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Bell’s Barry Kohler named new AIAC chair

Oct. 17, 2013, Ottawa - Barry Kohler, President of Bell Helicopter Textron Canada, has been elected Chair of the Board of the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada for 2013-2014.


October 17, 2013  By Carey Fredericks

Mr. Kohler succeeds Hélène V. Gagnon, Vice President of Public
Affairs, Communications and Corporate Social Responsibility at
Bombardier Aerospace, who occupied the role over the course of the past
year.

“This is a real honor for me. We have a great aerospace
industry in Canada and I’m very grateful that my colleagues have asked
me to take this challenge,” said Mr. Kohler.

“It’s also a very
pivotal time for our industry. In the last few years my predecessors
have done a superb job in defining and executing the strategy to elevate
the profile of the industry and we now have to capitalize on the
momentum we have both internally and with the government.” concluded Mr.
Kohler.

Jim Quick, President and CEO of AIAC, officially
welcomed Mr. Kohler to his new role at AIAC’s Annual General Meeting
this morning. “On behalf of AIAC’s members and staff, I am very pleased
to offer our congratulations to Mr. Kohler on his election as Chair,”
Mr. Quick said. “As a long-time Board member and the Chair of AIAC’s
Public Procurement and Defence Committee, Mr. Kohler’s strong leadership
and extensive experience will serve AIAC and the industry well as we
continue to work towards the implementation of the Emerson and Jenkins
Reports.”

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The Board also acknowledged the service and
contributions of AIAC’s outgoing chair, Ms. Gagnon. “Over the course of
what has been a critical year, Ms. Gagnon’s commitment and leadership
has helped AIAC and its members to achieve significant results for the
Canadian industry,” Quick said. “We thank her very much for her
dedication to our association and to the industry, and are very pleased
that she will continue to play an important role within AIAC as a member
of the Board and the Executive Committee.”

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