Appointment to the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority
OTTAWA, Dec. 21, 2011 /CNW/ – The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, and the Honourable Steven Fletcher, Minister of State (Transport), today announced the appointment of Lieutenant-General (retired) Angus Watt of Ottawa as chief executive officer (CEO) of the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) for a five-year term, effective January 3, 2012.
“I am pleased that Mr. Watt has agreed to serve as CEO of CATSA,” said Minister Lebel. “His impressive service with the Royal Canadian Air Force has given him outstanding leadership skills that will be a valuable asset to the authority.”
“I am confident that Mr. Watt will serve the Canadian public well as CEO of CATSA,” said Minister Fletcher. “His track record of strategic thinking in the face of complex issues will help him lead CATSA with vision.”
Ian Glen, chair of the board of directors of CATSA, said, “The board is most pleased to have Mr. Watt as the new CEO and believes he is the right choice to lead the authority into its second decade of operations.”
Mr. Watt joins CATSA as a proven leader with more than three decades of experience with the Royal Canadian Air Force. His extensive command and leadership experience includes positions as commander of the Joint Task Force Southwest Asia (naval/air task force); deputy commander, NATO International Security Assistance Force (Afghanistan); commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force (chief of the Air Staff); and as a NATO arms control negotiator. Many of these positions involved leading operations in a multinational setting with considerable complexity.
Mr. Watt has received many honours for his achievements and dedication. He has been made a commander of the Order of Military Merit, and he has also received the U.S. Legion of Merit award and the NATO Meritorious Service Medal. He holds a bachelor of arts in Canadian studies/administration from the Collège Militaire Royal de Saint-Jean, a master’s degree in public administration from Auburn University and an MBA from the University of Ottawa.
CATSA, established on April 1, 2002, is a federal Crown corporation. It is responsible for the screening of passengers and their belongings, and screening of non-passengers entering airport restricted areas, as well as any items in their possession. CATSA and Transport Canada work together in aviation security, each with very distinct mandates. CATSA screens 52 million passengers and 62 million pieces of checked baggage each year.