From the Canadian Press:
OTTAWA – The former commander who led NATO forces through the 2011 bombing and blockade of Libya has been appointed to head up the Canadian operations of Lockheed Martin, the manufacturer of the troubled F-35 fighter.
Retired lieutenant-general Charles Bouchard takes on the role at the U.S. defence giant effective immediately.
Bouchard, who is an officer of the Order of Canada, retired in April 2012 after nearly four decades with the Royal Canadian Air Force.
The stealth fighter program is clearly in trouble and the federal government could very well decide this fall to hold a full-blown competition, said retired air force colonel Paul Maillet, now a defence analyst.
It appears Bouchard, who was lauded by the Harper government for his leadership of the campaign, has been hired to seal the F-35 deal, Maillet said.
“My perception is they wouldn’t hire him for any other reason,” he said. “He is an air force general and it would be to try and gain whatever leverage they can, presumably if he is not in any violation of conflict-of-interest.”
Federal regulations mandate a one-year cooling-off period before senior officers who’ve left the military can take up corporate positions, or have significant dealings with the government.
Pat Dewar, executive vice-president at Lockheed Martin International, described Bouchard as a “tremendous leader” who will add a great deal of value to the company’s operations.
“Charles will facilitate access to Lockheed Martin’s broad portfolio of products and technologies to help Canada address its security and citizen service challenges,” Dewar said in a statement.
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