John Lawson, new president of Bombardier's Business Aircraft division, credits the Canadian company's refined succession planning for the rapidity with which he was appointed to replace Bryan Moss when he left for rival Gulfstream Aerospace. Lawson, and new executive vice-president Keith Gardner, were in place within three days of Moss' surprise resignation.
UK-born Lawson says that he was one of "several suitable candidates" available to Bombardier. When Moss resigned, Lawson was the division's vice-president of marketing and international sales, outside North America.
Lawson has a long association with Canadair's business jets, having served as director of programme management on the original Challenger 600, after joining the company in 1980, as director of governmental requirements. He is also familiar with the world outside Bombardier, having left Canadair in 1984 to head government-business development at Andrew Canada, before returning in 1989 as Challenger division vice-president of marketing and sales.
Lawson acknowledges the "shock" at Bombardier following the resignation of Moss, but he is also upbeat about the new management structure. Lawson is a graduate of the Royal Military College of Canada and the University of Canada. He joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1957 as a flying instructor and spent a period as a research officer with Canada's Defence Research Board before leaving with the rank of Lt. Col.
Source: Flight International
