Starting August 1, Dr. Darin Graham, a global innovation leader who has headed up research and innovation projects across Ontario and in Scotland and New Zealand, will take over as President and CEO of the
Ontario Research and Innovation Optical Network (ORION). He replaces the network's retiring founder, Phil Baker.
Maxim Jean-Louis, chair of ORION's board of directors, notes that they "set out to get the very best and did get the very best" and says the the appointment represents a shift into a higher gear for the organization. "What it means for us is that we're going square into supporting the innovation agenda for the province," he says. "It means we've completed the building phase of our organization's development and we're preparing to get into the implementation phase. We know that based on Darin's experience he will be able to help us leapfrog into the forefront of innovation in Ontario."
ORION is an "ultra high-speed research and education network" that links 1.7
million Ontario researchers, scientists, students, teachers and staff
to enable research collaborations and discoveries in physics, cancer research,
environmental science and technologies, social sciences and the
humanities and other disciplines.
Graham served most recently as head of New Zealand's ICT Innovation Institute and was formerly in charge of the Communications and Information Technology Ontario.
Jean-Louis says that in recruiting a "young man with an international record," the location in the GTA was a pivotal plus. "It was a huge asset," he says. "[Graham] told us that the government of Ontario's commitment to transforming the province into a hub of innovation interested him greatly."
Writer: Edward Keenan
Source: Maxim Jean-Louis, Chair, Board of Directors, ORION
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