William (Bill) Quinn hails from Stephenville, Newfoundland. He graduated from le Collège militaire royal de St-Jean in 1990 with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Military and Strategic Studies (Honors), and later earned a Master’s Degree in Defence Studies from the Royal Military College of Canada.
Throughout an extensive 38 year career in the Canadian Armed Forces as an officer in the Royal Canadian Navy, he served in numerous ships and sailed on every ocean except the Antarctic. His at sea career highlight was his time as Captain of HMCS Calgary.
Bill also fulfilled many staff and leadership roles over the years ashore in areas as diverse as defence policy, operations, intelligence, and personnel. He is particularly proud of his time as Commandant of the Canadian Forces Naval Operations School, Commanding Officer of the Canadian Forces Maritime Warfare Centre, Director Canadian Forces Grievance Authority and Canadian Naval Attaché and Assistant Defence Attaché in Washington, DC.
Bill was appointed as Vice-Chairperson of the Military Grievances External Review Committee on 11 April 2024.