2025 Mayor's Luncheon

Join Mayor Ross Siemens and Abbotsford business leaders for an update on the community and to discuss our soaring aerospace industry.

2025 Event Details

Date: Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Time: 11:30am - 1:30pm
Location: Cascade Aerospace 1337 Townline Rd, Abbotsford
Tours: Tours of Cascade Aerospace are available following the lunch. Registration is required when purchasing your tickets.
Tickets: Tickets are $50 each and will be on sale from April 7 , 2025 to April 30, 2025.

Purchase Tickets

Aerospace Industry Event Panelists

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Cathy Press Chinook Helicopters	Dan Provost RAD Torque Systems	Sandy Treagus Conair Aerial Firefighting	Stu McIntosh Cascade Aerospace

Cathy Press, CEO of Chinook Helicopters, is a trailblazer in the aviation industry. As the first female helicopter flight instructor in Canada, she has passionately led Chinook Helicopters to international recognition for its helicopter and aeroplane pilot training programs. Cathy is currently spearheading the development of an ATO (Aviation Training Organization) pilot program with Transport Canada, which will incorporate simulation products into high-level training programs.

Cathy's aviation journey began at a young age, soloing at just 16. She is currently the only person in Canada holding a "Transport Canada Pilot Examiner" status in both aeroplanes and helicopters.

Cathy is also a dedicated contributor to the aviation community. She serves as Chair for the BC Aviation Council and sits on the board of the Helicopter Association of Canada, where she chairs the national Flight Training Committee. Furthermore, she is a member of advisory committees for both the University of the Fraser Valley and the British Columbia Institute of Technology.

In 2019, Cathy's remarkable achievements were recognized when she was named one of the Women's Executive Network's Top 100 Canada's Most Powerful Women and in 2020 The University of the Fraser Valley presented her an honorary doctorate.

Additionally, Chinook Helicopters was selected for a Transport Canada Aviation Safety award for 2025

Throughout her career, Cathy has maintained a hands-on approach in mentoring individuals embarking on aviation and business careers. She remains a passionate educator and mentor, committed to helping others achieve their goals.
Dan Provost is the founder and president of New World Technologies, the company behind RAD Torque Systems, a global leader in industrial torque tools. His journey in the torque tool industry began before 1994, selling torque wrenches across Canada. Frustrated by manufacturers' resistance to innovation, Dan saw an opportunity to improve the design and performance of these essential tools.

Determined to create a better solution, he started developing his own torque wrench in his garage in Abbotsford, British Columbia. What began as a passion project quickly evolved into a thriving business, and in 1994, New World Technologies was born. Dan’s groundbreaking approach to torque tool manufacturing — especially the gearbox design — set a new industry standard, and his commitment to quality and innovation fueled the company’s rapid growth.

Today, RAD Torque Systems is a recognized global brand, with its tools used across industries such as aerospace, mining, wind, and manufacturing. Over the past 30 years, the company has expanded significantly, now employing 180 people at its state-of-the-art facility in Abbotsford. Through the talented RAD Torque Systems, Dan continues to push the boundaries of torque technology, ensuring that the company remains at the forefront of the industry worldwide.
Sandy joined Conair six years ago following a career in many industries, including retail, resort and leisure, hi-tech, manufacturing and professional services.

Most recently, he spent 14 years as CFO with a large Canadian retailer where he led numerous large scale initiatives, including new construction, with a focus on sustainable building, and Information Systems projects.

Sandy is a Chartered Accountant, having qualified in South Africa, and worked in the rigid packaging manufacturing sector prior to emigrating to Canada in 1999.

As Conair’s CFO, Sandy works closely with the other executive team members in developing and executing strategy to best support our customers, employees and other stakeholders while ensuring the overall financial health of the Conair group.
Stu is the Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer for Cascade Aerospace. Stu has been with Cascade since 2011 and has previously served in the roles of Vice President, Operations and Vice President, Programs. As the senior executive at Cascade, Stu is accountable for the overall leadership of Cascade Aerospace and the effective delivery of products and services to Cascade’s broad Customer base.

Prior to joining Cascade, Stu served for twenty-one years as an Aerospace Engineering Officer in the Royal Canadian Air Force, with assignments across Canada and overseas. Following his time with the Air Force, Stu spent 5 years with Bombardier Aerospace, where he led Bombardier’s participation in the NATO Flying Training in Canada Program.

Stu holds a Master of Science degree in Aviation Systems from the University of Tennessee, a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics from Royal Roads and is a Flight Test Engineer graduate of the Empire Test Pilots’ School. He is married to Darlene, and they are the proud parents of two enterprising young men.