THUNDER BAY – AVIATION – Wasaya Airways has announced the selection of a new Board of Directors. The new Directors will replace the existing Board of Directors made up of the Chiefs of Wasaya’s twelve ownership communities at the Annual Neebin Gitche Mawajehedowin (NGM) to be held July 20, 2016.
“We are pleased to introduce eight new Directors bringing a wealth of experience and ability to our airline,” said Chief Bart Meekis, current Chairman of the Board of Directors. “Wasaya has made great progress over the past 22 months. We are confident our leadership together with the new Directors will continue to build Wasaya. To my fellow Chiefs and all the people in the communities we represent, meegwetch for your patience and hard work. We have achieved what we set out to do, recover our airline business and permanently set it on a profitable course for success.”
Michael Rodyniuk, President and Chief Executive Officer of Wasaya said, “Wasaya remains in business today thanks to the swift actions taken by the Chiefs of our ownership communities. The Chiefs initiated a successful restructuring of the airline. Their wisdom, knowledge and commitment to improving the quality of social and economic life for First Nation people has inspired us all at Wasaya. Now, as they planned, our Chiefs are stepping down as Directors. They have selected a professional, skills-based Board of Directors to continue moving the company forward consistent with our corporate mission, vision and values. This action marks the final step of our corporate restructuring.”
New members of the board include:
Adam Fiddler – past Chief & Councilor of Sandy Lake First Nation; Juris Doctorate graduate of Lakehead University
Amanda Sainnawap – Current Indigenous Learning (Honours) student at Lakehead University and member of Pikangikum First Nation
Eric Long – Chartered Accountant, Owner/Operator of TeamBuild Innovations and community leader
Geordi Kakepetum – Executive Director of Keewaytinook Okimakanak
Ian McCormack – Business Leader and Certified Executive Coach, past Chair of the Thunder Bay International Airport
Michael Hardy – Executive Director of Anishnawbe Mushkiki Aboriginal Health Centre
Sean Davis – Co-owner Maintair Aviation Services
Stephen Smith – 30 years’ experience in the airline industry including previous President and CEO of WestJet
