The Chamber of Marine Commerce (CMC) has announced the promotion of Jason Card to Vice President, External affairs and likewise to welcome André Chabot as Director of Government Relations and Charleen Horton as Director of Finance & Administration.
As part of these changes, Ray Johnston will be transitioning from Secretary/Treasurer to Corporate Secretary. President & CEO, Joshua Juel, noted, “We have a tremendous team at CMC and with these organizational changes, we will be even better positioned to deliver value for our growing membership. Welcome to André and Charleen, and I wish the very best to Jason and Ray in their new roles!”
Reporting to Jason Card, André Chabot will engage with elected officials and government representatives to advocate for member interests, shape policy strategy, monitor legislation, and build relationships that help support sound government decisions and regulatory outcomes for inland and coastal marine shipping. He has prior experience in the marine industry with a shipowner and more recently in the public sector with the Government of Ontario. André is bilingual.
In Jason Card’s new position, he will lead the organization’s government relations and advocacy function, including policy development, stakeholder engagement, and all external and public affairs communications. He will also continue as Executive Director of the Ontario Marine Council. Prior to joining CMC in 2023, Jason Card accrued more than two decades of experience in leadership roles in the public and private sectors, including Director of Communications for the Office of the Premier – Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, and Director of Compliance and Stakeholder Relations for the Eastern Canada division of the world’s largest producer of Atlantic Salmon, Mowi.
After more than 25 years of steadfast and passionate service to the CMC, in both leadership and support capacities, Ray Johnston will be stepping back from Treasurer responsibilities but will continue as Corporate Secretary. Ray Johnston’s accomplishments are many including his efforts to establish Green Marine and the Canadian Marine Careers Foundation, in addition to being a past President of Canada Steamship Lines.
Charleen Horton, who will be joining CMC on 22 April, will be working closely with Ray Johnston to conduct a fulsome handover of financial responsibilities for the organization. She will also be providing support to the Ontario Marine Council, Canadian Marine Careers Foundation, and the Association of Canadian Port Authorities. Charleen brings more than two decades worth of experience in finance and human resources functions supporting operating groups in Canada, the United States and France. She has worked in diverse sectors including marine transportation, logistics, and manufacturing. Charleen is originally from Montreal and is bilingual.