CAE appoints Patrick M. Shanahan to board of directors 

Patrick M. Shanahan (CNW Group/CAE INC.)Patrick M. Shanahan (CNW Group/CAE INC.)

MONTREAL — CAE has announced that Patrick M. Shanahan is to join its board of directors.

“We are very pleased to welcome Patrick M. Shanahan to CAE’s Board of Directors. Mr. Shanahan’s more than 30 years of experience in the defense sector will help CAE achieve greater alignment with the needs and priorities of National Defense Departments, from the U.S. and Canada, to NATO and allies worldwide. He brings deep knowledge of Defense policy, strategy, technology, supply chain and operations that will strengthen our Board.” said John Manley, chair of CAE’s board of directors in a statement.

Shanahan served as acting U.S. Secretary of Defense in 2019 and as Deputy Secretary of Defense from 2017 to 2019. He also helped lead the development of several key U.S. Department of Defense policies and strategies in 2018 and 2019.

Shanahan also contributed to the creation of the Space Force and execution of the first-ever full-scope U.S. Department of Defense financial statement audit. He assisted in the digital and technological advancement for the department, helping to modernize their cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, cloud computing and command, control and communication systems.  Shanahan also established the Joint Artificial Intelligence Centre in 2018 and published the Department of Defense’s Artificial Intelligence Strategy.

Shanahan holds a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Washington and two advanced degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.