Icon, Aviation

ICON Aircraft announced that Chris Dawson will join the company as its new Chief Operating Officer in August. Dawson comes to ICON after 17 years at Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP) in various management roles in marketing, strategy, and business development. Most recently, he served as Vice President and General Manager of the Global Sales and Consumer Experience division. Prior to BRP, he held various marketing positions at Ford Motor Company and Procter & Gamble.

“Joining ICON is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to participate in the creation of an entirely new consumer category around sport flying, ” said Dawson. “I’ve spent most of career at BRP helping consumers experience some of the world’s finest powersports vehicles, and I see flying as the ultimate expression of the freedom and adventure that defines exceptional recreational products. Getting the chance to bring all that experience to bear at ICON to democratize personal, recreational flying is a challenge I could not be more excited to take on. ICON’s mission, product, and team are truly inspiring.”

Dawson will succeed ICON’s current COO, Steen Strand, who will stay on in the near term as Chief BrandOfficer to ensure the strength and consistency of the ICON brand. “ICON is in the midst of an important transformation from an early-stage R&D company to an operationally-focused manufacturing organization. Dawson is ideally suited to take the reins from me, ” said Strand. “We ran an exhaustive search to find the right person for this role, and Chris Dawson’s organizational leadership skills and his experience at BRP make him a great fit.”

In his new role as No. 2 in command at ICON, Dawson will work closely with CEO Kirk Hawkins and will oversee ICON’s sales, marketing, design, engineering, manufacturing, and distribution. “We’re looking for both rock-star talent and natural leaders at ICON. Chris is both, ” said Hawkins. “He is exactly the kind of proven, operational leader for the next phase of ICON’s growth. ICON and BRP share much of the same DNA and passion for designing, creating, and delivering outstanding products that create fanatical customers. Chris is not only a star performer, but a natural fit for ICON as well. I’m looking forward to him joining the team.”

Dawson holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Honors) from Queen’s University and an MBA from Institut Européen d’Administration des Affaires (INSEAD) in France.