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Barone leaves CBAA for CTA

The long-time aviation association executive has accepted a vice chair position with the Canadian Transport Agency for a five-year term, and will be leaving the CBAA at a critical stage in its development as an association. The CBAA noted in a release that the search for his replacement has commenced immediately.

“Since assuming the role of president/CEO in 2008, Sam has been successful in navigating the Association through the many challenges it has faced and leaves it well positioned to continue as the voice of Business Aviation in Canada,” said Frank Burke, chair of the CBAA Board of Directors. “The CBAA thanks Sam for his work and wishes him well in his future endeavours.”

Barone has been president/CEO of the CBAA since 2008 and has helped guide the association through the most challenging time of its existence. During Barone’s tenure, the federal government repatriated the business aviation private operation’s licence program (POC) taking the role of issuing the licences away from the association, leaving it to seek ways to redefine its direction.

“As of March 2010 when Transport Canada decided to take the POC back, there were opportunities and challenges,” Barone told Wings. “We at once were a trade association, we also had to do a lot of regulatory activity. So, in a lot of ways, it has made our role of an association more clear. We can get back to our core business of being a trade association and voice more clearly without conflicts of interests in our messaging.”

Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, was pleased to have Barone joining the fold. “I am delighted that Barone has accepted the vice chair position,” he said. “The CTA will benefit from his immense experience and expertise in the field of civil aviation and transportation as a whole.”

Barone’s experience in the air transportation sector is impressive. He has more than 31 years of leadership experience in a variety of positions in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. Prior to joining the CBAA, he was president/CEO of the Air Transport Association of Canada from 2006-08 and previous senior management roles have included regional vice-president of InterVISTAS Transportation Consulting Inc. and president/CEO of the Canadian Trucking Human Resources Council (1996-1999).

George Petsikas, president of the National Airlines Council of Canada, was quick to endorse the move. “We have had the genuine pleasure of working with Sam Barone on several matters and we look forward to working with him in his new role,” he said. “He brings with him a wealth of experience, enthusiasm and understanding of the operational realities airlines face. We believe he is well suited to help the CTA set the conditions for a competitive and efficient national transportation system that fulfills the needs of Canadians and the Canadian economy.”