The Ontario Aerospace Council announced that Dwayne Charette, president and chief operating officer of Airbus Helicopters Canada, was elected board chair and assumed the role on May 27. His responsibilities include chairing OAC executive committee and board of directors’ meetings, providing oversight of organizational operations, as well as advocating for Ontario’s aerospace industry within the province, at the federal level and globally.

“I am honored to be elected Ontario Aerospace Council board chair at such a pivotal time for our members,” said Charette. “My past experience on the board, coupled with a senior leadership role within a multi-national, offers a new and unique perspective that will help achieve our goals. To that end, I am committed to working collaboratively with all our stakeholders, engaging industry and government to find a common approach to support aerospace in Ontario.”

Dwayne Charette was appointed president of Airbus Helicopters Canada on August 1, 2019, adding to his previous role of chief operating officer. As president, Charette’s responsibility was expanded to include all facets of the enterprise in Canada and he is the accountable executive for the Canadian helicopter business line. He is a member of Airbus Helicopters’ North American Executive Committee as well as the representative of Airbus Helicopters within Airbus in Canada’s senior leadership team. Charette began his career with Airbus Helicopters in 2003 and has been a member of the OAC board since 2016, including chair of the scholarship committee since 2017.

“OAC members have benefitted significantly from Dwayne Charette’s contributions since he joined the board six years ago and I look forward to his leadership as our new board chair,” said Moira Harvey, OAC’s chief executive officer. “At the same time, I pay tribute to Todd Young, who served as our chair and a board member for the past 16 years.” Young’s accomplished career in aerospace included more than three decades at Bombardier, plus three at De Havilland Aircraft of Canada. He is currently president of Young Aerospace Group Ltd.

This press release was prepared and distributed by the Ontario Aerospace Council.