Thunder Bay's Centre for Research & Innovation in the Bio-Economy (CRIBE) is welcoming a new leader to its ranks.
The organization announced on Feb. 11 that Scott Jackson has been tapped to become its next CEO.
As of Feb. 18, he'll be replacing Chris Walton, who had served in the role for the last seven years.
CRIBE said in a social media post that the change was “part of a planned transition with the board of directors.”
Jackson has spent more than 25 years in the field of forest management and natural resource policy.
Most recently, he was the director of conservation biology at the Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC). Previously, he was the manager of forest products for the Ontario Forest Industries Association (OFIA).
He holds a bachelor of science degree in environmental biology from Queen's University, as well as a master's degree in forest conservation from the University of Toronto.
“Scott’s extensive experience in the forest sector will be invaluable to CRIBE and its initiatives to develop a sustainable, profitable forest bio-economy in Ontario,” the organization said.
In marking the transition, CRIBE expressed gratitude for Walton's contributions over the last seven years.
“During his seven years as CEO, Chris has helped CRIBE become Canada's leading innovation agency in advanced materials from the bio-economy, building strong partnerships provincially, nationally and at an international level,” the statement said.
CRIBE said Walton would continue in an advisory role during the transition.
Launched in 2009 as an initiative of the provincial government, CRIBE's aim is to support and develop a sustainable, profitable provincial forest bioeconomy.
Among its research projects, CRIBE is working with Stelco to incorporate biocarbon into the steelmaking process, collaborating with Woodleigh Farms on the use of biochar in agriculture, and partnering with Woodbridge Foam Corporation to determine if adding forest feedstock during the production of automotive and packaging parts can reduce the levels of carbon dioxide produced.
