New Chief Executive Takes COSIA's Helm

CALGARY, July 9, 2019 /CNW/ - Canada's Oil Sands Innovation Alliance (COSIA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Wes Jickling as the organization's next Chief Executive, effective August 6, 2019. The appointment aligns with COSIA's updated strategic plan, focused on accelerating environmental performance through collaborative action and innovation, while sharing its story with Canadians and beyond.

The announcement brings to conclusion an executive search, initiated when COSIA's inaugural Chief Executive stepped down, earlier this year, after seven years as head of the organization.

"We are so fortunate to have Wes join the COSIA team," said Cheryl Trudell, Vice President of Research for Imperial and Chair of COSIA's Shareholder Steering Committee. "He is exceptionally well qualified to lead COSIA's unique model with his proven track record of developing collaborative relationships and building teams across organizations and sectors. As COSIA members, we look forward to Wes Jickling bringing new perspectives on innovation and furthering our accomplishments and improvements in environmental performance."

Jickling comes to COSIA from his current role as CEO of Innovation Saskatchewan and Deputy Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs in Saskatchewan. During his career, he has held senior roles in government, corporate, and international organizations, including with the United Nations in Brazil, Swaziland, Ukraine and Sudan.

Jickling said, "I am very pleased and excited to take on the Chief Executive role with COSIA. People in this country, and around the world, should know that COSIA represents Canadian innovation at work and environmental leadership in action. COSIA members have already achieved a great deal since being founded in 2012. I look forward to building on COSIA's track record of enabling the responsible and sustainable growth of Canada's oil sands."

Jickling takes on his new role on August 6, 2019.

"On behalf of the COSIA member companies, I'd also like to thank John Brogly who stepped up to act as our interim Chief Executive during the executive search process," added Trudell. "Over the last six months, John continued to direct COSIA's water environmental performance area while also leading the organization to progress our refreshed strategic plan and delivering a successful Oil Sands Innovation Summit and collaborative partnership with INVENTURE$ in June."

COSIA's portfolio of projects has delivered more than 1,000 technologies valued at over $1.4 billion, which has resulted in meaningful progress to reduce impacts to water, air and land. COSIA members have also created a comprehensive infrastructure of testing facilities and collaborations that positions the sector to further accelerate performance.

Visit COSIA at www.cosia.ca. Follow us on Twitter or LinkedIn.

About COSIA:
Canada's Oil Sands Innovation Alliance (COSIA) is a unique alliance of oil sands producers focused on accelerating environmental performance in Canada's oil sands. COSIA enables collaboration and innovation between thinkers from industry, government, academia and the wider public to improve measurement, accountability and performance in the oil sands across our environmental priority areas of greenhouse gases, land, water and tailings. COSIA members search the world for solutions to our toughest problems. And we have some of the best minds on the planet working on technologies to enable further responsible and sustainable development.

SOURCE Canada’s Oil Sands Innovation Alliance (COSIA)

Media Contact: Jo Moss, Senior Specialist, Content and Creative, COSIA, Office: 403.444.5283, Cell: 403.399.4215, E-mail: [email protected]