University of Toronto - Rotman School of Management

The University of British Columbia

A senior leader with accountability for a portfolio consisting of Planning, Project Delivery, Engineering Services and Maintenance with a keen focus on ensuring the realization of long-term value from all assets and infrastructure. Provides leadership to a diverse team dedicated to the efficient use of assets and maintaining assets in a state of good repair, emphasizing asset optimization and continuous improvement in complete alignment with the Airport Authority's purpose.

Vancouver Airport Authority

VP Airport Development and Asset Optimization

Led the strategic integration of planning across all aspects of the organization. Was responsible for long term planning and the development of the Airport Authority’s 20-year Master Plan and 20-year integrated capital and financial plan. Provided leadership to peers and the Executive Integrated Planning Team in the development of an organization wide integrated planning approach, specifically building collaboration between departments and introducing a standardized planning framework and methodology to drive strategic alignment of business objectives. Demonstrated success in building, developing, coaching and mentoring a high performance team. 

Key Achievements
 • Led a team in the preparation of Flight Plan 2037, YVR's first 20-year integrated strategic, capital and financial plan.
• Led a large multi-disciplined team ion internal staff and external consultants in the development of the YVR 2037 Master Plan.

Director, Planning

Thrived in this newly created role established with the objectives of managing the annual budgeting process, improving project delivery processes and providing oversight of key initiatives by tracking, coordinating and reporting progress and risks. Influential in shaping the PPO office and leading the organization by developing a robust, strategically aligned project prioritization process that improved transparency surrounding decision making throughout the organization. Established a comprehensive continuous improvement approach resulting in improved project delivery through effective leadership and reporting.

Key Achievements
• Led the Priorities and Planning Committee through the 2015 and 2016 budget process with demonstrated improvements over past years as measured by survey results (Highlight: 95% responded that the overall budget process was substantially improved over the previous year). 
• Increased annual project completion rates by an average of 46% in 2014 and 2015 as compared to the previous two years.

Director, Priorities and Planning Office

Responsible for leading a team of five project engineers in delivering a project portfolio valued at an average of $50M annually consisting of civil, electrical and building infrastructure projects. Key projects included YVR’s Runway End Safety Area Project ($72M) to improve runway safety, and overseeing $20M+ in annual infrastructure upgrades consisting of electrical, roads, airside pavement, dyke, utility and airfield lighting upgrades.

Provided leadership and mentoring to team of direct reports through coaching, development plans and focused training. Managed multi-functional cross-department teams in the development of detailed Project Definition Reports and project execution. Prepared and delivered presentations to Senior Management and the Board of Directors.

Manager, Airside Engineering Projects

Successfully delivered many concurrent capital construction projects in a complex, highly regulated 24/7 operation from initiation through planning, design, construction, close out and turnover with a specific focus on effective communication and alignment to business outcomes. Was responsible for preparing funding requests, project definition reports, developing project and program requirements and developing capital plans. 

Project achievements include delivery of the multiyear South Airfield Low Visibility Upgrades Project to bring YVR's South Airfield to the latest safety standards ($25M), Canada’s first Ground Run-up Enclosure  to minimize noise in the community ($12M) and numerous Runway, Taxiway, Apron, utilities and terminal projects to increase capacity, improve safety and sustain infrastructure.

Christoph Rufenacht