Ken Waschuk appointed new chair of Council of Chairs - Scott Clements joins Canadian Policy Board as regional director

OTTAWA, April 17, 2015 /CNW/ - The Canadian Airports Council (CAC) today announced the board-level appointments of Ken Waschuk as the new chair of the Council of Chairs and Scott Clements, president and CEO of Fort McMurray International Airport, as regional director for Alberta and Saskatchewan.

The Council of Chairs is an advisory body to the CAC's Canadian Policy Board and is made up of airport board chairs, or their designated representatives, from among its 48 members. Mr. Waschuk succeeds Mary Jordan of the Vancouver Airport Authority, who recently completed a two-year term chairing the Council of Chairs.

"The fine caliber of men and women on Canada's airport authority boards is part of what has helped make Canada's airports world class," said CAC Chair and Prince George Airport President and CEO John Gibson. "Since joining the Council of Chairs a year ago, Ken has demonstrated leadership and expertise in areas of governance and oversight. I'm certain he will make a positive contribution in his new role as Canada's airports seek out new opportunities for growth and policy changes that will improve competitiveness."

Earlier in his career, Mr. Waschuk worked as a management consultant and founded his own marketing, research and communications firm, Tanka Resource Group Inc. A former private pilot and Air Canada board director, Ken's interest and involvement in the aviation industry continues as a six-year member of the board of directors of the Regina Airport Authority, where he currently serves as board chair. He also sits as a representative of the Council of Chairs on the Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA) board.

New Regional Director

In other changes to the board, Fort McMurray International Airport President and CEO Scott Clements has been named as new regional director representing smaller airports in Alberta and Saskatchewan. In this role, he joins seven other regional directors promoting the interests of Canada's small airports on the CAC board. Mr. Clements succeeds outgoing Regina Airport Authority President and CEO Jim Hunter, who sat on the CAC board for the past three years.

Mr. Clements has held the top executive position at Fort McMurray International Airport since 2010. Prior to his current position, he served for 10 years as CEO of the Edmonton Regional Airports Authority and for two years as president and CEO for Aviation Alberta. An experienced fighter pilot, he has also held the rank of lieutenant-general and commander of Canada's Air Force and been named honorary colonel of the Aerospace Engineering Test Establishment at CFB Cold Lake.

About the Canadian Airports Council

The Canadian Airports Council (CAC), a division of Airports Council International-North America, is the voice for Canada's airports community.  Its nearly 50 members represent more than 100 airports, including all of the privately operated National Airports System (NAS) airports and many municipal airports across Canada. Canada's airports are independently operated by non-share capital corporations that are fully responsible for self-funding their operating and infrastructure costs.  In 2012, Canada's air transportation industry had a $34.9 billion economic footprint, supported 405,000 jobs, and contributed more than $7 billion in federal taxes.

SOURCE Canadian Airports Council

For further information: Gregory Kampf, Canadian Airports Council, 613-560-9302 ext.15, [e-mail]