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Alberta business magazine honours WestJet president and CEO

CALGARY, Nov. 28, 2012 /CNW/ - WestJet today announced that Alberta Venture magazine has named Gregg Saretsky its Business Person of the Year for 2012.

The Edmonton-based business magazine introduced the award in 1997 "to identify and recognize individuals who embrace principled leadership, strategic thinking, balanced workplace values and an unrelenting pursuit of excellence," according to its website.

"I am truly humbled by this honour," said Gregg Saretsky. "This type of recognition is certainly not something a leader looks for, nor is it something that can be accomplished alone. This speaks to the amazing dedication and accomplishments of our 8,800 WestJetters as we work together to become one of the top five international airlines in the world by 2016."

"Over the past 15 years, Alberta's Business Person of the Year award has recognized many of the province's most successful and inspirational leaders," said Ruth Kelly, Alberta Venture's publisher and editor-in-chief. "We're very proud to add Gregg Saretsky to that list. He exemplifies the qualities we seek for this honour: principled leadership, strategic thinking, balanced workplace values and an unrelenting pursuit of excellence."

This is the second time a WestJet president and CEO has won the award. Clive Beddoe, one of the airline's founders and its current board chair, was named Business Person of the Year in 1999. Larry Pollock, president and CEO of the Canadian Western Bank Group and a current member of WestJet's board of directors, received the award in 2009.

"On behalf of our board of directors, I would like to congratulate Gregg on this well-deserved recognition," said Clive Beddoe. "His leadership and the commitment of our WestJetters continue to be highly instrumental in our success, particularly as we embark on a new and exciting chapter in the history of our airline in 2013 - the launch of WestJet Encore."

About WestJet

WestJet is Canada's most preferred airline, offering scheduled service to 81 destinations in North America, Central America and the Caribbean. Powered by an award-winning culture of care, WestJet has pioneered low-cost flying in Canada. Recognized nationally as a top employer, WestJet now has more than 8,800 WestJetters across Canada. Operating a fleet of 99 Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft with future confirmed deliveries for an additional 36 Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft through 2018 and plans to launch a low-cost regional airline in 2013, WestJet strives to be one of the five most successful international airlines in the world.

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SOURCE: WestJet