Manitoba Aerospace Week

14 WINNIPEG FREE PRESS - THURSDAY, JUNE 8, 2017 CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE JUNE 5-9,2017 O n Nov. 17, 2016 at the Victoria Inn in Winnipeg, the recipients of the 15th annual Manitoba Aerospace All-Stars Awards of Excellence were celebrated for excellence in leadership; process improvements and business growth; innovation and leadership – and for helping to build the aerospace community at large. The Builder Award, which recognizes contributions made to the benefit of the entire membership of the Manitoba Aerospace organization and the interests of the provincial aerospace industry, was awarded to Terry Trupp, of Boeing Winnipeg Canada. For over 20 years, Terry Trupp has been a strong and tireless ambassador in the community, advocating for her employer, Boeing Winnipeg, but also for Manitoba Aerospace. Terry is the longest-standing member of the Manitoba Aerospace Communications and Marketing Committee, and she served as Chair of the committee for many years. Terry always goes above and beyond in anything she gets involved in. She encourages Boeing Winnipeg and Manitoba Aerospace to support community organizations, youth initiatives, and workforce development activities. Terry epitomizes excellence and is deserving of recognition from our industry as an individual who has truly "made a significant contribution to the infrastructure of Manitoba Aerospace for the benefit of the entire membership and in the interests of the provincial aerospace industry." Terry Trupp is a true Aerospace All-Star. Don Boitson, Vice President of North American Operations for Magellan Aerospace, received a Leadership Award for his proven record of leadership excellence in both his company, Magellan Aerospace, and in the organizations and associations, including Manitoba Aerospace, that he has supported over the course of his career. Aerospace is a highly competitive and regulated industry and it follows that only companies with 'world class' business practices and solid strategic initiatives enjoy success. Under Don's leadership at Magellan, Winnipeg's business grew to include several significant, strategic programs, including multi- million dollar programs for Magellan's space business and the F-35 program. During his tenure as President of the Manitoba Aerospace Association, Don spearheaded the establishment of the Manitoba Aerospace Student Endowment Fund, which provides monetary awards and industry recognition for students who excel in our industry's core values. Born, raised and educated in Manitoba, Don's dedication to the aerospace business and to the community is at his very core. He is a passionate advocate for Manitoba, Manitoba aerospace, and Manitoba people locally, nationally and internationally, when his travels take him abroad. Don is a relentless networker and uses every opportunity to promote, not only his company, but the entire Manitoba aerospace community to the public, government, educational institutions, businesses and organizations. This is why Don Boitson is a Manitoba Aerospace All-Star. Keewatin Air has grown over the past 45 years to become a leader in safe, high-quality air ambulance and medevac services. Under the leadership of Wayne McLeod, President, and with bases in Winnipeg, Iqaluit, Rankin Inlet and Churchill, Keewatin Air continued to set the course for Process Improvements and Business Growth. In December 2014, Keewatin Air's Winnipeg Maintenance Management Team wanted to enable each maintenance employee to understand how their day-to-day activities contributed to the overall success of the maintenance team, and of Keewatin Air Winnipeg as a whole. In addition, Keewatin Air's management sought to implement a "world class" management operating system which would support employees. Keewatin Air completes a review on a semi-monthly basis to maximize the overall effectiveness of the system and ensure it performs to specifications. Championed by Wayne McLeod, and fully supported by Jason Kendall, Dallas Radcliffe, and Darius Kopala, the development and installation of the management operating system at Keewatin has quite simply been outstanding! Simultaneously, the management team prepared to facilitate team Problem Solving Sessions with the staff. The team developed Key Performance Metrics aligned to business goals and completed the final set up and preparation of logistics to launch the management operating system. Keewatin Air's efforts and results are very much deserving of industry recognition through the receipt of a Manitoba Aerospace All-Star Award. The system they have developed and implemented has set the bar for process improvement. The Boeing Winnipeg 737 MAX Acoustic Inner Barrel Product Development Team was recognized for Innovation and Leadership. The Entry into Service design of the 737 MAX Acoustic Inner Barrel (AIB) presented a significant producibility challenge for stable production at forecasted rates. This team partnered with key stakeholders inside the Boeing Company and overcame numerous constraints to define and implement an improved configuration, realizing impressive cost savings for the 737 program. The team convinced the 737 MAX program design authority of the merits and capability of an improved AIB design without compromising program goals for delivery and airplane certification. In the face of controversy and opposing opinion, they calmly collaborated and built confidence in the design and the case for the change. It required solid technical analysis, demonstration and was subject to review and scrutiny from the highest level of technical authority on the 737 program. The design concept was approved in Q4 2015. The new configuration change was committed for introduction on MAX Airplane 28 and has resulted in a 15% reduction in recurring unit cost. The team members are Matt Shewfelt, Kyle Advent, Bruce Taylor, Damjan Simonovic, Geoff Gibbings and Edmond Mah. They are true All-Stars! The Manitoba Aerospace All-Stars Dinner and Awards evening is also an important fundraiser for the Aerospace Student Awards Endowment fund. Each year, the endowments support six financial awards to high school and post-secondary students, helping them access rewarding, enduring careers in the aviation and aerospace industries. ❚ v SALUTING THE ALL-STARS Clockwise from top left: 15th annual Manitoba Aerospace All-Stars Awards of Excellence recipients are Keewatin Air's Winnipeg Maintenance Management Team, Don Boitson (Magellan Aerospace), the Boeing Winnipeg 737 MAX Acoustic Inner Barrel Product Development Team, Terry Trupp (Boeing Winnipeg). PHOTOS COURTESY OF MANITOBA AEROSPACE INC.

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