News Release
NR-07.039 - May 25, 2007
OTTAWA – The Minister of National Defence is proud to announce the appointment of nine notable Canadians to Colonel Commandant, Honorary Colonel, and Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel.
Honorary rank is granted to a person who has rendered distinguished service to the Canadian Forces (CF) or who, from an educational or administrative point of view is likely to promote the well-being of the CF.
“We are proud to count these people among us. Their contribution to the CF or Canada has been incredible and is rightfully being recognized through these appointments,” said the Honourable Gordon O’Connor, Minister of National Defence. “Figures of leadership are important and I am convinced they will make a difference within the unit that nominated them.”
The appointments are as follows:
Colonel Commandant:
Brig.-Gen. Isidore Popowych, OMM, CD (Retired), appointed Colonel Commandant of the Logistics Branch. Brigadier-General Popowych retired from the Canadian Forces in 2004 after having served in many leadership positions.
Honorary Colonel:
Mr. John Cutsey, appointed Honorary Colonel of 51 Aerospace Control and Warning (Operational Training) Squadron (Comox, BC). Mr. Cutsey is President of FDM4 International Inc.
Dr. Anthony Knowles, appointed Honorary Colonel of 19 Air Maintenance Squadron (Comox, BC). Dr. Knowles is President and CEO, British Columbia Institute of Technology, Vancouver, BC.
Mr. Glenn Rainbird, appointed Honorary Colonel of 8 Wing (Trenton). Mr. Rainbird is the Former Chairman, Edmonton Regional Airports Authority.
Mr. John Sauder, appointed Honorary Colonel of 402 Squadron (Winnipeg). Mr. Sauder is the weather specialist at CKY Winnipeg (CTV).
Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel:
Lt.-Col. Frank Jewsbury, CD (Retired), appointed Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel of 33 Combat Engineer Regiment (Ottawa).
Mr. Hudson Mack, appointed Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel of 741 Communication Squadron (Victoria). Mr. Hudson is the News Director / Senior News Anchor at A-Channel News, in Victoria.
The Honourable Raymond A. Speaker, appointed Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel for 746 (Calgary) Communication Squadron. Mr. Speaker was appointed in 2006 to the Prime Minister's transition team.
Mr. David A. Rubin, appointed Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel of 2 Intelligence Company (Toronto). Mr. Rubin is with the Legal Firm Gowling, Lafleur, and Henderson.
Appointments as Colonel Commandant are restricted to former officers of the CF who, normally, held the rank of colonel or above upon retirement. Honorary Colonels may be appointed for each unit that are commanded by a lieutenant-colonel, but excluding those units forming part of a regiment that has a Colonel of the Regiment. Honorary Lieutenant-Colonels may be appointed for each unit that is commanded by a lieutenant-colonel or a major.
The responsibilities of honorary appointments include fostering esprit de corps, developing, promoting and sustaining strong community support for the unit, establishing and maintaining liaison with unit charities and associations, establishing and maintaining a liaison with the Commander as well as with other persons with honorary appointments, participating in parades and official functions in which the unit takes part, and advising the unit’s commander.
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