Dan has been the Chief Executive of COSIA (Canada’s Oil Sands Innovation Alliance) since March 2012.
Prior to joining COSIA, Dan occupied various senior positions for Environment Canada and Natural Resources Canada including Director General of Wildlife and Landscape Science, Director General of Water Science and Technology, and Director of Strategic Alliances. Dan has a vast range of experience in sustainable development. He was a Senior Policy Advisor to the Canadian Federal Minister of Natural Resources and the Government House Leader, and he launched and was the Executive Director of The Canadian Forest Innovation Council.
Dan has a BSc. in Biology (University of Guelph, 1990), a MSc. in Aquatic Ecology (University of Calgary, 1994) and a Ph.D. in Aquatic Ecology (University of Montana, 1998). After completing his graduate education, Dan took a faculty position as a Research Assistant Professor at the University of Montana. Dan is a Board member of the Canada Water Network (NCE) and the Climate Change and Emissions Management Corporation, and serves on the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producer Responsible Canadian Energy Advisory Committee.
Dan’s initial career was as a linebacker in the CFL, playing with both the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (1988) and the Calgary Stampeders (1989-91).