Biographie
Retired Brigadier General Robert Mazzolin is a senior fellow at CIGI and Chief Technology Strategist at RHEA Group, an international company that provides tailored engineering solutions, system development, and security services in the fields of space, defence, government, and other critical infrastructures. At RHEA, General Mazzolin sets the direction and development, and collaborates with client organizations to evolve their programs and capabilities, thereby contributing to RHEA’s commitment to a growing and increasingly diverse institutional community in space and cyber disciplines.
General Mazzolin has held various key command and staff positions at all ranks. Notable appointments in his military career include responsibility for all strategic network operations, electromagnetic intelligence, electronic warfare, and cyber operations of the Canadian Armed Forces and the Department of National Defence, the development of strategic cybersecurity policies, as well as responsibility for engineering and program management of the Canadian Army’s C4ISR (command, control, communications, computing, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance) system. Prior to his retirement, he also served as Deputy Director of Strategic Policy, Plans, Force Development, and Training at United States Cyber Command (the first foreign general officer to hold this position).
Throughout his career, he has chaired and participated in various multinational programs in engineering, security, interoperability, and standardization within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the Five Eyes alliance, and related military, government, and commercial forums.
General Mazzolin holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, a Master of Science (M. Sc.) specializing in electronics and guided weapons systems, a Master of Arts (M.A.) in Security and Defence Management and Policy, and a Doctorate (Ph. D.) in Engineering Management. He is a licensed engineer and a senior member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. He is an Officer of the Order of Military Merit of Canada, and his numerous awards include the United States Legion of Merit, the United States Meritorious Service Medal, the Chief of the Defence Staff Commendation of Canada, and the Encomio Solenne (“solemn commendation”) from the Chief of Staff of the Italian Army, in recognition of the professionalism and courage he demonstrated during combat operations in Somalia with the Folgore Parachute Brigade.
