Richard Young appointed senior director, environmental health, safety and security
Concordia’s Vice-President, Services, Roger Côté, is pleased to announce the appointment of Richard Young to the position of senior director of environmental health, safety and security.
Young, who assumes the role on May 1, 2012, will be responsible for overseeing the environmental health and safety, security, sustainability and emergency planning units, as well as the coordination of risk management strategies for the services sector. He will also serve as a public advocate in the Concordia community for institutional and individual responsibility in support of a safe and sustainable campus environment.
“As senior director, Rick’s primary roles will be five-fold,” says Côté. “He will of course be responsible for leading the day-to-day operations of the combined environmental health, safety and security units, but just as important will be the strategic insight and leadership he brings to the sector.”
“The direction we are taking here is exciting and challenging,” says Young. “It’s going to involve a lot of proactive outreach and collaboration with members of the university community, integrating our planning and communications with the implementation of emergency measures. I’m very pleased to be offered this opportunity, and grateful to the support of my staff and colleagues.”
“Rick is a familiar and and well-liked presence amongst staff and a recognized team builder and project lead,” says Côté. “He brings to the table a wealth of hard-earned operational and institutional knowledge, with expertise extending beyond campus health and safety and into environmental policy development – experience that will serve him well as a key player in Concordia’s evolving sustainability commitments.”
Young is a senior manager with an extensive professional background leading and overseeing facilities operations, construction, renovation and maintenance projects, as well as health and safety programs. A long-time Concordia employee who joined the university in 1976, he has worked in positions of progressively greater responsibility.
Since 2010, he has served as interim director of environmental health and safety, where he managed Concordia initiatives related to sustainability, chemical inventory, radiation, biosafety and laser safety, emergency management and industrial hygiene. He was also responsible for ensuring the university’s compliance with due diligence and safety regulations, while also developing, promoting and evaluating the university’s environmental health and safety programs.