ADAC’s Executive Counselors

Vaughn Cosman is a former Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) officer, now supporting the Canadian military through Defence Research & Development Canada (DRDC). He is the executive officer (XO) for Canada’s International Collaborative Environment Program for Polar Research (ICE-PPR) team, and part of the Program Design and Integration (PD&I) team coordinating program formulation efforts. In addition, he is a scientist on a team conducting aircrew related research projects at DRDC. He graduated Dalhousie University with a Bachelor of Science (BSc) and joined the RCAF. He served flying Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) and surveillance missions, including many Arctic patrols. Some of those patrols involved visits to the North Pole. He also flew as a tactical coordinator (TACCO) on exchange with the United States Navy (USN) and took a crew in their P3 to the North Pole to test navigation system performance. After multiple deployments and command tours and participating in both the RCAF’s Aerospace Systems Course and the Canadian Forces Command and Staff College, from which he graduated with Master of Defence Studies (MDS), he stepped from the RCAF to DRDC in 2016. He became program director for RCAF human-related Science and Technology (S&T) and subsequently led the team responsible for S&T support to the RCAF. In parallel, he became involved with International Collaborative Environment Program for Polar Research (ICE-PPR). In 2020 he joined PD&I where he assists with the development of processes and the tools to support them. Vaughn continues his participation in aircrew related research as well as ICE-PPR. He is also currently studying in the University of Guelph’s Master of Business Administration (MBA) program.

Commander Gon, a native of Buffalo, New York, graduated from the Naval Academy, earning a Bachelor of Science in Economics in 2003. After receiving a commission from the USNA, CDR Gon served as the Auxiliaries Officer and First Lieutenant on USS STETHEM (DDG 63), earning his Surface Warfare Officer designation. He transferred to USS GERMANTOWN (LSD 42) and served as the Navigator. Upon completion of his tour on GERMANTOWN, CDR Gon transferred to Officer Training Command-Newport as a Class Officer and Navigation instructor and earned a Master of Business Administration from Salve Regina University in 2009. In 2010, CDR Gon laterally transferred to the METOC community and attended the Naval Postgraduate School earning a Master of Science in Physical Oceanography and Meteorology in 2013. In 2016, CDR Gon was selected for the Ph.D. program at Naval Postgraduate School. In 2019, CDR Gon earned his Doctor of Philosophy in Oceanography. CDR Gon served as Ship’s Oceanographer for USS KEARSARGE (LHD 3) and Operations Officer at Fleet Weather Center San Diego. CDR Gon recently completed service in Fifth Fleet as the Fleet Oceanographer and Maritime Operations Center Executive Officer.