John Lawson

John was born in England and immigrated to Canada shortly after World War II.

He is a graduate of the Royal Military College of Canada and the University of Toronto, graduating with an Honours Degree in Electrical Engineering (1962).

John joined the RCAF in 1957 and served in a variety of operational, staff and command positions. Qualified as a pilot, he began his career as a flight instructor and had tours on fighter squadrons and test flying as well as a period as a research officer with Canada’s Defense Research Board.

He is a graduate of the Air Force’s Aerospace Systems Course and Senior Staff College where he later served on the Directing Staff. He left the Air Force in 1975 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel to pursue a career in business. He joined Woods Gordon Management Consultants in Toronto and was employed in their project management practice on major capital projects and operational audits.

In 1980 he returned to aviation at Canadair as Director of Aviation Requirements and later as Director of Program Management for the original Challenger Business Jet. John subsequently served as Vice President of Challenger Product Support and Vice President of Marketing and international Sales. In 1995 he became President of Canadair Business Aircraft and later President of Bombardier Business Aircraft Sales with responsibility for the worldwide marketing and sales of all Learjet and Bombardier corporate jets.

John retired from Bombardier in 2001 and now is engaged with several Boards, both business and non-profit. He was a long time Member of the Board of Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame serving four years as Chairman. He is currently President of the Canadian Aviation Heritage Centre which has been known for the last eleven years as the Montreal Aviation Museum.

John has six children and lives in Vaudreuil with his wife Inga.

All meetings are being held through Zoom. Please email us at info@lakeshorekiwanis.ca for a link to join the meeting!