A realigned executive organization that brings increased focus to improving shareholder value and the key corporate priorities of safety and superior customer service, has been announced today by R. Lamar Durrett, Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Air Canada.
Two new executives have been appointed and the executive team has been realigned to strengthen the new role of Robert Milton, recently appointed as President and Chief Operating Officer.
Durrett will continue to exercise broad management control, oversee strategic direction and corporate priorities and provide leadership in shareholder relations and with external organizations that impact on company profitability.
Reporting to Durrett will be Rob Peterson, Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer; Doug Port, Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Government Relations; John Baker, Vice President and General Counsel and Paul Letourneau, Corporate Secretary. Milton also reports to Mr. Durrett and has primary responsibility for the profitable and safe management of Air Canada`s operations.
New executive appointments, reporting to Milton are:Lise Fournel, formerly Vice President, Information Technology and Chief Information Officer, to Senior Vice President Commercial, with responsibilities for Marketing, Sales and Product Distribution and Cargo; and furthering the commercial integration of the company`s regional airlines. She will also continue to lead the IT branch and the company`s Y2K initiative until early next year when a successor will be appointed.
Danielle Poudrette, formerly Vice President, International, will report to Fournel as Vice President, Marketing. Rupert Duchesne, formerly Vice President, Marketing, to Senior Vice President, International.
Claude Saillant to Senior Vice President, Human Resources, effective June 28. Mr. Saillant joins the company, having previously held senior positions with companies including B.F. Goodrich, Noma Industries Ltd., Domtar Inc., and most recently Spexel Inc., where he was President. Captain Ron Clark, formerly Senior Director, Standards & Training, to the new position of Vice President, Corporate Safety and Environment.
Ross MacCormack, formerly Vice President, Corporate Strategy, to Vice President, Alliances. His current responsibilities include the commercial oversight of regional carriers. This responsibility will transition to Ms. Fournel over the next several months.
Paul Brotto, Senior Vice President, Business Development, will now report to Mr. Milton.
In addition, the retirement of two veteran executives was announced:
“Much to my personal regret and Robert`s, Jean-Jacques Bourgeault, Senior Executive Vice President, has decided to retire from Air Canada at the end of August,” said Mr. Durrett. “However over the coming months, he has agreed to help Robert with the transition and orientation of our new Senior Vice President, Human Resources, Mr. Saillant. He will also provide me with assistance on certain key issues where his depth of experience and knowledge will be invaluable.”
Mr. Bourgeault has 26 years of service with Air Canada.
Al Thompson, Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Western Canada, who has 38 years of service with the airline, will retire on July 1.
Both positions will be cancelled on retirement.

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