Jack McGee was recognized for his outstanding contributions to public safety and service.
He served 13 years as President of JIBC, following his tenure as President and CEO of St. Clair College in Windsor, Ont. He spent 32 years as a pilot in the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) and the Canadian Armed Forces, retiring as a Colonel and base commander at CFB Comox. His military career included deployments during the Cuban Missile Crisis and flying members of the Royal Family during their visits to Canada.
Since retiring from JIBC in 2012, Mr. McGee has remained active in public safety, serving on the West Vancouver Police Board, E-Comm 911 Board, and the executive of the BC Association of Police Boards. A founding board director of the Pacific Autism Family Network, he co-founded its First Responder Autism Awareness and Technique Initiative. Since 2009, the initiative has trained thousands of first responders in autism-related challenges and de-escalation techniques.
His many honours include the King Charles III Coronation Medal, Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, the BC Achievement Community Award, and lifetime achievement awards from the JIBC Foundation and the Emergency Preparedness for Industry & Commerce Council (EPICC). He holds an honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of Windsor and was part of the RCN Air Branch recognized with the Canadian Aviation Hall of Fame’s “Belt of Orion Award for Excellence.”
In recognition of his support for Indigenous communities, Mr. McGee was honoured with an Indigenous name by the Sto:lo Nation and blanketed by Qayqayt Chief Rhonda Larrabee. Mr. McGee holds a Bachelor of Arts from Saint Mary’s University and a Master of Public Administration (Honours) from Auburn University.