Where
were you born?
Peterborough.
How long
have you been in the business?
Just 7 months! Before that I spent 25 years in sales in the food
industry, most notably with Nabisco, Kraft and Mondelez Canada – consumers
would know their products Christie Biscuits and Cadbury Chocolate.
How many
people work for you?
5
in Toronto and 1 in Halifax.
What’s
the best part of the job?
The people! Both internal and external – just how accommodating and
supportive they’ve been of a new guy with fresh ideas. Having the opportunity
to build a team and change the culture at AC. The chance to make a
difference.
What did
you want to be as a kid?
A sportscaster.
What was
your 1
st ever job? Working at a golf course picking up the balls on a driving range.
What’s
the scariest thing you’ve ever done?
Change careers! (Laughs.) Actually, tree
trekking, because I have major fear of heights – I find stepladders difficult!
You climb along rope ladders from tree to tree.
Any
guilty pleasures?
Dirty
martinis.
Favourite
hotel?
I
should point out that I’m new to travel and my vacations have been mainly to
sunspots. I recently stayed at Sandals in the Bahamas which we enjoyed very
much.
What’s
on your iPad?
Music
– I love it and listen to all types, heavy metal, rap, country. Thousands of
songs.
What do
people not know about you?
I am a college football junkie – I have season tickets to the University
of Michigan. It’s a religion for sure.
Any
hobbies or interests?
Any sport... golf, basketball.
When
were you happiest?
When
my daughter Arden was born. She’s now 14.
What
skill or talent do you most admire in someone?
Risk takers who think outside the box.
Is there
anything you won’t eat?
Brussel sprouts.
What’s
at the top of your bucket list?
Golfing St. Andrews in Scotland.
Ever had
a brush with fame?
A
number: sporting celebrities most recently Dan Marino, who used to QB the Miami
Dolphins and Emmitt Smith, who used to play for the Dallas Cowboys.
What
keeps you awake at night?
Travel industry acronyms! (Laughs)
How do
you spend your frequent flyer points?
I’m still racking them up!
What is
your greatest extravagance?
Putting in an inground pool.
Who do
you most admire in the industry?
Calin Rovinescu, because of his risk-taking and visionary strategist
perspective.
If you
could change one thing about the industry what would it be?
From a newcomer’s point of view, the
industry could certainly be simplified.
If you
could sit next to anyone on a long-haul flight, who would it be?
Will Ferrell, because I’d laugh all
the way to the destination.
Do you
have a favourite charity?
You know, I recently golfed at an event for Stomp the Stigma which is
all about preventing suicide through better mental health. It really touched
me.
What do
you hope to be doing in 10 years?
Have a full grasp of industry acronyms! And progressing and growing my
career with Air Canada.
