Stephen Smith has been a senior airline executive for the past 20 years. Stephen has extensive experience in leading teams in start-ups, re-vitalizing or transforming businesses, improving profitability and increasing shareholder value. Stephen is currently the Regional Vice President - Canada for Servisair, an aviation ground handling company, responsible for 2300 employees in 9 airports across Canada.

Stephen was President of Air Ontario from 1995 to 1999, President and Chief Executive Officer of WestJet from 1999 to 2000, President and Chief Executive Officer of Air Canada’s ZIP from 2001 to 2004. In addition, Stephen was the Senior Vice President, Customer Experience for Air Canada from 2004 to 2005.

Stephen is recognized for his visionary leadership and his ability to create a corporate culture that allows the front line employees to deliver a great customer experience. Through his various tenures, Stephen is credited with his negotiation skills, his ability to understand the "big picture"and focus on core issues that have the most business impact. Stephen has a particular interest in public engagement, customer satisfaction and communications.

Stephen is also an Executive-in-Residence at both McMaster’s DeGroote, and Western’s Ivey Schools of Business. Stephen graduated from the University of Waterloo with a Bachelor of Mathematics and from McMaster University with a Master of Business Administration.