Bombardier's Hélène V. Gagnon elected as new AIAC Chair

OTTAWA, Dec. 5, 2012 /CNW/ - Hélène V. Gagnon, Vice President of Public Affairs, Communications and Corporate Social Responsibility, has been elected Chair of the Board of the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada for 2012-2013. Ms. Gagnon succeeds David Schellenberg, President of Cascade Aerospace, who occupied the role over the course of the past year.

"I am greatly honoured to serve as Chair of the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada (AIAC) for 2012-2013, and I look forward to working with the Board and membership over the coming year as we face the challenges and unparalleled opportunities which lie ahead," said Ms. Gagnon.

"2013 will be a critical year for our industry. With the publication of the Emerson Aerospace Policy Review Report, we will now concentrate our efforts on transforming its recommendations into actions, policies and budget items. The AIAC looks forward to working together with the government to ensure the timely implementation of the report's findings," concluded Ms. Gagnon.

Jim Quick, President and CEO of AIAC, officially welcomed Ms. Gagnon to her new role at AIAC's Annual General Meeting this morning. "On behalf of AIAC's members and staff, I am very pleased to offer our congratulations to Ms. Gagnon on her election as Chair. She takes on this role during a very important year for the aerospace industry, and I am confident that her leadership will be of great benefit to the association and to its members," Quick said.

"I would also like to thank David Schellenberg for his tremendous leadership as our Chair over the course of what has been a pivotal year for aerospace in Canada," Quick said. "Mr. Schellenberg's great dedication and commitment to the industry and to the success of the Aerospace Review has directly influenced our accomplishments this year. We are very appreciative of all of his efforts and are pleased that he will remain a member of the Board again this year."

AIAC is the national association representing Canada's aerospace manufacturing and services sector.  As the world's fifth-largest aerospace industry, Canada's aerospace sector generates more than $22 billion, exports 80% of its output. Investments of over $2 Billion make the aerospace industry the second largest R&D investor in Canada. Aerospace is responsible for the employment of 160,000 Canadians. AIAC represents the interests of over 700 aerospace companies across Canada.

SOURCE: Aerospace Industries Association of Canada

For further information:

Maryse Harvey, Senior Vice President
Aerospace Industries Association of Canada
mharvey@aiac.ca

Kristen VanderHoek, Director of Communications
Aerospace Industries Association of Canada
613 232-4297 x225, kvanderhoek@aiac.ca