Boyden is pleased to share the appointment news of John Wilson, a recruitment co-led by Craig Hemer & Patrick Reynolds
Vancouver, BC - April 18, 2024
The Board of Directors for the Pacific Pilotage Authority (PPA) is very pleased to announce that John Wilson has been appointed as CEO effective April 16, 2024. John replaces Julie Gascon who assumed the duties of President and CEO of the Montréal Port Authority in February of this year.
John joins the PPA from Transport Canada where he is the Regional Director for Marine Safety and Security. Well-known in his current role, John was instrumental in supporting the safety of the regional marine community, particularly our marine pilots, during the Covid 19 Pandemic. Prior to joining Transport Canada, he served in the Royal Canadian Navy where he held a number of positions, both at sea and ashore, including command appointments in the frigate, His Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Calgary and the maritime coastal defence vessel, HMCS Yellowknife, as well as serving as the Director, Naval Personnel and Training in Ottawa.
John’s seagoing experience on the BC Coast, combined with his proven leadership and knowledge of contemporary marine issues, will enable him to lead the Authority, with its evolving roles and expanding responsibilities. As he takes the watch, I would like to congratulate John and wish him fair winds and following seas as our CEO.
The Board members express their thanks to CFO, Stuart Mackenzie, for so ably serving as interim CEO over the past several weeks. In addition, the Board wishes to acknowledge with gratitude the continuing flexibility and support of the entire PPA team, the BC Coast Pilots and all our clients during this transition.
John Wilson’s Biography
With a marine career based on service to Canada, John is well positioned to take the helm at the PPA. From his youth as a sea cadet, he has had long held a passion for ships and the sea. Enrolling in the naval reserve while a student at the University of Victoria, he obtained his Bridge Watchkeeping Certificate in 1992. After completing a degree in history and geography, he sailed extensively on the BC Coast in positions of progressive responsibility in the Kingston Class Maritime Coastal Defence Vessels of the Royal Canadian Navy.
After serving as Commanding Officer of HMCS Yellowknife, John deployed to the Middle East as Communications Officer in the frigate, HMCS Winnipeg, as part of Operation Apollo, Canada’s contribution to the war to terrorism following the 9/11 attacks. He then completed the year long Operations Officer course in Halifax and served as the Operations and Combat Officers in the destroyer, HMCS Algonquin.
After completing the Joint Operations and Staff Course in 2009, he was appointed as Executive Officer (Chief Mate) in the frigate, Halifax, were he deployed to Haiti as part of Canada’s response following that country’s devastating earthquake of 2010. A posting in Ottawa as Project Director for Canadian Surface Combatant preceded the highlight of his naval career; command of the modernized Halifax Class frigate, HMCS Calgary from 2013-2015.
Following his appointment as Director, Naval Personnel and Training in Ottawa, John transitioned to the Public Service in 2018 as Associate, then Regional Director, for Marine Safety and Security in the Pacific Region. In this role he was responsible to coordinate, deliver and enforce regional marine safety and security on Canada’s West Coast. During the Covid 19 Pandemic, John played a critical convening role in addressing regional marine and waterfront issues through the Rapid Response Team. Recently, John has led coordinated efforts, together with labour, industry and other stakeholders in the Pacific, to address safety issues in fishing, passenger and towing vessels on the BC Coast.
John holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Victoria (1992), a master’s degree from the Royal Military College (2009) and graduate certificates in strategic human resource management (2017) and regulatory leadership (2021).
Original Source: PPA News
