The
Royal Regiment
of
Canada
Regimental Leadership
of the royal regiment of Canada
commanding officer
lieutenant-colonel
adam west, CD
Lieutenant-Colonel Adam West joined The Royal Regiment of Canada as a private in 2000, before commissioning in 2002. In 2006, then-Captain West deployed to Afghanistan on Operation ATHENA, as a Force Protection platoon commander.
In 2007, Captain West component transferred to the Regular Force, becoming a member of the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, where he was posted back to The Royal Regiment of Canada as the unit’s Adjutant. In 2009, Captain West was posted to the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry. In 2011, Captain West was posted to The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada as the unit’s Adjutant.
In 2015, Captain West was posted 4th Canadian Division Headquarters. In 2016, Captain released from the Regular Force to attend law school.
In 2017, Upon transfer from the regular Force, Captain West rejoined The Royal Regiment of Canada, where he held various appointments, including Officer Commanding of the training company, Regimental Adjutant, Deputy Commanding Officer, acting-Commanding Officer, and Officer Commanding of the rifle company. In 2023, Lieutenant-Colonel West was promoted to his current rank upon his appointment as Commanding Officer of The Royal Regiment of Canada. Outside of the Canadian Armed Forces, Lieutenant-Colonel West is a litigation lawyer. He and his wife have two daughters.
regimental sergeant major
chief warrant officer
Mariangeles Najlis, CD
Chief Warrant Officer Mariangeles Najlis joined The Royal Regiment of Canada in 1991. In 1996, then-Corporal Najlis deployed to Bosnia on Operation PALLADIUM as a machine gunner in an infantry section attached to the 1st Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment. In 1998, Master Corporal Najlis deployed on Operation RECUPERATION for the Toronto ice storm.
In 1999, Master Corporal Najlis took part in Operation ABACUS, planning for the Y2K bug. In 2000, Sergeant Najlis was the Operations Sergeant for Defence Research and Development Canada in Toronto, working on projects such as the Soldier Modernization Program.
In 2003, Sergeant Najlis deployed to Afghanistan on Operation ATHENA, and again in 2004 as a civilian logistics manager supporting various NATO contingents and the United Nations.
In 2019, Master Warrant Officer Najlis deployed to Iraq on Operation IMPACT, returning in 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, and immediately took part in Operations LASER and VECTOR. Outside of the Canadian Armed Forces, Chief Warrant Officer Najlis is employed with Public Safety Canada, and has two sons with her partner.
Colonel-in-Chief
His Majesty
King Charles III
The Colonel-in-Chief is a ceremonial appointment within the Regiment which helps to maintain its linkage with The Sovereign, who is head of state of Canada, and Commander-in-Chief of the Canadian Armed Forces. King Charles III has served as The Royal Regiment of Canada's Colonel-in-Chief since 1977.
honorary
colonel
kelly meigheN, CD
Honorary Colonel Kelly Meighen, Née Dillon, is a Toronto-based philanthropist and volunteer. Through her individual efforts and as President of the T.R. Meighen Family Foundation, HCol Meighen has contributed to innovative and strategic initiatives in youth mental health, the arts, and services for vulnerable communities, primarily in Toronto and New Brunswick.
She received a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Western University in 1971, and has received Honorary Doctorates from Huron University College, Mount Alison University, the University of New Brunswick, and Western University. In addition to her work with the T.R. Meighen Family Foundation, HCol Meighen has held positions as Board Chair or Director
with the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Foundation and Board of Trustees, Evergreen, Huron University College, McGill University’s Academic Advising and Mentoring Board, the Royal Conservatory of Music, the Stratford Shakespeare Festival, Western University, and is a founding member of the Board of Jack.org. She received The Philanthropist of the Year Award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals in 2008. She was also recognized by her alma mater, Western University, in 2010 with the Dr. Ivan Smith Award. Along with her husband, the the Honourable Michael A. Meighen, she was a recipient of the Yorktown Family Services Humanitarian Award for community service in 2013. She has also been awarded the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal.
HCol Meighen’s father, HCol Richard Dillon, CM, MC, served in Italy during World War II with the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment, and was wounded at Ortona in 1943. HCol Meighen’s mother, Elizabeth Dillon, was a Wren in the Royal Canadian Navy in Ottawa during World War II.
honorary
Lieutenant-colonel
Adrian Praysner, CD
Honourary Lieutenant-Colonel (HLCol) Adrian Praysner joined The Royal Regiment of Canada as a private in 1972, and worked his way through the ranks up to Lieutenant-Colonel upon appointment as Commanding Officer of The Royal Regiment of Canada.
In addition to being Commanding Officer, HLCol Praysner held various appointments throughout his military career, including Senior Staff Officer Infantry, and Senior Staff Officer Administration & Logistics.
HLCol Praysner established the first military display at the annual Toronto Indy, and the annual International Auto Show, respectively.
HLCol Praysner is the Vice-Chair of Commissionaires Great Lakes, President of the Army Cadet League of Ontario
Foundation, Treasurer of The Royal Regiment of Canada Foundation, Director of the Provincial Sports Organization, and President of the Ontario Rifle Association.
HLCol Praysner has two children with his wife, with whom he splits time with between his home in York Region and farm in Niagara-on-the-Lake.