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Robert J. Deluce is one of Canada’s most knowledgeable and respected airline owners and operators. He is part of a decades-long Canadian aviation legacy that began when his parents started White River Air Services Limited in 1951.
Robert’s involvement in the aviation industry includes White River Air Services, norOntair, Austin Airways, Air Creebec, Air Ontario, Air Manitoba, Air Alliance, and Canada 3000 Airlines.
The founding President and CEO of Porter Airlines from 2005 to 2019, Robert now serves as Executive Chairman for Porter, playing a strategic role in the future growth and success of the airline.
In 2017, Robert was inducted into Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame honouring his significant contributions to Canadian aviation. In 2018, Robert was inducted into the Canadian Business Hall of Fame, recognized for excellence in business leadership, professional achievements and contributions to the business community.
His leadership has also been recognized through a number of awards, including the E&Y Ontario Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year, the Canadian Marketing Association Marketer of the Year, and the Canadian Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (Entrepreneur of the Year).
A Bachelor of Science graduate from McGill University, Robert has also been granted honourary doctorates from Laurentian University, McGill University, the University of Ontario Institute of Technology and Lakehead University. In 2012, he was presented with the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for his significant contribution and achievement to Canadians.
Michael Deluce has a long history in aviation, both professionally and personally. He is part of a decades-long Canadian aviation legacy that began when his grandparents started White River Air Services Limited in 1951, and as a founding member of Porter’s executive team.
Prior to his current role, Michael served as Porter’s President and Chief Executive Officer from 2019 to 2024, and as Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer from 2006 to 2019. Michael was instrumental in defining Porter’s successful initial business plan, including commercial and brand strategies, and more recently, charting an ambitious growth plan to offer flights throughout North America with a fleet of over 100 aircraft.
As Chief Executive Officer, Michael focuses on long-term initiatives to support Porter’s continuing evolution. His responsibilities include overseeing Porter’s strategic direction, maintaining a strong capital structure, managing key stakeholder relationships, and overseeing infrastructure investments.
Michael is also President and Chief Executive Officer of the airline’s parent company, Porter Aviation Holdings Inc., and has been a director of various public and private companies. He is currently a member of Porter’s Board of Directors, and holds an MBA from University of Western Ontario’s Ivey School of Business.
Kevin Jackson has significant experience in aviation, including 12 years at US Airways and America West Airlines, where he was Managing Director, Consumer and Partnership Marketing, before joining Porter Airlines in 2013.
Prior to his current role, Kevin served as Porter’s Vice President, Marketing and Communications, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, as well as Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer. Throughout his aviation career, Kevin has developed extensive experience in the commercial, technology and customer service areas of the business.
As President, Kevin leads the day-to-day functions of Porter Airlines. This includes optimizing Porter’s network, sustaining high levels of operational performance, investing in technology and developing strong commercial capabilities.
Kevin holds an MBA from Arizona State University and a Bachelor Degree in Hotel Administration from Northern Arizona University.
Lawrence Hughes is an accomplished human resources executive with a proven track record in talent acquisition, employee engagement and organizational development. Before joining Porter in 2015, Lawrence owned and managed a Toronto-based HR consulting firm, and held senior leadership positions for companies such as Rogers Communications, West 49, and Roots.
Prior to his current role, he served as Porter’s Senior Vice President, People and Culture. His effective leadership and extensive experience managing complex HR projects help to build high-performing teams and cultivate talent across the company.
As Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer, Lawrence is responsible for fostering a positive workplace culture and ensuring compliance with employment requirements throughout Porter’s growing team across Canada and the United States. He is adept at crafting and implementing effective HR strategies to drive business success.
Rob Palmer has more than 20 years of public company, capital markets, financial and strategic management experience across numerous industries, including airlines, airports, real estate, consumer packaged goods and technology.
Previously, Rob has held a number of senior leadership roles including Vice President, Finance & Commercial and Chief Financial Officer at The Calgary Airport Authority, Chief Financial Officer at Northview Residential REIT, Vice President and Controller at WestJet, and senior leadership roles with Molson and BCE Emergis.
As Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Rob has oversight of Porter’s strategic financial planning comprising areas such as taxation, risk management, financial and managerial accounting, internal audit, budgeting and forecasting, investor relations, regulatory reporting, and corporate development. He leads the Finance, Corporate Development and Legal teams.
Rob holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Manitoba, and is a Chartered Professional Accountant.
Kent Woodside has more than 35 years of experience in aviation. Most recently, he spent four years with Sky Regional Airlines, where he served as President and Chief Operating Officer, overseeing a fleet of 25 Embraer E175 aircraft prior to joining Porter Airlines in 2021.
Kent initially served as Porter’s Vice President, Flight Operations, where he contributed his expertise and leadership to the growth of Porter’s Embraer E195-E2 fleet, ensuring the necessary resources and structures were put in place to develop and maintain a growing operation.
As Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Kent leads flight operations, technical operations, airport operations, system operations control, crew resources and safety. In this role, Kent ensures that the operational structure required to support Porter’s fleet and network growth is sustained and continually developed, providing passengers a safe and reliable flying experience.
Kent has a diploma in Business Administration from Holland College and holds a number of training and development certifications, including IMP Leadership Development, Aviation Auditor Training, and Safety Management Systems Training.
Edmond Eldebs has more than 17 years of experience in aviation, having started his journey on day one of operations for Porter in 2006 as a Customer Service Representative. Since then, Edmond has held various revenue, network planning, business development and leadership roles at Porter. His strategic contributions were instrumental in Porter’s rapid growth and its achievement of best-in-Canada revenue performance multiple years in a row.
Prior to his current role, Edmond served as Porter’s Vice President, Revenue Management, Sales and Distribution. This role was accountable for Porter’s revenue management, corporate and agency sales, alliances and vacation products functions.
As Chief Commercial Officer, Edmond leads revenue management, alliances, corporate and agency sales, vacation products, loyalty and marketing. His diverse background brings a unique approach to expanding revenue through customer service and loyalty.
Edmond holds a Master of Business Administration from Ivey Business School at Western University and a Bachelor Degree of Commerce in Finance from Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University). He is also involved in Canada’s technology and fintech startup community as a mentor and angel investor.
Uma Gopinath has more than 30 years of technology leadership experience across a diverse range of industries including transportation, retail, telecommunications, financial services and IT consulting.
Previously, Uma has held senior leadership positions and charted the course for technology transformation projects with some of Canada’s biggest organizations. These include Chief Information Officer at Metrolinx, Assistant Vice President, Intelligent Automation, at Canadian Tire, and leadership roles with Lush and Bell Canada.
As Chief Information Officer, Uma leads Porter’s IT teams, with overall responsibility for the organization’s ongoing technology transformation. Specific responsibilities include website and mobile applications, digital infrastructure and software development, cybersecurity, and enterprise data.
Uma is a Chartered Director from Degroote School of Business, McMaster University and holds a Bachelor of Engineering, Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Anna University, Chennai. She serves on the Board of Governors at York University.
