By Ken Pole | December 22, 2017 Estimated reading time 2 minutes, 44 seconds.
Barely taking time to draw breath since his Dec. 1 appointment as president and CEO of the Canadian Business Aviation Association, Jim Facette, supported by his board of directors, has aggressive plans for 2018 and the years ahead.
“We’re going to put in a lot of development in chapter growth and involvement,” he told Skies during a recent visit to the CBAA’s new offices, tucked away in the upper reaches of Ottawa’s historic Chateau Laurier Hotel.
This was in the immediate aftermath of “an outstanding turnout” by the Quebec regional chapter and just before he headed off to meetings with regional chapters in Halifax and Calgary.
“I think it was the largest they’ve ever had,” said Facette, demurring when asked whether he thought the Quebec turnout was due mainly to meeting “the new man on campus.”
He said the main attraction was the presence of the full CBAA board.
“I’ve advised the board that they ought to do more of that and they accepted that advice.”
While the board chaired by Rod Barnard, chief pilot and director of aviation and travel services for the Kal Aviation Group, meets frequently as required, the next formal board event is scheduled for April 11 to 12 in Toronto in conjunction with the Ontario regional chapter meeting.
After that there’s a June 11 gathering in Waterloo, Ont., in conjunction with the CBAA’s annual convention and exhibition, and then a Nov. 7 meeting in Ottawa.
“My exposure to the board so far is that they’re an outstanding bunch of individuals,” said Facette, who came to the CBAA after six years as president and CEO of the Canadian Airports Council and years more involvement on the industry lobbying front.
“Anybody who volunteers their time for their industry, it’s a big deal. This is a very sophisticated group of people who clearly have the industry at heart.”
Facette said the CBAA is relying heavily on its board and the chapters as it continues to develop a long-term strategic plan.
“We will be inviting the chapters to participate; they are a wonderful source of information.”
