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National magazine names Gregg Saretsky one of Canada's top new leaders

CALGARY, Nov. 7, 2013 /CNW/ - WestJet announced today that Canadian Business magazine has named WestJet President and CEO Gregg Saretsky top new CEO, as part of its inaugural CEO of the Year awards. The award for new CEO of the year is given to the top chief executive officer in the role for less than five years, as judged by a prestigious panel of Canadian business leaders and academics.

According to the magazine, the CEO of the Year program focuses on successful strategies implemented by CEOs who have made a major contribution to the Canadian business community and to Canada's overall economic success. Winners were chosen based on corporate performance in addition to a review by an independent advisory board consisting of Canada's top business leaders, academics and strategists.

"We all tend to be quick to call out a bad CEO, but we don't give great leaders nearly enough praise," said Canadian Business Editor Duncan Hood. "With these CEO of the Year Awards, we are starting a tradition of doing just that, because good chief executives don't just create value for shareholders, they create economy-boosting value for Canada, through jobs, new products and innovations."

WestJet President and CEO Gregg Saretsky received the award at a gala event in Toronto last night.

"I am both honoured and humbled by this recognition," he said. "It is truly a privilege to lead such a committed and dedicated team of more than 9,600 WestJet owners. Their passion for our guests, demonstrated by their caring service every day, is truly something special. What we have achieved in my time as CEO, we have achieved together. It has been an amazing three and a half years and, I believe, the best is yet to come. The future is bright and we're looking forward to it with great anticipation and excitement."

About WestJet
WestJet is Canada's most preferred airline, offering scheduled service to 87 destinations in North America, Central America and the Caribbean. Powered by an award-winning culture of care, WestJet pioneered low-cost flying in Canada. Recognized nationally as a top employer, WestJet now has more than 9,600 WestJetters across Canada. Operating a fleet of more than 100 Boeing Next-Generation 737 and Bombardier Q400 NextGen aircraft, WestJet strives to be one of the five most successful international airlines in the world. This year, WestJet launched its new regional airline, WestJet Encore.

About WestJet Vacations
WestJet Vacations provides guests with affordable, reliable and easy-to-book travel experiences to 55 destinations in 18 countries, including the United States, Mexico and the Caribbean. Leveraging WestJet's fun and friendly image, extensive network and remarkable guest experience, WestJet Vacations offers guests a great flight schedule and a wide variety of hotel and resort options to create fun and affordable vacation experiences.  For more information visit www.westjetvacations.com.

About WestJet Rewards
WestJet Rewards members earn WestJet dollars on WestJet flights, vacation packages and more. WestJet dollars can be used like cash towards the purchase of WestJet flights and WestJet Vacations packages on any date to any WestJet or WestJet Encore destination with no blackout periods, even on seat sales. More flights equal more benefits, including bonus WestJet dollars and Jet-Aways. Guests who use their WestJet RBC MasterCard will earn WestJet dollars even faster.

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SOURCE WestJet