Minister Fast Announces New Appointments to Canadian Commercial Corporation’s Board of Directors

December 18, 2012 - The Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, today announced the appointment of the new chair of the Board of Directors of the Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC), as well as two new members of the board.

“Our government is focused on what matters to Canadians—jobs, growth and long-term prosperity,” said Minister Fast. “CCC has an important role to play as the Canadian government seeks to grow our exports in key sectors, including defence and security. The impressive talents and experiences of the new chair and board members will strengthen CCC’s performance, and I look forward to working with them.”

Ray Castelli becomes chair of CCC, and Sherry Hewler and Derrick Rowe are the two new board members.

A senior executive with extensive experience, Mr. Castelli is chief executive officer of Weatherhaven, a leading provider of portable shelters, camps and systems for remote sites around the world. Weatherhaven is based in Burnaby, British Columbia. The company has been a key supplier to the United Nations and other disaster relief agencies for more than 20 years. Mr. Castelli was named as a member of the Canada-Brazil CEO Forum by Minister Fast earlier this year.

Mr. Castelli’s business career has included serving as president and chief executive officer of NaiKun Wind Development Inc. He was co-founder and senior vice-president of Quadrem, a global procurement services company owned by 19 of the world’s largest mining and metals companies, as well as director of corporate development (mergers and acquisitions) for Alcan Aluminium Ltd.

Ms. Helwer, of Brandon, Manitoba, is vice-president of Shur-Gro & Munro Farm Services Ltd. Ms. Helwer also has extensive experience in the financial sector, including in financial analysis, with companies such as Bank of Montreal and Angus Reid Group.

Mr. Rowe, of St. John’s, is chairman and chief executive officer of Name 3 Capital Inc., a private investment firm he owns. He has served as chairman and chief executive officer of Fishery Products International, at the time Canada’s largest fish and seafood company. He is also a founder, chairman and chief executive officer of Stratos Global Corporation, a satellite communications firm.

Established in 1946, CCC is a federal Crown corporation mandated to facilitate international trade on behalf of Canadian industry, particularly within government markets.

CCC connects foreign government buyers with Canadian expertise through the negotiation and execution of government-to-government contracts. The corporation focuses on areas where there is a clear role for government, such as defence and security. It also focuses on emerging and developing markets, where governments of other countries may require additional capacity to undertake complex and timely procurements and projects.

CCC reports to Parliament through the Minister of International Trade.

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For further information, media representatives may contact:

Rudy Husny
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Ed Fast
Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway
613-992-7332
rudy.husny@international.gc.ca

Trade Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
613-996-2000
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