Senior management

Jean L. Laporte, FCGA

Appointed August 24, 2009

Jean Laporte was born and raised in Ottawa. He is a recognized leader in public service management and is actively engaged in various professional networks both inside and outside government. He sits on various federal inter-departmental working groups and advisory committees at the Assistant Deputy Minister and senior executive levels. He is a frequent speaker and organizer of professional development activities. He is actively involved in the Certified General Accountants Association and works to promote the accounting profession within the federal Public Service. He is also a Board member of the Financial Management Institute of Canada and has served as its National President.

Mr. Laporte's Public Service career began at the Treasury Board Secretariat, followed by a stay at Revenue Canada, Customs and Excise. In 1985, he joined the Canadian Aviation Safety Board and subsequently the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB), occupying a variety of progressively more senior positions, including those of the Chief Financial Officer and Director General of Corporate Services.

Jean graduated from the University of Ottawa with an Honours Bachelor of Commerce degree in 1984. In 1989, he received his Certified General Accountant (CGA) designation. In 2002, Jean was awarded the Queen's Jubilee Medal in recognition for his contribution to the federal Public Service, and in 2007 he was awarded a Fellowship by the Certified General Accountants Association of Canada for his contribution to the accounting profession.

Marc-André Poisson

Captain Marc-André Poisson joined the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) in 2011 as Director of Marine Investigations.

Previously, he held a variety of federal government positions, including Senior Director, Industrial Security; Director, Operations Support of the Coast Guard Fleet and Ship's Officer.

Mr. Poisson has Command at Sea experience, was On-Scene Commander on many marine spills and an emergency responder on many accidents, including the Swissair disaster. He has taught in the Maritime domain in Canada, Africa and Europe. He has also trained as a hovercraft navigator and pilot and is a Certified Hazmat Technician.

Mr. Poisson holds two college diplomas in science, has completed an International Business program in France (UCF), a Bachelor of Arts degree (Université du Québec) and a Master's degree in Marine Policy (University of Wales). He has a number of publications to his credit, including a manual for first responders to chemical spills at sea. Finally, he is the recipient of the Coast Guard's highest award: the Exemplary Service Medal.

Kirby Jang

Kirby Jang joined the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) in 2003 as Manager, Regional Operations and since that time has completed or reviewed over 80 rail accident investigations. He became Director of Investigations in 2009.

Prior to joining the TSB, Mr. Jang worked primarily in the railway industry for a number of engineering consulting firms. In his capacity as railway systems consultant, he was directly responsible for the management and successful completion of over 100 technical projects.

Mr Jang's education credentials include three university degrees: a Bachelor (1984) and Master (1985) of Applied Science from the University of Waterloo in Civil Engineering and a Master of Business Administration (1992) from the University of Toronto.

Mark Clitsome

Mark Clitsome joined the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) in 1993. He has participated in many of the Board's high-profile air investigations as a senior member including the Swissair, MK Airlines and Air France investigations. He became Director of Investigations in 2008.

As a senior member of the TSB's Swissair investigation team, Mr. Clitsome was recognized by the Government of Canada in the category of "Excellence in Service Delivery," and received "The Head of the Public Service Award." Also, as part of the Swissair team, Mr. Clitsome was one of the recipients of the Jerome F. Lederer Award presented by the International Society of Air Safety Investigators for "outstanding contributions to technical excellence in accident investigation" in 2001.

Prior to joining the TSB, Mr. Clitsome worked for Voyageur Airways, where he started in 1979 as a captain on twin-engine aircraft; he was the Director of Flight Operations when he left in 1993.

Mr. Clitsome graduated from Sault College in 1979 with a Diploma in Flight Technology and Pilot Training. He holds an Airline Transport Pilot Licence endorsed for the B727 and C550 with over 8000 hours of flying experience.

Leo Donati

Dr. Leo Donati joined the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) in 1997 as a Senior Human Factors Analyst. He served as Manager, Human Factors and Macro Analysis (2008-2011) before being promoted to the position of Director in 2011. He actively participated as a human factors specialist in over 100 investigations, including the Swissair 111 in-flight fire, the MK Airlines reduced power take-off and collision with terrain, the McBride railway bridge collapse and the Queen of the North ferry sinking.

Dr. Donati has 25 years experience in the federal government. Prior to joining the TSB, he served with the Canadian Forces, as a Bioscience Officer in various roles such as providing human factors support to development,and acquisition projects and in support of accident investigation for the Directorate of Flight Safety.

Dr. Donati holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology as well as a Bachelors of Science degree in Biology from the University of British Columbia. He also earned two Masters of Science degrees, one in Biology (Simon Fraser University) and one in Ergonomics (Loughborough University of Technology). He obtained his Doctorate in Human Factors in the Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department at the University of Toronto.

Chantal Lemyre

Chantal Lemyre joined the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) in November 2009 as the Director General, Corporate Services. As part of her duties, she has the following titles on behalf of the TSB: Chief Financial Officer, Chief Information Officer and Head of Human Resources.

Ms. Lemyre has over 20 years of experience in federal government entities. Prior to joining the TSB, she was a Senior Director with Public Works and Government Services Canada responsible for the production of the Government of Canada's monthly and year-end financial statements. She has also worked in financial management and auditor roles for Treasury Board Secretariat, the Office of the Auditor General and Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.

Ms. Lemyre is a Certified General Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Commerce and an MBA from the University of Ottawa.

Jacqueline Roy

Jacqueline Roy joined the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) in September 2011 as the Director of Communications.

Ms. Roy has held several senior communications positions during her 20-year federal public service career. She began her career in the Privy Council Office working in the Office of the Clerk of the Privy Council. Over the years, she has also worked at Transport Canada, the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA), Public Safety Canada and Environment Canada.

Ms. Roy has worked on a number of high-profile files throughout her career, including establishing the communications division at the newly-formed CATSA in 2002. A particular highlight of her career was managing the communications efforts with respect to Environment Canada's participation in the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games as regional director of communications for the department's Pacific and Yukon region.

Ms. Roy has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from McGill University (1989) and also graduated from McGill with a Diploma in Public Relations and Communications Management (1991).

Allen Harding

Allen Harding joined the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) in 1992 as legal counsel, and has been senior legal counsel since 1998.

Prior to joining the TSB, Mr. Harding worked for a number of federal departments, as director of regulatory investigations and as legal counsel.

Mr. Harding is a member of the Quebec bar, and holds a civil law degree from the Université de Sherbrooke.