The Board of Directors of Winnipeg Airports Authority announced that President and CEO Barry Rempel will retire at the end of 2021. Rempel informed the board of his decision early this summer, and a global executive search firm is leading the recruitment process for the company’s next president and CEO.
“Barry’s contribution to Winnipeg is profound,” said Brita Chell, chair of the WAA Board of Directors. “Since joining WAA in 2002, Barry has led the airport’s transformation into the asset our community enjoys today. Throughout his career, Barry has focused on service to the community and that approach is now embedded in the culture of our company. It is no doubt the main reason WAA has been one of Manitoba’s Top Employers for ten years in a row. Whether rolling up his sleeves at the airport garden to help grow vegetables for those in need or finding innovative ways to diversify the company’s business model, Barry’s impact will be lasting. On behalf of the entire Board, I want to thank him for his service to our airport and community.”
Since joining WAA as president and CEO in 2002, Rempel led a period of unprecedented redevelopment of the airport campus. By focusing on mutually beneficial partnerships, he and his team brought new tenants to the airport, including Canada Post and General Electric, new airport hotels, and importantly for the development of our community, worked to deliver significantly expanded air cargo operations. The largest publicly visible project during his tenure was the new air terminal building which opened to great community excitement in October of 2011.
Prior to joining WAA in 2002, Rempel was president and CEO of Tradeparks Development Corp., the land and business development subsidiary of Calgary Airport Authority, having previously served 26 years with Canadian Airlines International in various roles, closing his tenure there as the chief executive for Cargo and Canadian North operating divisions.
Rempel’s involvement in the community and aviation industry has been extensive. He is chair of the Winnipeg Art Gallery’s Inuit Art and Learning Centre Capital Campaign and sits on the Board of Economic Development Winnipeg and the Canadian Airports Council. Currently serving on the RCAF Commander’s Council, Rempel has also served as Honorary Colonel of 17 Wing and was the first Honorary Colonel of 1 Canadian Air Division. Rempel is in his second term as Honorary Consul of the Republic of Korea in Winnipeg.
Recruitment for the next President and CEO is underway and expected to be completed by the end of the year
