Appointment of New Director of Civil Aviation
10 July 2001
The Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority, Rodger Fisher, announced today the appointment of Captain John Jones as the new Director of Civil Aviation. The role is regarded as one of the toughest in the public sector.
Captain Jones will replace the Civil Aviation Authority's founding Director, Kevin Ward who will stand down on 31 August, his ninth anniversary. Mr Ward announced in March that he would not seek reappointment when his contract expired. Mr Ward advised the CAA board of his intentions to leave a year ago, and a final one-year term had been agreed.
Mr Fisher said that Mr Ward had led the reform of the aviation industry, put in place a new regulatory structure, and a new management structure at the CAA.
"Mr Ward's achievements in one of the most challenging state sector jobs has been outstanding," Mr Fisher said.
"Captain Jones appointment concludes an international search for a Director with technical and political know-how and who commands industry respect. With the reforms and restructure behind us, we needed a new Director who could take the CAA forward the next step," he said.
Captain Jones is currently the Flight Operations Manager for Mount Cook Airline, having previously been its Airline/Operations Manager. He began flying in 1963 and is widely regarded as New Zealand's most experience domestic airline captain, bringing a wealth of expertise spanning general aviation, helicopter operations, engineering, and corporate jet services. He has substantial experience in airline and corporate management, and in relationship building. He is very highly regarded across the aviation community as a moderator and negotiator and is the immediate past president of the Aviation Industry Association.
"I have a practical approach to aviation and its issues and I believe my experience will be invaluable in the role. We need to rebuild some industry relations on some issues, and I firmly believe in win-win outcomes. But there's also a safety regulatory job to do, and you can't back away from that," Captain Jones said.
Captain Jones will likely take up the position in October.
Rodger Fisher
Chairman