Longtime Porter Airlines executive Michael Deluce has become president and chief executive of the Toronto-based regional airline, assuming a role previously held by his father, Porter founder Robert Deluce.
The shift, effective immediately, comes as part of a broader executive shakeup at the company.
Michael Deluce had previously been Porter’s executive vice-president and chief commercial officer, and was among the executives who worked at the airline in 2006, when it launched.
“It is a rare opportunity to be part of the development of a company from the outset and now take on the president and CEO position more than a decade later,” says Michael Deluce on 10 April.
With the move Robert Deluce transfers day-to-day executive duties to his son and other executives. But he retains some executive functions through an expanded board presence, Porter says.
Robert Deluce has long been Porter’s board director, but now takes the new board title of executive chairman. He will “stay engaged in Porter’s core business strategy” and remain the carrier’s representative to regulator Transport Canada, Porter says.
“My focus as executive chairman is on supporting our reorganised executive team while still being active in certain key business areas,” says Robert Deluce. “It’s important for me to be proactive in giving our leadership team even more direct responsibility for setting Porter’s course.”
Robert Deluce will work alongside Don Carty, who remains Porter’s board chair, a position Carty has held since the airline’s launch.
“This transition sees Robert become further involved at the board level, while allowing Michael and other senior leaders to oversee daily business activities. It is a combination of diverse experience and expertise that will serve Porter well in meeting our needs today,” says Carty.
Porter senior vice-president and chief marketing officer Kevin Jackson has assumed the executive vice-president and chief commercial officer role from Michael Deluce.
Jackson retains responsibilities from his previous job, including oversight of sales, marketing, communications and information technology. But Jackson assumes new responsibilities, such as management of revenue, airport operations and customer relations.
Source: Cirium Dashboard
