The Canadian Airports Council Elects New Vice Chair, Additions to the Executive Committee and Board

CAC selects John Gibson as new vice chair, welcomes Sam Samaddar to the executive committee and Doug Newson to the Canadian board of directors

OTTAWA, Nov. 20, 2012 /CNW/ - The Canadian Airports Council today announced new appointments to its executive committee and board of directors.  John Gibson, President and CEO of the Prince George Airport Authority, becomes the association's new vice chair. Mr. Gibson previously was chair of the Small Airports Caucus.

"John's appointment is a credit to the dedication and work that he has demonstrated during his time with the CAC's Small Airports Caucus," said CAC Chairman Tom Ruth. "With 40 years' experience covering varied roles in airport and airline business, operations and marketing, John's comprehensive knowledge will help the Canadian Airports Council navigate a variety of files in the years to come.

John Gibson has been the president and CEO for the Prince George Airport Authority since July 2009. Previously, he was vice president of marketing with the Hamilton International Airport.

Mr. Gibson currently sits on the boards of directors for Airports Council International-North America, Progress Board, Prince George and Tourism Prince George.

A New Chair for Small Airports Caucus

Kelowna International Airport Director Sam Samaddar has been elected as the new chair of the Small Airports Caucus, which entails a position on the CAC's executive committee. 

Mr. Samaddar joined the Kelowna International Airport in 1992. Since then, he has held numerous positions including assistant general manager airport operations and airport development.  Prior to Kelowna, Mr. Samaddar spent four years working at the Vancouver International Airport and also has worked in external affairs for the federal government.

Representative for Atlantic Canada

Doug Newson, CEO of the Charlottetown Airport Authority, has been appointed to the board as one of two representatives for Atlantic Canada.

Mr. Newson spent seven years working in Halifax in the airline industry with two different airlines, Air Canada Jazz and CanJet Airlines. He also serves as president of Discover Charlottetown, president of the Atlantic Canada Airports Association, and is a member of the Prince Edward Island Tourism Advisory Council, an advisory board to the Minister of Tourism and Culture.

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 and the Canadian unit of Airports Council International-North America.  Its 45 members represent more than 200 airports, including all of the National Airports System (NAS) airports and most significant municipal airports in every province and territory. Together, CAC members handle virtually all of the nation's air cargo and international passenger traffic and 95% of domestic passenger traffic.  They create in excess of $45 billion in economic activity in the communities they serve.  And more than 200,000 jobs are directly associated with CAC member airports, generating a payroll of more than $8 billion annually.

SOURCE: CANADIAN AIRPORTS COUNCIL

For further information:

Elias Rassi
Manager of Communications and Public Affairs
Canadian Airports Council
[phone] ext 15
[e-mail]