2012 Forum Speakers and Contributors
Wendy Tadros - Speaker
Chair
Transportation Safety Board
Wendy A. Tadros was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba. As the daughter of a navigator in the Canadian Forces, she travelled extensively. Mrs. Tadros holds a Bachelor of Arts in History and Philosophy from Trent University and a Bachelor of Law from the University of Western Ontario.
Mrs. Tadros is a lawyer with extensive experience in the transportation sector. She held a variety of management and legal positions with the National Transportation Agency (NTA) of Canada and its predecessor, the Canadian Transport Commission. In the late 1980s, as lead counsel, she represented the Canadian Transport Commission before the Commission of Inquiry into the Hinton Train Collision, headed by Mr. Justice René Foisy. In the early 1990s, as Assistant General Counsel for the NTA, she worked on the Agency's input into a national review of transportation.
In 1992, Mrs. Tadros was appointed Inquiry Coordinator for “The Road to Accessibility: An Inquiry into Canadian Motor Coach Services.”
During her tenure as Director of Legal Services for the NTA, Mrs. Tadros worked on the development of a training program for tribunal members and helped deliver the training at the Canadian Centre for Management Development.
Mrs. Tadros is a lawyer with extensive experience in the transportation sector. She held a variety of management and legal positions with the National Transportation Agency (NTA) of Canada and its predecessor, the Canadian Transport Commission. In the late 1980s, as lead counsel, she represented the Canadian Transport Commission before the Commission of Inquiry into the Hinton Train Collision, headed by Mr. Justice René Foisy. In the early 1990s, as Assistant General Counsel for the NTA, she worked on the Agency's input into a national review of transportation.
In 1992, Mrs. Tadros was appointed Inquiry Coordinator for “The Road to Accessibility: An Inquiry into Canadian Motor Coach Services.”
During her tenure as Director of Legal Services for the NTA, Mrs. Tadros worked on the development of a training program for tribunal members and helped deliver the training at the Canadian Centre for Management Development.
Sgt. Dave Knubley - Speaker
Search and Rescue Technician, 442 Squadron
Canadian Armed Forces
A
native of Vancouver, B.C., Dave Knubley spent most of his youth in sports such
as track and field, soccer, wrestling, and skiing. Finishing high school, it
was the lack of a career path and funds that drew Dave to the Canadian Forces.
The need for adrenalin was what brought him to join Search and Rescue (SAR). Dave Knubley joined in 1984 as a Naval Signalman and was posted to Victoria B.C. and HMCS Kootenay following his initial trades training. He was part of the Canadian Forces Tattoo in 1985, then the West Coast Naval Gun Run Team performing at EXPO 86 the following year. For the next two years, he prepared for Search and Rescue taking courses such as Navy Diver, French Language, Industrial First Aid, and Military Parachute.
In 1990, he was selected from 60 applicants for one of only seven spots on the 1991 SAR Tech Course. Since graduating, his postings have included 413 Squadron (Sqn) Greenwood, N.S., 103 Sqn Gander Nfld, and Comox B.C. as both an operational SAR Tech at 442 Sqn, and five years as an instructor at the Canadian Forces School of Search and Rescue.
A career milestone came in 2004, where, as a member of the Cormorant helicopter crew, his team rescued a severely injured climber near Squamish and was awarded the Augusta Westland Trophy for the most outstanding rescue in Canadian airspace for that year.
Other notable accomplishments:
- Winner 1998 of the “Leslie L. IRVIN” trophy for Best in SAR Tech Parachute Accuracy.
- Winner of “Diamond” Trophy as a member of the Best Overall SAR Sqn 1994 and 1996.
Retired in Sept 2010, his current job description has him again at 442 Sqn in Comox as a Reservist Operational SAR Technician.
In 1990, he was selected from 60 applicants for one of only seven spots on the 1991 SAR Tech Course. Since graduating, his postings have included 413 Squadron (Sqn) Greenwood, N.S., 103 Sqn Gander Nfld, and Comox B.C. as both an operational SAR Tech at 442 Sqn, and five years as an instructor at the Canadian Forces School of Search and Rescue.
A career milestone came in 2004, where, as a member of the Cormorant helicopter crew, his team rescued a severely injured climber near Squamish and was awarded the Augusta Westland Trophy for the most outstanding rescue in Canadian airspace for that year.
Other notable accomplishments:
- Winner 1998 of the “Leslie L. IRVIN” trophy for Best in SAR Tech Parachute Accuracy.
- Winner of “Diamond” Trophy as a member of the Best Overall SAR Sqn 1994 and 1996.
Retired in Sept 2010, his current job description has him again at 442 Sqn in Comox as a Reservist Operational SAR Technician.
Benton C. Clark, CAM - Speaker
Manager, Safety & Training
Midwest Aviation, Omaha, NE
Benton C. Clark has been in commercial aviation since 1990. His approach to aviation safety grew from nearly a decade of experience as a paramedic in Eastern Kansas and has been enriched by over twenty years of experience gained through flight instruction, charter operations, and corporate aviation. Benton has a Bachelor of Science in Aviation from The University of Central Missouri, a Master of Arts in Management from Bellevue University, and has been awarded the National Business Aviation Association Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) designation. He holds an Airline Transport Pilot rating with numerous business jet type ratings and is a Gold Seal Certified Flight Instructor in both single and multiengine aircraft.
Since joining Midwest Aviation in 2000, Bentonhas been a strong advocate of comprehensive safety management systems and was instrumental in Midwest Aviation’s success in obtaining IS-BAO certification and implementing an integrated safety management system. As Manager of Safety and Training, Benton focuses on
cultivating an organizational safety culture that emphasizes proactive hazard identification and risk mitigation through active participation. Benton collaborated with senior management to introduce an integrated organizational succession plan that focuses on identifying future leaders, offering the opportunities to gain leadership experience and hone skills essential to future department managers and aviation leaders.
Since joining Midwest Aviation in 2000, Bentonhas been a strong advocate of comprehensive safety management systems and was instrumental in Midwest Aviation’s success in obtaining IS-BAO certification and implementing an integrated safety management system. As Manager of Safety and Training, Benton focuses on
cultivating an organizational safety culture that emphasizes proactive hazard identification and risk mitigation through active participation. Benton collaborated with senior management to introduce an integrated organizational succession plan that focuses on identifying future leaders, offering the opportunities to gain leadership experience and hone skills essential to future department managers and aviation leaders.
Reynold Hert - Speaker
Board Chair
BC Forest Safety Council
Reynold Hert joined the BC Forest Safety Council as Chief Executive Officer in March 2009. Employed in forestry since 1978, Reynold has advanced through the ranks of the industry from being a harvesting area manager at Procter and Gamble to roles as vice president of Canadian Lumber and later as vice president Canadian Forestlands for Weyerhaeuser.Recently, Reynold led Western Forest Products (WFP) as president and CEO for four years ending in late 2008. In that time, he oversaw a significant improvement in its safety record.
Reynold served as CEO of the BC Forest Safety Council from March of 2009 to October 2011. He has remained in the role of Board Chair. Reynold brings to the Council a firm belief that safe businesses are the best businesses. He believes forestry
operations that integrate safety as a way of doing business can see improved results including fewer injuries, lower costs, higher productivity and better worker morale. He has a B.Sc. degree in forestry from the University of Toronto.
Reynold served as CEO of the BC Forest Safety Council from March of 2009 to October 2011. He has remained in the role of Board Chair. Reynold brings to the Council a firm belief that safe businesses are the best businesses. He believes forestry
operations that integrate safety as a way of doing business can see improved results including fewer injuries, lower costs, higher productivity and better worker morale. He has a B.Sc. degree in forestry from the University of Toronto.
Lorie Anglin - Speaker
Boeing
GO Team member
Bio coming soon.
Heather Jo McCarley - Forum Emcee
Manager of Emergency Planning
Vancouver Airport Authority
Heather joined Vancouver Airport Authority in 1995. In her current role as Manager Emergency Planning she is responsible for the airport’s emergency management program, including emergency exercises, a variety of response plans, and initiatives such as the public access defibrillator program, and mass notification system. She acts as the emergency planning liaison for a variety of response agencies. Heather is an active member of regional emergency planning groups, and serves on the Conference Board of Canada’s Council on Emergency Management.
Her past roles with Vancouver Airport Authority have included Operations Shift Manager, overseeing day-to-day airport operations, and Manager Community Relations, where she worked closely with community groups and schools, and managed YVR tours, filming and VIP programs.
Before coming to YVR, Heather began her career in aviation at the Boundary Bay Airport in 1987, obtaining her private pilot’s license and working for the airport operator. She has also worked for Air BC and Hudson General Aviation Services, gaining experience in airline and ground handling operations.
Heather attended University of British Columbia, earning a Bachelor of Commerce in Urban Land Economics.
Her past roles with Vancouver Airport Authority have included Operations Shift Manager, overseeing day-to-day airport operations, and Manager Community Relations, where she worked closely with community groups and schools, and managed YVR tours, filming and VIP programs.
Before coming to YVR, Heather began her career in aviation at the Boundary Bay Airport in 1987, obtaining her private pilot’s license and working for the airport operator. She has also worked for Air BC and Hudson General Aviation Services, gaining experience in airline and ground handling operations.
Heather attended University of British Columbia, earning a Bachelor of Commerce in Urban Land Economics.
Gary Grass - ALF Director
President
Abante Intelligent Solutions Inc.
With over 30 years of aviation experience in fixed and rotary wing environments connecting maintenance and flight operations across an extensive range of aviation quality, safety management and training in military, commercial, government and civil aviation settings, Gary enthusiastically enjoys sharing and engaging those who choose to make a difference in their industry as professionals while they continue to learn, develop and deploy safety and quality managed solutions across a global aviation environment.
Former Martin Mars Pilot and Quality Manager, Vice Chair of the Aviation Leadership Foundation, contributing member to the Canadian Council of Aviation and Aerospace a co-author and co-creator of the National Occupational standard for QA Manager and QA Auditor and ongoing, the Occupational Standard for Helicopter Pilot in Canada.
Among many speaking engagements and as an invited speaker at Oshkosh 2007 and again, 2008, Gary was proud to speak on leadership at the international CHC Safety and Quality Summit in Vancouver in March and at the Airports of the Americas Conference in the Caribbean this past summer.
As president and Founder of Abante, Gary has led a team in the creation of distinctive SMS software, the iSMS and deploys it with Clients around the world using a co-creative process - ensuring the iSMS is exclusively tailored to the Organization in which it is implemented.
Former Martin Mars Pilot and Quality Manager, Vice Chair of the Aviation Leadership Foundation, contributing member to the Canadian Council of Aviation and Aerospace a co-author and co-creator of the National Occupational standard for QA Manager and QA Auditor and ongoing, the Occupational Standard for Helicopter Pilot in Canada.
Among many speaking engagements and as an invited speaker at Oshkosh 2007 and again, 2008, Gary was proud to speak on leadership at the international CHC Safety and Quality Summit in Vancouver in March and at the Airports of the Americas Conference in the Caribbean this past summer.
As president and Founder of Abante, Gary has led a team in the creation of distinctive SMS software, the iSMS and deploys it with Clients around the world using a co-creative process - ensuring the iSMS is exclusively tailored to the Organization in which it is implemented.
Barbara Dunn - Chair, Aviation Leadership Forum Organizing Committee 2012
Barbara M Dunn has been involved in aviation since 1971 when she became a Cabin Crew member with Air Canada. During her career with the airline she taught various safety related courses including security, cabin crew initial and recurrent, and CRM. In 1974 she became responsible for the health and safety activities for the Canadian Airlines Flight Attendant Assoc., a position she held until 1989.
Ms. Dunn is an internationally sought after expert in the field of Critical Incident Response and has taught Caregiver courses for many organizations. She is a member of several industry associations and committees and is currently the President of the Canadian Society of Air Safety Investigators and the Canadian Councilor for the International Society. She is also the International Symposium Chairperson for ISASI. Ms. Dunn recently became an ISASI Fellow.
Barbara is one of the founders of the International Cabin Safety Symposium sponsored by the Southern California Safety Institute and is also a member of the SCSI Board of Advisors. In 2008 she was presented with the SCSI Award for Excellence in Cabin Safety.
In 1994 Ms. Dunn was the first Cabin Crew member to be awarded the Transport Canada Aviation Safety Award, a distinction she holds to this day.
Ms. Dunn recently retired from Air Canada after 32 years and she currently operates her own consulting business.
Ms. Dunn is an internationally sought after expert in the field of Critical Incident Response and has taught Caregiver courses for many organizations. She is a member of several industry associations and committees and is currently the President of the Canadian Society of Air Safety Investigators and the Canadian Councilor for the International Society. She is also the International Symposium Chairperson for ISASI. Ms. Dunn recently became an ISASI Fellow.
Barbara is one of the founders of the International Cabin Safety Symposium sponsored by the Southern California Safety Institute and is also a member of the SCSI Board of Advisors. In 2008 she was presented with the SCSI Award for Excellence in Cabin Safety.
In 1994 Ms. Dunn was the first Cabin Crew member to be awarded the Transport Canada Aviation Safety Award, a distinction she holds to this day.
Ms. Dunn recently retired from Air Canada after 32 years and she currently operates her own consulting business.
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2011 Speaker Information
Shelly Chambers - Speaker
Transport Canada
Shelley Chambers has been working as the Director, International Operations, Transport Canada since October 2009. As Director, her main responsibilities include planning, directing and overseeing the delivery of the International Aviation Program. Prior to that, Shelley was Alternate Representative for Canada on the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) where she gained four and half year’s experience working in a multi-lateral environment.
Shelley holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in French Literature from the University of British Columbia. She has been working in the field of aviation for over 25 years. She started her career in cabin safety and from there progressed into the international field. She has both regional and headquarters experience and comes from an operational background.
Born and raised in Vancouver, British Colombia she was first attracted to aviation at a very young age when she used to go with her father to watch the airplanes take off and land at Vancouver International Airport.
Shelley holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in French Literature from the University of British Columbia. She has been working in the field of aviation for over 25 years. She started her career in cabin safety and from there progressed into the international field. She has both regional and headquarters experience and comes from an operational background.
Born and raised in Vancouver, British Colombia she was first attracted to aviation at a very young age when she used to go with her father to watch the airplanes take off and land at Vancouver International Airport.
Gary Grass - Speaker & Cafe Host
Manager, SMS and Quality
Blackcomb Aviation
With over 30 years in aviation maintenance, flight operations, education and training – Gary holds a CPL, M1 & M2 fixed and rotary wing AME license, teaching credentials and has been involved at all levels of aviation safety, training and operations management for most of his career.
Safety Management credentials were earned in 1986 while serving in the Canadian Air Force. He taught four years in Canada’s most prestigious post secondary aircraft maintenance institution, the British Columbia Institute of Technology, and two years at Canada’s most successful IFR school, Vancouver Pro IFR. He led a very successful team of computer programmers and graphic artists to produce several of Flight Safety International’s current aircraft animated systems used to train the world’s corporate and charter pilots.
He has lectured on Safety Management, Quality Programs and his experience as a Martin Mars pilot and engineer at numerous aviation conferences including Oshkosh 2007 and 2008.
He holds an elected Board position, and is the VP Operations of the Pacific AME Association. He is also a member of COPA, the EAA, and Warbirds of America.
He is Manager, SMS and Quality at Blackcomb Aviation, a western Canadian rotary and fixed wing aircraft management and charter organization.
Safety Management credentials were earned in 1986 while serving in the Canadian Air Force. He taught four years in Canada’s most prestigious post secondary aircraft maintenance institution, the British Columbia Institute of Technology, and two years at Canada’s most successful IFR school, Vancouver Pro IFR. He led a very successful team of computer programmers and graphic artists to produce several of Flight Safety International’s current aircraft animated systems used to train the world’s corporate and charter pilots.
He has lectured on Safety Management, Quality Programs and his experience as a Martin Mars pilot and engineer at numerous aviation conferences including Oshkosh 2007 and 2008.
He holds an elected Board position, and is the VP Operations of the Pacific AME Association. He is also a member of COPA, the EAA, and Warbirds of America.
He is Manager, SMS and Quality at Blackcomb Aviation, a western Canadian rotary and fixed wing aircraft management and charter organization.
Heather Jo McCarly - Speaker and Cafe Host
Manager of Emergency Planning
Vancouver Airport Authority
Heather joined Vancouver Airport Authority in 1995. In her current role as Manager Emergency Planning she is responsible for the airport’s emergency management program, including emergency exercises, a variety of response plans, and initiatives such as the public access defibrillator program, and mass notification system. She acts as the emergency planning liaison for a variety of response agencies. Heather is an active member of regional emergency planning groups, and serves on the Conference Board of Canada’s Council on Emergency Management.
Her past roles with Vancouver Airport Authority have included Operations Shift Manager, overseeing day-to-day airport operations, and Manager Community Relations, where she worked closely with community groups and schools, and managed YVR tours, filming and VIP programs.
Before coming to YVR, Heather began her career in aviation at the Boundary Bay Airport in 1987, obtaining her private pilot’s license and working for the airport operator. She has also worked for Air BC and Hudson General Aviation Services, gaining experience in airline and ground handling operations.
Heather attended University of British Columbia, earning a Bachelor of Commerce in Urban Land Economics.
Her past roles with Vancouver Airport Authority have included Operations Shift Manager, overseeing day-to-day airport operations, and Manager Community Relations, where she worked closely with community groups and schools, and managed YVR tours, filming and VIP programs.
Before coming to YVR, Heather began her career in aviation at the Boundary Bay Airport in 1987, obtaining her private pilot’s license and working for the airport operator. She has also worked for Air BC and Hudson General Aviation Services, gaining experience in airline and ground handling operations.
Heather attended University of British Columbia, earning a Bachelor of Commerce in Urban Land Economics.
Janet Austin - Speaker
CEO, YWCA metro Vancouver
As CEO of YWCA Metro Vancouver, Janet Austin has overall responsibility for one of BC’s largest and most diversified non-profit organizations, which offers services for 60,000 people annually in more than 30 locations.
Prior to joining YWCA Metro Vancouver Janet served as Executive Director of Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland. She has also served as Director of Development Services for BC Housing, where she oversaw the development of the province’s social housing for seniors and families, as well as transition housing, homeless shelters, and group homes for people with disabilities.
Janet is a recipient of the Business in Vancouver Influential Woman in Business Award, the Vancouver Board of Trade Community Leadership Award, the Queen’s Jubilee Medal and the Big Sisters Big Heart Award for outstanding contribution by a volunteer. In 2008, she was named to the WXN (Women’s Executive Network) list of Canada’s 100 Most Powerful Women.
In the past, Janet has been active as a community volunteer with a wide variety of organizations, serving in Board and volunteer positions with the Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation, MOSAIC, United Way of the Lower Mainland, The Council for Early Child Development, Leadership Vancouver and the BC SPCA. She has also served on the Blue Ribbon Council on Vancouver’s Business Climate and the City of Vancouver Women’s Task Force. As well, she has served as a weekend puppy-sitter for assistance dogs in training with the Pacific Assistance Dogs Society.
Prior to joining YWCA Metro Vancouver Janet served as Executive Director of Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland. She has also served as Director of Development Services for BC Housing, where she oversaw the development of the province’s social housing for seniors and families, as well as transition housing, homeless shelters, and group homes for people with disabilities.
Janet is a recipient of the Business in Vancouver Influential Woman in Business Award, the Vancouver Board of Trade Community Leadership Award, the Queen’s Jubilee Medal and the Big Sisters Big Heart Award for outstanding contribution by a volunteer. In 2008, she was named to the WXN (Women’s Executive Network) list of Canada’s 100 Most Powerful Women.
In the past, Janet has been active as a community volunteer with a wide variety of organizations, serving in Board and volunteer positions with the Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation, MOSAIC, United Way of the Lower Mainland, The Council for Early Child Development, Leadership Vancouver and the BC SPCA. She has also served on the Blue Ribbon Council on Vancouver’s Business Climate and the City of Vancouver Women’s Task Force. As well, she has served as a weekend puppy-sitter for assistance dogs in training with the Pacific Assistance Dogs Society.
Captain Claire Maxwell - Speaker
Canadian Armed Forces
Captain Claire Maxwell grew up in St John's, Newfoundland and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Space Sciences from Royal Military College (RMC) in Kingston.
She was awarded her Canadian Forces Pilot Wings in October of 1998. Since then, she has accumulated over 1,800 hours, mostly on the Griffon helicopter, flying search and rescue (SAR) missions, surveillance and reconnaissance, casualty evacuation and tactical helicopter operations.
Capt Maxwell has been posted to locations across Canada including Goose Bay, Petawawa, Gagetown and Ottawa. She has also served with Canada’s peace-support operations in Bosnia-Herzegovina.
She is currently located in Ottawa as Aircraft Accident Investigator for the Directorate of Flight Safety. In this role, she is the desk officer (point of contact), responsible for the Cormorant and Griffon helicopters, as well as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).
Capt Maxwell’s husband is an Artillery officer in the Canadian Forces. They are the proud parents of two little girls, Lauren age 5 and Megan age 2.
She was awarded her Canadian Forces Pilot Wings in October of 1998. Since then, she has accumulated over 1,800 hours, mostly on the Griffon helicopter, flying search and rescue (SAR) missions, surveillance and reconnaissance, casualty evacuation and tactical helicopter operations.
Capt Maxwell has been posted to locations across Canada including Goose Bay, Petawawa, Gagetown and Ottawa. She has also served with Canada’s peace-support operations in Bosnia-Herzegovina.
She is currently located in Ottawa as Aircraft Accident Investigator for the Directorate of Flight Safety. In this role, she is the desk officer (point of contact), responsible for the Cormorant and Griffon helicopters, as well as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).
Capt Maxwell’s husband is an Artillery officer in the Canadian Forces. They are the proud parents of two little girls, Lauren age 5 and Megan age 2.
Donna Wilson - Speaker
Vice-President Industry Services & Sustainability
Work Safe BC
As Vice President Industry Services & Sustainability, Donna Wilson is responsible for Investigations, Assessments, Industry & Labour Services, Business Continuity and Sustainability. Prior to joining the WorkSafeBC team in June 2010 Donna was the Executive Vice President of People and Sustainability with the Vancouver Olympic & Paralympic Games Organizing Committee (VANOC). During her tenure at VANOC Donna held responsibility for key areas including Human Resources, Sustainability, the recruitment and training of 25,000 volunteers, International Client Services and Official Languages. While at VANOC she led the charge of the first Olympic Legacy of Safety program in partnership with WorkSafeBC delivering the safest Games to date. Building organizational culture has been a passion of Donna’s throughout her career and developing a culture of safety for a fast paced project like the Olympics was her latest challenge.
Over the length of her career Donna has held increasingly senior positions in both an operational and human resource capacity. Senior Executive experience leading in large and growing public and private organizations in industries including the financial services, air transportation, healthcare and energy sectors has provided her with a strong sense of the possible when it comes to positioning organizations for the future.
Over the length of her career Donna has held increasingly senior positions in both an operational and human resource capacity. Senior Executive experience leading in large and growing public and private organizations in industries including the financial services, air transportation, healthcare and energy sectors has provided her with a strong sense of the possible when it comes to positioning organizations for the future.
Mike Plottel - Speaker
Director, Safety Services
Westjet
Mike Plottel is the Director, Safety Services for WestJet, Canada’s premier low cost carrier and second largest airline. Mr. Plottel’s career in commercial aviation began in 1978, when he joined the British Columbia Government Air Services as a pilot. Over the past 30 years, he has worked in commercial and airline operations as a pilot, manager and civil aviation inspector, and has logged over 6,800 hours of flight time.
Mr. Plottel held positions with the British Columbia Government Air Services, Air BC, Transport Canada, and the British Columbia Air Ambulance Program before joining WestJet in 2001as Flight Safety Officer where he managed development and implementation of Canada’s first Flight Data Monitoring program. As Director, Safety Services Mr. Plottel was responsible for implementing WestJet’s Safety Management System.
Mr. Plottel holds a diploma in Aviation Technology from Selkirk College, an undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of British Columbia, and a graduate degree in Administration from the University of Victoria. Mr. Plottel is based at WestJet’s headquarters in Calgary, AB, Canada.
Mr. Plottel held positions with the British Columbia Government Air Services, Air BC, Transport Canada, and the British Columbia Air Ambulance Program before joining WestJet in 2001as Flight Safety Officer where he managed development and implementation of Canada’s first Flight Data Monitoring program. As Director, Safety Services Mr. Plottel was responsible for implementing WestJet’s Safety Management System.
Mr. Plottel holds a diploma in Aviation Technology from Selkirk College, an undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of British Columbia, and a graduate degree in Administration from the University of Victoria. Mr. Plottel is based at WestJet’s headquarters in Calgary, AB, Canada.
Bill Yearwood - Speaker
Pacific Regional Manager
Transportation Safety Board
He started flying fixed-wing aircraft at age 13 on a sugar estate in South America, but evolved to fly rotary-wing aircraft for industry; Operations included: Heli-logging, Med-evac, Corporate, Arctic and Off-shore explorations, Flight training, and LSTC flight testing.
During a stint for Transport Canada, he was an Air Carrier inspector, helped draft the CARs, and managed System Safety. He joined the TSB in 1999, and has worked on several aviation occurrence investigations.
Bill lives in Vancouver, and has given up motor racing for bicycle racing.
During a stint for Transport Canada, he was an Air Carrier inspector, helped draft the CARs, and managed System Safety. He joined the TSB in 1999, and has worked on several aviation occurrence investigations.
Bill lives in Vancouver, and has given up motor racing for bicycle racing.
Renee Dupont-Adam - Speaker
System Safety Services
Renée Dupont-Adam is currently the Vice-President and a Facilitator of Human Factors Training for System Safety Services in Vancouver, Canada.
Renée began her life in aviation when she took her first flight from Lae – Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea in her fathers’ Cessna 182 at the ripe old age of 3 weeks old. From that point forward Renée has been involved in all aspects of aviation from setting up the Aircraft Maintenance Engineers Association (PAMEA), the Maintenance and Ramp Safety Society (MARSS) and helping present the 1st World Conference on Maintenance Errors and Their Prevention in 1995. She held the position of Editor for “GroundEffects” from 1997 – 2002. In 1993 the “Dirty Dozen” posters were developed by her father, “Gordon Dupont”, whom is know as the “Father of the Dirty Dozen” and thus she became the “Sister of the Dirty Dozen”. Renee is an active member of both the Quarter Century Club in Aviation as well as Women in Aviation International.
She has spoken at many Aviation Safety Conferences and Symposiums including: WATS, Flight Safety Foundation, ARTEX, CHC Safety Summit, CAMEA and more.
Renée continues to facilitate workshops and make presentations all over North America in the interest of furthering safety awareness by helping engineers and companies develop “Safety Nets” to lessen the occurrence of making the mistake they don’t intend to make.
Renée began her life in aviation when she took her first flight from Lae – Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea in her fathers’ Cessna 182 at the ripe old age of 3 weeks old. From that point forward Renée has been involved in all aspects of aviation from setting up the Aircraft Maintenance Engineers Association (PAMEA), the Maintenance and Ramp Safety Society (MARSS) and helping present the 1st World Conference on Maintenance Errors and Their Prevention in 1995. She held the position of Editor for “GroundEffects” from 1997 – 2002. In 1993 the “Dirty Dozen” posters were developed by her father, “Gordon Dupont”, whom is know as the “Father of the Dirty Dozen” and thus she became the “Sister of the Dirty Dozen”. Renee is an active member of both the Quarter Century Club in Aviation as well as Women in Aviation International.
She has spoken at many Aviation Safety Conferences and Symposiums including: WATS, Flight Safety Foundation, ARTEX, CHC Safety Summit, CAMEA and more.
Renée continues to facilitate workshops and make presentations all over North America in the interest of furthering safety awareness by helping engineers and companies develop “Safety Nets” to lessen the occurrence of making the mistake they don’t intend to make.
Megan Goddard - Cafe Host
Captain
Pacific Coastal Airlines
Megan’s career in aviation came about rather gradually. From a previous life in the Forests Industry, she spent much of the 80’s and 90’s in helicopters and float-planes working on Silviculture contracts. Always knowing that she wanted to be a pilot, she completed her Commercial license in 1998, and currently holds an Airline Transport Pilot License.
“Over the past 13 years, I have held positions as a Flight Instructor, Training Captain, Corporate Charter Pilot; Safety Manager, Line-Pilot, and Pilot Examiner. Seeing much of North America from the upper Flight Levels is an office window like no other!”
With a Master of Arts degree from Royal Roads University (2003), a secondary passion in Crew Resource Management and Pilot Decision-Making developed into the opportunity to influence organizational safety cultures through Change Management initiatives. As a Safety Manager and Consultant, Megan embarked on the challenge of gaining support and understanding from Operational Managers and aviation cohorts in redefining organizational safety. She has since gone on to consult with both large and small aviation organizations in the development and implementation of their Safety Management Systems, as mandated by Transport Canada.
Megan currently flies as a Captain on a Beechcraft 1900 for Pacific Coastal Airlines in Vancouver, BC.
She holds a Director position on the Board of the Aviation Leadership Foundation.
“Being part of the Aviation Leadership Foundation (ALF) provides an opportunity for me to facilitate and impact the conversation for effective leadership in aviation organizations. As a grass roots initiative, ALF has grown to include and impress a widening scope of industry participants. I believe it is a unique opportunity and a very powerful and timely conversation that is being cultivated through the Forum. I hope to bring leadership, acknowledgement and collaborative energy to the process of our Forum dialogue and look forward to working with you all.”
“Over the past 13 years, I have held positions as a Flight Instructor, Training Captain, Corporate Charter Pilot; Safety Manager, Line-Pilot, and Pilot Examiner. Seeing much of North America from the upper Flight Levels is an office window like no other!”
With a Master of Arts degree from Royal Roads University (2003), a secondary passion in Crew Resource Management and Pilot Decision-Making developed into the opportunity to influence organizational safety cultures through Change Management initiatives. As a Safety Manager and Consultant, Megan embarked on the challenge of gaining support and understanding from Operational Managers and aviation cohorts in redefining organizational safety. She has since gone on to consult with both large and small aviation organizations in the development and implementation of their Safety Management Systems, as mandated by Transport Canada.
Megan currently flies as a Captain on a Beechcraft 1900 for Pacific Coastal Airlines in Vancouver, BC.
She holds a Director position on the Board of the Aviation Leadership Foundation.
“Being part of the Aviation Leadership Foundation (ALF) provides an opportunity for me to facilitate and impact the conversation for effective leadership in aviation organizations. As a grass roots initiative, ALF has grown to include and impress a widening scope of industry participants. I believe it is a unique opportunity and a very powerful and timely conversation that is being cultivated through the Forum. I hope to bring leadership, acknowledgement and collaborative energy to the process of our Forum dialogue and look forward to working with you all.”
Dolores Wollbaum - Cafe Facilitator
Dolores Wollbaum is a Learning Facilitator, Workplace Educator, and Conference Speaker. Dolores--also known as Dolo—has experienced World Cafes as both a participant and a facilitator. She is convinced of their power to open doors to new thinking and ways of relating to one another. Dolores has moved back to Canada after living in the Caribbean for seven (7) years. Her passion is facilitating learning with companies, teams, and individuals.
Jamie Molloy - Panel Facilitator & Cafe Host
Growing up on the West Coast of British Colombia, Mr. Molloy quickly realized that aviation was a vital link for small communities on the Coast and across Canada. At the age of 14, he began pursuing his passion for flying by achieving his Ultralight Aeroplane Pilots License, arguably one of the youngest pilots in Canada at that time. He then attained a Private Pilot License, fixed wing and an Ultralight Aeroplane Instructor Rating. Then over the next five years, taught flying during the summer month, while pursuing an undergraduate degree in Earth and Ocean Science at the University of Victoria.
In 2000, Mr. Molloy left Vancouver Island, where he had been studying, to start a position with Harbour Air Seaplanes based in Vancouver. Initially starting out as a Dock Hand, he quickly learned the logistics necessary to support a major seaplane airline.
Over the next four years, Mr. Molloy held various management positions at Harbour Air and in 2004 he was appointed to position of Training and Development Coordinator and Company Aviation Safety Officer. Mr. Molloy took this opportunity to change the safety culture at the company and began building a program around the principles of Safety Management Systems. This proved to be very successful and in 2005, Mr. Molloy was asked by Transport Canada to lead a discussion workshop on this topic at the 2005 Canada Aviation Safety Seminar.
In June of 2007, Harbour Air Seaplanes conducted a corporate reorganization and a stand-alone Safety department was created. Mr. Molloy was appointed to Vice President, Aviation and Corporate Safety reporting directly to the President and CEO of the company. Mr. Molloy leads the department and is responsible of ensuring that the company exceeds the standard set by the regulator and the industry in aviation and corporate safety.
In 2008 Mr. Molloy was asked to represent all commercial floatplane interest, in the Vancouver region during the planning for the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. He advises and works closely with the Integrated Security Unit to ease the impact on commercial operations.
Mr. Molloy often guest lectures at BCIT and has been a director of the British Columbia Aviation Council since April, 2009.
Mr. Molloy was elected to the Nav Canada Advisory Council in April 2010 and represents aviation activities for the Province of British Columbia. Also in 2010 Mr. Molloy began a new venture and started True Course Solutions, an aviation consulting company based in Vancouver.
In 2000, Mr. Molloy left Vancouver Island, where he had been studying, to start a position with Harbour Air Seaplanes based in Vancouver. Initially starting out as a Dock Hand, he quickly learned the logistics necessary to support a major seaplane airline.
Over the next four years, Mr. Molloy held various management positions at Harbour Air and in 2004 he was appointed to position of Training and Development Coordinator and Company Aviation Safety Officer. Mr. Molloy took this opportunity to change the safety culture at the company and began building a program around the principles of Safety Management Systems. This proved to be very successful and in 2005, Mr. Molloy was asked by Transport Canada to lead a discussion workshop on this topic at the 2005 Canada Aviation Safety Seminar.
In June of 2007, Harbour Air Seaplanes conducted a corporate reorganization and a stand-alone Safety department was created. Mr. Molloy was appointed to Vice President, Aviation and Corporate Safety reporting directly to the President and CEO of the company. Mr. Molloy leads the department and is responsible of ensuring that the company exceeds the standard set by the regulator and the industry in aviation and corporate safety.
In 2008 Mr. Molloy was asked to represent all commercial floatplane interest, in the Vancouver region during the planning for the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. He advises and works closely with the Integrated Security Unit to ease the impact on commercial operations.
Mr. Molloy often guest lectures at BCIT and has been a director of the British Columbia Aviation Council since April, 2009.
Mr. Molloy was elected to the Nav Canada Advisory Council in April 2010 and represents aviation activities for the Province of British Columbia. Also in 2010 Mr. Molloy began a new venture and started True Course Solutions, an aviation consulting company based in Vancouver.
Giuseppe Sardone - Cafe Host
As a consultant and accredited Cognitive Edge practitioner, Giuseppe helps organizations understand and manage complexity. His latest projects have used structured storytelling to make sense of safety conditions in the workplace.
Born and raised in Italy, Giuseppe only few years ago decided to move to Canada and make Vancouver his new home. After graduating with a Master of Science degree in Industrial Engineering he completed a PhD in Management. As researcher, he coordinated several studies focused on the interplay of technology, innovation and business strategy, involving hundreds of companies from the public and private sectors. Giuseppe has authored publications on knowledge management, organizational network analysis and business community management.
Born and raised in Italy, Giuseppe only few years ago decided to move to Canada and make Vancouver his new home. After graduating with a Master of Science degree in Industrial Engineering he completed a PhD in Management. As researcher, he coordinated several studies focused on the interplay of technology, innovation and business strategy, involving hundreds of companies from the public and private sectors. Giuseppe has authored publications on knowledge management, organizational network analysis and business community management.
Heather Kahle - Cafe Host
Heather Kahle is a Human Factors Specialist employed with WorkSafeBC. She has almost 20 years of experience in the Ergonomics/Human Factors domain. While her career began here in B.C., Heather grew up in Sudbury – a community in northern Ontario. In 1993 she acquired her B.Sc. in Ergonomics & System Safety Design from the University of Waterloo. Following graduation she migrated west making B.C. her new home. For nearly three years after moving here, she held the Corporate Ergonomist position at BC Hydro.
Since 1996 Heather has been employed with WorkSafeBC as an Officer and subject matter expert in Ergonomics/Human Factors (HF). In 2003 she achieved the Canadian Registered Safety Professional designation (CRSP). In 2006, Heather joined the Investigation Division with her two colleagues; Jenny Colman and Tami Perkins.
Over the past five years, Heather has participated in several conferences and technical training sessions to enhance and broaden the application of system safety, the ‘new view’ of error and resilience engineering principles. Some of these include ‘Human Factors in Investigations’, an abbreviated TSB training session for the investigation model that WorkSafeBC adopted. In 2007, Heather participated in the Human Factors Series at the NTSB in Washington, DC acquiring expertise in the areas of Fatigue & Cognitive interviewing. In 2010 Heather participated in two Organizational Resilience seminars conducted by Dr. Erik Hollnagel. In June of that same year she completed the M.Sc. program for Human Factors and System Safety from Lund University, Sweden. Her thesis, completed jointly with her colleague Jenny Colman examines human performance variability in the context of manual tree falling for Coastal BC forestry operations. Most recently, Heather was accredited as a Cognitive Edge Practitioner in January 2011.
Since 1996 Heather has been employed with WorkSafeBC as an Officer and subject matter expert in Ergonomics/Human Factors (HF). In 2003 she achieved the Canadian Registered Safety Professional designation (CRSP). In 2006, Heather joined the Investigation Division with her two colleagues; Jenny Colman and Tami Perkins.
Over the past five years, Heather has participated in several conferences and technical training sessions to enhance and broaden the application of system safety, the ‘new view’ of error and resilience engineering principles. Some of these include ‘Human Factors in Investigations’, an abbreviated TSB training session for the investigation model that WorkSafeBC adopted. In 2007, Heather participated in the Human Factors Series at the NTSB in Washington, DC acquiring expertise in the areas of Fatigue & Cognitive interviewing. In 2010 Heather participated in two Organizational Resilience seminars conducted by Dr. Erik Hollnagel. In June of that same year she completed the M.Sc. program for Human Factors and System Safety from Lund University, Sweden. Her thesis, completed jointly with her colleague Jenny Colman examines human performance variability in the context of manual tree falling for Coastal BC forestry operations. Most recently, Heather was accredited as a Cognitive Edge Practitioner in January 2011.
Tammy Schiere - Cafe Host
Tammy’s career in the Hospitality industry started with graduating from British Columbia Institute of Technology in Hospitality and Tourism Management and immediately after started with the airline, AirBC in 1988. In 1995 Tammy joined Pacific Coastal Airlines and was integral to the introduction of 705 aircraft (large) as the Flight Attendant Manager. Tammy took on the role of Training and Standards Manager and then moved on to Manager Flight Operations. During this time Tammy created the following training programs, Flight Attendant Initial and Annual, Dangerous Goods, Security Training, Crew Resource Management, Disability, First Aid and Cargo Acceptance Training Program.
With changes in the industry and with the introduction of Safety Management Program, Tammy’s role at Pacific Coastal Airlines moved in the direction of Safety as the Director of Aviation and Corporate Safety. Tammy developed the company Safety Management Program and within this program has brought in training for staff in Emergency Response Training, Auditor Training, Risk Assessment and Enhanced Risk Assessment, Operational Quality Assurance, Accident Investigation and Occupational Health and Safety. Tammy now oversees the programs and ensures any updates either company or regulatory requirements as well as managing the company Safety Management System and Occupational Health and Safety program.
With changes in the industry and with the introduction of Safety Management Program, Tammy’s role at Pacific Coastal Airlines moved in the direction of Safety as the Director of Aviation and Corporate Safety. Tammy developed the company Safety Management Program and within this program has brought in training for staff in Emergency Response Training, Auditor Training, Risk Assessment and Enhanced Risk Assessment, Operational Quality Assurance, Accident Investigation and Occupational Health and Safety. Tammy now oversees the programs and ensures any updates either company or regulatory requirements as well as managing the company Safety Management System and Occupational Health and Safety program.
Erin Stewart - Cafe Host
Erin Stewart has three significant passions: a) collaboration and teamwork, b) individual and community capacity building, and c) being an artist. Guided by her values Erin pursues the question: How can art be used as a tool for individual and community change?
Erin is most interested in conducting research, exploring how people learn, creating the potential for positive change, and sharing complex concepts through art.
In the coming months Erin is focusing her attention on falling in love, creating a family sustainability plan, and finding more ways to apply her passions to meaningful work.
Erin is most interested in conducting research, exploring how people learn, creating the potential for positive change, and sharing complex concepts through art.
In the coming months Erin is focusing her attention on falling in love, creating a family sustainability plan, and finding more ways to apply her passions to meaningful work.
Barbara Dunn - Cafe Host
Barbara M Dunn has been involved in aviation since 1971 when she became a Cabin Crew member with Air Canada. During her career with the airline she taught various safety related courses including security, cabin crew initial and recurrent, and CRM. In 1974 she became responsible for the health and safety activities for the Canadian Airlines Flight Attendant Assoc., a position she held until 1989.
Ms. Dunn is an internationally sought after expert in the field of Critical Incident Response and has taught Caregiver courses for many organizations. She is a member of several industry associations and committees and is currently the President of the Canadian Society of Air Safety Investigators and the Canadian Councilor for the International Society. She is also the International Symposium Chairperson for ISASI. Ms. Dunn recently became an ISASI Fellow.
Barbara is one of the founders of the International Cabin Safety Symposium sponsored by the Southern California Safety Institute and is also a member of the SCSI Board of Advisors. In 2008 she was presented with the SCSI Award for Excellence in Cabin Safety.
In 1994 Ms. Dunn was the first Cabin Crew member to be awarded the Transport Canada Aviation Safety Award, a distinction she holds to this day.
Ms. Dunn recently retired from Air Canada after 32 years and she currently operates her own consulting business.
Ms. Dunn is an internationally sought after expert in the field of Critical Incident Response and has taught Caregiver courses for many organizations. She is a member of several industry associations and committees and is currently the President of the Canadian Society of Air Safety Investigators and the Canadian Councilor for the International Society. She is also the International Symposium Chairperson for ISASI. Ms. Dunn recently became an ISASI Fellow.
Barbara is one of the founders of the International Cabin Safety Symposium sponsored by the Southern California Safety Institute and is also a member of the SCSI Board of Advisors. In 2008 she was presented with the SCSI Award for Excellence in Cabin Safety.
In 1994 Ms. Dunn was the first Cabin Crew member to be awarded the Transport Canada Aviation Safety Award, a distinction she holds to this day.
Ms. Dunn recently retired from Air Canada after 32 years and she currently operates her own consulting business.
Richard Casavant - Cafe Host
Richard Casavant is Director of Training for QualaTech Aero Consulting headquartered in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. He has worked in the transportation sector throughout North America and SE Asia developing customer-centric, service delivery approaches. He is a certified instructor in Safety Management Systems, RA/HI, QMS and Human Factors.
His responsibilities and accomplishments over 25 years include:
Newark International Airport
GO Transit System in Toronto
Denver International Airport
Richard continues to consult to government, education, manufacturing, hospitality and transportation sectors. He holds an Emergency Medical Technician certification and has bred, raised and trained German shepherd dogs for police and security work. He owns K9 Solutions, a dog training business and is currently writing a book called The Boston Rules…How to build relationships like a dog.
His responsibilities and accomplishments over 25 years include:
- Acted as lead contact/operator for ASIG de-icing operations at Denver International Airport DEN
- Developed and implemented training for all ground based transportation vendors at DEN
- Developed driver training for Colorado Association of State Transit Agencies (CASTA)
- Supervised ground operations for 7 international airlines at St. Petersburg International
Airport in Florida (PIE) - Developed Frontier Airlines (F9) nation-wide customer service program The Spirit of Service
- Conducted SMS and HF training for major international airports throughout Canada
- Developed high involvement work teams for Jack Welch of GE Aerospace
- Designed and developed operations staff training for Bombardier Transportation North America (BTNA) at various site delivery centers (SDC) including;
Newark International Airport
GO Transit System in Toronto
Denver International Airport
Richard continues to consult to government, education, manufacturing, hospitality and transportation sectors. He holds an Emergency Medical Technician certification and has bred, raised and trained German shepherd dogs for police and security work. He owns K9 Solutions, a dog training business and is currently writing a book called The Boston Rules…How to build relationships like a dog.
Teara Fraser - Aviation Leadership Forum Founder
Teara traveled to Africa in 2001 and while in a small airplane for the very first time, as she accelerated down the runway her ‘heart came to life’. She returned to Canada to fly her first solo flight in February of 2002. Within one year her Commercial Pilot’s Licence was in hand and she has been flying commercially since. In addition, she has held the roles of Manager Flight Dispatch, Person Responsible for Maintenance, Chief Pilot, Operations Manager and Accountable Executive. During the winter of 2007 Teara was thrilled to be able to return to Africa as a consultant on an operations management contract with Bombardier for start up airline ‘Arik Air’ in Nigeria.
In 2009 she started her own business – KÎSIK Aerial Survey Inc. which provides aerial photography acquisition services directly to Governmental, Environmental, Mapping, Engineering, Utilities and Geospatial users. KÎSIK is a Cree word for Sky.
Teara undertook the comprehensive Conflict Resolution certificate program offered by the Justice Institute of BC in 2009. She is a certified negotiator and facilitates conflict resolution workshops within aviation, as well as the wider community. As a facilitator, Teara has been experimenting with World Cafés and is convinced of the power to connect, share ideas and harvest collective wisdom through meaningful conversation. Teara is a certified MBTI® (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® Practitioner using this powerful tool for personal growth and development, team building, and leadership development. Teara is currently completing the Master of Arts in Leadership program at Royal Roads University.
A deep commitment to leadership and safety inspired her to found the Aviation Leadership Forum with its first annual event in 2008.
She is a member of the Vancouver Board of Trade, Industry Council for Aboriginal Business, Forum of Women Entrepreneurs and serves on the Board of the BC Aviation Council as a Director.
In 2009 she started her own business – KÎSIK Aerial Survey Inc. which provides aerial photography acquisition services directly to Governmental, Environmental, Mapping, Engineering, Utilities and Geospatial users. KÎSIK is a Cree word for Sky.
Teara undertook the comprehensive Conflict Resolution certificate program offered by the Justice Institute of BC in 2009. She is a certified negotiator and facilitates conflict resolution workshops within aviation, as well as the wider community. As a facilitator, Teara has been experimenting with World Cafés and is convinced of the power to connect, share ideas and harvest collective wisdom through meaningful conversation. Teara is a certified MBTI® (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® Practitioner using this powerful tool for personal growth and development, team building, and leadership development. Teara is currently completing the Master of Arts in Leadership program at Royal Roads University.
A deep commitment to leadership and safety inspired her to found the Aviation Leadership Forum with its first annual event in 2008.
She is a member of the Vancouver Board of Trade, Industry Council for Aboriginal Business, Forum of Women Entrepreneurs and serves on the Board of the BC Aviation Council as a Director.
____________________________________________________________________
2010 Speaker Information
Darcy Rezac
Managing Director and Chief Engagement Officer
Vancouver Board of Trade
and Bestselling Author
Darcy Rezac is managing director and chief engagement officer, and chief executive, The Rix Center for Corporate Citizenship and Engaged Leadership at The Vancouver Board of Trade. Prior to that he held executive positions with the federal government, Alcan and General Motors. He also writes, speaks and consults on public policy, social capital, leadership, networking and corporate engagement.
Darcy is the author of the best seller, Work the Pond! (Prentice Hall NY, 2005), dubbed “The Connector’s Handbook” by Town & Country magazine. It features his trademarked ethos of positive networking. In its book review, The Financial Post credits Rezac with “taking networking to a new level.” It has also been published in China, Korea and Russia. He is also author of, The Engaged Leadership Matrix™, a corporate leadership capacity model which he launched at the PowerWithin’s Leadership Mastery Conference in Whistler BC, 12 October 07, where he presented with Ram Charan, Malcom Gladwell, Dan Gilbert and others.
He did graduate work at the University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser and York universities and holds B.Sc. in psychology from McGill and MBA from the John Molson School of Business, Concordia University, Montreal. He was awarded an army commission in the Royal Canadian Engineers, and a naval commission in 1996 as honorary captain (N), Fleet Pacific. He holds the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal, the Canada 125 medal and the Canadian Forces Decoration (CD).
Darcy was a founding director of Vancouver International Airport Authority (YVR) in 1992 and served for eight years. He is a director of B.C. Bearing Engineers Ltd., and The Vancouver Board of Trade. He is on the International Academic Advisory Board of Quest University, Garibaldi, British Columbia, and the advisory board of Recipco, Inc—the capacity exchange. He has been a frequent delegate to the World Economic Forum since 1989, and a member of the “Davos Circle.” He is a 2005 graduate of the Corporate Governance College of the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD). He has served as a volunteer for a number of academic and community organizations including the Segal Graduate School of Business, Simon Fraser University, British Columbia Institute of Technology Business Advisory Council, The Salvation Army, Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival and The Royal Winnipeg Ballet. He is an Ambassador for the 2010 Vancouver Olympic and Paralympic Games.
He was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba and was raised in Montreal, Kingston Jamaica (where he attended Priory School) and Goose Bay, Labrador. He has resided in Vancouver, British Columbia, since 1975. He holds a commercial pilot license and enjoys fly-fishing with his wife and family.
Darcy is the author of the best seller, Work the Pond! (Prentice Hall NY, 2005), dubbed “The Connector’s Handbook” by Town & Country magazine. It features his trademarked ethos of positive networking. In its book review, The Financial Post credits Rezac with “taking networking to a new level.” It has also been published in China, Korea and Russia. He is also author of, The Engaged Leadership Matrix™, a corporate leadership capacity model which he launched at the PowerWithin’s Leadership Mastery Conference in Whistler BC, 12 October 07, where he presented with Ram Charan, Malcom Gladwell, Dan Gilbert and others.
He did graduate work at the University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser and York universities and holds B.Sc. in psychology from McGill and MBA from the John Molson School of Business, Concordia University, Montreal. He was awarded an army commission in the Royal Canadian Engineers, and a naval commission in 1996 as honorary captain (N), Fleet Pacific. He holds the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal, the Canada 125 medal and the Canadian Forces Decoration (CD).
Darcy was a founding director of Vancouver International Airport Authority (YVR) in 1992 and served for eight years. He is a director of B.C. Bearing Engineers Ltd., and The Vancouver Board of Trade. He is on the International Academic Advisory Board of Quest University, Garibaldi, British Columbia, and the advisory board of Recipco, Inc—the capacity exchange. He has been a frequent delegate to the World Economic Forum since 1989, and a member of the “Davos Circle.” He is a 2005 graduate of the Corporate Governance College of the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD). He has served as a volunteer for a number of academic and community organizations including the Segal Graduate School of Business, Simon Fraser University, British Columbia Institute of Technology Business Advisory Council, The Salvation Army, Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival and The Royal Winnipeg Ballet. He is an Ambassador for the 2010 Vancouver Olympic and Paralympic Games.
He was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba and was raised in Montreal, Kingston Jamaica (where he attended Priory School) and Goose Bay, Labrador. He has resided in Vancouver, British Columbia, since 1975. He holds a commercial pilot license and enjoys fly-fishing with his wife and family.
Mike Plottel
Director, Safety Services
Westjet
Mike Plottel is the Director, Safety Services for WestJet, Canada’s premier low cost carrier and second largest airline. Mr. Plottel’s career in commercial aviation began in 1978, when he joined the British Columbia Government Air Services as a pilot. Over the past 30 years, he has worked in commercial and airline operations as a pilot, manager and civil aviation inspector, and has logged over 6,800 hours of flight time.
Mr. Plottel held positions with the British Columbia Government Air Services, Air BC, Transport Canada, and the British Columbia Air Ambulance Program before joining WestJet in 2001as Flight Safety Officer where he managed development and implementation of Canada’s first Flight Data Monitoring program. As Director, Safety Services Mr. Plottel was responsible for implementing WestJet’s Safety Management System.
Mr. Plottel holds a diploma in Aviation Technology from Selkirk College, an undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of British Columbia, and a graduate degree in Administration from the University of Victoria. Mr. Plottel is based at WestJet’s headquarters in Calgary, AB, Canada.
Mr. Plottel held positions with the British Columbia Government Air Services, Air BC, Transport Canada, and the British Columbia Air Ambulance Program before joining WestJet in 2001as Flight Safety Officer where he managed development and implementation of Canada’s first Flight Data Monitoring program. As Director, Safety Services Mr. Plottel was responsible for implementing WestJet’s Safety Management System.
Mr. Plottel holds a diploma in Aviation Technology from Selkirk College, an undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of British Columbia, and a graduate degree in Administration from the University of Victoria. Mr. Plottel is based at WestJet’s headquarters in Calgary, AB, Canada.
Tracy Medve
President
Canadian North Airlines
Tracy Medve is President of Canadian North. Canadian North is headquartered in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories and provides scheduled passenger and cargo services to 43 communities in northern Canada through the Southern gateways of Calgary, Edmonton and Ottawa. Canadian North also provides extensive contract and ad hoc charter services across Canada with a strong focus on the industrial charter market. The Company operates a fleet of 13 aircraft – nine B737-200’s and four Dash 8-100 aircraft.
Since 1985 Tracy has held various senior airline management positions at Norcanair, Time Air, Canadian Partner and Canadian Regional Airlines. Prior to joining Canadian North Tracy was the co-founder of C.T. AeroProjects, a Calgary based consultancy focused on air transport resource management working with a wide range of public and private aviation clients around the world.
Tracy is a lawyer by training and in 2009 graduated from the John Molson School of Business Global Aviation MBA program at Concordia University. She is the 2007 recipient of the John Molson School of Business MBA Scholarship. Tracy is a member of the board of the Air Transportation Association of Canada and the Northern Air Transport Association. She is also a past member of the Transportation Appeal Tribunal of Canada.
Since 1985 Tracy has held various senior airline management positions at Norcanair, Time Air, Canadian Partner and Canadian Regional Airlines. Prior to joining Canadian North Tracy was the co-founder of C.T. AeroProjects, a Calgary based consultancy focused on air transport resource management working with a wide range of public and private aviation clients around the world.
Tracy is a lawyer by training and in 2009 graduated from the John Molson School of Business Global Aviation MBA program at Concordia University. She is the 2007 recipient of the John Molson School of Business MBA Scholarship. Tracy is a member of the board of the Air Transportation Association of Canada and the Northern Air Transport Association. She is also a past member of the Transportation Appeal Tribunal of Canada.
Captain Kathy Ashton
Pilot and Flight Safety Officer
Canadian Air Force
Capt Kathy Ashton is a helicopter pilot with Canada’s Air Force. Since she received her pilot’s wings in 1995, she has served on international deployments and performed domestic operations, as well as a tour teaching students how to fly. She currently works in the Directorate of Flight Safety at National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa.
Captain Kathy Ashton joined the Canadian Forces in 1990. She graduated from the Royal Military College in 1994 with a degree in Chemical and Materials Engineering. Upon completion of university, she commenced her pilot training and obtained her Canadian Forces pilot wings in 1995.
She was posted to 443 Maritime Helicopter Squadron in Victoria British Columbia to fly the Sea King helicopter. During this tour she deployed on multiple exercises including one six month deployment on HMCS Regina to the Persian Gulf. She then completed a short tour at 19 Wing Operations in Comox British Columbia followed by a move to Portage-La-Prairie Manitoba where she instructed students on the Jet Ranger helicopter.
Her next posting was to the Directorate of Flight Safety where she was trained as a helicopter accident investigator. She is currently the Promotions Officer at the Directorate of Flight Safety and is the Editor of the Canadian Forces Flight Safety magazine, Flight Comment.
She has two young children, and is married to a fixed wing pilot, Major Chris Ashton.
Captain Kathy Ashton joined the Canadian Forces in 1990. She graduated from the Royal Military College in 1994 with a degree in Chemical and Materials Engineering. Upon completion of university, she commenced her pilot training and obtained her Canadian Forces pilot wings in 1995.
She was posted to 443 Maritime Helicopter Squadron in Victoria British Columbia to fly the Sea King helicopter. During this tour she deployed on multiple exercises including one six month deployment on HMCS Regina to the Persian Gulf. She then completed a short tour at 19 Wing Operations in Comox British Columbia followed by a move to Portage-La-Prairie Manitoba where she instructed students on the Jet Ranger helicopter.
Her next posting was to the Directorate of Flight Safety where she was trained as a helicopter accident investigator. She is currently the Promotions Officer at the Directorate of Flight Safety and is the Editor of the Canadian Forces Flight Safety magazine, Flight Comment.
She has two young children, and is married to a fixed wing pilot, Major Chris Ashton.
Catherine Roome
Chief Operating Officer
BC Safety Authority
Catherine is Chief Operating Officer for the BC Safety Authority (BCSA) - a risk management company with 280 employees which is committed to public safety, and is a 2007 and 2010 Canadian Top 100 Employer, 2007 & 2008 British Columbia Top 50 Employer and Top 25 Family Friendly Employers in Canada for 2010.
Catherine was Vice President, Engineering when she joined the BCSA in 2005, and as Chief Operating Officer she received Business in Vancouver’s “Influential Women in Business” award in 2008. In 2009, Catherine received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Victoria.
An electrical engineer, married to Bruce, Catherine has two children: Tavia and Rowan, ages 12 and 14. Catherine is inspired by gardening, the performing arts, running and sailing. She believes passionately that our generation’s responsibility is to bring forward new ideas. Her leadership style is to “encourage that unique brilliance and potential that exists in everyone.” Catherine has a fairly unhealthy drive for results, is working on letting go of control, and is a perpetual optimist.
Catherine was Vice President, Engineering when she joined the BCSA in 2005, and as Chief Operating Officer she received Business in Vancouver’s “Influential Women in Business” award in 2008. In 2009, Catherine received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Victoria.
An electrical engineer, married to Bruce, Catherine has two children: Tavia and Rowan, ages 12 and 14. Catherine is inspired by gardening, the performing arts, running and sailing. She believes passionately that our generation’s responsibility is to bring forward new ideas. Her leadership style is to “encourage that unique brilliance and potential that exists in everyone.” Catherine has a fairly unhealthy drive for results, is working on letting go of control, and is a perpetual optimist.
Claude Marchand
Director, Safety Services
Conair Group Inc.
Claude started in aviation as a fixed wing pilot in 1980 with a private license and upgraded to a commercial helicopter license in 1982. He worked mainly in Yukon for 8 years before moving back to the lower mainland where he worked for Frontier Helicopters, a division of Conair. Claude stayed with them until they closed their doors in 2001.
Claude then flew as a contract pilot and flight instructor until he started with Transport Canada in 2003. Hired there to fly helicopters as a line and training pilot with the Canadian Coast Guard he was based mainly out of Victoria.
Claude has been back with Conair as Director of Safety Services coming on to two years in May.
Claude then flew as a contract pilot and flight instructor until he started with Transport Canada in 2003. Hired there to fly helicopters as a line and training pilot with the Canadian Coast Guard he was based mainly out of Victoria.
Claude has been back with Conair as Director of Safety Services coming on to two years in May.
Bill Yearwood
Pacific Regional Manager
Transportation Safety Board
He started flying fixed-wing aircraft at age 13 on a sugar estate in South America, but evolved to fly rotary-wing aircraft for industry; Operations included: Heli-logging, Med-evac, Corporate, Arctic and Off-shore explorations, Flight training, and LSTC flight testing.
During a stint for Transport Canada, he was an Air Carrier inspector, helped draft the CARs, and managed System Safety. He joined the TSB in 1999, and has worked on several aviation occurrence investigations.
Bill lives in Vancouver, and has given up motor racing for bicycle racing.
During a stint for Transport Canada, he was an Air Carrier inspector, helped draft the CARs, and managed System Safety. He joined the TSB in 1999, and has worked on several aviation occurrence investigations.
Bill lives in Vancouver, and has given up motor racing for bicycle racing.
Jamie Molloy
Vice President Aviation and Corporate Safety
Harbour Air Seaplanes
At the age of 14, he began pursuing his passion for flying by achieving his Ultralight Aeroplane Pilots License, arguably one of the youngest pilots in Canada at that time. As he advanced his aviation training, he remained an active member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary on the Sunshine Coast. Initially starting out as a Dock Hand at Harbour Air, he quickly learned the logistics necessary to support a major seaplane airline. He became Ramp Manager of Harbour Air’s Richmond Base; a position he held seasonally for 3 years. In 2001, he saw an opportunity to expand Harbour Air’s existing schedule cargo service. In November 2001, Harbour Air Cargo Express was established and Mr. Molloy became Freight Services Manager. In 2004, Mr. Molloy was appointed to position of Training and Development Coordinator and Company Aviation Safety Officer.
In 2005, his title was changed to Aviation and Corporate Safety Manager to reflect the company’s focus to safety and to integrate the role of a safety manager into the corporate structure of the company under Operations.
In June of 2007, Harbour Air Seaplanes conducted a corporate reorganization and a stand-alone safety department was created. Mr. Molloy was appointed to Vice President, Aviation and Corporate Safety reporting directly to the President and CEO of the company.
In 2005, his title was changed to Aviation and Corporate Safety Manager to reflect the company’s focus to safety and to integrate the role of a safety manager into the corporate structure of the company under Operations.
In June of 2007, Harbour Air Seaplanes conducted a corporate reorganization and a stand-alone safety department was created. Mr. Molloy was appointed to Vice President, Aviation and Corporate Safety reporting directly to the President and CEO of the company.
Gary Grass
Manager, SMS and Quality
Blackcomb Aviation
With over 30 years in aviation maintenance, flight operations, education and training – Gary holds a CPL, M1 & M2 fixed and rotary wing AME license, teaching credentials and has been involved at all levels of aviation safety, training and operations management for most of his career.
Safety Management credentials were earned in 1986 while serving in the Canadian Air Force. He taught four years in Canada’s most prestigious post secondary aircraft maintenance institution, the British Columbia Institute of Technology, and two years at Canada’s most successful IFR school, Vancouver Pro IFR. He led a very successful team of computer programmers and graphic artists to produce several of Flight Safety International’s current aircraft animated systems used to train the world’s corporate and charter pilots.
He has lectured on Safety Management, Quality Programs and his experience as a Martin Mars pilot and engineer at numerous aviation conferences including Oshkosh 2007 and 2008.
He holds an elected Board position, and is the VP Operations of the Pacific AME Association. He is also a member of COPA, the EAA, and Warbirds of America.
He is Manager, SMS and Quality at Blackcomb Aviation, a western Canadian rotary and fixed wing aircraft management and charter organization.
Safety Management credentials were earned in 1986 while serving in the Canadian Air Force. He taught four years in Canada’s most prestigious post secondary aircraft maintenance institution, the British Columbia Institute of Technology, and two years at Canada’s most successful IFR school, Vancouver Pro IFR. He led a very successful team of computer programmers and graphic artists to produce several of Flight Safety International’s current aircraft animated systems used to train the world’s corporate and charter pilots.
He has lectured on Safety Management, Quality Programs and his experience as a Martin Mars pilot and engineer at numerous aviation conferences including Oshkosh 2007 and 2008.
He holds an elected Board position, and is the VP Operations of the Pacific AME Association. He is also a member of COPA, the EAA, and Warbirds of America.
He is Manager, SMS and Quality at Blackcomb Aviation, a western Canadian rotary and fixed wing aircraft management and charter organization.
Teara Fraser - Aviation Leadership Forum Founder
After a series of crushing personal losses, Teara traveled to Africa in hopes that she may stumble upon some meaning and clarity. While in a small airplane for the very first time, as she accelerated down the runway her “heart came to life”. She returned to Canada to fly her first solo flight in February of 2002. Within one year her Commercial Pilot’s Licence was in hand. Most recently she has been flying as a First Officer on the Dash 8.
A deep commitment to safety inspired her to found the Aviation Leadership Forum.
Teara recently undertook the comprehensive Conflict Resolution certificate program offered by the Justice Institute of BC and has been facilitating conflict resolution workshops. She has just been accepted into the Masters in Leadership program at Royal Roads University.
Teara believes that “you only get what you give” so is an active member of her community including serving as the President of Women in Aviation Sea to Sky Chapter 2005-2009. She devotes her time to many worthwhile organizations and is committed to bringing the message to youth and those who have lived with adversity, that there are unimaginable possibilities.
She is a member of the Vancouver Board of Trade and the BC Aviation Council.
Teara was born in Hay River, NWT and is a member of the Metis and Cree Nations. She has two children Kiana (15) and Keaton (10).
A deep commitment to safety inspired her to found the Aviation Leadership Forum.
Teara recently undertook the comprehensive Conflict Resolution certificate program offered by the Justice Institute of BC and has been facilitating conflict resolution workshops. She has just been accepted into the Masters in Leadership program at Royal Roads University.
Teara believes that “you only get what you give” so is an active member of her community including serving as the President of Women in Aviation Sea to Sky Chapter 2005-2009. She devotes her time to many worthwhile organizations and is committed to bringing the message to youth and those who have lived with adversity, that there are unimaginable possibilities.
She is a member of the Vancouver Board of Trade and the BC Aviation Council.
Teara was born in Hay River, NWT and is a member of the Metis and Cree Nations. She has two children Kiana (15) and Keaton (10).