Local Abbotsford businessman Barry Marsden was awarded the Order of Canada for his contributions to the growth of Canada’s aviation industry.

Marsden is the president and CEO of Conair Aviation and the founder of Cascade Aerospace, both based in Abbotsford.

Dave Holmberg, chair of the Abbotsford Airport Authority, said Marsden’s “innovations in aerial firefighting have served the industry greatly, and we are all extremely proud of his tremendous success.”

Conair Aviation is a specialty aircraft operations provider that produces a range of aerial fire control products and services.

Marsden also founded Cascade Aerospace, a specialty aerospace and defence contractor that focuses on providing long-term integrated aircraft support programs for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), military, government and commercial customers.