Bridge CEO resigns, new CEO named

By Angelica Haggert

The chief executive officer of the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority has resigned and an interim CEO was appointed just days later.

The original CEO resigned, effective Dec. 8. According to a news release from the WDBA, Michael Cautillo had been on a leave of absence since August 2017. Cautillo was the first CEO appointed when the WDBA was formed in August 2014.

“I would like to thank Michael for his work as the authority’s first chief executive officer and for his role in establishing the organization and in moving forward on the procurement process to select a private sector partner to design, build, finance and operate the new Gordie Howe International Bridge,” said Amarjeet Sohi, minister of Infrastructure and Communities.

On Dec. 14, a new interim CEO was appointed by Sohi. Andre Juneau will hold this position until “an open, transparent, and merit-based selection process led by the Government of Canada” can take place.

Juneau has been an interim member of the board since February 2017, and took over chief operating officer duties in October to cover Cautillo’s absence. Juneau’s background includes intergovernmental relations, infrastructure policy, government decision making and serving on public sector boards.

“We are pleased that Mr. André Juneau is taking on the role of interim CEO of WDBA and continuing to provide skilled guidance and seamless oversight to deliver the Gordie Howe International Bridge project,” said Sohi in a news release. “The Government of Canada is committed to building the new bridge, which will support economic growth by ensuring the continuous flow of people and goods between Canada and the U.S.”

Work on the Gordie-Howe International Bridge in both Michigan and Windsor is currently underway. The bridge is in the procurement stages, gathering the land necessary to build the international crossing.