Management Team
Executive Management
Stephen O’Brien
Chief Operating Officer and Managing Director
Stephen has spent his entire career in the shipbuilding and ship repair industry working with several companies on the East Coast of Canada in a number of senior management positions prior to joining Davie. An Industrial Engineer by trade (St. Francis Xavier & Dalhousie Universities) he also holds an MBA from Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, NS.
Vice Presidents
John Schmidt
Senior Vice President – Commercial and Government Programs
John has served in numerous positions across Canada both during his distinguished career in the Federal Civil Service as well as in the private sector. Having spent the majority of his career with Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) in various positions in ship repair, shipbuilding and contract management, John then moved into the private sector working for Irving Shipbuilding as their Director of Government Initiatives and Client Relations before joining Davie.
Naresh Raghubeer
Vice President – Federal Government Relations
Naresh Raghubeer, Vice President, Federal Government Relations joins Davie Shipbuilding after serving with our sister company, Federal Fleet Services as Vice President, Communications and Regulatory Affairs from 2017-2019. He has spent over 20 years in the development, communication and implementation of public policy. Prior to joining our group of companies, Naresh served as Director of Policy and Parliamentary Affairs in the Senate of Canada where he contributed to the review of legislation related to Canadian Security Intelligence Services, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Communications Security Establishment Canada and oversaw the development and publishing of more than 25 reports on key topics including: Border Security; Ballistic Missile Defence; Terrorism; UN Deployment and re-equipping of the Canadian Armed Forces.
Laurie LeRue
Vice President – Naval Programs
Laurie has spent his 37+ year career in the shipbuilding and ship repair and refit sectors where he has served in a number of positions, both commercial and operational; spanning the naval, oil & gas and com- mercial shipping markets. Prior to joining Davie, Laurie was Director of Naval Refits at Halifax shipyard, managing the HCM-FELEX program.
Frédérik Boisvert
Vice President – Public Affairs
Frédérik Boisvert has extensive experience in strategic communications, public relations as well as in government relations. Prior to joining Chantier Davie Canada Inc. as Vice President, Public Affairs, he worked as an issue advisor for the Canadian prime minister, and as chief of staff and director of policy and communications for federal ministers. He also worked for a Montreal-based public relations firm TESLA RP where he contributed to the success of private and public companies of all sizes. Holder of a master’s degree in public administration and a bachelor’s degree in political science, as well as a father of four children, Mr. Boisvert is passionate about the political, economic and social history of Quebec. 
Departmental Directors
Ian Petherick
Director Planning / Scheduling
Prior to Joining Davie, Ian worked in Industry for 27 years, with a Primary focus on Electrical Engineering and Installation. During this time Ian has worked in various roles within Production, Planning/Scheduling, Engineering, Production Engineering and Commissioning. Ian previously worked on Uk Type 45 Destroyer Program, The Amazonas Class OPV Program and the UK QEC Aircraft Carrier Program. Since moving to Canada in 2011 Ian has been helping to deliver Best Value to Canada at various Shipyards and has been awarded Lean Six Sigma Yellow and Green belt in Manufacturing (Shipbuild New Construction).
Jean Philippe Fecteau
Environmental Director
Working for Davie since 2014, Jean-Philippe has worked his way up to become Director of Environment. With over 10 years of experience, he acquired his knowledge in the forestry, metallurgy and consulting engineering fields, and brings his technical skills, as well as project coordination and environmental management capacities to Davie’s benefit.
Bruce Mitton
Director, Estimating
Bruce brings over 20 years of experience in the shipbuilding industry, both in ship repair and new construction. His extensive shipbuilding career has involved planning, scheduling, project management, estimating, and VP Operations in shipyards in Canada, Bahamas, and the United States. 