432 Algoma Wing 
Born in Victoria, British Columbia, Captain Lawson first began his military career as a British Army Cadet with Shearwater Detachment, “C” Company, 1st Battalion of the Queen’s Regiment in England.
Upon his return to Canada in 1985, Captain Lawson developed an avid interest in Aviation and began to turn his focus on a career in that discipline. Captain Lawson completed a degree in Civil Aviation – Air Traffic Services at the Canadian Aviation Institute at Georgian College in Barrie, Ontario and joined the Canadian Air Force in 1989 as an Air Traffic Controller where he worked at various bases across the country until 1992.
From 1993-1995 Captain Lawson worked in Airport Operations at the Oro-Barrie-Orillia Regional Airport (now known as Lake Simcoe Regional Airport). Concurrently, Captain Lawson obtained his Private and Commercial Pilots Licenses and began flying light aircraft charters for Air Lindsay. He also worked as a banner tow pilot and airborne traffic pilot for 93.1 CHAY FM Radio based in Barrie.
In 1995 Captain Lawson relocated to Nanaimo, BC to assume the position of Manager, Airport Operations for the Nanaimo Airport Commission. In 1998 Captain Lawson rejoined the Canadian Forces as a Cadet Instructor Cadre Officer with 205 “Collishaw” Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Cadets, Nanaimo. During his tenure with 205 Squadron, Captain Lawson held various positions including Flying Scholarship Officer, Training Officer, Administration Officer and eventually assumed the position of Commanding Officer.
Captain Lawson was also selected for, and completed military conversion training as an L-19 “Birddog” Tow Pilot with the Regional Gliding School based at CFB Comox, where he flew in support of the gliding operations based there. In 1998 he obtained his multi-engine and Group 1 Instrument Ratings.
In 1999 Captain Lawson was appointed as General Manager of the Nanaimo Airport, a position he held until 2001.
In the fall of 2001, Captain Lawson relocated to Sault Ste. Marie to assume his present civilian position as Manager of the Provincial Coordination Centre with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources’ Aviation Services Section.
Captain Lawson transferred from Pacific Region Cadets into Central Region Cadets, and began parading with 155 Borden Gray GC Squadron under the command of Major Manfred Storch, CD1. In 2002 Captain Lawson was appointed as Deputy Commanding Officer of 155, until his appointment to Commanding Officer in June of 2003. In 2006, Captain Lawson received his Canadian Forces Decoration for 12 years of service to Her Majesty’s Canadian Forces.
During his civilian career, Captain Lawson has been internationally recognized as an Accredited Airport Executive and has served on several boards including a Director of the International Association of Airport Executives for Canada, Tourism Nanaimo, Canadian Air Regulations Advisory Committee, Cowichan Valley Regional District Emergency Preparedness and Planning Committee, International Northwest Aviation Council, and the Airport Management Conference of Ontario. He has also written articles and has been a Western Correspondent for Canadian Airport Management Magazine, as well as an industry advisor to an author of a Canadian Aviation College textbook dealing with Airport Management and Operations in Canada. Presently, he serves as a Director and Vice-Chair of Waterfront Child Development Centre Inc., where he has been instrumental in moving the governance and policy agendas forward in a not-for-profit model.
In 2007, Captain Lawson attended the University of Guelph and completed his Masters Degree in Leadership studies, graduating in November of 2009.
In May of 2009, Captain Lawson transferred to the Supplementary Ready Reserve.
Captain Lawson is married to Michelle (Sartore) of Nanaimo, BC. They, along with their two daughters, Victoria and Paige, they have made Sault Ste. Marie their home.