An Aylmer-based entrepreneur honoured for his leadership in the aerospace industry

Petar Seslija

Toby Gauld, founder and president of Optima Aero, won the 2026 EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award for the Eastern Region in the Clean Technology and Manufacturing category. The Eastern Region includes the province of Quebec and the Atlantic provinces. This award recognizes the growth of his internationally recognized Quebec-based company, which specializes in the recovery and refurbishment of helicopter parts.

Originally from Aylmer, Toby Gauld grew up on rue Principale and later on rue Lacasse. He attended Limoges and Saint-Paul elementary schools, then Grande-Rivière high school, where he played basketball and soccer. He also cites the Avatar exercise program as one of his great passions.

His company, headquartered in Beloeil, Quebec, also specializes in supplying operators, maintenance centres, and original equipment manufacturers worldwide with certified parts and maintenance services.

The company purchases and dismantles helicopters and engines to build an inventory of certified parts, which helps extend the service life of equipment and offer more cost-effective replacement solutions, while promoting a more sustainable use of resources in the aviation sector.

Optima Aero operates on three continents, with subsidiaries in Canada, the United States, and Europe. The company recently acquired a facility in Tarnos, in southwestern France. It holds accreditations from Transport Canada, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), as well as ISO 14001 and AS9110 certifications.

Following this recognition, Toby Gauld was keen to share the credit with his team members, clients, and partners. He emphasized that their expertise and commitment had helped build the company in Beloeil and expand its operations internationally. He now hopes to continue growing the business, support innovation, and contribute to a more sustainable aviation industry.