YQB announces the appointment of its new President and Chief Executive Officer

QUÉBEC CITY, April 18, 2019 /CNW Telbec/ - At its 2018 annual general meeting, Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB) took the opportunity to report on the process to recruit a new President and Chief Executive Operator and announced the appointment of Stéphane Poirier, who will take up his duties on April 23, 2019.

An experienced manager, Mr. Poirier holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the University of Oxford in the UK, along with a Bachelor's degree in international business from Concordia University, and has over 20 years' experience in the air transportation industry. A native of Québec City, he worked from 2000 to 2016 to develop Calgary International Airport where he held several positions in the air traffic development, business development and cargo development sectors. His in-depth experience includes a period as Senior Vice-President and Chief Commercial Officer from 2013 to 2016.

A high-calibre manager
"Stéphane Poirier met all the criteria in our search for a high-calibre manager. As a team leader who is also results-focused, his long experience impressed the members of the board of directors and they supported his appointment unanimously. His enthusiastic approach to an organization in a key position for the development of our region, and his determination to guide it through the next stages in its growth, will ensure that our airport maintains its momentum," says Jean-Claude Labbé, who chairs the YQB board of directors.

The process to recruit a new President and CEO began in late 2018 when the current President, Gaëtan Gagné, confirmed that he would not serve for another term and indicated his willingness to help the airport through the transition period.

The new President and CEO is taking over from Mr. Gagné at a time when major construction work has been completed, the airport is in unprecedented financial health, and passenger growth has progressed constantly over a period of 17 years.

"I would like to offer Mr. Gagné my sincere thanks for his valued contribution and constant dedication to the development of our airport over more than two decades. He laid the groundwork that allowed YQB to rise to the level of a world-class airport and shaped the vision from which we can now benefit. Today, we have everything we need to let YQB continue on its trajectory for the greater benefit of its passengers, the local population and the regional community," adds Mr. Labbé.

"I am excited to be coming home to begin this new chapter in my professional life as part of an organization that has already created the structures needed to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the worldwide growth of air travel. My mandate will be focused on the development of new connections and the importance of putting passengers first in our actions and decisions. I plan to work in partnership with the Québec City community as a whole and I am looking forward to offering my cooperation," concludes Mr. Poirier.

About Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB)
YQB is managed by Aéroport de Québec inc., the private corporation responsible, since November 1, 2000, for the management, operation, maintenance and development of Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport. Around a dozen carriers use YQB to offer connections to North America, Central America, the Caribbean, Mexico and Europe, and daily flights to the main hubs in eastern North America.

Recent distinctions:

• 2019 ? Best Environmental Practices ? ACI-NA
• 2019 and 2018 ? Employee Recommended Workplace Awards, presented by Morneau Shepell and The Globe and Mail
• 2018 ? Airport Innovation & Excellence Award ? Canadian Tourism Awards
• 2018 ? Excellence in Communication Practices ? ACI-NA
• 2018 ? INOVA Award from the Urban Development Institute of Québec
• 2018 ? Level 2 Airport Carbon Accreditation certification
• 2018 ? Grands Prix du génie-conseil québécois ? Mechanical and electrical building engineering
• 2017 and 2015 ? Priority Pass Lounge of the Year Awards ? Best lounge in North America
• 2017 ? Élixir PMI-Montréal award for outstanding management of the YQB 2018 project
• 2017 ? Boomerang Award ? Website or application ? Service of the Year award for the "YQB, Aéroport de Québec" mobile app
• 2016 ? Boomerang Award ? Website or application ? Service of the Year award for the "aeroportdequebec.com" website
• 2016 ? Priority Pass Lounge of the Year Awards ? Highly Commended
• 2013/2011/2010 ? Best airport in North America in the 0 to 2 million passenger category, Airport Service Quality (ASQ)

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Stéphane Poirier

Stéphane Poirier is an experienced senior manager working in the air transportation industry. A native of Québec City, he holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the University of Oxford in the UK, along with a Bachelor's degree in international business from Concordia University. He is fluent in both French and English, and also speaks some Spanish and German. He was a member of the Airports Council International ? World Finance and Economics Committee from 2012 to 2017 and chaired the World Cargo Sub-Committee from 2003 to 2007. In 2007, he enrolled in a training session on negotiation at the Harvard Law School and in 2008 he completed the Berkeley Executive Leadership Program at University of California Berkeley.

Stéphane Poirier worked for 15 years to develop Calgary International Airport, in particular as Senior Vice-President and Chief Commercial Officer after holding various positions in the air traffic development, business development and cargo development sectors. More recently, he moved to the field of digital technologies in the airport industry and, as coordinator of sales teams throughout the Americas at Honeywell Aerospace, helped airlines and airports incorporate smart data analysis solutions to improve their operational efficiency. In Québec, he has worked as director of logistical and industrial development at Société générale de financement du Québec, director of air cargo and logistic development at Aéroports de Montréal, and regional director for Québec at BAX Global Airline, a specialized airfreight company.

SOURCE Aéroport de Québec