Pembina Institute welcomes new executive director

CALGARY, AB — Starting in January, Ed Whittingham will take over as the executive director of the Pembina Institute, a 25-year-old sustainable energy think tank with offices across Canada.

"Pembina is at its best when we take our excellent research and use it to bring people together from all sides of an issue to find practical solutions," said Whittingham. "I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to lead such a professional and dedicated team."

Whittingham replaces Marlo Raynolds, the accomplished executive director of seven years who oversaw the Pembina Institute's rapid growth in size and influence as sustainable energy issues became increasingly prominent in Canada.

"This has been a challenging and immensely satisfying job, but seven years is a healthy amount of time for any leader — organizations need fresh thinking, fresh ideas and new energy, and Ed Whittingham will bring precisely that to Pembina," said Raynolds.

The Institute's board of directors appointed Whittingham to this new role from within the current staff team, where he previously led Pembina's consulting services.

Whittingham has a passion for the environment and enjoys the outdoors and bird watching in his spare time. He has an MBA in corporate sustainability and brings extensive experience working with industry, governments and other non-governmental organizations.

"Ed has already proven himself as a leader at Pembina and we are confident that his knowledge of the issues and his passion for helping move corporations, communities and governments towards sustainable energy solutions makes him a great choice as our new executive director," said David Armour, President of the Pembina Institute's board of directors.

The Pembina Institute is a think tank that undertakes research, education, consulting and advocacy to advance pragmatic sustainable energy solutions.

"We are known for our tough but fair approach, documenting environmental impacts of the oilsands development and advancing effective climate change policies — but what's not so well-known is the work we do on the ground with communities, corporations and other environmental non-government organizations," says Whittingham.

As part of this transition, Chris Severson-Baker, a 14-year veteran with the Pembina Institute, has been appointed as the new managing director. Formerly Pembina's Policy Group director, Chris brings to the position a solid understanding of strategy, operations and content.

Both roles are effective January 1, 2011.

-30-