Marc Bigaouette joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 1980 where he had an impressive 37-year career. He served in many roles, including helicopter pilot with Special Operations Forces, Project Director for the acquisition of a Medium to Heavy-Lift Helicopter (MHLH) fleet, Commanding Officer for the Canadian Helicopter Force in Afghanistan and Commander 15 Wing, where he looked after NATO Flying Training in Canada. He completed his career as Canadian Air Advisor to the United Kingdom and Defence Attaché to Iceland. For his leadership in Afghanistan, he was awarded the Meritorious Service Cross.

Marc has a bachelor’s degree in Administration from the Royal Military College of Canada (1985) along with a master’s degree in Military Art and Science from the United States Air Force University (2004). He is also a graduate from the United Kingdom’s Royal College of Defence Studies (2009).

Upon retirement from the Canadian military in 2017, Marc joined the Bell team as a senior manager for the CH-146 Optimized Weapon System Support (OWSS) program. In this capacity, he has been responsible for the delivery of management, engineering, logistic and maintenance support to the RCAF’s Griffon fleet made up of 85 aircraft deployed in more than 10 locations across Canada and abroad.

As Director, Canadian Government Programs since June 2021, he is responsible for the execution of the Griffon Limited Life extension (GLLE) project and the continuous delivery of sustainment for the CH-146 fleet.