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On the Street: New CEO for Commissionaires

There’s a new face at the head of the Commissionaires Victoria, the Islands and Yukon.

There’s a new face at the head of the Commissionaires Victoria, the Islands and Yukon.

The organization, which offers security services and is the largest private sector employer of Canadian Armed Forces and RCMP veterans, has named Gary Paulson as its new chief executive. Paulson, who spent the last 10 years as the harbour master for the Port of Prince Rupert, succeeds John Dewar who was the divisional chief executive for the past four years.

“His combined military, port security and private sector business experience will support our strategic goals and social mandate of providing meaningful employment to veterans of the Canadian Armed Forces and former members of the RCMP,” said Major General Ed Fitch, chairman of the CVIY’s board of governors.

Paulson, who has an MBA from Royal Roads University and a graduate of the Canadian Forces Command and Staff College, has more than 35 years of experience in the marine industry as a naval officer and port executive.

 

Viking wins Twin Otter certification in Brazil

Viking Air’s Twin Otters may soon be flying around Brazil after the Victoria company received certification from that country to allow the aircraft to enter the market.

Viking sees great potential in the largest South American country. “The Series 400 Twin Otter is the perfect solution for the remote areas of Brazil as it can provide essential air transportation to areas lacking infrastructure development,” said David Caporali, Viking’s regional sales director for Latin America. “The Series 400 platform is ideally suited for the harsh operating conditions that Brazil presents, and we are confident it will prove itself to be the aircraft of choice for commercial and government operations alike.”

Viking said the Brazilian government’s intention is to foster regional air transport links to remote locations in the country, and that bodes well for sales.

Viking sells its Twin Otter aircraft into 29 countries. Since it launched the 400 series, Viking has sold 125, and on average completes a new one every 15 days. It’s most recent sale was to the government of Panama’s Servicio Nacional Aeronaval Air Group. Viking will deliver one aircraft in the next few weeks.