Robert Baines named President and Chief Executive Officer of the NATO Association of Canada

Robert Baines, new President of the NATO Association of Canada. (CNW Group/NATO Association of Canada)

TORONTO, Feb. 13, 2017 /CNW/ - Today, the NATO Association of Canada (NAOC) is announcing its newly elected President and Chief Executive Officer, Robert Baines, CD, MA. Mr. Baines is succeeding the NAOC's long-serving president, Ms. Julie Lindhout, effective March 10, 2017.

In an increasingly complex and uncertain world, the NATO Association educates Canadians about the vital role of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and Canada's international engagement. The NAOC ensures that peace, prosperity and security are not taken for granted by Canadians.

Discussing his new role, Mr. Baines stated, "I look forward to expanding the excellent legacy built by Julie Lindhout and all those who have enabled the NATO Association to become a respected national organization. The current international climate requires the NAOC to make sure Canadians realize security is not a naturally occurring phenomenon: we have to work for it. The NATO Association will be elevating NATO's profile in Canada and explaining how international security touches all Canadians."

Mr. Baines has been Corporate Development Officer of the NAOC since 2010 and Executive Director of the Canada-Albania Business Council. He has a BA in Philosophy from Trinity College, University of Toronto and an MA in History from York University. Mr. Baines is active on multiple youth boards for Canada's leading arts organizations and serves as Vice President of the St. George's Society of Toronto. Most significantly, Mr. Baines has extensive experience working with NATO issues and the Canadian defence establishment. He is a member of the Canadian Armed Forces Reserve and has received the Canadian Forces Decoration.

NATO Association Chair, Hon. Hugh Segal, OC, OOnt, underlined "Robert's military experience, his long time association with NATO and the Atlantic Council, his energy, vision, and commitment to the ideals of NATO, and his strong sense of creative leadership and inclusion make him a superb choice to advance a new generation's perspective and engagement in support of the values and principles of the Atlantic alliance."

In praise of the NAOC's retiring president, Mr. Segal remarked how Ms. Lindhout, "has symbolized the tireless and selfless spirit of service and commitment that has kept the NATO Association of Canada a dynamic force for public education on security matters and challenges. Her focus on young people, outreach to the community and the whole NATO family marks her remarkable period of engaged service as one of vision and steadfast diligence."

About the NATO Association of Canada

Founded in 1966, the NATO Association of Canada is a charitable, non-profit, non-governmental organization. The NAOC is mandated with promoting peace, prosperity and security by facilitating conferences, publications, research and policy events to establish broader understanding of the importance of security issues addressed by the NATO Alliance.

For more information, visit www.NATOassociation.ca

For an interview with Mr. Baines and/or images, please contact: [e-mail]

SOURCE NATO Association of Canada