COVE is pleased to welcome Rear-Admiral (RAdm) Brian Santarpia, Commander Maritime Forces Atlantic (MARLANT) and Joint Task Force Atlantic (JTFA), as a member of its Board of Directors.
“We are excited to have Rear-Admiral Santarpia join our board of directors,” said Ian Thompson, Chair of the Board, COVE. “His naval leadership and decades of experience in the Canadian Armed Forces will provide valuable insights as we continue to lead and support ocean innovation and the digitalization of our oceans. I’m confident he will make a positive impact to advance the ocean technology companies at COVE.”
RAdm Santarpia enrolled in the Canadian Forces, under the Officer Candidate Training Plan as a Maritime Surface Officer, in 1986 and has held increasingly senior roles in the Royal Canadian Navy and the Canadian Forces. He is currently Commander of MARLANT, responsible for the fleet training and operational readiness of the Royal Canadian Navy in the Atlantic Ocean and Arctic Ocean, and JTFA, responsible for leading CAF continental operations across Atlantic Canada.
“Significant things are happening at COVE and within the Royal Canadian Navy to advance ocean innovation,” said RAdm Santarpia. “I look forward to working with the Board and the team at COVE to support and propel the work at COVE and build relationships and collaboration between ocean tech companies and the Canadian Armed Forces.”
COVE is an expanding community of ocean tech companies and private and public partners who are working together to create the solutions and sustainable growth that propel Canada’s ocean economy. Its more than 70 tenants, including Start-Ups, SMEs, multinationals, and research institutes, have direct access to the ocean with over 780 meters of wharfage, onshore and offshore infrastructure, and programs and services that reach 20,000 people worldwide.
In 2021, COVE launched Stella Maris, a unique subsea platform that provides a low-cost way to test, validate and demonstrate ocean tech advancements.