How long have you been in the business? Can I just say I started with Fiesta West in 1991?
How many people work for you? In my group I have 90 people, but a lot of the other 7,000 WestJetters work with us.
What’s the best part of the job? The people. WestJetters are passionate about their business and the company.
What was your first job? When I was 15 I worked as a deckhand on a whale-watching boat on the north end of Vancouver Island.
Ever had a brush with fame? This is a good story! I was at the NHL Awards last year in Vegas when Henrik Sedin won the MVP for the league. I get on my WestJet flight to come home and guess who’s sitting right beside me? Very nice guy.
What skill or talent do you admire in someone? The ability some people have to inspire people when they walk into a room.
What’s the scariest thing you’ve ever done? I recently became a dad (laughs). I find that scary – all that responsibility!
Any guilty pleasures? Buying new golf equipment. Better than smoking or drinking excessively! But I’m trying to cut back.
What’s your favourite airline apart from WestJet? Cathay Pacific, because it’s the simplest things, like keeping your water bottle replenished. And the ice cream didn’t hurt!
What do people not know about you? That’s a great question. I learned to ride a motorcycle last year. It was my mid-life crisis. (laughs)
What was your worst holiday? When I was growing up we went on a family vacation across Canada in a rented Winnebago and my father never quite figured out how to hook up the discharge outlet.
When were you happiest? Holding my daughter, Lily. She’s two months old now.
What keeps you awake at night? Lily!
What will be the biggest challenge for the industry in the next 12 months? The uncertain economy and lower consumer confidence.
Whom do you most respect in the industry? Truly? My boss Bob Cummings is one of the smartest people I’ve worked for as well as being caring and compassionate, and those are traits I admire.
If you could sit next to anyone on a long haul flight who would it be? Richard Branson, just for his ideas, his presence, his personality.
What do you hope to be doing in 10 years? Spending more time with my family and coaching Lily in whatever sport she chooses.
