Ocean Renewable Power Company (ORPC) has named John M. Ferland as a President of ORPC Solutions, the company’s wholly owned subsidiary offering project development, licensing, and strategic services to river and ocean energy projects.

Ferland will continue in his role as ORPC’s Vice President of Project Development while assuming new duties, the company said in a press release.

With ORPC since 2008, Ferland draws on over 30 years of experience in commercialization strategy for renewable energy companies, port emergency response operations, coastal resources management, and public policy. He was CEO of the oil spill response company which led clean up efforts for the largest spill ever to occur in Portland, Maine’s harbor in 1996. He has counseled numerous entrepreneurs and startups as president of Maine Center for Enterprise Development and was the founding president of Environmental & Energy Technology Council of Maine (E2Tech),.

“John’s winning approach to ORPC’s project and market development, community outreach efforts, and regulatory agency and fishermen relations, has been key to our pioneering success in the ocean energy industry,” said ORPC President & CEO Chris Sauer. “We are incredibly lucky to have such a seasoned professional step into the lead role for ORPC Solutions.”