Bombardier Announces Leadership Appointments Geared Toward Long-Term Strategic Growth
Rhea-AI Summary
Bombardier (OTC: BDRBF) announced leadership appointments effective immediately to support long-term strategic growth, deepen customer relationships, expand Bombardier Defense, and pursue investments and M&A. Sandra Hodgkinson joins as Senior Vice President, Strategy and M&A to lead growth and acquisition activity across segments. Stephen McCullough becomes Executive Vice President, Engineering, Product Development and Bombardier Defense, broadening product development into Defense. Paul Sislian is Executive Vice President, Aircraft Sales and Aftermarket Services, combining sales and service functions. Mercedes Glockseisen succeeds Pierre Gagnon as Senior Vice President, General Counsel; Mr. Gagnon will retire in June and remain Senior Vice President Special Advisor to the CEO during transition.
Positive
- Appointment of Sandra Hodgkinson to lead Strategy and M&A
- Expanded Defense product mandate under Stephen McCullough
- Combined Sales and Aftermarket Services under Paul Sislian
Negative
- Leadership transition risk as Pierre Gagnon retires in June
News Market Reaction
On the day this news was published, BDRBF declined 2.86%, reflecting a moderate negative market reaction.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
MONTREAL, Jan. 20, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bombardier today announced new appointments to its leadership team to deepen customer relationships, evolve its Bombardier Defense business while remaining focused on continuous product improvement, and seize long-term strategic opportunities through investments and mergers and acquisitions.
“Bombardier has successfully completed multiple strategic objectives with regard to product development, services expansion, Defense growth and financial deleveraging,” said Éric Martel, President and CEO, Bombardier. “I am proud of the high level of execution from the entire executive team as well as their individual and collective contributions to all facets of our company’s people and customer-centric culture. Today’s appointments reflect our trust in their leadership and our company’s bold ambitions for Bombardier’s immediate and long-term development.”
Bombardier welcomes Sandra Hodgkinson, who joins the company as Senior Vice President, Strategy and M&A. Ms. Hodgkinson has had a distinguished, decorated career in corporate strategy, defense and law, including active service in the U.S. Navy’s Judge Advocate General corps. For the last 14 years, she has led Strategy and Corporate Development at Leonardo DRS where she carried out multiple successful M&A mandates and grew the business. Prior to this, she held significant positions at the U.S. Department of Defense, The White House, and U.S. Department of State. With her extensive and diverse expertise, Ms. Hodgkinson will be responsible for driving growth organically and strategically, through M&A activities, in all key business segments, including Bombardier Defense and Services.
Stephen McCullough is appointed Executive Vice President, Engineering, Product Development and Bombardier Defense. Mr. McCullough’s leadership has brought a second-to-none portfolio to the business aviation market and the company will broaden its product development ambitions into the Defense industry. Mr. McCullough has 36 years’ experience in aircraft design and flight testing, all with Bombardier. His extensive expertise will bring the innovative DNA, agility and a proven track record of execution to his newly expanded Bombardier Defense mandate.
Paul Sislian is appointed Executive Vice President, Aircraft Sales and Bombardier Aftermarket Services. In this expanded role, Mr. Sislian will continue leading the company’s fast-growing, number-1-ranked service network and take charge of the worldwide aircraft Sales teams, for business jets and Defense, supported by 30-year Bombardier veteran, Peter Likoray. By bringing sales and services together, Mr. Sislian and his team will further strengthen Bombardier’s competitive edge and continue setting industry‑leading standards. Mr. Sislian has been at Bombardier for 17 years and previously led business jet manufacturing operations, Bombardier’s aerostructures business and most recently was responsible for Aftermarket Services and Corporate Strategy.
Finally, Mercedes Glockseisen will succeed Pierre Gagnon as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary. Ms. Glockseisen has successfully led Contracts and Legal Services teams within Bombardier for more than 10 years, most recently as the Vice President of Contracts and Legal Services supporting new, pre-owned, Defense and large-fleet aircraft transactions. Prior to joining Bombardier in 2011, Ms. Glockseisen built an impressive track record in litigation and corporate law at Ogilvy Renault (now Norton Rose Fulbright). She is a member of the Barreau du Québec and graduate of McGill University’s Faculty of Law. Mr. Gagnon, who has made significant contributions to the legal team and Bombardier’s overall success the past years, will retire in June. Until then, he remains with Bombardier as Senior Vice President Special Advisor to the CEO—all while supporting a smooth leadership transition.
All appointments are effective immediately.
About Bombardier
At Bombardier (BBD-B.TO), we design, build, modify and maintain the world’s best-performing aircraft for the world’s most discerning people and businesses, governments and militaries. That means not simply exceeding standards, but understanding customers well enough to anticipate their unspoken needs.
For them, we are committed to pioneering the future of aviation—innovating to make flying more reliable, efficient and sustainable. And we are passionate about delivering unrivaled craftsmanship and care, giving our customers greater confidence and the elevated experience they deserve and expect. Because people who shape the world will always need the most productive and responsible ways to move through it.
Bombardier customers operate a fleet of more than 5,100 aircraft, supported by a vast network of Bombardier team members worldwide and 10 service facilities across six countries. Bombardier’s performance-leading jets are proudly manufactured in aerostructure, assembly and completion facilities in Canada, the United States and Mexico. In 2024, Bombardier was honoured with the prestigious “Red Dot: Best of the Best” award for Brands and Communication Design.
For Information
For corporate news and information, including Bombardier’s Sustainability report, as well as the company’s initiative to cover all its flight operations with a Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) blend utilizing the Book-and-Claim system visit bombardier.com.
Learn more about Bombardier’s industry-leading products and customer service network at bombardier.com. Follow us on X @Bombardier.
Media Contacts
General media contact webform
Mark Masluch
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mark.masluch@aero.bombardier.com
Bombardier is a registered trademark of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries.
Forward-looking statements
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements require the Corporation to make assumptions and are subject to important known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual results in future periods to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. Please refer to the “Forward-Looking Statements” disclaimer contained in Bombardier Inc.’s most recently published financial report for additional details.
FAQ
Who is joining Bombardier as Senior Vice President, Strategy and M&A (BDRBF) on Jan 20, 2026?
What new role does Stephen McCullough hold at Bombardier (BDRBF) and what will he oversee?
How will Bombardier (BDRBF) reorganize sales and services with the new appointments?
When will Pierre Gagnon retire and who will succeed him as General Counsel at Bombardier (BDRBF)?
Will Bombardier (BDRBF) pursue M&A after these leadership changes?
