Veteran weatherman and scientist Mark Guishard has been announced as the new chief operating officer of the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences.

Bringing decades of experience to the role, Dr Guishard succeeds William Welton at the helm of the marine science station and educational institute headquartered at Ferry Reach in St George’s.

Dr Guishard’s links to BIOS date back 30 years.

He has served as a BIOS trustee and as its director of community and corporate relations, and led the organisation’s Risk Prevention Initiative from 2013 to 2020.

The programme fostered dialogue between scientists and the insurance and reinsurance community where catastrophic risk is concerned.

The former head of the Bermuda Weather Service, Dr Guishard has also worked in catastrophe risk analysis and modelling, and is a specialist in Atlantic tropical storms.

Dr Guishard was also an adjunct faculty member at BIOS.

Bill Curry, chief executive of BIOS, said Dr Guishard’s role would prove key as the organisation integrates with Arizona State University’s Global Futures Laboratory.

Scientists from around the world work to solve climate issues at the Global Futures Laboratory, which offers spaces for engagement between scientists, educators and leaders,

Dr Guishard told The Royal Gazette: “It’s very exciting to be back at BIOS in a leadership role.

“I have had a long association with BIOS throughout my career, dating back to my participation as a student in 1994 in the long standing Bermuda Programme internships.”

He added: “I have been a BIOS adjunct scientist, even during my times at the Bermuda Weather Service.

“I’ve also served as a BIOS board member, mentored local and international interns, and published scientific reports all under the BIOS banner; all of which reveals my longtime affinity for BIOS and its important work, both locally and globally.

“I’m proud and honoured to help support the vital research and education activities at BIOS and enhance opportunities for Bermuda as part of the new affiliation with ASU.”

He added: “The prospect of supporting crucial research, education and outreach activities at BIOS is even more exciting as we work with ASU.

“The integration is proving mutually beneficial, and it opens up new opportunities for the Bermuda community.”

Dr Guishard earned Bachelor and Master of Science degrees from the University of East Anglia and a PhD in meteorology from Pennsylvania State University.

He has served two terms as director of the Bermuda Weather Service, has worked as chief administrative officer of the Bermuda Airport Authority.

Dr Guishard was also the principal investigator for BIOS’s two-part part report, Climate Change and Bermuda.

He is a regional point of contact for disaster risk reduction for the United Nations World Meteorological Organisation, and was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Meteorological Society in Britain in 2016.