New era of leadership
Changes to our management team are intended to strengthen and enhance the overall membership experience.
Celebrating our 28th year of operation in April 2026, VAC is excited to announce a new phase of strategic growth and operational excellence. This transition will be marked by a refreshed leadership and management structure, aimed at reinforcing our commitment to delivering an exceptional virtual airline experience.
We are pleased to share that Daniel Desjardins has been appointed President & Chief Executive Officer. He was previously the Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer. In this role, Mr. Desjardins will oversee all aspects of VAC, providing strategic direction to ensure our organization remains competitive and innovative.
Since joining VAC's leadership team in 2012 as Executive Vice President of Human Resources and Director of the Montreal Base, Mr. Desjardins has amassed over 24 years of experience in the Canadian aviation industry, including airport operations and pilot training. His passion for flight simulation and comprehensive understanding of aviation principles will be instrumental in elevating our product offerings. Fully bilingual in English and French, Mr. Desjardins is dedicated to upholding the highest standards of operational excellence, reaffirming VAC's position as Canada's premium virtual airline.
Additionally, Michael Chan has been appointed to Chairman of the VAC Group. Mr. Chan has been with VAC since 2002 and previously served as President & Chief Executive Officer, Vice President of Marketing, Vice President of Human Resources, and Vice President of Online Events. In his new capacity, Mr. Chan will focus on supporting the virtual airline's brand and enhancing the membership experience. With over 20 years of Canadian aviation expertise, Mr. Chan's background includes customer experience training, onboard product and service delivery, aircraft safety and security, and operational excellence.
Our new leadership team:
Daniel Desjardins - President & Chief Executive Officer
Michael Chan - Chairman, VAC Group
Richard Hooper - Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer
Jason Smith - Executive Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer
Lukas Kusiak - Executive Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer
Matthew Fernandes - Senior Vice President, Flight Operations
Graham Curnew - Senior Vice President, Systems Operations
Liam McKeown - Vice President, Network Planning
Patrick Houghton - Vice President, Online Networks
Laurence Coles - Vice President, Brand
Michel Desbiens - Vice President, Base Operations
Samual Gauthier - Manager, Flight Dispatch
Brian Morris - Manager, Flight Dispatch
Alexandre Leduc - Manager, Flight Dispatch
Justin Gilbert - Manager, Flight Dispatch
Thank you for your continued loyalty and support as we embark on this exciting new chapter.