Pierre Jeanniot

Potrait of Pierre Jeanniot

Air Canada
Former President and CEO

Pierre Jeanniot joined Air Canada as a Junior Technician, quickly moving up to become Vice President of Computer and Systems Services and subsequently Executive Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Planning. He was appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer in 1980, and was President and CEO from 1984
to 1990.

As President and CEO, Pierre Jeanniot spearheaded the financial, operational and quality of service transformation, which made it possible for the Crown Corporation to become privatized. He was re-appointed as the first CEO of the privatized airline.

Under his tenure as President and CEO, Air Canada originated the first Business Class service across the Atlantic, the first non-smoking flights, and won the “Air Transportation World’s Best Customer Service Award” in 1985.

Among his many accomplishments, Pierre Jeanniot contributed directly to the development of the first comprehensive flight data recorder (or “Black Box”) which has become indispensable to aircraft safety.

International Air Transport Association (IATA)
Former Director General and CEO

Pierre Jeanniot was appointed Director General and Chief Executive Officer of IATA in 1992. Under his leadership, IATA evolved into the voice and recognized leader of international civil aviation, strongly defending and promoting the interests of the airline community and its partners throughout the world. At the same time, IATA became a major supplier of products and services to the international civil aviation industry, substantially reducing the airline membership dues while increasing services to the airlines by a factor of 2.

In recognition of his outstanding contribution to international civil aviation, he was awarded the lifetime title of Director General Emeritus of IATA in 2002.

THALES Canada Inc.
Chairman

Pierre Jeanniot was Chairman of THALES Canada, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the worldwide THALES Group, from 2003 to December 2009. THALES Canada is a leading supplier of hi-tech systems to commercial aviation, metro and light rail, as well as military requirements throughout Canada and offshore, with centers of excellence in Montréal, Ottawa, Toronto and Québec City.

Clients include the Department of National Defense, Coast Guard, Bombardier, Air Canada, the Toronto Transportation Authority, Vancouver Translink, NavCanada, public and private broadcasters, and a broad range of related industries.

Jinmag Investment and Management Services Inc.
President and CEO

Established by Pierre Jeanniot in 1990, Jinmag Management and Investment Services provides advice to airlines, various governments and international civil aviation authorities, as well as to a wide range of aviation and transportation-related companies.

In April 2010, he was appointed a Council Member of Gerson Lehrman Group – GLG – in partnership with Bloomberg L.P., the world’s leading investment research platform.

Université du Québec à Montréal
Chancellor 1995–2008

One of the founding members of the Université du Québec, Pierre Jeanniot was Chancellor of the Université du Québec à Montréal from 1995 to 2008. He was previously Chairman of the Board, as well as President of the UQAM Foundation.

Board Activities

Pierre Jeanniot currently serves on the Board of a number of companies including Luxell Technologies, Star Navigation and Laurentian Aerospace. He spent 14 years on the Board of Scotia Bank, and was a long-time member of its Executive Committee and Chairman of the Human Resource Committee.

In addition to THALES Canada, Pierre Jeanniot currently serves on the Board of a number of companies including Secor Consulting, Luxell Technologies and Laurentian Aerospace.

In March 2008, he was appointed Chairman of the Foundation on Antivirals – FAV – an international, not-for-profit organization affiliated with the International Consortium for Anti-Virals. The primary purpose of the Foundation is to acquire and provide funds for the development and clinical testing of new anti-viral therapies which will be made available free or at very low cost throughout the developing world.
Other Activities

Pierre Jeanniot devotes himself to many social and charitable causes. He has been Honorary President of the Canadian Cancer Society Campaign and the Youth and Music Canada Foundation. He served as Chairman of the Council of Canadian Unity (1991-92) and is the Founding Chairman of the association “Canadians in Europe” (1998-2004) with chapters in France, Belgium and the U.K.

He is a Senior Fellow of the Economic Institute of Montréal, and a mentor to Montreal’s “Cercle des Leaders”.

In October 2006, Pierre Jeanniot accepted an invitation by Edgar Kaiser to join the National Advisory Board of the Kaiser Foundation, which is committed to helping individuals and communities prevent and reduce the harm from substance misuse and addictive behaviours.

Pierre Jeanniot is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the Musée du Château Ramezay in historic "Old Montreal", which is dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the history and rich cultural heritage of the Château Ramezay and the city of Montreal, the province of Quebec, and Canada.

Career profile: