My pseudonym, "Edward Watson," is derived from combining the names of two of the most influential men upon my life: Edward Everett, the 19th century orator (among other things) and Thomas Watson, President of IBM. Their influence on me can be seen with my two favorite quotes:

"Beneath a free government there is nothing but the intelligence of the people to keep the people's peace. Order must be preserved, not by a military police or regiments of horse-guards, but by the spontaneous concert of a well-informed population, resolved that the rights which have been rescued from despotism shall not be subverted by anarchy." Edward Everett

"All the problems of the world could be settled easily if men were only willing to think. The trouble is that men very often resort to all sorts of devices in order not to think, because thinking is such hard work." Thomas Watson

My real name's a secret - suffice to say I'm a Canadian, born in Brandon Manitoba to a Mennonite father and Japanese mother (amazing love story: the sugar beet farmer and the Internment victim). As a young boy, my mind was shaped by the prejudices of my peers and many adults at my "Jap eyes." I grew up on the farm, the youngest of three children and only boy. My grandfather brought us to the International Peace Garden every year to remember our history and to always be honorable. I continue the tradition with my own children - words cannot express the pain and anger I felt when seeing the beams from the World Trade Center.

I have a M.Sc.(Eng.) from Queen's University's ECE and an MBA from UBC.