Benoît Pirenne is Ocean Networks Canada’s Corporate Innovation and Technology Officer (CITO). He joined the University of Victoria in October 2004 to build the Data Management and Archiving System for the NEPTUNE Canada and VENUS observatories. In this outward-looking role with a focus on ONC's current needs, Benoît focuses on bringing about the rapidly evolving technologies, both digital (AI/ML, underwater communications) and physical (nodes, smart cables, mobile systems, new sensor types) that will position ONC to remain as a global leader. His position will serve as sponsor for major initiatives (e.g., P-ONE, node replacement). In addition he oversees the Canadian Integrated Ocean Observing System — Pacific Regional Association, and the World Data System — International Technology Office. Previously, Benoît spent 18 years at the European Southern Observatory (ESO, Munich, Germany), a leading Organization for astronomical research. At ESO Benoît assumed a number of scientific and technical positions. As Head of the Operations Technical Support Department in this Organization, he was responsible for running the data management and archiving system supporting both ESO's telescopes and the NASA/ESA's Hubble Space Telescope. Benoît earned a BSc. from Liège, Belgium, and a MSc. from the University of Namur, Belgium.