UWindsor alumnus John BItove (LLB 1984, LLD h.c. 2022) has accepted an appointment as chair of the board of directors of Bird Global, which provides on-demand rental of electric vehicles.

The company offers e-scooters and e-bikes in communities around the world, including Windsor. Bitove has served on its board since January, and is the chair and co-founder of Bird Canada.

“I am excited to step into this new role as chairperson and continue working with my fellow board members and the Bird leadership team during the company’s next chapter of growth. The energy and enthusiasm of the Board has been incredible since I joined early this year,” Bitove said.

“We’re all passionate about Bird’s prospects and supporting the company in its mission to provide clean, equitable transportation alternatives in cities around the world.”

Among the organizations Bitove founded are the Toronto Raptors Basketball Club, 2019 NBA champions; Canadian Satellite Radio, now SiriusXM Canada; PointNorth Capital, a joint venture with Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System; the retail property owner KEYreit; and wireless operator Mobilicity. He received an honorary doctor of laws degree from the University of Windsor in 2022.