News Releases
20-year industry veteran to drive airline strategy
CALGARY, July 5, 2018 /CNW/ - The WestJet Group of Companies today announced changes to its executive leadership team. Bob Cummings, Executive Vice-President, Strategy and Guest Services will retire effective July 31, 2018. Cam Kenyon, Executive Vice-President, Operations is leaving WestJet to return to the United States effective August 31, 2018. Charles Duncan, Executive Vice-President, and President, WestJet Encore has been appointed Executive Vice-President and Chief Strategy Officer, effective August 1, 2018.
"Bob Cummings has served as an EVP for more than 12 years and in that time the airline successfully grew revenues from $1 billion to more than $4 billion," said Ed Sims, WestJet President and CEO. "His guidance and experience have been invaluable to us all. I thank Bob for his many contributions and wish him well in his next chapter."
"Cam Kenyon is returning to Denver to be with his family and we are grateful that he extended his contract twice to lead us through WestJet's transition to a global, full-service carrier and our labour negotiations," continued Ed Sims. "I thank Cam for the wealth of experience he has brought to the role."
"WestJet has reached a critical juncture as we look to significantly expand our global network," commented Ed Sims. "In his role as Chief Strategy Officer, Charles Duncan will be responsible for providing the leadership necessary to ensure that WestJet's strategic goals are met."
Charles Duncan previously worked for more than 20 years at United and Continental Airlines in a variety of commercial and operational roles before joining WestJet in June 2017 as Executive Vice-President and President, WestJet Encore. Since that time he has led the Encore team to continued expansion with the delivery of an additional eight Bombardier Q400 aircraft. Through his leadership, WestJet Encore is now among the best in on-time performance for regional airlines.
"Strategy development and significant ability to execute will be the keys to our success," said Charles Duncan. "I am honoured to lead this team."
Along with the executive changes, John Aaron, Vice-President, Flight Operations for WestJet Encore will assume the role of Vice-President and General Manager, WestJet Encore, reporting to the Executive Vice-President and Chief Operations Officer.
Global searches are underway for both the Chief Commercial Officer and Chief Operations Officer.
About WestJet
Together with WestJet's regional airline, WestJet Encore, we offer scheduled service to more than 100 destinations in North America, Central America, the Caribbean and Europe and to more than 175 destinations in over 20 countries through our airline partnerships. WestJet Vacations offers affordable, flexible vacations to more than 60 destinations and the choice of more than 800 hotels, resorts, condos and villas. Members of the WestJet Rewards program earn WestJet dollars on flights, vacation packages and more. Members use WestJet dollars towards the purchase of flights and vacations packages to any WestJet destination with no blackout periods and have access to Member Exclusive fares offering deals to WestJet destinations throughout our network and those of our partner airlines.
WestJet is proud to be recognized as Best Airline in Canada and Travellers' Choice winner – North America for 2017 and 2018 in the TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice awards for Airlines. The airline was also named the Travellers' Choice Winner – Economy, North America, 2018. All awards are based on authentic reviews from the travelling public on TripAdvisor, the world's largest travel site. We are one of very few airlines globally that does not commercially overbook.
WestJet is publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) under the symbol WJA. For more information about everything WestJet, please visit westjet.com.
Recent recognition includes:
2018/2017 Best Airline in Canada and Travellers' Choice Winner Mid-Sized and Low Cost Airlines – North America (TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice awards for Airlines)
2018 Travellers' Choice Winner – Economy, North America (TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice awards for Airlines)
2018/2017/2016 Canada's Most Trusted Airline (Gustavson School of Business at the University of Victoria)
2016 Canada's most reputable company for Corporate Social Responsibility (Reputation Institute)
2016/2015/2014/2013/2012 Ranked top three for Canadian Brands (Canadian Business Magazine)
2016/2015/2014/2013 WestJet RBC World Elite MasterCard ranked #1 in Canada (MoneySense magazine)
Connect with WestJet on Facebook at facebook.com/westjet
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Read the WestJet blog at blog.westjet.com
SOURCE WESTJET, an Alberta Partnership
