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Canadian North announces changes in Executive team

August 18, 2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE AUGUST 18, 2022, Ottawa, ON – Michael Rodyniuk, President and Chief Executive Officer, with the support of Canadian North’s Board of Directors are sharing the following changes to the Executive Team of the organization.

Shelly De Caria has accepted a newly created position of Associate Vice President, Sales within the Executive Leadership Team.  Reporting to the Vice President, Sales, Marketing and Distribution, as well as to the Executive Chairman and President & CEO, she will continue to bring her valued experience with our customers, communities and company to this position.  Mrs. De Caria has been with the organization since 2013 holding progressively senior roles in the areas of sales and community relations. After attending Concordia University in Montreal, Mrs. De Caria was a key staff member at Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK) in Ottawa prior to joining First Air. 

Nick (JB) Purich joins as Chief Financial Officer. Most recently from the Saskatoon Airport Authority, Mr. Purich served as Vice President, Corporate Administration and Chief Financial Officer. He has held previous positions as VP Finance and Chief Financial Officer at Wasaya Airways and before Wasaya, served in a leadership role at Ernst & Young. He is a graduate of the Edwards School of Business and holds a Master’s degree in accounting from the University of Saskatchewan. Mr. Purich holds his CPA, CA designations.

James (Jim) Ballingall will join the organization as Vice President, Sales, Marketing and Distribution. Mr. Ballingall previously contributed at First Air, one of the originating entities of Canadian North. Mr. Ballingall has over 30 years of experience in aviation including Senior Sales Management functions at Air Canada before joining First Air and most recently Vice President, Sales, Distribution and Marketing at Wasaya Airways.

Along with these changes, Andrew Pope (Vice President, Customer & Commercial) and Shannon Montpellier (Vice President, Finance) have left the organization effective Wednesday, August 17, 2022. Our Board of Directors and the organization at large thank Mr. Pope and Ms. Montpellier for their service and contributions to Canadian North and wish them well in the next stages of their careers.

All other Executives will remain in their current positions.

“These changes improve the support for our company and the people we serve, enhancing our ability to execute on our business plan and deliver on the commitments we have made to our employees, customers, and ownership groups.” said Michael Rodyniuk, President and CEO of Canadian North.

“As a Board, we are supportive of the changes that are being announced today. We know that improvement is needed and that these changes are an important step towards that.” said Johnny Adams. Executive Chairman of Canadian North.

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About Canadian North:

Canadian North is a 100% Inuit-owned airline that connects people and delivers essential goods throughout Canada’s North – safely, reliably and always with friendly and caring customer service. Canadian North Airlines services 25 communities within Nunavut, Nunavik and the Northwest Territories, as well as Ottawa, Montréal and Edmonton, with a versatile fleet of Boeing 737 and ATR 42 aircraft. Canadian North is also the premier charter services provider for large resource sector clients requiring dependable, efficient and economical fly-in/fly-out air service and it operates flights across North America and beyond for sports teams, cruise lines, tour operators and many others. Canadian North is wholly-owned by Makivik Corporation and Inuvialuit Development Corporation.

For more information, please contact:

Kevin Kablutsiak
Senior Director, Marketing and Communications
Canadian North
mediarelations@canadiannorth.com

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