Our Team at Operation Motorsport
Operation Motorsport Program Board
Board Chair Co-founder
Diezel Lodder
https://www.linkedin.com/in/diezel-lodder-27839759/
CEO & Co-Founder, Master Warrant Officer (ret) Diezel Lodder
Diezel Lodder is an accomplished leader who has made significant contributions in both the motorsports industry and military parachuting community. As the CEO of Operation Motorsport and as the Canadian Armed Forces & Government of Canada Senior Parachute Rigger, Lodder, a 35-year retired Master Warrant Officer, has demonstrated exceptional leadership, technical expertise, and a deep passion for serving others.
With a career spanning five decades, Lodder has established himself as a prominent figure in Parachute Rigging, Motorsport, and Not-for-Profit worlds. As CEO of Operation Motorsport, he has played a pivotal role in creating opportunities for ill, injured, and wounded military service members and veterans through motorsport engagement. Under his guidance, Operation Motorsport has become a leading organization that uses the power of motorsports to aid in the recovery of medically transitioning individuals. Through various Beneficiary programs and initiatives, the organization provides recovery opportunities, professional development, and a supportive community for participants to regain their identity & confidence and build on their futures.
Beyond his role in Operation Motorsport, Lodder's expertise as the Senior Parachute Rigger has allowed him to combine his love for motorsports with his commitment to safety and perfection. As a highly skilled professional in the rigging field, he was responsible for the Canadian Military Parachute Rigger Specialty trade, it’s technicians and users of Canadian Armed Forces parachute rigging equipment, ensuring the proper care, maintenance, and packing of parachutes, thus ensuring the utmost in safety for military paratroopers and civilian skydivers. With his meticulous attention to detail and extensive knowledge, Lodder has earned a reputation as a trusted authority in the parachute rigging and motorsports communities.
Lodder's journey began with a strong passion for the military and motorsports, which he cultivated from a young age. His fascination with the military, machines, speed, and adrenaline led him to pursue his first career in the Airborne and later transitioning to a career in motorsports event management. Over the years, he has gained valuable experience in various motorsports roles, honing his technical skills, and establishing a solid foundation in the motorsports field.
As a visionary leader, Lodder has consistently sought to merge his expertise and passion with a genuine desire to make a positive impact. Through Operation Motorsport, he has created a platform that not only allows wounded service members and veterans to thrive but also raises awareness about the challenges they face and the resilience they possess. His dedication to service, coupled with his unparalleled knowledge and skills, has earned him recognition and respect within both the motorsport and military communities.
Diezel Lodder continues to be an inspiration to many, demonstrating that with determination, compassion, and the right opportunities, individuals can overcome adversity and achieve greatness. His work with Operation Motorsport and his expertise as a Senior Parachute Rigger exemplify his unwavering commitment to making a meaningful difference in the lives of others, while simultaneously fueling his own passion for adventure and pushing the boundaries of what is possible.
Secretary
Huw Leahy
Huw Leahy, past President & CEO of Lumenera Corporation, has over 15 years of leadership experience in Industrial and Scientific Digital Camera industries.
He co-founded Lumenera Corporation in 2002 and provided leadership as President until its second acquisition in 2019. After selling Lumenera to Roper Technologies (NYSE: ROP) in 2006, Mr. Leahy continued to lead Lumenera as President, reporting into Roper’s Executive Management Team as President of one of its many subsidiaries, until Lumenera’s subsequent acquisition by Teledyne Technologies (NYSE: TDY) in 2019.
Under his guidance Lumenera grew from a self-funded startup to over 80 employees with annual revenue exceeding $30M per annum. By leading Lumenera during two distinct periods of its growth, one as an owner, and one as a subsidiary within a large publicly traded company, Mr. Leahy has operating experience within both private and publicly traded corporate environments. During Mr. Leahy’s leadership of Lumenera it was recognized as a Top 25 Employer in the Ottawa Region, OCRI Technology Company of the Year, Ottawa’s Fastest Growing Company, and as an Exporter of the Year by the Ottawa Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Leahy has a B.A. Sc. in Electronic Systems Engineering, and prior to his tenure with Lumenera Corporation, he held various engineering and management positions including Project Manager and Hardware & Software Engineer.
Mr. Leahy has been semi-retired since 2019 and enjoys spending his time with family, amateur automobile racing, motorcycling, and travelling.
Treasurer
Board Member
Jennifer Voltolina
Board Member
Brian Partridge
Operation Motorsport Directors
Executive Director Co-founder
Tiffany Lodder
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiffanylodder2015/
Tiffany Lodder is a remarkable individual, a dedicated military spouse, and an accomplished professional. As the Executive Director of Operation Motorsport, she has made significant contributions to the organization's growth and impact. With her unwavering commitment to supporting the military community, Tiffany has become a driving force behind the success of Operation Motorsport.
With over 27 years of experience as a military spouse to a Canadian Armed Forces Member, Tiffany intimately understands the challenges faced by military families. She has been a pillar of strength and support, navigating the complexities of military life while raising two incredible sons, both of whom have followed in their fathers' footsteps and become Canadian Soldiers. This firsthand experience has given Tiffany a profound insight into the needs and aspirations of military personnel and their families.
In 2017, Tiffany played a pivotal role in co-founding Operation Motorsport, a groundbreaking non-profit organization that combines her passion for motorsports and her dedication to the military community. Under her visionary leadership as the Executive Director, Operation Motorsport has flourished, becoming a leading force in using motorsports as a platform for engagement, rehabilitation, and professional development for ill, injured, and wounded service members.
Tiffany's relentless drive and innovative thinking have been instrumental in expanding Operation Motorsport's reach and impact. She has successfully built strategic partnerships with industry giants such as Crowdstrike, Mobil 1, Michelin, RECARO, Skip Barber Racing, and other veteran-focused companies. Through these partnerships, Tiffany has ensured that medically releasing service members are given opportunities to succeed and transition into meaningful paths for their future. These partnerships have not only provided crucial support to Operation Motorsport but have also opened doors for veterans to access unique opportunities in the motorsport industry.
Her unwavering dedication and innovative approach have made a lasting impact on the lives of veterans involved with Operation Motorsport, providing them with a platform for personal growth, camaraderie, and a renewed sense of purpose.
Tiffany Lodder's indomitable spirit and unwavering commitment have positioned her as a true champion for medically releasing service members and wounded veterans, and an inspiring figure in the world of motorsports. Her extraordinary journey as a military spouse, combined with her strategic acumen and passion for empowering others, has shaped Operation Motorsport into a transformative force, making a lasting impact on the lives of countless individuals within the military and veteran community.
Director of Operations
Jason Leach
Director of Finance
Huw Leahy
Huw Leahy, past President & CEO of Lumenera Corporation, has over 15 years of leadership experience in Industrial and Scientific Digital Camera industries.
He co-founded Lumenera Corporation in 2002 and provided leadership as President until its second acquisition in 2019. After selling Lumenera to Roper Technologies (NYSE: ROP) in 2006, Mr. Leahy continued to lead Lumenera as President, reporting into Roper’s Executive Management Team as President of one of its many subsidiaries, until Lumenera’s subsequent acquisition by Teledyne Technologies (NYSE: TDY) in 2019.
Under his guidance Lumenera grew from a self-funded startup to over 80 employees with annual revenue exceeding $30M per annum. By leading Lumenera during two distinct periods of its growth, one as an owner, and one as a subsidiary within a large publicly traded company, Mr. Leahy has operating experience within both private and publicly traded corporate environments. During Mr. Leahy’s leadership of Lumenera it was recognized as a Top 25 Employer in the Ottawa Region, OCRI Technology Company of the Year, Ottawa’s Fastest Growing Company, and as an Exporter of the Year by the Ottawa Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Leahy has a B.A. Sc. in Electronic Systems Engineering, and prior to his tenure with Lumenera Corporation, he held various engineering and management positions including Project Manager and Hardware & Software Engineer.
Mr. Leahy has been semi-retired since 2019 and enjoys spending his time with family, amateur automobile racing, motorcycling, and travelling.
Director of Development & Partnerships
Operation Motorsport Managers
CDN Beneficiary Relations & Academy Manager
Darren Scott
Partnerships & Development Manager
Nicole Falcon
Social Media & Public Relations Manager
Lachelle Laney
eMotorsports Program Manager
Damion Castro
Operation Motorsport Coordinators
Finance & Accounting Coordinator
Diana Scott
Diana Scott is a remarkable individual who has made significant contributions to both the military community and the field of education. Her inspiring journey began when she met and married Darren Scott, a Canadian Armed Forces veteran, and together they have worked tirelessly to make a difference in the lives of military personnel and their families.
Diana's dedication to education led her to pursue a career at Royal Roads University, where she has served for several years. At Royal Roads, Diana has demonstrated her passion for empowering individuals through education and has become a respected figure in the academic community.
In addition to her work at the university, Diana was involved with the Military Family Resource Centre (MFRC), where she made a lasting impact. Her unwavering commitment and tireless efforts in supporting military families have not gone unnoticed. Diana's outstanding contributions were recognized when she received the prestigious Volunteer Award from the Governor General for her exemplary work with the MFRC. This recognition highlights Diana's dedication to service and her ability to positively impact the lives of those around her. She has become a role model for others, inspiring them to give back to their communities and make a difference.
After a fulfilling career and happily retiring, Diana's desire to give back to the veteran community remained strong. Recognizing the ongoing challenges faced by veterans and their families, she sought ways to contribute her time, skills, and passion to make a meaningful impact.
Outside of her professional endeavors, Diana enjoys spending quality time with her husband and their loved ones, embracing the joy and resilience that comes from a strong support system. Her compassionate nature, combined with her unwavering determination, has truly made her a shining light for the military community and beyond.
Diana Scott continues to inspire others to give back and make a difference, showcasing the transformative power of service and compassion. Her tireless dedication to supporting veterans and their families serves as a testament to her character and unwavering commitment to making the world a better place.
Volunteer Coordinator
Melanie Manning
Motorsport Event Coordinator
Grant Writer
Beth Robinson
Grants Coordinator Beth Robison believes that connecting humans with other humans is one of the most important missions on Earth. A grant writer and manager for over 10 years, she is proud to deliver TEAM, IDENTITY, PURPOSE with Operation Motorsport. Prior to grant writing, Robinson taught critical thinking and effective communication as a college professor and has led writing workshops since 1998 though the Oklahoma Artist-in- Residence program. An award-winning published poet and author, Robinson holds a Bachelor of Arts in journalism and professional writing and a Master of Arts in English and creative writing. She is a dog-lover, long-walker, mother of four, and daughter of a veteran.
Team Photographer (Motorsports)
Brian Cleary
Advisory Board
President: TPG Brand Strategies LLC / dba The Page Group:
Bob brings to Operation Motorsport an extensive motorsports and entrepreneurial background focused on building high value brands, strategic planning, partnerships, licensing and event marketing strategies. Skills have lead to numerous companies improving sales, creating loyal customers, improving brand messaging, and enhancing corporate valuations thru efforts delivered. Since 2017 he has filled the role of motorsports manager leading all client development and engagement activities for CrowdStrike and AWS in all of their USA motorsports activities. He has functioned as the interim CEO for Adobe Road Wines, and TRG Racing, and has had numerous brand and strategic planning clients inclusive of: Indian Motorcycle, Ferrari N/A, KC Masterpiece, Pulse Evolution, Caterpillar, Fox, Disney, Patron, American Honda, Excelsior Henderson, and many more. Additionally, Bob has owned several companies in the apparel, motorcycle, and residential development arenas, and engaged in a number of boards. A graduate from the University of Minnesota.
Michelin
FEL Motorsports
Ambassadors
Major Jake Porter
The Community Need
Approximately 1,000 Regular Force members of the Canadian Armed Forces are medically released annually because they no longer meet the Universality of Service.
The Joint 2013 Life After Service Survey found that 25 percent of medically released respondents, who were veterans of Regular Force Service, reported a very or moderately difficult transition to civilian life, and of that, 60% of disabled veterans are unemployed.
The US Army numbers are even more staggering. With the Army being the largest of the 4 services, there are approximately 17,000 US Army Soldiers that are separated with a medical disability annually.