PROFILE
Extensive career spanning nearly half a century in public policy, science and management in weather, climate and hydrology in Canada and internationally
EXPERIENCE
Currently Senior Consultant at World Bank Group in Washington, DC, supporting development of the global weather enterprise and sustainability of hydrometeorological network and services in developing countries; Adjunct Professor at Brock University (St Catharines, Ontario, Canada), with teaching and research emphasis on effectiveness of environmental science-policy relationships; and serving on a number of Boards of Directors, including NOAA Science and Advisory Board and Save Our Planet Group (Italy)
Retired Assistant Deputy Minister at Environment and Climate Change Canada and Executive Head of Meteorological Service of Canada for 13 years (2006-2013), leading their hydrological and meteorological sciences and services programs and policy initiatives at home and abroad; Most notably during these years, he provided leadership for the significant and comprehensive modernization of Canada’s weather, climate and water services and support to design and develop the Pan Canadian Climate Change Program
Past President of the World Meteorological Organization (2011-2019), leading its most significant reform and modernization in recent times, its articulation of vision and strategy for the next decade (including earth system science, climate change, water and weather), the development and implementation of Global Framework for Climate Services, and global science-service-policy initiatives for polar and high mountain regions of the world (Global Cryospheric Watch, Polar Prediction and Year of Polar of Prediction initiatives, High Mountain Summit and Antarctic Observation Network)
Member of the Order of Canada (highest civilian meritorious honour), International Meteorological Organization Prize Laureate, Patterson Medal Honouree (prestigious meteorological award for Canada), Fellow of American Meteorological Society and recipient of numerous public service and university awards
EDUCATION
Physical sciences, mathematics, meteorology, policy and management