The CEO of Chinook Helicopters in Abbotsford has been announced as a recipient of an award that recognizes Canadian women who have made a significant contribution to aviation or aerospace.
Cathy Press is among eight recipients of the Elsie Award from the Northern Lights Aero Foundation. She will receive the award in the business category.
The gala awards dinner takes place Oct. 21 in Brampton, Ont.
The synposis about her posted on the Northern Lights website states: “With a remarkable background in aviation, Cathy’s leadership has driven Chinook’s growth, expanded its training programs and established strategic partnerships. Her accomplishments have made her a role model and catalyst for change in the industry.”
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Press was the first female flight instructor in Canada. She started flying at the age of 11 and completed her first solo flight at 16.
Press has received numerous awards over the years, including Elevate Aviation’s Inspire Award, Bank of Montreal’s Innovation and Global Growth Award, and Enterprise Magazine’s Enterprising Women of the Year Award.
In 2019, she was recognized as one of Canada’s “Most Powerful Women” by the Women’s Executive Network.
Press is involved with various industry organizations and serves on multiple boards.
She has recently expanded European training partnerships in Canada and is leading the revolutionary “virtual simulator” project at Chinook.
Chinook Helicopters has been operating since 1982 from the Abbotsford International Airport. Press took over the business from her father, Larry, in 1998.
The Elsie Awards are named after aviation pioneer and human rights activist Elsie Gregory MacGill.