Dr. Darin Graham, ORION President and CEO Receives Queen's Diamond Jubilee Award

TORONTO, Sept. 10, 2012 /CNW/ - Today Dr. Darin Graham, Ontario Research and Innovation Optical Network (ORION) President and CEO, joins the ranks of a very special and distinguished body of Canadians. Dr. Graham has been awarded the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Award, an award given to honour those who have made significant contributions to aid the progress of society and civilization, throughout the Commonwealth.

"I am honoured and humbled to receive such a notable award," said Dr. Graham. "To see my name in the company of these great Canadians is incredibly inspiring."

Dr. Graham was granted the award in recognition of a career dedicated to furthering research and innovation in Ontario, across the country and around the world. He is recognized as a true leader in international information communications technology, and his endeavors have strengthened the field of Canadian research and innovation through fostering a collaborative environment.

As President of ORION, the world's fastest research and innovation network, Dr. Graham's leadership has been instrumental in building the critical infrastructure to accelerate Ontario's research and innovation agenda and position Canada as an innovation leader on the global stage.

"Through Darin's leadership and dedication, ORION has continued to foster a collaborative environment for Ontario's research, innovation and education communities," said Anne Sado, ORION Board Chair and President of George Brown College. "This award is well deserved and a strong recognition of the work he has done and continues to do in improving the lives of Ontarians - as well as all Canadians - through his various roles and responsibilities in the innovation landscape of this country."

Dr. Graham joins the company of other notable Canadian information technology leaders receiving this award including: Bill Hutchison, President of Hutchison Management International, Jim Roche, President and CEO of CANARIE, Michael Hrybyk, President of BCNET, and Robin Winsor, President of CYBERA.

The Queen's Diamond Jubilee award celebrates Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's 60^th anniversary as monarch. Recipients will be honoured on October 21, 2012 at the i-CANADA Summit Conference in Montreal.

ABOUT ORION

The Ontario Research and Innovation Optical Network (ORION) is an advanced technology, "ultra-fast" fibre optic network, owned and operated by a not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting and advancing research, learning and innovation. ORION connects all of Ontario's universities, numerous colleges, several teaching hospitals, other public research facilities and a growing number of school boards to one another and to the global grid of research and education (R&E) networks.

As Ontario's advanced R&E network, ORION is a critical tool that supports and facilitates research, education, collaboration and innovation, benefitting Ontario's leading researchers, educators and learners. Stretching 5,800 kilometres, it is one of the largest R&E networks in the world.

SOURCE: Ontario Research and Innovation Optical Network (ORION)

Catharine Ogilvie
Director, Marketing and Communications
Ontario Research and Innovation Optical Network (ORION)
416.507.9860 ext. 250
[email protected]