Author Archives: PFM Search

Rod Bianchini – Chief Operating Officer for the Industry Training Authority (ITA)

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PFM Executive Search is excited to announce the appointment of Rod Bianchini to the position of Chief Operating Officer (COO) with the Industry Training Authority (ITA).

Rod’s previous roles at the ITA include Manager of Apprenticeship Advisors, Director of Industry Relations, and most recently as Interim COO. Rod’s decades of work experience around apprenticeship, his background as a trades professional, solid experience working with government, and his ability to build relationships with key stakeholders set him apart in the competition for this role.

Rod’s experience and understanding of ITA’s strategy, mandate, and initiatives will continue to be an asset as the ITA move forward on their collective vision of advancing apprenticeship and championing diversity within trades for our province.

PFM Executive Search is a recognized leader in senior leadership recruitment and is known for its ability to facilitate large and complex Selection Committees in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. Over the past 27-years, PFM has recruited senior leaders from all over the world.

Gordon Duke – President & CEO for Prince George Airport Authority (PGAA)

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PFM Executive Search is pleased to have been the firm selected by the Prince George Airport Authority (PGAA) to conduct an international search for the airport’s new President & CEO.

Engaged by the Board of Directors, PFM Executive Search created an inclusive search process which led to the appointment of Gordon Duke as the new leader of the Prince George Airport – known as being strategically located on the North Pacific Corridor and on Great Circle air routing – and an integral part of the Asia Pacific Gateway linking the economies of Asia and North America.

Gordon Duke joins PGAA from the North Peace Airport in Fort St. John where he was Managing Director.  In making the announcement, Dean Mason as Chair of the PGAA said “…our board is thrilled to appoint Gordon Duke as our CEO. In our extensive search, Gordon impressed us with his qualifications and reputation. We think that he will be a great fit for the community.  We have had a decade of excellent growth and airport improvements, and we will continue our strategic growth with Gordon Duke as CEO.”

Gordon’s extensive aviation background includes eleven years with Air Canada Cargo, an eight-year period as Director of Operations at Halifax Airport, as well as time with GardaWorld Aviation Services. He has served as Chair of the Canadian Airport Council’s Operations, Safety and Technical Affairs Committee and brings a high degree of technical skill to the job, including logistics, Six Sigma and labour relations.

“I am excited to join PGAA and the Prince George community. I look forward to bringing my skills and leadership style to their strong team of professionals.” said Gordon Duke.

We at PFM Executive Search echo the comments from both PGAA and from Gordon, as the search for the new CEO of the Prince George Airport was thorough and inclusive. Early stakeholder discussions led by PFM with community stakeholders and business partners to PGAA spoke of a new CEO who will build on the progressive nature of the airport’s operation over the last decade and bring a new strategic direction for the airport.

Over the past 27-years PFM Executive Search has been recognized for its work within the aviation sector, identifying and recruiting senior leaders to various airports and related operational roles within the sector. Our 17-person firm consistently demonstrates an ability to work efficiently and effectively with Boards and Selection Committees in the facilitation of the appointment of diverse leadership talent to a wide variety of large and complex organizations.

Ron Quirk – EVP, Digital Information Services & Innovation for Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA)

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PFM Executive Search was pleased to undertake an international search for the newly created position of Executive Vice President, Digital Information Services & Innovation for Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA). One of Canada’s largest and most progressive health systems gave our firm the mandate to identify a diverse group of well qualified senior level candidates who could simultaneously balance innovative, systems-thinking with pragmatic operational agility. PHSA has over 19,000 employees and an annual operating budget of close to $3 billion.

Selected through a thorough international recruitment process was Ron Quirk from PHSA who brings a deep 30-year understanding of the British Columbia healthcare landscape, positive relationships across multiple health authorities, and a proven track record in shaping large initiatives like the Clinical & Systems Transformation (CST) project.

In keeping with PHSA’s expanded mandate, Ron is tasked with working collaboratively with the Ministry of Health and PHSA’s many stakeholders in navigating the complex and critical landscape of digital information systems and the opportunities that will shape the future of health care in our province. He will guide PHSA through the essential work of maximizing current investments in information technology and digital health across all health authorities to create a clear, actionable plan on what PHSA can achieve through collaborative planning and investment, on behalf of patients, their families and the authority’s own care providers.

Most recently, Ron has been serving as the Chief Information Officer for PHSA, as well as Vancouver Coastal Health and Providence Health Care. In his new leadership role, Ron will continue to have oversight for IMITS services, allowing for continuity on priority projects. He also retains IT-related leadership of the CST project, an initiative he was instrumental in resetting earlier this year, allowing all partners to start working with greater confidence towards clear “go live” dates.

Ron is passionate about his new role, which he sees as an opportunity to think, on a provincial level, of patient care as a continuous journey and not as a moment in time or as a series of isolated interventions. Drawing on both personal and professional experiences, Ron appreciates how fragmented the BC healthcare system – the IT systems supporting it – are today. He sees vast potential in better coordinating existing investments across the province and taking advantage of lessons learned, and in doing so, leap-frogging forward to a place where both patients and providers are equipped with the tools necessary for real “digital empowerment”.

PFM Executive Search congratulates Ron on his appointment as an EVP with PHSA during a critical time in the organization’s history.

PFM Executive Search is recognized as one of Canada’s premier executive search leaders and is known for its extensive work within the healthcare sector for the past 27-years. PFM has recruited senior leaders to major hospitals and healthcare authorities and has worked closely and collaboratively with Boards and Committees within Canadian healthcare. PFM takes pride in creating fair, open and transparent search processes within the sector as well as ensuring a focus on inclusivity and diversity in its acclaimed search methodology.

Heather Cummings – Vice President, Student Experience for Camosun College

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PFM Executive Search is excited to announce the appointment of Heather Cummings at Camosun College as Vice President, Student Experience.

Heather comes to Camosun from Fanshawe College in London, Ontario where she has served as the Executive Director of Student Success since 2010.

Heather holds a BA in Commerce from the University of Guelph, a Masters in Education in Student Services from Oregon State, and a PhD in Philosophy from Indiana University in Higher Education Administration. Her educational research has focused on graduate student satisfaction and student financial aid, specifically the impact of student debt on educational and career decision-making.

At Fanshawe College, Heather was responsible for a range of student support services from prospective students through to graduates. Her work there focused on leading strategically in the areas of Counselling and Accessibility Services, Athletics and Recreation, Learning Centre, First Nations Centre, as well as a brand new $25 million Student Wellness Centre and comprehensive student mental health services.

Prior to her position at Fanshawe, she served as Director of Student Experience at Alberta College of Art and Design, Associate Director of Student Experience at the University of Calgary and Coordinator of Transitional Programs at the University of Western Ontario.

As Camosun’s VP of Student Experience, Heather will lead the student support areas of the Registrar’s and Student Affairs offices, Learning Services (including Library and Centre for Teaching and Learning), as well as Applied Learning, Co-operative Education and Student Employment Services.

PFM Executive Search is a recognized leader in senior leadership recruitment and is known for its ability to facilitate large and complex Selection Committees in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. Over the past 27 years, PFM has recruited senior leaders from all over the world.

Irlanda Price – Associate Vice-President, Student Affairs for Vancouver Island University

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PFM Executive Search Attracts Progressive Student Affairs Leader to Vancouver Island University

PFM Executive Search is pleased to welcome Irlanda Price to Vancouver Island University (VIU) in the capacity of Associate Vice-President, Student Affairs. As the chief student affairs officer for the University, Irlanda holds responsibility for managing programs and services that enhance student health and wellness to support student engagement, retention and success. She has oversight of Student Services, Student Engagement and Athletics and Recreation.

Irlanda most recently served as Associate Vice-President of Student Development at Medicine Hat College in Medicine Hat, Alberta. In this role, she was responsible for developing the campus life experience and creating a positive learning environment for students. Prior to this appointment, she worked at Coast Mountain College (formerly Northwest Community College) in Terrace and Kitimat/Kitamaat where her roles included Educational Advisor, Campus Manager and Manager of Student Development.

A trained social worker, Irlanda has led several major campus initiatives resulting in improved access for under-represented and diverse groups. These initiatives include a Strategic Enrolment Management plan, the creation of the Indigenous Student Support Centre and establishing several bursaries to increase student retention.

Irlanda is a regular conference presenter and author, using her expertise to address the subjects of strategic enrolment management, approaches to internationalization and reviewing institutional policies and process via a LGBTQ2S+ safety lens. She is an experienced Chamber of Commerce Director, a past director with the Rotary Club of Medicine Hat, an executive committee member for 100 Women Who Care, and a faculty mentor for “Women Honouring Other Women, an appreciative leadership gathering for women leaders in academia.

Irlanda received her Master’s degree in Social Work with a focus on Rural, Remote Leadership and her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from the University of Northern British Columbia. Reporting to VIU’s Provost and Vice-President Academic, Irlanda will cultivate and coordinate institutional structures and programs to ensure VIU delivers an exceptional student experience where all students can realize their full potential.

Irlanda brings a strong passion for education, partnerships, community development and diversification to her new role. PFM Executive Search conducted a national recruitment for the role of AVP Student Affairs at VIU.

PFM Executive Search is recognized as a national leader in recruiting senior officials to progressive post-secondary institutions. Our firm is known for creating an inclusive and transparent facilitation procedure with stakeholders and partner groups, ensuring a fair and open selection process that brings forward a diverse slate of qualified candidates for senior academic and non-academic roles.