Our Leadership

John Sapp joined NFI as President and Chief Executive Office in January 2026, where he leads the organizational strategic vision and operations. With more than 25 years of leadership experience in the aerospace industry, John brings deep expertise and a proven track record that will help drive innovation and growth for NFI. Prior to joining NFI, John was President of the Aerospace Group for Eaton, a global intelligent power management company, and before Eaton, John was a leader at Collins Aerospace. During these five years at Collins, he held several roles of increasing responsibility including Vice President and General Manager of Strategic Solutions for Mission Systems. John also spent more than 11 years at GE Aviation. John currently sits on the Board of Directors for NFI Group. John served in the US Air Force as an F-15 fighter pilot and was later an instructor at the U.S. Air Force Fighter Weapons School. John graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy and holds a master’s degree in business administration from New York University.

Brian Dewsnup was appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of NFI effective March 1, 2024. Brian joined NFI through its 2013 acquisition of North American Bus Industries (NABI). At that time, Brian served as NABI’s CFO and, after its acquisition, as Vice President and General Manager. Brian subsequently held several positions with NFI, including Executive Vice President of Business Development, and President of NFI Parts. As President of NFI Parts, Brian led aftermarket sales and support, including training, warranty, publications and customer supply chain management for NFI’s North American businesses. Brian played an instrumental role in consolidating numerous aftermarket businesses into one parts business, grew revenue, combined distribution facilities, improved margins and lowered overall costs. In 2022 until his appointment as CFO of NFI in 2024, Brian also took on executive leadership for ARBOC Specialty Vehicles (ARBOC), in addition to his NFI Parts responsibilities.

Brian previously served as Controller of Johns Manville’s Waterville operations (a Berkshire Hathaway Company), and held various finance capacities at Ford Motor Company and Visteon Corporation. Brian has an MBA in Finance, a Masters Degree in Mechanical Engineering, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering.

Janice Harper, Executive Vice President, People and Culture Janice has been with NFI Group for 25 years and is currently serving as Executive Vice President, People and Culture. She is responsible for leading the people services function at NFI Group in a multi-location and diverse multi-national manufacturing, parts distribution, and service environment. Janice has worked in progressive human resource and management roles in the public and private sector with a proven track record in employee/labour relations, workplace culture enhancement, employee and organizational development, and safety/environmental systems management. Janice holds a BA in Communication and Certificate in Human Resources Management from the University of Winnipeg and Diploma in Creative Communications from Red River College. She holds the Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) designation, SHRM Senior Certified Professional certification (SHRM-SCP), Chartered MCIPD, and Human Resources Compensation Committee designation from the Director’s College at McMaster University (HRCCC). She previously served as Board Chair for the Chartered Professionals in Human Resources of Manitoba.

Colin Pewarchuk, EVP, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, joined NFI Group in 2006 and is responsible for assisting the NFI Group team in fulfilling legal and business requirements. Prior to NFI Group, Colin was a lawyer with Aikins, Macauley and Thorvaldson in Winnipeg, MB and a Banking Officer with Royal Bank of Canada.

Colin holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Honors) in Finance and a Bachelor of Laws, both from the University of Manitoba.

David began his NFI Group career in 1998 as Corporate Controller, and in 2002 moved from Finance into the role of VP of Supply Management, where he led a multi-year transformation to a world-class, lean supply chain organization. Since 2016, David has been responsible for the leadership and coordination of the Supply Chain organizations across all NFI business units.

Prior to NFI, David worked for eight years with Deloitte as a Chartered Accountant. David holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) in Finance from the University of Manitoba, and obtained his Chartered Accountant (CA) designation in 1993.

Chris joined NFI Group Inc. (“NFI”) in 2007 and is responsible for driving growth and performance, operational excellence, and innovation of zero-emission mobility for the New Flyer transit bus and MCI motor coach business. As President, he oversees core functions of sales and marketing, supply management, materials, engineering, manufacturing, quality, and customer care while maintaining focus on safety, working capital management, cost performance, and resource management. Prior to this role, Chris served as New Flyer’s Senior Vice President, Engineering and Customer Service, overseeing new product development, production engineering, sustainable transportation, and customer service.

Prior to New Flyer, Chris was Vice-President of Engineering at National Steel Car in the freight rail industry and spent nine years with General Motors. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (BSME) specializing in Automotive Engineering Design from Kettering University, and completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School. Chris is a board member for CALSTART, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the growth of clean transportation technologies, and is an accredited Professional Engineer.

John Proven joined NFI as President of NFI Parts and ARBOC Specialty Vehicles in June 2024. John brings over 20 years of experience to NFI in global markets and leadership of geographically diverse operations in manufacturing environments. In his role, John is responsible for leading the strategic vision for both business units while driving growth and performance. Prior to NFI, John served as President and Chief Executive Officer of CEL Group of Companies (CEL). CEL is based in Winnipeg. Its brands, Conviron and Argus Control Systems Ltd. are global leaders in the design and manufacture of plant growth chambers, rooms, and environmental control systems. John joined Conviron in 2010 as Chief Operating Officer and was instrumental in acquiring and integrating Argus Controls and establishing after-market offerings to drive recurring revenue.

John holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) in Finance and Marketing from the University of Manitoba and obtained his Chartered Accountant (CA) designation in 1994. John is a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors and a graduate of the ICD-Rotman Directors Education Program (ICD.D). John is active in the Winnipeg community as a Director of Cerebra Medical Inc. and Red River Mutual Insurance, a member of the United Way of Winnipeg Major Donor Cabinet, and he is a Past Chair of the Associates of the I.H. Asper School of Business.