Dr Jerry Hopwood was appointed General Manager, Pre-Project Planning in 2004. This position provides him with yet another creative challenge for AECL, enabling him to work with a dedicated multi-disciplinary team preparing for future power plant projects. He continues as a member of AECL’s senior management team as a new phase in the nuclear power industry begins to take shape.

Mr. Hopwood studied Applied Physics at St. Edmund Hall, Oxford University. He was awarded his B.A. in 1972 and his M.A. in 1975 by the University. Recruited by AECL in 1975, Mr. Hopwood’s first specialty was in Nuclear Safety and Licensing. In this role he worked with the Ontario Hydro fleet of units and for the CANDU 6 designs constructed in New Brunswick and Québec. From 1983-85, he served as AECL’s on-site team-leader during the initial operation of Point Lepreau. Returning to Sheridan Park, Mr. Hopwood became Manager of Safety Systems Design for new CANDUs and in 1988 was awarded the Sheridan Park Medal for Technical Achievement.

In March 1992, Mr. Hopwood was appointed Technical Director, South Korea and he and his family relocated to Seoul. During his Korean assignment, the Wolsung 3 and 4 contract was signed. Returning from Korea in 1995, he was appointed Director of CANDU 6 programs. He was a member of the negotiating team for AECL’s successful bid for the Qinshan CANDU 6 project. Before accepting his current position, Mr. Hopwood served as Director, ACR Business Development and prior to that appointment he was the Director of Advanced Reactor Technology Development, leading the definition of AECL’s Advanced CANDU Reactor design.