Bill has had a life long interest in aviation which started when he joined the Royal Canadian Air Cadets as a teenager. He received his private pilot’s licence in 1984 and added night and float endorsements over the years. He has owned a number of aircraft and currently flies a Cessna 182T on amphibious floats and a Murphy Rebel on straight floats. He understands the importance of general aviation’s unencumbered access to airports and waterways and believes that government and other regulatory bodies must be constantly reminded of General Aviation’s substantial contribution to the economy and the social fabric of our province and country.

Bill is a pioneer in the Cable Television industry and went on to form businesses in commercial real estate and the tourism sectors. Since 1978 he also enjoyed a parallel career in the Royal Canadian Air Force Reserves. In 1989 he was appointed Commanding Officer of the first Air Reserve Flight at St. John’s. He retired from the RCAF in 2004 and was appointed Honorary Colonel of 9 Wing Gander in 2010.

He has accumulated more than thirty years experience in senior management and command positions in both business and the military. Throughout those years he has participated on boards of directors; advisory boards and regional, provincial and governing bodies, including St. John’s International Airport Authority, Canadian Airports Council, Canadian Forces Liaison Council and the Community Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador. He is the recipient of multiple provincial and national awards recognizing his contributions to many aspects of both Newfoundland and Canadian life.

Recently, Bill completed the Director’s Education Program offered by the Rotman School of Management, UoT. He has served for the past 2 years as Eastern Vice-Chair and Director for Newfoundland and Labrador. He is currently, interim National Chair and lifetime member of COPA.Bill