There’s a new person in charge of maintaining the northern capital’s airport, and they’re not coming from far and wide to take the position.
Gordon Duke has been appointed the new President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Prince George Airport Authority (PGAA) after serving as the Managing Director of the North Peace Airport in Fort St. John for several years.
Duke has over 10 years of experience with Air Canada Cargo and spent an eight-year period at Halifax Regional Airport in Nova Scotia, all while once holding the title as chair of the Canadian Airport Council’s Operations, Safety and Technical Affairs Committee.
“I'm excited to join PGAA and the Prince George community. I look forward to bringing my skills and leadership style to their strong team of professionals," said Duke in a news release this morning (Sept. 26), who will move to Prince George with his wife Dorothy and officially join the PGAA on Nov. 1, 2019.
His predecessor, John Gibson, was the CEO of the PGAA for the last decade before announcing in March of this year he would leave at the end of his contract.
Gibson has overseen the construction of a cargo warehouse, a 600,000-lite fuel farm, the rehabilitation of runways 6/24, 01/19 and 4, a new instrument landing system, and new lighting of the runways and aprons.
He has also been involved helping with the early stages of the development of a logistics park for YXS.
Since 2009, $32 million has been invested in multiple capital projects, to meet the grown and demand, enhance the safety and efficiency of operations and comply with regulatory requirements.
The airport has seen an increase of 35 per cent during Gibson's tenure, despite small population growth, seeing a record number of passengers last year with 506,484.
“Our board is thrilled to appoint Gordon Duke as our CEO, said PGAA Board Chair Dean Mason in the same statement. “In our extensive search, Gordon impressed us with his qualifications and reputation. We think that he will be a great fit for the community. We have had a decade of excellent growth and airport improvements, and we will continue our strategic growth with Gordon Duke as CEO.”
The hiring of Duke ends the extensive search for the PGAA’s newest CEO that began in Fall 2018.
- with files from Jess Fedigan, Prince George Matters
