Des Dillon Announced As New Airport Authority Chairperson

Fred Moffitt succeeded after six years in seat

(Sept. 28, 2014) The Gander International Airport Authority (GIAA) is pleased to announce Des Dillon as its new chairperson. Mr. Dillon replaces outgoing chairperson Fred Moffitt, whose term concluded effective September 26.

“I am excited to assume this new role with the Gander International Airport, which is such a critical asset for Central Newfoundland,” Mr. Dillon said. “I join the airport authority in thanking Fred Moffitt for his important contribution to the airport over the last six years as chairperson. The airport authority needs to maintain sharp commercial instincts and have an enterprising view of the opportunities before us. We will work to maintain momentum and focus on our mandate – operating a viable international airport on behalf of and for the betterment of the region.”

Mr. Dillon is a graduate of Memorial University and had a career spanning 35 years with the Departments of Health and Social Services, largely in a managerial capacity. He served as chairperson of the Federal Employment Insurance Appeals Board, Central Health and Community Services Board, Newfoundland and Labrador Health Boards Association, the Central Strategic Social Plan and the Minister’s Advisory Committee on Family, Youth and Child Services.

Since retiring in 1997, Mr. Dillon has been a tireless volunteer with groups such as Broadening Horizons, the U Rock Awards, Gander Consumers Co-op, Order of Newfoundland and Labrador Awards. Mr. Dillon and wife Jeanne are long-time volunteers of the Canadian Red Cross for over 47 years, for which he served as President of the Newfoundland and Labrador Region. He presently serves as a Justice of the Peace and Marriage Commissioner. Mr. Dillon has been named to the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador, Order of the Canadian Red Cross and is also a recipient of the Queen’s Jubilee Award and the Therese Casgrain National Volunteer Award. He has been a director with the airport authority since 2011.

In departing, Mr. Moffitt said it has been pleasure to serve on the airport authority board for the last nine years, six of them as Chairperson.

“I have really enjoyed my years on the board and firmly believe the future is in great hands,” Mr. Moffitt said. “Des knows well the challenges and opportunities before Gander International Airport.  He has many years of experience with various other boards and I know he’ll be a strong leader dedicated to the task at hand.”

Mr. Dillon is the airport authority’s fourth chairperson, preceded by Terry Parsons (1996-2004), Donna Rideout (2004-2008) and Mr. Moffitt (2008-2014).

The Gander International Airport Authority is the not-for-profit organization created in 1996 to manage operations at Gander International Airport (CYQX). The airport plays a key role in the economic and community development of the Town of Gander and the Central Newfoundland region.

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For further information, please contact:

Reg Wright, President and CEO

(709) 256-6668