Intended To Maintain Leadership In Safety And Service, Wilson Says

NAV CANADA president & CEO Neil Wilson has announced several changes in his executive team at the Company's Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Ottawa.

"These changes will help us to maintain our global leadership in safety and service, and to continue to build a culture based on our core values of respect, excellence and customer service -- a culture in which each and all are recognized for their contribution to the Company's success," Wilson said.

Larry Lachance, Vice President, Operations, has been appointed to the position of Vice President, Safety and Quality, replacing John David who will retire February 1, 2016. Said Wilson: "I am thrilled with this appointment, given Larry's experience and expertise, and the trust he has earned over many years with employees, customers and stakeholders. At the same time, I wish to thank John David for his service to NAV CANADA, especially for his leadership in safety."

Lachance spent the early years of his career as an Air Traffic Controller, before joining management and establishing a track record of success in a variety of senior positions including General Manager, Montreal Flight Information Region (FIR); Director, Safety and System Performance; Assistant Vice President, Operational Support; and Vice President, Operations.

Rob Thurgur, Assistant Vice President, Operational Support, is appointed to the position of Vice President, Operations, effective immediately, reporting to Rudy Kellar, Executive Vice President, Service Delivery. Thurgur has extensive experience in the Canadian Air Navigation System (ANS), recently working on important operational issues related to the success of the revolutionary Aireon project.
Following his years as an Air Traffic Controller and national union leader, Thurgur was Manager, Area Control Centre Operations (MACCO) in the Toronto FIR from 2010 to 2013, at which time he was appointed Assistant Vice President, Operational Support in Head Office. "Rob is a proven leader with a global outlook, who understands the importance of people and technology in our drive to continue leading the world in the provision of safe and efficient ANS services," Wilson said.

Recognizing the importance of people, two other key appointments are being made in order to consolidate and strengthen the NAV CANADA senior team in Human Resources. Raymond Bohn, Vice President, Revenue and Pension Administration, is appointed to the new position of Senior Vice President, Human Resources, and Elizabeth Cameron, Assistant Vice President, Labor and Employee Relations, is appointed Vice President, Labor Relations.

After an early and successful career as a pension and benefits consultant, Raymond Bohn joined NAV CANADA in 2000 and led a number of successful teams and projects in Human Resources. Since 2008, he has been responsible for Rates and Revenues as well as Pension Administration, while making a significant contribution to the company's efforts to enhance pension plan sustainability.

Elizabeth Cameron joined NAV CANADA in 2004 with over 17 years of Human Resources and Labour Relations experience in the sectors of transportation, municipal government and academic institutions. As Director, Labour Relations, then as Assistant Vice President, Labour and Employee Relations, she has been instrumental in managing effective relationships with all bargaining agents, based on trust, open communication and mutual respect.

"Ray and Elizabeth know how to build and sustain constructive relationships while solving complex business problems," Wilson said "Their leadership will be invaluable as we seek to make needed improvements to the delivery of our people programs, while building on our lengthy track record of exemplary labour and employee relations."

In announcing these changes to HR management, Wilson acknowledged the leadership of Richard Dixon, former Vice President, Human Resources, who retired from the Company effective December 31, 2015. "I want to thank Richard for all he did during his tenure with NAV CANADA -- especially for the example he set in his continued and effective focus on people."

In another area of the business, Wilson announced the appointment of Donna Mathieu, formerly Assistant Vice President, Pension Investments, to Vice President, Pension Investments, effective January 11, 2016, replacing Paul Fahey who has retired. Mathieu will report to Brian Aitken, Executive Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer.

A former partner of KPMG, Mathieu holds Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and CPA, CA designations. She joined the Company in 2003 as Director, Internal Audit, led the Company's IFRS transition project for one year, then transitioned to the Pension Investments Group in 2010.

Under the leadership of Paul and Donna, Wilson noted, the NAV CANADA Pension Plan (NCPP) has achieved excellent financial returns, and the investment risk of the Pension Plan's portfolio has been reduced as the investment strategy has been adapted to the realities of today's volatile capital markets. "I would like to thank Paul for his effective leadership in achieving these results, and I look forward to Donna and her team continuing to build on the progress made."

There will be other changes in the NAV CANADA senior team as Wilson sets a new course for the Company. "I am confident that these appointments, and others to come, will allow NAV CANADA to build on our strengths as we strive to maintain our global leadership, while keeping the focus, at all times, on our people as the source of our success," he said.

NAV CANADA is Canada's private sector civil air navigation service provider.

(Source: Nav Canada news release)

FMI: www.navcanada.ca