. Her role allows her to support industry professionals with equipment solutions while maintaining the high standards of service and technical knowledge that Arri Rental is known for. Ivona values honesty, communication, respect, and motivation in her work.
As a wife, mother, and camera assistant, she also prioritizes education, efficiency, and positivity—principles that guide her approach both on and off set. She is a strong advocate for ongoing education and mentorship, supporting both new members and seasoned professionals as they adapt to industry changes. With sincerity, respect, and discretion, she is committed to representing her peers.
In her role as Member at Large within ICG 669, she proudly represents 2nd ACs across Western Canada and trainees alike, ensuring that all productions benefit from well-trained and highly skilled assistants. Ivona is dedicated to bringing people together and ensuring that all members feel valued and supported.
Kirk Nesbitt
Kirk is the Technical Advisor to the Canadian Association of Broadcasters.
The Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB) is the national voice of Canada’s private broadcasters, representing the vast majority of Canadian programming services, including private radio and television stations, networks, specialty, pay and pay-per-view services.
Kirk is a professional engineer providing services to broadcasters, system integrators and equipment suppliers.
He is the Broadcasting Committee Chair of the Radio Advisory Board of Canada and a member of the Humber College Broadcast-Broadband Convergence Lab Advisory Committee.
Erin Ruttan
Erin Ruttan has worked for The City of Calgary since 2009 and while her journey has been anything but linear, her north star has been to make lives better. Erin’s current role with Smart Cities is centered around Digital Equity and technology experimentation.
Erin spent the better part of two years researching global policies and programs and engaging with Calgarians to understand the scope of the problem and its impact on Calgary Communities. This led the creation of Calgary’s Digital Equity Strategy which works to remove barriers keeping Calgarians for accessing the devices, internet connections, and literacy skills they need to connect online the way they want to.
Erin’s background in public engagement and a decade of experience running social programs in both urban and remote locations gives her a unique community approach to tackling the digital divide, technology shifts, and the barriers these create.
Erin’s interest in ATSC3.0 was ignited after learning about it’s potential to improve emergency response and alerting and support rural and remote education. A deep dive down the rabbit hole of ATSC 3.0 technology and broadcast policy has led to a research collaboration with Humber College’s B2C Lab to transform Calgary into an ATSC 3.0 Smart City. While work is still in early stages, proof-of-concepts for Calgary intend to leverage the vast potential of ATSC 3.0 technology to help shape the future of broadcast policy in Canada in a way that supports and includes underserviced communities.
Kirk Harnack
Kirk Anders Harnack Senior Solutions Consultant The Telos Alliance Kirk Anders Harnack, CBNE, CBRE, brings over 40 years of hands-on experience in broadcast engineering and education to his role as Senior Solutions Consultant at Telos Alliance.
He has been instrumental in advancing the use of Audio over IP, VoIP for broadcast, audio processing, and virtualized technologies, helping broadcasters implement cutting-edge solutions in real-world environments. In addition to his work at Telos Alliance, Kirk remains actively engaged in broadcast operations as Partner and Vice President of Engineering for Oxford Media Group, South Seas Broadcasting, Delta Radio, Akamai Broadcasting, and Kaua‘i Broadcast Partners.
Kirk’s broad technical background is complemented by his credentials as a Broadcast TV Meteorologist, fixed-wing private pilot, FAA Part 107 SUAS (drone) pilot, and licensed General Class Amateur Radio operator (KD5FYD). He also serves as Program Chair of SBE Chapter 103 in Nashville. Kirk is the founder and host of the long-running weekly video netcast, “This Week in Radio Tech” (TWiRT). Now in its 16th year, TWiRT features in-depth discussions with experts and innovators in radio engineering and broadcast technology.
Damian Petti
Damian Petti has served on the General Executive Board of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (I.A.T.S.E.) since 2003. Mr. Petti has worked in the entertainment industry as a technical director, production stage manager, sound technician, lighting designer and motion picture grip.
In 1998, Petti was elected President of Calgary-based Local 212, a position he currently holds today.
Petti graduated from the Mount Royal University theatre program with a specialization in production and has continued his studies at the University of Calgary.
Mr. Petti has served terms as the Chair of the Alberta Film Advisory Council (AFAC) and as the Chair of the Alberta Motion Picture Industry Action Committee (ASIAC). Petti is currently a Director of the IATSE Canada Health Plan Inc and serves on the IATSE Disaster Response Committee team. Petti became a Vice President of the Alberta Federation of Labour a position he retains today.
Jeff Moore
Jeff Moore is the Executive Vice-President, Chief Marketing Officer and Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors of Ross Video, a global leader in live video production solutions for broadcast, sports, entertainment, legislative, worship, and corporate facilities.
Jeff is responsible for day-to-day business execution: managing sales, marketing and product management, while contributing to the executive team’s strategy and vision of the company. Joining Ross in 1997, Jeff has been integrally involved in the company’s dramatic rise from a small, 50- person niche company to a premier player in live video production technology with a global presence. He has helped to build the Ross Video team and culture that has forged many new corporate relationships with customers and business partners, dramatically expanding Ross’ market share worldwide.
Jeff has over 30 years of experience in the broadcast and production industries with broad knowledge of Ross product lines, industry technology and customer applications.
Jeff began his career in broadcast in the engineering group of CHUM Television, working closely with the Manager of Engineering on the complete redesign and move of CityTV and MuchMusic to a ground-breaking new facility. Before joining Ross Video, he spent fourteen years in Toronto where he enjoyed a career of increasing scope and responsibility. He worked for Azcar Technologies, managing broadcast design and installation projects; Sony, as Broadcast Account Manager; Broadcast Television Systems as Regional Sales Manager; Acura Technology Group as Regional Sales Manager; and Tektronix VND (Grass Valley Group) as Canadian National Business Manager.
Jeff holds an Executive MBA from the University of Ottawa and graduated with honours from the Broadcast Electronics Technology program at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology. Jeff was raised in Canada’s north, in Whitehorse, Yukon. He enjoys hiking, playing hockey, traveling, and spending time with his family.
Fun fact about Jeff: a few years ago, he and his son completed the Yukon River Quest, the world’s longest annual canoe race – and they didn’t come last!
Leigh Whitcomb
Leigh Whitcomb is a 30+ year veteran of the Professional broadcast industry spending most of his career at Imagine Communications.
He participates in SMPTE, IEEE, and Video Services Forum (VSF) standards committees, including previously serving as the co-chair of SMPTE 32NF Network/Facilities Architecture Technology Committee. He is actively involved in SMPTE ST 2110 Professional Media over Managed IP Networks, SMPTE ST 2059 Genlock Over IP and VSF IPMX.
He became a SMPTE Fellow in 2017. His other professional affiliations include Professional Engineers Ontario. He is the co-inventor of several patents in the areas of networking and timing and synchronization.
Sam Schauland
With Lawo since 2015, Sam Schauland is the company’s Executive Vice President for North America.
Sam has been instrumental in establishing, and growing, Lawo’s presence in North America through building a support infrastructure and leading key operations and sales delivery initiatives.
He has held several technical management, engineering, and leadership roles throughout his career and holds several advanced engineering degrees.
Jeff Welton
Jeff will have been with Nautel 35 years. Prior to that he did bench service at an Intertan (Radio Shack) repair depot and has done several years of nursecall, intercom and PBX/PABX system installation and repair, so he’s been crawling through equipment in one form or another for over 40 years. Growing up in a family of teachers, education was key, so evolving into sessions aimed at helping folks not blow stuff up was a logical step!