After ten years at the helm, Roy McLeod has announced that he will be stepping down from the role of SWIFT committee chair. The move coincides with his departure from Calgary International Airport, where he worked as ‘Director of Airfield Operations’ since 2012.
With over 38 years experience in the industry, Roy worked in many roles across airport operations and has sat on various aviation committees. His insight, understanding, and connections within the sector have been an invaluable asset to the organisation of SWIFT events.
Roy comments, “This is an exciting year for SWIFT, returning to a physical conference, blended with virtual for those who cannot attend. We have an exciting line-up of speakers as all delegates have come to expect from SWIFT.
“There have been so many great venues, and so many gracious host airports in my time as chair, that it’s impossible to pick anything other than all of the connections I have been fortunate enough to make over the years as my SWIFT highlight. I will definitely miss the committee and the sheer level of excitement that comes with day one at the conference.”
The committee will be left in the capable hands of Donald Desrosiers, Vice President of the SWIFT Committee. Donald has worked for Aéroports De Montréal since 1994 and is currently in the role of Airport as Main Director for Airfields and Building Infrastructure. Montréal-Trudeau International Airport is this year’s SWIFT host airport.
“The whole SWIFT committee is sad to see Roy go but happy for him and this new chapter in his life that has to be written, following what Roy built over the years we will pursue the mission of SWIFT and continue to have the best conference in airfield maintenance”, says Donald.
With the new committee arrangement, planning is well underway for the first physical SWIFT since 2019, which will be held at Montréal-Trudeau from September 13-15th. The full program of sessions and workshops is regularly updated on the website, and tickets are available at an early bird rate until 1st June, both to attend in person and access the live streamed sessions: https://swiftconference.org/attend-swift-2022/
“I really want to thank the Impact Events team, the SWIFT Committee, and Aviation Events Group, without whom SWIFT would not be the success it has! I am humbled to have shared the time with you… but I won’t be going far – aviation is in my blood.” Roy concludes.
The full list of SWIFT Committee Members can be found on the SWIFT website: https://swiftconference.org/committee/