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CCCA_V4No2_Profiles-FIN.qxd:CCCA_V1No1_Profile-FIN.qxd 4/29/10 4:22 PM Page 17 By Susan Goldberg Profile Shawn Christensen has his work cut out for him as WestJet aims to grow its fleet and market share. the birds home the birds home home allowed the two airlines to increase their offerings by co-ordinating head office level.“We have an open door policy,from everyone from schedules,and completed a $172-million equity issue in September.As the CFEO to a customer-service agent on the front line who has a WestJet launches its loyalty program,Christensen’s team is particularly question. The legal department tries to service our clients in the cognizant of issues around privacy and protecting customer data. same way as the front line services our guests to provide a great cus- WestJet’s lean, efficient corporate culture has been a saving tomer experience.” grace in turbulent times:While the company hasn’t been immune And then there are the airplanes themselves. Christensen’s main from the recession, Christensen points out that it hasn’t had to lay practice area is in financing and leasing transactions related to aircraft off any employees because of the economic downturn. That acquisitions.WestJet’s fleet has grown from approximately 20 aircraft brand-new head office building,theWestJet campus — paid for in when Christensen came on board to 88.The company,he notes,was cash — houses a younger, non-unionized workforce, “owner- the first in Canada to use U.S.Export Import Bank financing for the employees” who can put up to 20 per cent of their paycheques acquisition of new aircraft (Ex-Im supports the financing of U.S. into a share-purchase plan, matched by the company.“I’m part of goods and services). In his first year on the job, Christensen closed that plan and a proud WestJet owner,” says Christensen. the carrier’s first such deal, working closely with external counsel And while he comes across as a little more reserved than the aver- and the company’s business and finance team. The company has age wisecrackingWestJet flight attendant as seen onTV,he knows the completed a further four Ex-Im deals since the first transaction in 2002. The company plans to expand the fleet to approximately 105 business from their end as well: he spent several years working as a planes by 2012. MARNIE BURKHART, JAZHART STUDIOS flight attendant during high school and his first years at the University ing lot of bright shiny new planes on the tarmac.You take the clos- of Saskatchewan.“I spent the summers flight-attending on aircraft fly- “It’s always a bit of a thrill to go down to Boeing Field, just out- side Seattle,to take delivery of aircraft,”he says.“It is,in effect,a park- ing out of Chicago and Minneapolis, taking Americans to fishing camps in the Yukon and Northwest Territories. In the winter I worked ski charter flights.” ing call, get on board with the pilots and crew, and then you’re off. It’s experience that gives Christensen credibility when he says that You’re bringing home one of the birds.” WestJet’s vaunted corporate culture — open, friendly, with an Susan Goldberg is a freelance writer based inThunder Bay. emphasis on great customer service — translates all the way up to ÉTÉ 2010 CCCA Canadian Corporate Counsel Association 17