Speech Information

Title: Leveraging Innovation to Grow Western Canada’s Aerospace Supply Chain

Bio:

David’s aviation career started with commercial flight training in 1983 during which time he joined Viking. David holds various pilot certificates and routinely flies a float equipped de Havilland Beaver aircraft. During his career at Viking he has served in various capacities and in 1991 was named President & CEO. Under David’s leadership, Viking has grown into a multidisciplinary aerospace manufacturer with operations in both Victoria and Calgary with 2015 revenues exceeding $250 million and employees exceeding 600. In 2006 Viking acquired the design and production rights for the world renowned DHC-6 Twin Otter and returned the aircraft to production. In August of 2016 the 100th new production Twin Otter was delivered. With a production line delivering one new Twin Otter every 15 days Viking is recognized as a leader in the utility Turbo Prop aviation segment.In a transaction that closed on Sept 30th, 2016 Viking acquired from Bombardier the worldwide design and production rights for the CL-415 amphibious water bomber program and is in the process of transferring the production line to newly acquired facilities in Calgary, Alberta. In 2012 Viking received the Premier’s Award for Job Creation at the BC Export Awards hosted by the Canadian Manufacturer and Exporters Association and also won the Exporter of the Year award. David is the past Chair of the Board of the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada. AIAC is the national association representing Canada’s aerospace manufacturing and services sector. As the world’s fifth largest aerospace industry, Canada’s aerospace sector contributes nearly $28B to the economy in GDP, exports of 80% of its output and dedicates over 20% of its activity to research and development. Aerospace is responsible for the employment of 172,000 Canadians. AIAC represents the interests of over 700 aerospace companies across Canada. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Victoria Boys & Girls Club Foundation and co-chaired the Boys & Girls Club Foundation “Create A Ripple” Campaign, responsible for raising over $4 million to benefit Children and Family programs. In 2012 David was awarded Victoria’s Business Leader of the Year. David is also part of the TRADEmark of Excellence Campaign through the Camosun College Foundation and has raised $4.5 million to support new trades equipment and facilities for the college’s new Trades and Innovation Complex.