VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Canada (September 3, 2024) – Canadian Advanced Air Mobility (CAAM), as the federal not-for-profit and national voice for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) in Canada, is pleased to announce the addition of Mikaël Cardinal from Unither Bioélectronique and Kristen Blodgett from BETA Technologies to its National Board of Directors, effective immediately. These appointments represent a strategic strengthening of CAAM’s leadership as the organization continues to drive the operationalization of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) in Canada.
Mikaël Cardinal is the Vice President of Program Management, Organ Delivery Systems at Unither Bioélectronique, a pioneer in the development of novel organ transportation solutions, including remotely piloted aerial systems (RPAS) and hydrogen-powered aircraft. Mikaël brings over 14 years of experience in aerospace and a visionary approach to integrating AAM technology into critical healthcare logistics. Commenting on his new role, Mikaël stated, “Unither Bioélectronique is at the forefront of revolutionizing organ transport, and our collaboration with CAAM will further enhance the safe, efficient, and timely delivery of life-saving therapies via zero emission, optionally piloted, vertical take-off and landing aircraft. I am excited to contribute to the growth and operationalization of AAM in Canada through this new opportunity to serve on the National Board of CAAM.”
Kristen Blodgett serves as the Director of Customer Experience & Commercial Operations at BETA Technologies, an electric aerospace company manufacturing both electric conventional take-off and landing (eCTOL) and vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, as well as electric charging infrastructure. With a strong background in enterprise partnerships and strategy and a passion for innovation and sustainability, Kristen has been instrumental in forging partnerships and redefining the future of air mobility. On her appointment to the board, Kristen shared, “At BETA, we believe in innovating to ensure that the future of air mobility is safe, sustainable, accessible, and cost-effective. I look forward to working with CAAM to accelerate the adoption of sustainable aviation technologies and help build a resilient and forward-looking aviation ecosystem in Canada.”
JR Hammond, Executive Director of CAAM, expressed his enthusiasm for the new appointments, saying, “The addition of Mikaël and Kristen to our board represents a pivotal moment for CAAM as we continue to execute on our CAAM 2.0 strategy of ‘Operationalization’ of AAM in Canada. Unither Bioélectronique’s expertise in healthcare logistics combined with BETA Technologies’ groundbreaking work in electric aircraft and infrastructure, bring invaluable insights and leadership to our organization. Together, we are poised to make the strides necessary towards our sustainable, inclusive, and innovative future for aviation in Canada.”
Headquartered in Bromont, Québec, Unither Bioélectronique has been managing the United Therapeutics Organ Delivery Systems research & development programs since 2018, which include Remotely-Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) for the last-mile organ delivery missions, eCTOL, eVTOL and hydrogen-powered helicopter development designed for regional missions. The company is actively pioneering organ delivery via RPAS in Toronto, Canada, and is also now pioneering hydrogen-powered helicopter in collaboration with Robinson Helicopter Company.
Headquartered in Burlington, Vermont, BETA Technologies has been growing its presence in Canada over the past two years. In 2023, the company officially opened an office in Montréal, Canada focused on structural engineering and materials processing, which plays an integral role in the ongoing development and certification of BETA’s all-electric aircraft. The company has since flown its ALIA aircraft into Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport, becoming the first all-electric aircraft to land in Montréal, and has expanded its customer base to Canada with the sale of eVTOL aircraft to Helijet International.
The addition of Mikaël and Kristen to the National Board strengthens CAAM’s leadership team, joining a distinguished group on the National Board of Directors that includes Eric Lefebvre of the National Research Council of Canada, Stella-Marissa Hughes of CAE, Ameet Sareen of Air Canada Cargo, and Danny Sitnam of Helijet International.
These appointments come at a critical time as CAAM intensifies its efforts to create a cohesive national ecosystem for AAM alongside Transport Canada and NAV CANADA, the national civil aviation authority (CAA) and air navigation service provider (ANSP) respectively of Canada. With the support of leaders like Mikaël and Kristen, CAAM is well-positioned to expedite and continue to lead the charge in transforming how people and goods move across the country.
A formal gathering of CAAM’s National Board will occur at the inaugural United Nations International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) AAM Symposium hosted in Montréal, Canada from September 9-12, 2024.
About CAAM
Canadian Advanced Air Mobility (CAAM) is the federal not-for-profit organization representing the voice of the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) industry in Canada. CAAM has partnered with over 200+ organizations including industry, academia, private capital and all three levels of government to launch projects aimed at operationalizing the AAM industry.
CAAM was founded in partnership with Canada’s leading federal research and development organization, the National Research Council of Canada (NRC). To date, CAAM is guided by its National Board of Directors composed of Eric Lefebvre – NRC, Stella-Marissa Hughes – CAE, Ameet Sareen – Air Canada Cargo & Danny Sitnam – Helijet International.
Together, CAAM and the National Board collaborate with the Canadian federal authorities of Transport Canada and NAV CANADA to create the clearest path for connecting Canada and the world through the future of AAM.
About Unither Bioélectronique
Unither Bioélectronique, Inc. (UB), a wholly owned Canadian subsidiary of United Therapeutics Corporation located in Bromont, Québec, is driving the innovation and development of autonomous, environmentally friendly, airborne organ delivery systems. UB intends to develop and operate a fleet of next-generation, electric- and hydrogen-powered, optionally piloted, and powered-lift aircraft with the capacity to take off and land vertically at hospitals – capable of quickly delivering manufactured organs for human transplant. UB plays a critical role in support of United Therapeutics’ mission to address the unmet medical needs of patients with end-stage organ diseases. More information is available at unither.aero.
About BETA Technologies
BETA Technologies is an electric aviation company based in Burlington, Vermont. Founded in 2017, BETA is working to change the paradigm of how we transport goods and people by making aviation cleaner, safer, and more cost-effective. To do this, the company is producing all-electric aircraft; multimodal, interoperable charging infrastructure; and training programs for next-generation pilots and maintainers. The BETA team has designed and is pursuing certification of two electric aircraft, including an electric fixed-wing and an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The company has also brought more than 20 chargers online across the East and Gulf coasts, with over 50 more in development.
Safety, simplicity, and pragmatism are at the heart of everything BETA does – from the design of its products and operations to the company’s approach to the market. The BETA team brings deep experience from top global organizations and a hands-on, multi-disciplinary approach to problem-solving and innovation. To foster a deep understanding of aircraft, engineering, and a connection to the mission, each BETA team member has the opportunity to become flight-certified at no cost.
Media kit is downloadable here.
Media Contacts
Canadian Advanced Air Mobility (CAAM)
David Dong
Marketing Manager
+1 506-961-7728
BETA Technologies
Lexi Pace
240-620-8977
Unither Bioélectronique
Sarah Delafontaine
+1 450-877-1197
