Robert Weese

Biography

Mr. Weese retired from GE Canada in March 2011 after 22 years as Vice President of Government and External Relations.  In that role, he dealt with Federal, Provincial, and Municipal governments in support of GE’s Canadian businesses – advocating for policy and legislative changes; securing financial support for major capital investments, R&D, and training; and helping to sell to government departments and agencies.   Bob joined GE in 1989, initially on executive exchange from the Federal Government, where he had been an Assistant Deputy Minister in Supply and Services Canada.  Prior to joining the Federal Government in 1982, he had held senior management positions with the Government of Saskatchewan, and had been a Caucus Research Officer in the Canadian House of Commons.   Bob has an Honours B.A. in Political Science from the University of Western Ontario and a M.Sc.Economics from the University of Wales.  He undertook additional postgraduate studies at the University of London and was a Canadian Parliamentary Intern in 1972-73.   Mr. Weese has had extensive involvement in business and community organizations.  He has served on the Boards of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the Canadian Foundation for the Preservation of Chinese Treasures, and the Eye Research Institute of Canada.  He has also been a member of the Principal’s Advisory Council at the University of Toronto Mississauga and Chair of the Canadian Intellectual Property Council. He has been involved with the Career Bridge Internship Program and was very active for many years in the United Way of Peel Region, serving as General Campaign Chair in 1997.   As well as serving on the Board of the Canadian Light Source, he is currently a Trustee of the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto and a director of the Science Teachers Association of Ontario.   Bob’s community service has been recognized with a Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal and with an Ontario Volunteer Service Award.  Ottawa’s “Hill Times” newspaper has named him one of Canada’s top lobbyists. Bob lives in Toronto with his wife, Menna.  They have two grown sons and are the proud grandparents of identical twin boys.

Research Interest

Engineering