Mark Williams
How long have you been in the business? Since 1988. I’m a chartered accountant by training and while working at KPMG, did some work for Wardair, who eventually hired me.
How many people work for you? In peak season when we are up to 29 aircraft, 1,500.
What’s the best part of the job? There are so many challenges, with many things out of our control, from fuel prices to weather. It always keeps you on your toes. But the nature of the business attracts highly motivated people who are not threatened by the stress.
What did you want to be as a kid? Not an accountant! I considered a career in music and took a lot of classical voice training - opera.
What was your 1st job? In high school, working at a printing factory sweeping the floor.
What’s the scariest thing you’ve ever done? Starting the airline, absolutely. If I’d known how hard it was going to be I probably wouldn’t have started it. But once you’re in, you’re in.
Any guilty pleasures? I’m still a real music fan and go to a lot of alternative music concerts where everyone else is 20 years old. And I collect wine.
What’s your favourite airline – apart from Sunwing, of course! Porter. Everything about it is just easy.
Do you have a favourite travel app? Blackberry Travel and Tripit.
What’s on your iPad? Cellarview to manage my wine and Bridge Baron allows me to play bridge.
What do people not know about you? Lots! I used to play in a punk rock band in high school - and I looked the part!
Any hobbies or interests? I play tennis 3 or 4 times a week and I go to the gym.
Is there anything you won’t eat? Absolutely nothing. I’ve eaten tripe, brain, chicken feet, all of those things. Nothing I won’t eat.
Ever had a brush with fame? Quite a few times on airplanes. I’ve sat beside Catherine O’Hara, who was friendly and engaging. And Bob Dylan, who was incredibly rude. I was really disappointed.
What keeps you awake at night? In this business, a lot. It’s tough and as Sunwing Airlines gets older, there’s cost creep and the margins are low. It’s a constant challenge to find ways to do things more efficiently, better, cheaper, faster.
What was your proudest moment? Besides my kids being born? Nov 17, 2005: the day of the 1st Sunwing flight, after 18 months of work. For the start-up, my to-do list had 1,400 items. No kidding.
If you could change 1 thing about the aviation industry what would it be? I’d like the government of Canada to stop treating airlines like cash cows and start treating us like the strategic asset that we are.
Do you have a favourite charity? I give a lot to the cancer society because both my parents and my in-laws are cancer survivors.
What will be the biggest challenge for the industry in the next 12 months? There are a lot of changes going on in our sector - Air Canada’s new low cost carrier, Transat with their big planes. I think the industry is going to look quite different a year from now. I’m looking forward to it, because I think we’re well positioned.
What do you hope to be doing in 10 years? I’d love to still be here, but perhaps working a little less!
