Belizean Ecologist is 5Cs New Head

Belizean environmental scientist Dr Colin Young, is the new Head of the Carib- bean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC).

Dr Young takes up his new position on Jan. 6.

Former Executive Director Dr Kenrick Leslie, who led the CCCCC since its inception in 2004, announced the selection to staff at the Centre’s Belmopan, Belize location on Oct. 15. Dr. Leslie demitted office on Jan. 5.

Dr. Young was selected from a total of 32 applicants. The selection process was conducted in three stages by three separate panels. The panels consisted of Members of the Board of Governors representing the governments of Barbados, Belize, Guyana, and Jamaica and regional institutions including the CARICOM Secretariat, CDB, CTO, UWI and the petroleum Industry of Trinidad and Tobago

In congratulating Dr Young on his achievement, Dr Leslie recalled the centre’s achievement as a self-funded agency of CARICOM and expressed confidence that the new Executive Director had what it takes to take the centre to the next level.

Dr Young has a PhD in Ecology and brings more than 14 years of executive leadership and management to the position. Until recently, he headed the Belize Social Security Board (SSB) for close to three years. Before that, he headed the Ministries of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and Sustainable Development as well as the Ministry of Energy, Science, and Technology and Public Utilities.

Dr Leslie, PhD, CBE, OD was the Centre’s founding Executive Director. Prior the joining the centre he served in many positions including that as a Senior Scientist in Applied Physics at what is now Honeywell International in Morristown, New Jersey, USA. In his 22-years of service, he was awarded 10 patents on laser and infrared technologies.

During his long service to his country, Dr Leslie established the Belize National Meteorological Service serving as its first Director from 1972 to 1981 and during that period, also served on the Board of Governors of the Caribbean Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology.

The Centre and its staff salute the long and distinguished public service of its founding head to both Belize and the Caribbean.