Executive Appointment: Captain Harry T. Harsch, OMM, CD, RCN (Ret’d) Joins Commissionaires as Chief of Staff

The national office of the Canadian Corps of Commissionaires announces that Captain Harry Harsch, RCN (Ret’d) has joined the organization in the role of Chief of Staff.  Captain Harsch replaces Colonel Doug Briscoe (Ret’d).  The appointment is effective January 15, 2016.

“I am proud to be joining such an honourable organization, dedicated to providing employment for our veterans,” said Captain Harsch.  “As a Canadian Armed Forces veteran myself, I’ve seen firsthand the integrity, strength and skillsets of our servicemen and women.  I look forward to working with all Commissionaires divisions across Canada to help ensure that our veterans have meaningful employment after their military careers have ended.”

In his Ottawa role, he will be responsible for leading Commissionaires’ national business strategy and supporting its 15 member divisions.  Reporting to Commissionaires National Business Management Committee, (NBMC), Captain Harsch will also build strong relationships with key decision-makers within the Federal Government and national commercial clients. 

“We’re very pleased that Harry is joining our Commissionaires team in the national office.  His extensive knowledge and experience will help advance the security business interests of the regional divisions and will assist us in fulfilling our mandate as a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing employment opportunities to our veterans,” said John Dewar, Chair of the NBMC and CEO of Commissionaires Victoria, the Islands and Yukon.

Prior to joining Commissionaires, Captain Harsch served in the Royal Canadian Navy for over 36 years. He commanded the Esquimalt-based minesweeper, HMCS COWICHAN, the Halifax-based frigate, HMCS FREDERICTON, and the Halifax-based destroyer, HMCS ATHABASKAN.  He also served as Executive Officer of the Halifax-based destroyer, HMCS IROQUOIS, was Executive Assistant to the Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff, the Director of Military Careers (Navy) at National Defence Headquarters, Chief of Staff to the Commander of the Navy in Ottawa, the Division Head for Communications, Command and Control at NATO’s Maritime Command Headquarters in Northwood, UK, and Naval Adviser at the Canadian High Commission in London, as well as the Canadian Defence Attaché to Denmark.

Captain Harsch holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Ottawa and is a graduate of the Canadian Forces Command and Staff College in Toronto.  He was appointed an Officer in the Order of Military Merit in October, 2007. 

Captain Harsch is the Chairman of the Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Education Foundation, Vice-President Maritime Affairs in the Navy League of Canada and is a long-standing trustee with the Canadian Naval Memorial Trust.