Professional Background – Ian Wood

NAVAL ATTACHÉ CANADIAN EMBASSY, Washington, D.C.

(2015 – 2019) Directed a skilled team that, on behalf of Canada, fostered highly successful relationships with senior US Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard military and civilian leaders, along with the US Maritime Administration and numerous naval defence corporations and the Naval Attachés of the world’s navies represented in the US (over 80 navies).  Regularly connected developing Canadian companies with US and international government and industry partners

NAVAL DEFENCE FELLOW, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS

(2013 – 2015) Seconded to Centre for the Study of Security and Development (formerly Centre for Foreign Policy Studies CFPS).  Undertook leading-edge research on human system integration, along with training and crewing studies for modern warships.  Research was published in numerous peer-reviewed professional journals and is available on personal LinkedIn profile.  Led the planning and execution of numerous well-attended university workshops on ship design, building, and crewing.

MILITARY ATTACHÉ, CANADIAN DELEGATION, NATO HQ, Brussels, Belgium

(2010 – 2013) As a senior Defence Planner provided advice to the Canadian Ambassador to North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the Senior Military Representative (Vice-Admiral).  Led team that represented Canada during successful development, and negotiation of the alliance’s Maritime Strategy, Arctic Policy, and NATO’s Science and Technology Organization (STO) modernization.  Facilitated liaison between the Canadian Armed Forces and the European Union military and diplomatic staff.

STAFF OFFICER COMMANDER OF THE PACIFIC FLEET, Victoria, BC

(2009 – 2010) Directed select team that planned Royal Canadian Navy’s centennial International Fleet Review in Victoria, BC.  Managed the development of extensive exercises, security and manoeuvring along with force protection operations for the Commander of Pacific Fleet.  Negotiated large public-private partnerships for numerous civic events in support of the visiting ships from foreign navies (20 ships in total).

COMMANDING OFFICER HMCS PROTECTEUR, Victoria, BC 

(2008 – 2009) Responsible as Ship’s Captain (Master) for this Protecteur class Operational Support Ship with a complement of 250 officers and sailors.  Global deployments on Operations in the Indo-Pacific and the Middle East.

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT VICE-CHIEF OF THE DEFENCE STAFF, Ottawa, ON                                        

(2007 – 2008) Provided day-to-day verbal and written advice directly to one of the most senior leaders in the Canadian Armed Forces.  Was considered a trusted advisor within cadre of senior leaders in the Canadian Armed Forces and Department of National Defence.  Have sustained many of these relationships to-date.

DEFENCE ANALYST – CHIEF OF FORCE DEVELOPMENT, Ottawa, ON

(2004 – 2007) Led an elite team of researchers that developed the Canadian Strategic Integrated Operating Concept 2006 and 30 Year Strategic Capability Costing Model version 2006.  These products directly contributed to key strategic funding decisions and informed memoranda to Cabinet, and defence policies and Budgets.

NAVAL WARFARE OFFICER, Canada & Global Deployments

(1982 – 2004)

Awards

Vice Chief of the Defence Staff Commendation: for leading the team that developed the 30 Year Strategic Capability Costing Model, 2006;

Gulf and Kuwait Medal with Bar for Active Service during the Gulf War, 1991;

Special Service Medal with NATO Bar, 1994;

Canadian Peacekeeping Service Medal, 1996;

NATO Medal for Former Yugoslavia, 1996;

Canadian Forces Decoration Second Clasp: for 32 years dedicated service, 2014.

Education

Masters of Arts (Hons), War Studies and Defence Economics, Royal Military College of Canada, Kingston, ON, 2000.

Bachelor of Arts (Hons) Political Science and History, Royal Military College of Canada, Victoria, BC and Kingston, ON, 1986.

Professional Qualifications

Canadian Forces College, Toronto, ON, Advanced Military Studies Programme, 2006 and Joint Command and Staff Programme, 2002 – 2003.

Canadian Armed Forces Expenditure Management Course, Ottawa, ON, 2008 and Canadian Armed Forces Project Management Qualification, Ottawa, ON, 2000.

NATO Defence College (Module Course), Rome, Italy, 2011 and NATO Defence Planning School, Oberammergau, Germany, 2012 (Capability Based Defence Planning).