Arctic Gateway Group Announces New CEO
10 July 2024 - 3:00PM
The Arctic Gateway Group (AGG) is pleased to announce the
appointment of Chris Avery as the company’s new Chief Executive
Officer, effective July 15, 2024. A transition is now underway as
Michael Woelcke, who joined AGG from VIA Rail in 2022, will retire
in September 2024.
“The Board of Directors of AGG is pleased to
announce the addition of Chris Avery as he carries on our ongoing
work to connect Canada’s vast resources to the world through
northern Manitoba,” said Mike Spence, Chair of the Arctic Gateway
Group Board of Directors and Mayor of Churchill. “We would also
like to congratulate Michael Woelcke on his well-deserved
retirement. Michael has been instrumental in guiding the
organization through a pivotal period of redevelopment and growth.
Under his leadership, the Port of Churchill and the Hudson Bay
Railway are buzzing again, with hundreds of thousands of rail ties
replaced, bridges rebuilt, increased reliability, and an important
shipment of critical minerals departing for export this
summer.”
Mr. Avery brings a wealth of experience
operating in the north. He has served as president and CEO of
Canada’s major northern and Arctic airline and has held senior
leadership positions as vice-president with WestJet. His mandate
will be to ensure Arctic Gateway’s self-sustainability, building
upon the reliability and growth of the trade corridor, and making
it a beacon for Indigenous economic reconciliation.
Mr. Woelcke will remain with AGG through the
leadership transition.
“I’m looking forward to joining Arctic Gateway
during a busy summer season and building upon our already solid
foundation,” said Chris Avery. “There is critical work ahead to
solidify the Port of Churchill and Hudson Bay Railway as key pieces
of strategic Canadian trade and transportation infrastructure. I’ll
be working closely with our partners to make sure we can seize the
incredible opportunities that lie ahead for this trade
corridor.”
Federal and provincial strategic investments
have enabled Arctic Gateway to remain on-track to re-establish
itself as an active and competitive trade corridor for Manitoba and
Canada, one that will get Canadian resources and goods to new
markets, and contribute to a stronger, more prosperous Canada.
About Arctic Gateway GroupThe
Arctic Gateway Group is a proudly Indigenous- and community-owned
Manitoba company that owns and operates the Port of Churchill,
Canada’s only Arctic seaport serviced by rail, as well as the
Hudson Bay Railway, which runs from The Pas to Churchill.
Media Contact:Tom
Garrett204.806.3670tom@chadwickconsulting.ca