COM DEV International Ltd. today
announced that the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) awarded COM DEV’s founder and
chairman of the board, Dr. Valentine O’Donovan, the John H. Chapman Award of
Excellence at a gala dinner held last evening at the CSA’s headquarters in St.
Hubert, Québec. The award, presented by CSA President, Mr. Mac Evans,
recognizes and rewards exceptional contributions in the space science and
technology sector. COM DEV is a leading producer of terrestrial wireless
communications infrastructure and designer and manufacturer of advanced
microwave and optical subsystems for communications and science satellites.
“Over the years, the passion and dedication of Dr. O’Donovan have served
to encourage and challenge each of us to seek the unattainable, to push the
envelope in our drive to innovate and in our search for knowledge,” said Mac
Evans, President of the CSA. “His vision, leadership and influence is evident
in the emerging technologies now found on the satellites of virtually every
major manufacturer in the world.”
“It is a source of great satisfaction for everyone in COM DEV to see
Val’s huge contribution as a Canadian space pioneer recognized this way,” said
Keith Ainsworth, COM DEV’s President and CEO. “We are all very proud to be
personally associated with him and the company he founded and led for so many
years.”
Dr. O’Donovan is a member of the Association of Professional Engineers of
Ontario, the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and the
Institution of Electrical and Electronic Engineers. In 1992, he was the winner
of the Institution’s McNaughton Gold Medal, bearing the citation: “for
sustained leadership in the development of space technology and for
transforming a fledgling company into a significant international player in
the field of satellite communications”. One year later he received the Laurier
Outstanding Business Leader Award from Wilfred Laurier University and in 1995
the University of Waterloo awarded him the degree of Doctor of Engineering
(Honoris Causa). In May of 1997 he became the 7th Chancellor of the University
of Waterloo.
The award ceremony was held at the John H. Chapman Space Centre in Saint-
Hubert, Quebec. In attendance at the gala awards dinner were CSA staff,
colleagues, friends and family. This annual award honours those Canadians who
have made exceptional contributions to the Canadian Space Program. It is named
after one of Canada’s great space pioneers, John Herbert Chapman, considered
to be the father of the Canadian Space Program.
About COM DEV
COM DEV International Ltd. (www.comdev.cc) based in Cambridge, Ontario,
is a leading producer of wireless infrastructure, as well as the largest
Canadian-based designer and manufacturer of space hardware subsystems. The
company has two divisions: COM DEV Space and COM DEV Wireless that operate
facilities in Canada, the United States, China and the United Kingdom.
About CSA
The Canadian Space Agency is committed to leading the development and
application of space knowledge for the benefit of Canadians and humanity. It
manages and co-ordinates all of Canada’s space activities and promotes the
Canadian space industry among international partners.
COM DEV, COM DEV Wireless, COM DEV Space and M/ERGY are registered
trademarks of COM DEV International Ltd. This news release may contain certain
forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual
results may differ materially from results indicated in any forward-looking
statements. The company cautions that, among other things, in view of the
rapid changes in the wireless communications markets and technologies, and
other risks including the cost and market acceptance of the company’s new
products, the level of individual customer procurements and competitive
product offerings and pricing, and general economic circumstances, the
company’s business prospects may be materially different from forward-looking
statements made by the company.
