The award is presented to an individual whose personal or professional contributions in the aerospace industry span a minimum of 25 years. This person is someone whose distinguished lifetime achievement through the exploration, development or utilization of aviation, space, or defence have led to their wide recognition as a “champion” of aerospace industry.
Award Criteria
Nominees for the Lifetime Achievement award should meet the following criteria:
- The nominee will have demonstrated outstanding leadership, commitment, promotion and consistent contribution to the continuous development of aerospace in Canada.
- Be a globally-recognized industry leader in the aerospace industry
- Someone who has created, led and/or promoted activities, projects or campaigns that have benefited the aerospace industry
- Nominations should include a minimum 500 word essay on why the individual nominated should win the award
- A short career description is required
Nominations
2022 Nominations Are Closed.
Award Presentation
The Industry Excellence Awards are presented annually at the Annual Aerospace Dinner, which takes place during the Canadian Aerospace Summit. This event gathers attendees from all segments of the Canadian aerospace industry, other leading aerospace nations, various levels of government, the financial and investment community, and international and trade press.
This year’s Summit is November 8-9 at the Shaw Centre in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Full details at: www.aerospacesummit.ca
2022 Winners
Simon Jacques was appointed to the position of President, Airbus Defence and Space, Canada – a division of Airbus Defence and Space Inc. – in 2014
In this role, Simon was responsible for all Airbus Defence and Space programs in Canada, providing oversight and strategic direction for Capture Management, Business Development and Program Execution.
Prior to joining the Airbus Group in 2009, Simon spent seven years at MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates (MDA) in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Ottawa, Ontario, where he headed the Business Development teams.
Before joining the industry, Simon served for eleven years in the Royal Canadian Forces as a Combat System Engineering Naval Officer, where he fulfilled various positions onboard Canadian Frigates and at Canadian Naval Bases. He retired at the rank of Lieutenant Navy.
Simon received a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical and Material Engineering from the Royal Military College of Canada and an Electrical Engineering certificate from Dalhousie University in Halifax.
Barry Marsden dedicated his life to protecting the world from wildfires, putting first and foremost the safety of the Conair team and partner firefighters. A true visionary, he was a founding member of Conair in 1969, growing the company to over 350 employees and a fleet of 70 aircraft, the largest fixed-wing, privately owned aerial firefighting company in the world. Under his guidance as Chairman and CEO, Conair expanded beyond the borders of Canada, offering aerial firefighting services in France, Australia and the USA.
During the company’s 52-year history, Barry led the Conair team in developing hundreds of Supplemental Type Certificates, converting over 15 aircraft types into aerial firefighters and modifying over 175 individual aircraft, adding to his legacy the new Dash 8-400 Airtanker.
An accomplished pilot and aerial firefighter, Barry accumulated over 10,000 hours of flight time; was a licensed aircraft maintenance engineer; the recipient of the Medaille De L’Aeronautique from France; an inducted member of Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame; and the recipient of the Order of British Columbia and the Order of Canada, in recognition of his contributions to the growth of Canada’s aviation industry.
Barry excelled at listening, weighing everyone’s input equally. He was intelligent, introspective and contemplative, with a commanding presence that was respected by all who met him. He was equally warm, inviting, generous, and fun, building lasting relationships around the world with fellow aviators and partners.
His legacy lives on today, in every mission Conair’s team executes, in every aircraft that is converted into an airtanker, and in every gathering Conair holds. He was an exceptional executive, passionate aviator, and inspiring leader – respected, loved and missed.
Previous Winners
- Dr. John MacDonald (2018)
- John Saabas (2019)