Mark Laroche, president and chief executive officer of the Ottawa International Airport Authority, has been named Newsmaker of the Year for 2024 by the Ottawa Business Journal and the Ottawa Board of Trade.
The award recognizes Laroche’s success in managing the airport through the pandemic and in building it back to include additional flights, a revamped terminal, a new hotel, and a spur connecting the airport to the city’s LRT system.
“It’s humbling. I was very surprised and happy about it,” said Laroche, who recently announced he is retiring at the end of 2024 after 11 years at the airport authority.
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“I’m not a person who pursues awards and recognition. I get satisfaction from getting things done. I’ve had the opportunity to accomplish a lot with our team and board of directors, which is my biggest satisfaction. To be recognized like this by OBJ and the Ottawa Board of Trade is quite nice,” he said.
“The Ottawa airport and its amenities are incredibly important for the business community,” said Anne Howland, editor-in-chief of OBJ. “This is why we felt it important to give the nod to Mark and his team at YOW for all they’ve accomplished before, during and after the huge disruption of the global pandemic.”
Laroche and other recipients will be honoured at the Best Ottawa Business Awards (the BOBs) on Friday, Nov. 29 at the Westin Ottawa.
Check out a full profile on Laroche in the winter issue of OBJ.
