"Leaves significant legacy"

Phil Baker, President and CEO of the Ontario Research and Innovation Optical Network (ORION) has announced his intention to retire from ORION later this spring.

Baker, the visionary pioneer who founded and established ORION as a world-leading research and education network, will hand over the reigns after setting ORION on a new and ambitious course to ensure Ontario remains in the lead among next generation global research networks

"Phil will be very difficult to replace," says the ORION board chair, Maxim Jean-Louis, President of Contact North | Contact Nord.

"Phil Baker is leaving Ontario with a significant legacy. Ontario now has an advanced research and education infrastructure that is truly second to none in the world," he said. "Today, almost 90 institutions and over 1.7 million students, faculty, staff and researchers across Ontario rely on ORION every day for their work and research, and teaching and learning."

"I was very fortunate to have the chance to take ORION from a dream to a reality over the past ten years and am very grateful for having had this opportunity. It has been an incredibly fulfilling and rewarding time," says Baker. "I have benefitted from the support of a dedicated team of professionals at ORION. These are all exceptional people committed to taking Ontario's capacity to support research and innovation to the next level."

In announcing his retirement, Baker credited the full support of the Board of Directors over the years for the success of ORION. He also thanked all of the individuals from Ontario's research and education community who helped build and expand the network across Ontario. Baker acknowledged the critical support of the Ontario Government and CANARIE, Canada's national research network, for their ongoing support and investments in ORION.

Under his leadership, ORANO built a next-generation fibre optic research and education telecommunications network across Ontario, with network sites in 21 communities, providing the province with critical innovation infrastructure that enables research and education institutions to excel in the new digital world and global economy.

In the past two years, Baker guided the organization through a significant transition into a focused, value-add service entity that leverages the ORION network's sophisticated technology infrastructure to introduce new services that allow researchers, educators and learners, and member institutions to transform work processes and accelerate innovation and discovery.

ORION has already launched the O3 Collaboration platform and is testing a data backup service with several Ontario universities. It is also about to introduce an IP videoconference bridging service and is exploring managed applications, such as DNS, e-mail and other services. As well, ORION is working with postsecondary institutions on launching an interactive digital media platform.

One of the architects of Ontario's broadband and networking strategies, Baker coordinated the development of several broadband initiatives, including the ORION project. He played a central role in developing the ground-breaking Ontario Telecommunications Strategy which has served as a model for many other jurisdictions over the past decade.

Phil played a leadership role in supporting a broad range of successful leading edge regional advanced networks and innovative telehealth initiatives that has helped keep the Province at the forefront in these fields.

With the full support of the board, he has set the plan in place to ensure that ORION continues to provide Ontario with critical innovation infrastructure that enables our researchers, educators and institutions to excel in the new digital world and global economy

Baker plans to remain involved in advancing Ontario's innovation capacity and broadband capabilities.

Phil obtained his advanced education at the University of California, Berkeley and the University of Toronto.

ORANO's Board of Directors has initiated the process to recruit a new President and CEO.

Read the news release at www.orion.on.ca/recent-releases.html.