A lot happened for WestCaRD in 2022 including the 10^th anniversary of WestCaRD, and we look forward to another successful year in 2023 with a number of new and continuing initiatives being pursued.

Board of Director Changes

First, however, we have had some changes on the Board of Directors:

• Michael Rodyniuk who served as a WestCaRD Director from November 2011 through December 2022, and as Chair of the Board from October 2016 through October 2022, has decided that it is time for him to pass the baton to a new Chairman. Michael has assumed the duties of President and Chief Executive Officer of Canadian North Airlines, effective July 15, 2022. Michael has over three decades of widely-respected leadership experience within the airline industry and will be missed by WestCaRD.
• Vic Gerden who was the original CEO of WestCaRD and has been a Director of the Corporation since 2011, has agreed to bring his wealth of experience to the WestCaRD Board Chair position. This is an opportunity for both continuity and evolution as Vic has continued as a very active advocate of Manitoba’s aerospace ecosystem.
• Ibrahim Yimer, who assumed the duties of Vice-President of the National Research Council Transportation and Manufacturing research division has also left the WestCaRD Board after serving as Director and Chairman of the WestCaRD R&D Committee from October 2016 through October 2022. Ibrahim’s involvement will be sorely missed as he has been a key architect of WestCaRD’s R&D strategy and the NRC Aerospace Graduate Student program.
• Mike Hudek, President Polyvations Inc, joined the WestCaRD Board in June, 2022. Mike brings his extensive experience working with manufacturers to drive and sustain growth through strategic alignment, new product innovation and coordinated operational improvement across business functions. As a Co-Director of the Composites Knowledge Network he is helping to drive growth in the Canadian Composite Industry with connections to leading-edge technology and knowledge. Mike’s experience and energy are welcome additions to the WestCaRD Board.
• WestCaRD is also proud to announce that Mouhab Meshreki, the recently appointed Director General of the National Research Council Aerospace Research Centre joined the Board of Directors in November 2022. Mouhab was previously the Director of the Aerospace Manufacturing Technology Centre in Montreal prior to his promotion to Director General. Dr. Meshreki has a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from McGill University and has over 20 years of experience in national and international research and development in both aerospace and non-aerospace sectors. In his previous position, Dr. Meshreki was a key contributor to the success of the NRC Aerospace Graduate Student program.
• WestCaRD is also pleased to announce the appointment of Andrea Legary as Chair of the Finance Committee, re-affirm Kathryn Atamanchuk as Chair of the Governance Committee, and the re-election of Marc Groenewegen as a Board Director for a further three-year term.
• WestCaRD also wishes to confirm the re-appointment/continuance of Bob Hastings as the Chief Executive Officer of WestCaRD. Bob has provided CEO services to WestCaRD since June 2015 with the Board of Directors re-confirming his position in April 2022 in a review process motivated by the application of appropriate governance considerations. Bob’s extensive network and experience base will continue to be a significant contributor to WestCaRD’s future success.