Government of Canada navigation bar

Symbol of the Government of Canada

Primary site navigation bar

Canadian Aviation Executives' Safety Network (CAESN) – Delta Hotel, May 7, 2009, Ottawa, Ontario

CAESN

CANADIAN AVIATION
EXECUTIVES' SAFETY NETWORK (CAESN)
May 7, 2009

Speaker Profiles – Alphabetical by Last Name

SAM BARONE, President and CEO, Canadian Business Aviation Association, Ottawa, Ontario

In August 2008, Sam Barone became President and CEO of the Canadian Business Aviation Association in Ottawa, Ontario to represent and promote the interests of business aviation operators, manufacturers and suppliers.  With over 28 years experience, Mr. Barone is one of Canada’s better known aviation industry specialists. He has held a wide variety of aviation and transportation-related assignments in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. 

Mr. Barone holds a B.A. in Economics from McMaster University, completed graduate M.B.A. business studies as an Executive Fellow of Business Adminstration (FBA) at the Canadian School of Management (with distinction); and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport (F.CILT) in London, England.  He is also a graduate of executive leadership programs from the Harvard University and Queen’s Business Schools, as well as the Alternative Dispute Resolution Program, Faculty of Law at the University of Windsor.

His articles and commentary on aviation and transportation issues have appeared worldwide and is a frequent speaker on aviation industry matters.

JOHN DAVID, Vice President of Safety and Quality, NAV CANADA

John David has an extensive aviation and flight safety background (40 years), having flown more than thirty different types of aircraft in either operational or maintenance test flight roles.  As Director of Flight Safety for the Canadian Forces (1988-92), he was responsible for all safety programmes concerning the airworthiness of 24 different fleets of aircraft.  He has held Senior Aviation related Management positions in Europe, the UK and managed two large airport operations in Canada as Base Commander Goose Bay Labrador (1984-88) a multi-national military/civilian operation and, more recently, 1997-99, the city of North Bay Jack Garland Airport.

As the Vice President of Safety and Quality at NAV CANADA, he reports directly to the President and CEO, is a member of the Company Executive Management Committee (EMC), and responsible for the NAV CANADA safety management program, which provides internal safety oversight of the management of operational risk.  Other responsibilities include establishing safety policy, assessing the effectiveness of the company’s safety management system, report on safety performance to the Executive Management Committee, the Safety Committee of the Board of Directors and co-chairs the joint NAV CANADA/ Transport Canada Safety Oversight Committee.

MIKE DOIRON, Principal & CEO, Moncton Flight College

Mike has been involved in aviation for over thirty five years. He started in 1972 as a dispatcher and progressed to Chief Flight Instructor and Chief Pilot of the Moncton Flying Club. In 1979 he started working for Transport Canada. During his 19 years with the federal agency he held various posts including Superintendent of Flight Training, Regional Director System Safety and National Director of Aviation Safety Promotions. In May of 1998 he left the government to take the helm of the Moncton Flight College as the C.E.O. & Principal.

During his career he has been involved in Crew Resource Management (CRM) and Safety Management Training. He has been a guest speaker at numerous safety seminars in Africa, Central America, the Middle East, and the United States as well as throughout Canada. He has also been a guest speaker at medical training functions discussing safety management as it pertains to patient safety. He was a Canadian delegate to the Tri National Human Factors Committee made up of Canada, The United States and Mexico. He has taken numerous courses dealing with Safety and Aircraft Operations from the University of Southern California, Department of National Defence, Continental Airlines and Air Canada.

He has conducted over 100 CRM, SMS and Safety Offi cer Courses as well as numerous safety reviews on many companies ranging from small single aircraft operators to international operators to Civil Aviation Authorities. Some of the companies he has conducted CRM training for are Air Nova, Air Atlantic, Provincial Airlines, Prince Edward Airlines, Canadian Coast Guard, DHL(Middle East),Department of National Defence and Transport Canada. He also helped companies develop in-house CRM training.

He has helped numerous companies establish safety management programs within their operations. He is a recognized expert in safety management both nationally and internationally and has consulted with Transport Canada on the development of the national safety management programs in Canada. In his current position he has established a Safety Management System that has had a strong positive fi nancial effect on the Moncton Flight College over the last seven years.

Mike has flown over 50 aircraft types ranging from Citabria’s to Citations and has over 5,500 hours. He holds an Airline Transport Pilot Licence and a Class 1 Airplane and Class 1 Aerobatic Instructor Ratings. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Air Transport Association of Canada and is a Commmissioner with the Greater Moncton Sewerage Commission.

JIM FACETTE, President & CEO, Canada Airports Council

Jim Facette is the president and CEO of the Canadian Airports Council, where he is the chief spokesperson and responsible for the overall management and direction of the industry association. His association experience includes both professional and industry associations.

Jim has developed and led several lobby campaigns in Canada, bringing together stakeholders for investments in highways and infrastructure, as well as for professional recognition for Canada’s certified technicians and technologists. He has made numerous presentations to different House of Commons Standing Committees and has spoken at many association-related events.

Jim also has represented industry on boards and committees, including as a director for the Transportation Association of Canada. He currently is a member of the new President’s Advisory Council of the Canada Border Services Agency.

Jim was born and raised in Ottawa and is a graduate of Carleton University. An active sports fan, he enjoys jogging, playing hockey and golf and is a soccer and hockey coach in his local community. He is married to Astrid. They have two children

CAPTAIN MARTIN GAUTHIER, Fatigue Blue Ribbon Panel Member, Air Line Pilots Association

Union Offices and Training

  • Air Transat MEC Training Committee Member: since 2008
  • ALPA Fatigue Blue Ribbon Panel Member: since 2007
  • Air Transat MEC Chairman: 2000 – 2008
  • Air Transat MEC Negotiating Committee Member: 1998 - 2000
  • Royal Airline Pilot Committee Chairman 1995-1996
  • ALPA SMS Course:  2003
  • ALPA Negotiations Training Seminar 1999
  • ALPA Leadership Conference: 1999

Professional Activities

  • B-757 / B-737 / A-310 Captain, Air Transat: since 1996
  • B-727 Captain, Royal Airline: 1994 – 1996
  • L-1011 First Officer Royal Airline: 1993 – 1994
  • B-757 First Officer, Nationair: 1992 – 1993
  • F-100 First Officer, Intair: 1989 – 1992
  • CV-580 First Officer, Inter-Quebec: 1988 – 1989

Award

Recipient of ALPA 2006 Superior Airmanship Award for actions taken as Captain of flight TS 961 during which a severe flight control malfunction occurred.

Marc Grégoire, Assistant Deputy Minister, Safety and Security, Transport Canada

Mr. Grégoire graduated in civil engineering at the École Polytechnique de Montréal in 1978 and completed the courses curriculum of the master’s degree program in transportation at the Université de Montréal. He obtained his airline pilot license in 1980 and joined Transport Canada, Québec Region, in 1983.

Mr. Grégoire held various positions with increasing levels of responsibility such as Regional Director of Civil Aviation and Regional Director General (Québec Region).

In September 2003, Mr. Grégoire was appointed Assistant Deputy Minister of Safety and Security, Transport Canada. The Safety and Security Group is responsible for the development and enforcement of regulations and national standards, as well as for the implementation of monitoring, testing, and inspections, which contribute to safety and security in the aviation, marine, rail and road modes of transport.

DR. WARREN JESTIN, Senior Vice-President and Chief Economist, Scotiabank

Dr. Jestin is Scotiabank’s Chief Economist and has been with the Bank since 1979.  Before joining Scotiabank, Warren worked in the Bank of Canada’s Research Department and taught economics at several Canadian universities.  He is on the Board of The University of Guelph Heritage Fund and is chair of that University’s College of Management and Economics Advisory Committee.  He is also on the Board of Advisors of the Sobey School of Business at Saint Mary’s University in Halifax.  Warren earned an MA in Economics at the University of Guelph in 1971 and was awarded his doctorate from the University of Toronto in 1977.

Warren has served on the C.D. Howe Institute’s Monetary Policy Council and has been involved with economic policy committees of the Canadian and Ontario Chambers of Commerce and the Toronto Board of Trade.  He is also on the Board of the Markham-Stouffville Hospital.  In his role as Chair of Scotiabank’s Sponsorship and Donations Committee, Warren works closely with a wide variety of Canadian charitable institutions.

FRED JONES, President & CEO, Helicopter Association of Canada

Fred Jones is currently the President & CEO for the Helicopter Association of Canada.  Formerly he was the Vice-President Operations & Legal Affairs for the Canadian Airports Council and prior to that he was with the Air Transport Association of Canada (ATAC), most recently as their VP Flight Operations.  Fred is a former Transport Canada Inspector, a former TSB Accident Investigator, and a current helicopter and fixed-wing Commercial pilot. Fred has a BA in Psychology from Western and a Law Degree from the University of Ottawa.  He was called to the Ontario Bar in 1986 and is licensed to practice law in the Province of Ontario.

Paul Ouimet, Executive Vice President, InterVISTAS Consulting Inc.

Paul Ouimet is one of the founding partners at InterVISTAS, one of North America’s largest transportation and tourism consulting firms.  He has played a key role in developing its strategic planning and tourism practices.

He has extensive knowledge of transportation policy issues in Canada and abroad. He has worked on policy initiatives in all modes of transportation, including international air policy, and airport and port transfers, and infrastructure investment.  He has worked with Transport Canada and several provincial governments to develop new transport policy statements and Gateway Development strategies.

Mr. Ouimet has worked with many clients to develop strategic plans, including: numerous airports across Canada; the Vancouver, Halifax, Manitoba and Southern Ontario Gateway Councils; Hilton International; BC Ferries; and the Puerto Rico Tourism Company.

Mr. Ouimet has served on the boards of the British Columbia Aviation Council and the Canadian Transportation Research Forum and previously served on the Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority (TransLink) Public Advisory Committee.

Prior to joining InterVISTAS, Mr. Ouimet was Vice President of the Western Transportation Advisory Council, a highly respected national organization of Canadian business, government, and labour leaders. He has worked with the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce & Edmonton Economic Development Authority where he was responsible for a number of transportation, tourism and economic development projects. He has also taught transportation policy at the University of British Columbia's Faculty of Commerce and Business Administration.

Merlin Preuss, Director General Civil Aviation, Transport Canada

An Alberta native, Mr. Preuss is a Professional Engineer and maintains his Airline Transport Pilot License on the Airbus 340 aircraft. He has an extensive background in aviation, first with the Canadian air force and most recently with Transport Canada. During an air force career, which spanned nearly 22 years, he served in seven of the ten provinces and progressed through the officer ranks, retiring in 1988 as a Lieutenant Colonel.

In 1988, pursuing his career in aviation, he joined Transport Canada as an Air Carrier Inspector and was assigned to the Airbus 310 aircraft. He then held posts of increasing responsibility including Manager of the National Simulator Evaluation Program, Chief, Airline Inspection Division, Chief, Operational Standards, and Director Commercial and Business Aviation. In March 2002, he was appointed to his current post of Director General, Civil Aviation, where he is responsible for the regulation, standards and policies for the safety of civil aviation in Canada.

KEVIN PSUTKA, President & CEO, Canadian Owners and Pilots Association

Kevin has over 4000 hours flying experience, including commercial fixed-wing and helicopter pilot licences, Canadian Forces navigator and pilot. He has been flying since receiving his wings through the Air Cadets and went on to Mechanical Engineering and Military training at Royal Military College, served as navigator in the Regular Forces and as a helicopter pilot in the Reserves. He has a Master's degree in Business Administration and Aviation management experience in both government and private sectors, including, Aerospace Marketing, Program Management, Regulatory, Helicopter Certification, Accident Investigation, Association Business Management, and Flight Safety training and responsibility.
Kevin is currently the President and CEO for the Canadian Owners and Pilots Association, where he represents the interests of people who fly aircraft for personal transport and recreation.

Franz Reinhardt, Director, Policy and Regulatory Services, Transport Canada

Mr. Reinhardt is a lawyer who graduated from Laval University with a degree in Civil Law and was called to the Bar of the province of Quebec in 1975. He is also the holder of an Airline Transport Pilot Licence, and is flying regularly to maintain pilot proficiency.  

He was General Counsel for the Canadian Transportation Safety Board from 1985 to 1996, at which time he was appointed Director, Regulatory Services, in the Civil Aviation Program of Transport Canada.

In his current capacity as Director, Policy and Regulatory Services, Mr. Reinhardt is responsible for the development and establishment of policies, the development, promulgation and codification of all aeronautical legislation, the Canadian Aviation Advisory Council (CARAC), the management of the Aviation Safety Intelligence division, and the Advisory and Appeals, Transportation Appeal Tribunal of Canada division.

MAIKE SCHMUDLACH, Manager, Consumer Research, InterVISTAS Consulting Group

Maike Schmudlach is a specialist in designing, implementing and analyzing survey research programs. As Manager, Consumer Research, in one of the world-leading transportation and tourism consultancies, the InterVISTAS Consulting Group, Maike Schmudlach creates innovative and customized sampling plans addressing individual client’s needs.

Working for major clients such as Vancouver International Airport, Lynden Pindling International Airport in Nassau, Canadian Airport Transportation Security Agency, Vancouver Port Authority, Ms. Schmudlach has an extensive background in monitoring and benchmarking customer satisfaction in the transportation and tourism industry.

Ms. Schmudlach coordinates the annual Canadian Level II Airport Benchmarking Program which benchmarks numerous airport facilities and services among like-sized Canadian Airports.  She has experience training and managing small and large survey teams on a national and international level. The former researcher for the Sauder School of Business at the University of British Columbia, where she was instrumental in conducting international benchmarking studies for large industries, is fluent in English and German.

MICHAEL STEPHENSON, Acting Regional Director General, Transport Canada, Ontario Region

With his substantive position being the Regional Director, Civil Aviation in Ontario, Mr. Stephenson comes to the RDGs office with extensive experience over the past 20 years as a director, manager as well as an operational Civil Aviation Safety Inspector in the region.

Currently Mr. Stephenson is responsible for the management of the delivery of safety oversight programs in both Aviation, Marine and Rail Safety in the region. In addition, he oversees the management of the regions corporate programs and the property management of all of the region's airports, ports and other properties around the region.

Mr. Stephenson is a certified airline pilot and has worked in the aviation industry as a Chief Pilot, Chief Flight Instructor as well as a Flight Test Examiner.

CAPTAIN BARRY WISZNIOWSKI, Chair Technical and Safety Division, Air Canada Pilots Association

Captain Wiszniowski has over 30 years of aviation experience. He began his career in the Canadian Armed Forces as an airframe/aero-engine technician on both fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft.

Barry has been professionally flying since 1989 accumulating 14,000 hours of experience on a variety of aircraft. In addition to being a Captain at Air Canada, he has held the positions of Company Safety Officer and Company Training Pilot.

Barry is an Aircraft Accident Investigator trained at Cranfield University; He has been a participant of several industry investigations including the MK Airlines event in Halifax in 2004. Barry is a member of the Canadian Business Aviation Association, Member of the Canadian Aviation Institute Advisory Board, and Vice President of the Canadian Society of Air Safety Investigators.

Through his company, Aviation Safety Management Systems Corp. Barry provides aviation safety education and training to the corporate customer, aviation safety surveys, and operational overview and risk analysis reports for major insurance underwriters.

Currently he holds the position of Chair of the Technical and Safety Division of the Air Canada Pilots Association. The Air Canada Pilots Association recognises it has a responsibility to its membership, to Air Canada, to the aviation industry, and to the public at large, to commit its resources in the continual pursuit of enhanced flight safety. 

Date modified:
2010-03-31