Dr. Hanna received the B.Sc. Degree (Honour) from University of Basra, Iraq in 1971, the M.Sc. Degree (Distinction) from Queen Mary College, University of London, England in 1973, and the Ph.D. from Imperial College of Science and Technology, University of London, England in 1977, all in electrical engineering. Following a short teaching career, in 1981 he joined Gulf Canada, now Petro Canada, as Central Engineering Specialist providing technical expertise to the refineries in implementing capital projects and equipment selection. In 1995, he founded RPM Engineering, Ltd., a certified consulting company specializing in Adjustable Speed Drive applications, power quality studies and power system analysis. He has authored 35 technical papers, including 16 IEEE Transactions/Conference papers and has been an invited speaker to several utilities. He is a registered professional engineer in the provinces of Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia and, in 1993, became a Fellow member of the Institution of Electrical Engineers, England.

Bob joined IEEE as a student in 1975, became a member in 1976, was elevated to senior member in 1988 and Fellow in 2004. He served as Vice Chair (2001-02) then Chair (2002-03) of the Toronto Section, chair of its Centennial Committee in 2003, and Vice Chair of thr Central Canada Council (2002-03). Bob served as the Local Arrangement Chair of the 2001 IEEE Canadian Conference on Electrical and Computer Engineering (CCECE), Chair of CCECE 2004, and Member of the Organizing Committee of the IEEE Power Engineering Society General Meeting in Toronto July 2003, and member of the A & A (Admission and Advancement) panel, June 2002, Toronto, for Senior Members.

He is a member of the Industry Application Society, the Power Engineering Society and the Power Electronics Society. Some of his society activities are; Member of IEEE Paper Review and Evaluation Subcommittee for Petroleum & Chemical Industry group (1992 - Present) , Vice Chair of the IEEE Standard 1566 Committee "Performance Standard for Medium Voltage Adjustable Speed AC Drive rated over 500 HP", Vice Chair of the IEEE Industry Applications Society, 48th Annual Petroleum & Chemical Industry Conference, September 2001, and Vice Chair of the IEEE Industry Applications Society, 38th Annual Petroleum & Chemical Industry Conference, September 1991.

He is presently serving as IEEE Canadian Foundation Director and past IEEE Canada President.