Marine Renewables Canada is pleased to announce the appointment of four new members to its Board of Directors. The new directors bring experience from renewable energy and ocean industries and unique perspectives that will add to the national leadership of the association. 

“As the need for clean energy grows, the marine renewable energy sector is positioned to have a significant impact on fighting climate change and building a sustainable and inclusive future,” said Marine Renewables Canada executive director Elisa Obermann. “Marine Renewables Canada is committed to realizing that potential and to do that, we need strong leaders with diverse experience. I am pleased to announce the appointment of new directors to our board: Matthew Asplin, Ken Paul, Bob Petrie, and Jacobus van der Lingen, who all bring a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and enthusiasm that will benefit our members and the sector.” 

Dr. Matthew Asplin is Director of Metocean and Arctic Strategic Partnerships at ASL Environmental Sciences Inc. based in Victoria, British Columbia. He has a B.Sc. in Physical Geography and Spatial Information Systems, an M.Sc. in Synoptic Climatology, and a Ph.D in Arctic Sea Ice Geophysics. Matthew began his transition to an industry career in 2013 as an NSERC Industrial Postdoctoral fellow, before transitioning into his present-day role at ASL where he is also a meteorology and sea ice subject matter expert. Matthew sits on the ASL Board of Directors, chairs the Vancouver Island Centre of the Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society, and is an Adjunct Professor in the Geography Department at the University of Victoria. 

Ken Paul is the principal/owner of Pokiok Associates and serves as the Lead Fisheries Negotiator and Research Coordinator for the Wolastoqey Nation of New Brunswick. He has held the positions as National Fisheries Director with the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) and Integrated Resources Director with the Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs. His career in the federal government included positions as Hydrographer-in-Charge with the Canadian Hydrographic Service (CHS) and Field Unit Superintendent with Parks Canada. Ken also served on the boards of the Ocean Supercluster, Canadian Integrated Ocean Observing System (CIOOS), and Fundy Ocean Research Centre for Energy (FORCE), and is currently on the board with Sustainable Ocean Applied Research (SOAR). Ken has advocated for First Nations regionally, nationally and internationally on all aspects relating to fisheries, aquaculture, ocean protection and aquatic resources as they relate to inherent aboriginal and treaty-protected rights, legislation, and policy. He continues this work as a member of the AFN National Fisheries Committee. Ken is a member of the Wolastoqey Nation at Neqotkuk.

Bob Petrie is Canadian Business Relationship Manager for Nova Innovation, a tidal energy company developing a project in Petit Passage, Nova Scotia. He works with local communities, regulators, service providers and other stakeholders to facilitate the provision of tidal energy in ways that respect and address Indigenous, community, and environmental priorities. Bob brings over 30 years of experience in environmental and natural resource management to the marine renewables sector. Prior to joining Nova Innovation, Bob held senior positions at Nova Scotia Department of Environment and Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources and Renewables. In these roles he led the development and implementation of environmental regulatory programs and policy and oversight of strategies and service delivery.

Jacobus van der Lingen is Director of the Offshore Business at Atlantic Towing with responsibility for all aspects of business development, customer and contract management, and operations for the Offshore Division. Jacobus began his career has a Naval Officer in the South African Navy before moving into the transportation and logistics industry in Shanghai, China. He has held various management positions across a range of maritime companies in various countries and has strong experience in business development, operations and developing strategic initiatives.   

Their directorship terms began on January 1, 2024. 

 A new executive committee has also been established, with Dr. Mary Lou Lauria, VP of Operations at Worley appointed as Chair of the board, Mohammad Ali Raza of Cox and Palmer appointed as Vice Chair and Jacobus van der Lingen appointed as Treasurer.

Marine Renewables Canada would like to thank the outgoing directors of the board for their contributions and leadership: Peter Huttges (Atlantic Towing) and Marty Gaulin (Atlantic XL)