Lieutenant-General Allan MacKenzie, C.M.M. O.St.J. C.D. (1931 - 2012)

Lieutenant-General Allan MacKenzie was born in Jamaica and was a student at Jamaica College from 1944-1948. In 1950, General MacKenzie came to Canada and he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in December 1950. After completing pilot training, he commenced flying duties as a Flying Officer in 1952.

General MacKenzie advanced through the officer ranks from Flying Officer to Lieutenant-General serving in a variety of flying and staff appointments. During his career he commanded a squadron, a base and the Maritime Air Group. In 1978 he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-General and appointed Chief of Staff for the Canadian Air Force.

In 1980, General MacKenzie elected to resign from the Air Force and subsequently became Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Gendis Inc. In 1989, he was promoted to President and Chief Operating Officer and in 1999 to President and Chief Executive Officer. He was on the Board of Directors for Sony of Canada Ltd. and a member of the Regional Advisory Board for Carleton University. General MacKenzie was also a Governor of the Canadian Corps of Commissionaires and an Advisor to the Association of Canadian Police Chiefs. He was decorated a Commander of the Order of Military Merit, an Officer of the Order St. Johns, and the Canadian Forces Decoration. He was also a Knight of the Order of St. Lazarus of Jerusalem. As well, he was a member of the Manitoba Club and the Royal Military Institute of Manitoba.

General MacKenzie was appointed the Honorary Chairman of the Manitoba Provincial Committee of the Air Cadet League of Canada in 2010. He was married to Valerie Ann Marchand and has two children, Michael and Barbara. General MacKenzie passed away in Winnipeg on September 10, 2012.