Memorial's Dr. Brian Veitch appointed to prestigious Board of Directors
The Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science at Memorial University of Newfoundland is proud one its professors and associate deans has been appointed to the Research & Development Corporation's (RDC) Board of Directors.
Dr. Brian Veitch, Professor, Ocean and Naval Architectural Engineering and Associate Dean of Research, was appointed to the board as a director on Aug. 31. His appointment pleases Dr. Ramachandran Venkatesan, Dean pro tempore, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science at Memorial University.
"Dr. Veitch is very deserving of his appointment to the RDC Board of Directors. He is a very active researcher and makes outstanding contributions to applied research projects in ocean engineering," said Dr. Venkatesan. "Dr. Veitch is also an alumnus of Memorial University, having graduated from our undergraduate co-op engineering program in 1988 and our Master of Engineering degree in 1990. It is rewarding to see how far he has progressed and the respect he has earned throughout his career."
Following his undergraduate and master degrees at Memorial, Dr. Veitch completed further graduate studies at the Helsinki University of Technology, during which time he received a Licentiate of Science in Technology degree in 1993 and a Doctor of Science in Technology degree in 1995.
He joined Memorial's Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science in 1998 and has steadily advanced to his current position. Dr. Veitch was also named the winner of the President's Award for Outstanding Research in 2004-2005.
"Dr. Veitch is an internationally recognized authority on marine transport, offshore safety and the testing and evaluation of advanced ocean technologies," said Dr. Venkatesan. "He is a specialist in cold ocean engineering and is a respected member of the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers and the Royal Institution of Naval Architects."
Dr. Veitch is now one of two representatives from Memorial University to sit on the current RDC Board of Directors. Joining him is Dr. Terry-Lynn Young, associate professor (genetics), Faculty of Medicine, who was reappointed as a director on Aug. 31.
Jackie Sheppard, a prominent energy expert, Rhodes Scholar and leading businesswoman originally from St. John's, has been re-appointed as chair of the Board of Directors. Ms. Sheppard is retired as Executive Vice-President, Corporate and Legal, and Corporate Secretary of Talisman Energy Inc.
Alan Brown, former Vice-President, East Coast Canada, Suncor Energy Inc., has been re-appointed to the board and will serve as vice-chair. Gary Dinn, Vice-President of PanGeo Subsea and past-chair of OceansAdvance has been re-appointed as a director.
Hege Rognø, Vice-President, Offshore Upstream for Statoil Canada Ltd., has been appointed as a director, as has Laurier Schramm, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Saskatchewan Research Council.
Glenn Janes, Chief Executive Officer of the RDC is a non-voting member of the board of directors.
"These individuals bring considerable depth of professional experience, scientific and research expertise, and new perspectives and contributions to RDC," said the Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development, regarding the newest appointments to the RDC Board of Directors. "I commend the members for offering their time and energy. With these new appointments, RDC will build on its achievements, fuelling innovation and creating economic growth and prosperity in Newfoundland and Labrador."
The RDC is a provincial Crown corporation responsible for improving Newfoundland and Labrador's research and development performance. It works with research and development stakeholders including business, academia and government agencies and departments.
