Sponsored Student Spotlight: Currie Russell
By: AMCO Staff
If one has a chat with Currie Russell, there is a quick realization that he is an affable fellow with a passion for airports, safety, and continuous learning. Currie exhibits a willingness to share knowledge gained through his time at airports like Toronto Pearson International Airport and Region of Waterloo International Airport while pressing the importance of networking too. He can attest that connections made in one’s chosen field can lead to new opportunities and career development. This is an important piece of advice gained from his time as a Sponsored Student which also helps him in his role as an AMCO Business Member through his company Acclivix Inc.
“What’s an AMCO?”
It is not always the case that an interest in airport operations is linked to elements of Canadiana. One evening in the late 1980s, as a teenager, Currie watched an episode of The Fifth Estate in which highly respected investigative journalist Hana Gartner visited Toronto Pearson International Airport to show viewers the dynamic behind the scenes activities at the busiest airport in Canada. Then-airport duty manager Al Tweten led the tour. Currie was so captivated with the feature that he reached out to Transport Canada to see if a similar experience could be arranged. It was possible and Currie spent the day shadowing Mr. Tweten on the job.
This led Currie to enrol in the Aviation Management program at Georgian College. Following his first year, he took a ten year pause in his post-secondary education for unforeseen reasons. Upon his return to the program, a classmate advised Currie that he should help at the 2000 AMCO convention in Hamilton to which he responded, “What’s an AMCO?” He was tasked with being the event photographer whilst two other students assisted with registration. Currie would soon learn that it was a community of airport professionals that offered excellent prospects for networking within his chosen field.
The following year, while on his first co-op with the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA), the college’s co-op coordinator reached out to see if Currie would like to return as a Sponsored Student for the 2001 Convention in Thunder Bay. He attended with résumés in hand, ready to be shared with attendees.
One of his résumés led to his next co-op position with the Transport Canada (TC) Funded Programs division, helping with the Airports Capital Assistance Program (ACAP). During this co-op, Currie was sent on a two-week Aerodrome Safety Specialty course, as aviation safety management systems (SMS) began to attract greater discussion within the industry. This would become an important element of the trajectory of Currie’s career.
Following graduation, Currie eventually found employment at the Region of Waterloo International Airport (YKF) as an Operations Coordinator – again, through having connected with then Operations Manager, Kevin Campbell, at the AMCO Conventions. Around 2005, TC reached out to YKF about participating in a pilot program for implementing SMS at non-Tier 1 airports, and Currie was tasked with deciphering it all.
In 2016, Currie was offered the opportunity to lead the Toronto Pearson Safety Program and returned to the GTAA. After more than three years of building safety culture and programs for 50,000 employees and 400 companies doing business at Pearson, the COVID pandemic struck. A shock to the world that hit the aviation industry hard, the GTAA was forced to cut 25% of their staff in July 2020 and Currie was included in the staffing reductions.
After consulting with trusted friends and mentors, Currie established Acclivix Inc. As noted on its official website, “Acclivix is an aviation safety consulting firm that specializes in developing and implementing Safety Management Systems (SMS) for airports and other aviation organizations.” The reputation of Acclivix Inc. is growing in the industry and there is a demand for their training courses. In March 2025, Acclivix offered their inaugural SMS Manager Course in which 13 safety professionals employed at airports across Canada were in attendance. Currie’s penchant for networking and fostering connections best place these training opportunities to grow in the future.
It is a fair assessment that Currie’s engagement with AMCO has come full circle. From his start as a Sponsored Student, to participation as a Business Member, and presenting at events like the 2024 Annual Spring Airfield Workshop.
Advice for the Next Generation
Currie recalls the warm and welcoming environment at the Conventions he attended as a Sponsored Student. The networking opportunities afforded to himself, as a student, were indispensable to his career path and development. It is through these experiences that Currie strongly believes that students should embrace the prospect of making lasting connections in the airport industry. Further, it is important to nurture these connections so that longstanding relationships can develop, and opportunities for collaboration can mature.
Currie developed a career in his chosen field by fostering connections and being in a position to develop expertise on an important area of airport operations. He is a good example of how AMCO Sponsored Students have found success in their respective positions in the airport industry. Success stories such as these demonstrate that determination and a dedication to continuous learning ensure a long career in airports and aviation.