Students

My experiences as a student at Bishop’s have led me to an exciting career in the field of international aviation customer service, traveling and working in over 40 countries and supporting commercial and private aircraft owners and operators in some of the world’s most challenging environments.

After entering Bishop’s in 1990, I originally struggled with selection of a Major. Like many other students in my year, a number of traditional options such as Political Studies, Economics and Business Administration were of interest to me. However, I followed my heart and selected a Major in Religious Studies, something that really interested me at the time. This choice was much to the dissatisfaction of my business-minded grandfather who frequently asked me, "what kind of a job will that degree get you?" Little did I know then that an understanding of the world’s religions would later enhance my understanding of many countries’ cultures, politics, and business practices and thus give me an advantage over others when it came to doing business in all parts of the world.

After graduating from Bishop’s I chose to enter a career in the field of aviation, something that had always been a passion of mine. I first completed a Commercial Pilot Licence and then worked as a Flight Instructor, Chief Ground School Instructor and Manager of Customer Service at Canada’s largest flight training school. While learning to fly and teaching flying, I also founded a professional aerial and architectural photography firm, independently growing the business to a North American client base of over 30 individuals and corporations. I captured regular front page coverage in Canadian newspapers and was selected for three years as the "Official Events Photographer" at Toronto’s SkyDome stadium.

After six years in general aviation, I craved a more global perspective and was hired as a Customer Service Account Manager with Bombardier Aerospace in Toronto. Following two weeks in the position, I was selected from a team of 20 to represent the Company and facilitate the on-site business relationship between Bombardier and a prominent European airline as we delivered a large aircraft order in Scandinavia. I was quickly recognized by Bombardier’s Senior Management for having the ability to understand and interpret business cultural issues in order to help us have a more successful relationship with the airline. I assisted our Senior Management team by developing a better understanding of the Northern European Business culture and as a result was asked to stay on site in Europe at the airline’s main base to continue facilitation of the aircraft deliveries for six months.

Following my return to Canada, I moved to Montreal where I represented Bombardier as the Company’s Account Manager for its European Regional Jet customers including Malev Hungarian, Turkey’s Atlas Jet and our oldest and largest account in Europe, Lufthansa CityLine. As European Account Manager for nearly five years I worked frequently in Europe where I again applied the skills gathered in my Bishop’s education such as analysis of culture, practices, protocol and local customs to bring people together and build important business relationships with the airlines. Through an enhanced understanding of the various business cultures which exist in Europe, I worked to meet the Company’s objective of proving great customer support and increasing aircraft sales in the region.

The next phase of my career took me back to Toronto and back into the world of aviation training, where I was promoted to the position of Manager of Training Services for Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. In this position, I managed a team of up to 20 aviation training employees and international pilot contractors in the training support of Bombardier’s CRJ and Q Series customers globally. With Commercial Aircraft sales slowing in the post-September 11th period, Bombardier’s traditional customers were no longer buying aircraft like they used to. In order to meet our delivery targets, Bombardier relied on aircraft sales to new customers in emerging markets. With increasing sales in countries such as Nigeria, Libya, Iraq, Tunisia, Algeria, Yemen, Uruguay and Venezuela came the increasing need for enhanced cultural know-how in order to ensure safe and effective training of the airlines’ personnel on their new Bombardier products. Again, the cultural training acquired in my Bishop’s Religious Studies education played an important role in ensuring the successful entry-into-service for customers in these emerging regions.

My skills were especially put to the test between 2005 and 2008 when Bombardier sold and delivered new commercial jet aircraft to Arik Air in Nigeria, Libyan Airlines, The Government of Iraq and Felix Airways of Yemen. In each of these locations where I often traveled to set up aircraft training support, management of safety and security for myself and the Bombardier team played a key role, however in addition to these factors, having a strong understanding of the religion and culture of the people made things a lot easier for me in these challenging environments. In each of these locations people are very proud of their cultural heritage and it plays a key role in their day-to-day business life. In Libya, Iraq and Yemen my Bishop’s education kicked in and I fell back on my established understanding of the unique socially conservative ideals of the Islamic world mixed with Arab culture and tribal traditions in these regions. Understanding the emphasis which my airline business partners place on family, religion, honor, and gender roles gave me the unique cultural outlook which helped me to work with the airlines’ management on all levels and to deliver customer support in each of these parts of the world.

After nearly four years managing the Training Services Department in Toronto, I recently moved back to Montreal where I was hired to manage Bombardier’s team of International Customer Service Account representatives in Europe, Russia, the Middle East, Africa and the Asia Pacific regions. As Bombardier works to provide its private aircraft owners with an "Amazing Customer Experience", I am again using my cultural know-how to lead our international team of Account Managers based in Europe, Dubai and Singapore in creating that experience.

In addition to my interests in the field of international aviation customer support, I am married, and have two children ages three years and five months. I have also become involved in my family business of historic property preservation in Eastern Ontario. In recent years I have overseen a team of up to 15 repair technicians in the restoration of 24 family-owned, historically preserved rental properties including a small hotel. In my volunteer life, I am happy to support the Military and Hospitaller Order of St. Lazarus as a Member of the Order. This organization works to eradicate leprosy worldwide and also supports many Canadian palliative care projects. Like many of my Bishop’s friends, who spent four years in Lennoxville, both my family and volunteer activities make me proud of my ability to "think globally and act locally".

My selection of Bishop’s University and a Religious Studies education has not only led me down a successful career path, but it has enhanced my understanding of the world. It has provided me with a passion for doing business globally with many unique cultures while still proudly representing a Canadian company.