Anik Bertrand is the Director of Stakeholder and Commercial Relations at NAV CANADA. Over the course of her 25+ years in the aviation industry, Anik has held several roles at Transport Canada (TC) and NAV CANADA ranging from front-line positions to leading national groups and programs such as TC’s Civil Aviation Contingency Operations (CACO) and NAV CANADA’s National Operations Centre (NOC). In her current role, Anik is responsible for NAV CANADA’s Stakeholder Relations Program, which actively supports improving collaboration across the industry.

Paul Dittmann began his career in aviation with the Royal Canadian Air Cadets, earning his glider wings in 1985. After joining the Canadian Armed Forces in 1986, he completed pilot training in 1991 and then went on to fly the Sea King helicopter on operations with 423, 443, and 814 (Royal Navy) Squadrons. He later instructed on the Sea King with 406 Squadron and on the Outlaw helicopter with 3 Canadian Forces Flying Training School while serving as its Commandant. Mr. Dittmann has 4,000 hours of flying time and qualified as a naval diving officer.

Mr. Dittmann's experience at National Defence Headquarters includes posts as an aircraft accident investigator and as the Chief Investigator for the Canadian Armed Forces. Additionally, he held the posts of Contracted Flying Training and Support Program Manager, Director of Air Simulation and Training, and Director Fighter Capability Requirements.

Mr. Dittmann is a graduate of Royal Roads Military College (Bachelor of Science, Physics and Oceanography), Royal Military College (Masters of Defence Studies), the Canadian Forces College (Joint Command and Staff Program), and NATO Defense College (Senior Course in strategic defense and security studies).

He retired from the Canadian Armed Forces in 2017.

Celina has been involved in research and analysis for a wide range of transportation and tourism projects. Her primary focus has been on economic impact studies for government and private sector clients in Canada, the U.S. and internationally, assessing the contribution of numerous airports, ports, and tourism activity to the economy. She understands the importance of robust economic impact analyses in communicating the role of a sector, project or change in government regulation to local communities and nationwide. Celina holds a Master of Arts in Economics from the University of British Columbia

Warren Everson is President of Saramac Consulting Services.

Previously he served seven years as Senior Vice President at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. He was a Senior Associate at the government relations firm StrategyCorp for four years and was a member of Bell Canada’s government relations group.

Before joining Bell Canada, Warren was the Vice President for Policy & Planning for the Air Transport Association of Canada with responsibility for subject areas such as taxation and immigration security as well as Parliamentary relations, media and communications.

Warren’s consulting practice has focused on transportation. He has done projects for associations, railways and airports across Canada and in various international locations. He was the Executive Director for the National Transportation Act Review Commission and also served as a Commissioner for the Transportation Safety Board Review.

During his decade-long career in government, Mr. Everson served as Chief of Staff to the Minister of Transport and the Solicitor General and was on the staffs of five other Ministers. He participated in several national election campaigns. Although he is no longer active in partisan politics, Warren maintains good relations with contacts in the major parties.

Joshua Horst is a senior aviation consultant, project manager and pilot with extensive experience in airport and heliport systems planning, design, and operation. Joshua is practice lead for Avia NG's Aviation Planning and Advisory division. Joshua’s airport planning experience includes airside system planning and design, capacity and operational studies, feasibility studies, master plans, terminal area planning, flight inspections and regulatory compliance audits.
In addition, he has written numerous airport operations manuals including related plans and procedural documents. Joshua consults as a senior advisor and expert in airfield usability, land use planning, meteorological analysis, aeronautical zoning, heliports and plans of construction operations. Joshua has been involved in the planning of both large and small airfield development projects including several green-field projects internationally. In addition to his consulting roles, Joshua has served as a sessional lecturer in aviation post-graduate studies teaching Airport Planning and Management. Joshua’s academic background includes a Master of Aviation Management degree from Griffith University in Australia and several postgraduate courses from Stanford University and the University of California at Berkeley.

Willis is the owner and Principal Consultant with ACE Consulting offering a range of aviation consulting services.

Previous to ACE Consulting, he spent several years as the Safety and Quality Manager with Cougar Helicopters Inc., St. John’s NL, which followed an Air Force career and a 2-year stint as the Executive Director for the Provincial Aerospace and Defence Industry Association.

During his RCAF career Willis was employed as an Aerospace Engineer, Maintenance Manager and Project Manager on a variety of helicopter fleets at locations across Canada and Germany. Staff and Command tours included postings across Canada, England and with NATO including 3 years as the Air Force Technician Training School Commandant. His last RCAF tour was as the Executive Officer for the Directorate Strategic Planning at the NATO Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), Mons, Belgium.

Willis is also the Past Chair of the Atlantic Canada Aerospace and Defence Industry (ACADA),a Provincial Director for the CF Liaison Council (CFLC) and Vice-Chair of Safety NL.

Lauren is an Associate with Emond Harnden and a member of the Firm’s Aviation Practice Group, having joined the firm as a lawyer following her articles and two summer terms. Lauren practices in all areas of labour and employment law with a focus on assisting and advising employers in federally regulated industries, particularly in the aviation industry. Lauren has first hand experience in the industry, having spent the better part of two years on a series of secondments at NAV Canada in both their legal and labour relations departments, and at CATSA in their legal department.

• 
  Experience
  

  College degree in aircraft maintenance
  Bachelor degree in mechanical engineering
  AME and A&P licenses
  Certification delegate from TCCA
  10 years in field operation (helicopter), including corporate aviation
  25 years with BELL Helicopter in different roles, mainly experimental flight test

• 
  

  Doris has worked with numerous clients in various industries to identify broad economic benefits. With 25 years of marketing and consulting experience at InterVISTAS, she manages the economic impact analysis practice. Doris also works in several different areas including market research, air service development, economic analysis, and market intelligence. She has been involved in and has project managed several integrative consulting projects that span across several different practice areas. Doris has a Bachelor of Science in Zoology and a Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) in Marketing and Finance from the University of Manitoba.

• 
  Experience
  

  Clint Mowbray served in the RCAF as a Search and Rescue helicopter pilot for nearly 28 years. He completed this career with back to back Commanding Officer tours, the first at 103 Rescue Squadron in Gander, Newfoundland and the second as the Commanding Officer of 442 Rescue Sqn in Comox, BC. After he retired from the RCAF in 2017 he immediately began a new job working for BC Hydro as the Senior Manager of Aircraft Operations. In this role Clint oversees all Rotary Wing, Fixed Wing and Drone use by BC Hydro around the province ensuring that all aviation work is completed safely and efficiently. He has a Bach of Science, Masters in Defence Studies and is currently pursuing a post-grad Certificate in Aviation Safety through the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He continues to fly a Piper Archer privately and is the Vice-President of the board of directors for the Courtenay Airpark in Courtenay, BC.

Yoan Marier has extensive experience in federally regulated transportation and access to justice. Before joining the TSB, he served nearly four years at the Social Security Tribunal of Canada, where he conducted hundreds of hearings, managed a team of decision-makers, and improved access to justice by reducing delays and simplifying processes. From 2014 to 2016, he worked at Transport Canada on regulatory compliance for dangerous goods in various transportation sectors.

Earlier in his career, he was a commercial airplane pilot, gaining insight into industry challenges. Additionally, he spent eight years at the Canada Border Services Agency, conducting in-depth searches and enforcing immigration law.

Trevor Mitchell is the President and CEO for the Helicopter Association of Canada. He brings 29 years of Aviation experience to HAC. Trevor’s career has spanned a broad cross section of the helicopter industry in Canada and also globally. Career experience consists ofpiloting of VFR and IFR helicopters, planning heliport and airport infrastructure and multiple roles as midand senior managementwithin the fixed and rotary wing aviation segment.

Brett’s team consists of 40 air traffic control towers, flight service stations and flight information centers in western Canada led by a team of 18 managers. Brett has been in the aviation business for over 30 years with NAV CANADA and previously Transport Canada. Starting his career as an FSS (flight service specialist) in Fort Nelson, BC Brett has worked in a number of roles over the years. After working operationally as an FSS Brett was part of the Level of Service team, Safety and Quality office, worked in the National Operations Centre, was an initial team member of the new Quality Assurance department, spent time on special projects, leading teams as a site manager and duty manager and now as a Director for Western Canada.

Career began in 1995 at CAIG (USAIG) in Toronto. In 2008 joined Swiss Re Corporate Solutions eventually being promoted to Head of Aviation North America and Australia based out of New York. In 2020 moved back to Canada and joined Starr Insurance as Head of Aviation CanadianTerritorial Manager.

Commercially Licensed Fixed Wing Pilot with over 1000 flight hours. Previously owned and operated Trent Air in Peterborough Ontario – Canadian Flight Training Unit and 703 Commercial Air Taxi service.

Enjoyed operating this business for over 8 years, during that time I held the following positions Accountable Executive, Company Aviation Safety Officer, Chief Pilot and Person Responsible for Maintenance

Brian is a Vancouver based lawyer with 25 years of experience in insurance and aviation law. During this time he has built a wealth of experience in defending diverse tort based litigation and has advised domestic and foreign insurers, rotary and fixed wing operators, product manufacturers, pilots, airports and AMOs.

Brian is a trial lawyer who has a robust understanding of litigation and risk management and has a particular interest in regulatory matters. He routinely advises insurers and their insureds on a wide range of operational and risk management issues, negligence, product liability, regulatory and coverage disputes. Brian attributes his affinity to aviation to being raised in the Northwest Territories where aviation is a necessary lifeline.

Cathy Press is an innovative aviation leader and lifelong pilot, serving as CEO of Chinook Helicopters, a premier flight training provider for both rotary and fixed-wing aircraft in British Columbia’s Fraser Valley. Recognized as one of Canada’s Most Powerful Women, and in addition to growing her company from two helicopters to a mixed fleet of 30 aircraft; Cathy has pioneered the development of four original flight training devices, tailored to meet the needs of today’s students. Her contributions to the aviation industry have earned her numerous accolades, including an Honorary Doctorate of Technology from the University of the Fraser Valley. A trailblazer for women in aviation and aerospace, Cathy continues to inspire and empower the next generation of aviators.

Tara Preston joined Transport Canada in 2021 to lead Canada’s efforts to advance reforms to the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) Annex 13 Air Accident Investigation protocols. At TC, Tara also spearheaded the development of a national framework and regulations to improve assistance to aircraft accident victims and their families, as part of the Government of Canada’s overall response to the tragic downing of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 in 2020. More recently as Acting Executive Director, Aviation Security Program Development, Tara led a team dedicated to advancing security policies, regulatory instruments, and approaches to address domestic and international threats, in addition to harmonization of aviation operations with Canada’s international partners.

With over 25 years of experience in international affairs, Tara has held various roles in foreign and trade policy, trade promotion, multilateral engagement, climate change and international development at Natural Resources Canada, Global Affairs Canada, and the Canadian International Development Agency. Tara holds a Master in Business Administration, a Graduate Diploma in International Development, and a Bachelor of Business Administration.

BIOGRAPHIE

Tara Preston Directrice générale déléguée par intérim, Transports Canada, Aviation civile (TCAC)

Tara Preston a commencé à Transports Canada (TC) en 2021 pour guider les efforts déployés par le Canada pour faire avancer les réformes des protocoles d'enquêtes sur les accidents et incidents d’aviation conformément à l'Annexe 13 de l'Organisation de l'aviation civile internationale (OACI). Durant son passage à TC, Tara a aussi mené le développement d'un cadre national et de réglementations pour améliorer l'assistance aux victimes d'accidents aériens et leurs familles, dans le cadre de la réponse du gouvernement du Canada face à l'abattage du vol 752 de la compagnie aérienne Ukraine International Airlines. Plus récemment, en tant que Directrice exécutive par intérim de l’Élaboration des programmes de sûreté aérienne, Tara a dirigé une équipe spécialisée dans l'avancement des politiques de sécurité, des instruments réglementaires et des approches pour faire face aux menaces nationales et internationales, en plus d’harmoniser les opérations aériennes avec les partenaires du Canada.

Avec plus de 25 ans d'expérience dans les affaires internationales, Tara a occupé divers postes dans les domaines de la politique étrangère et commerciale, de la promotion du commerce, de l'engagement multilatéral, du changement climatique et du développement international au ministère des Ressources naturelles du Canada, au ministère des Affaires mondiales du Canada et à l'Agence canadienne de développement international. Tara est titulaire d’une maîtrise en administration des affaires (M.B.A.), un diplôme d’études supérieures (DES) en développement international et un baccalauréat en administration des affaires.

A diversified experience on military and commercial aircraft consisting mostly of helicopter experience.
Working experience maintaining Bell military light and medium helicopters as well as commercial helicopter experience with Universal Helicopters Newfoundland Limited, Abitibi Helicopters and Aircraft Services in Ottawa.
Joined Bell Helicopter Product Support in 2007 as an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME) and currently working as a Bell Product Support Engineer (PSE) as part of the team supporting Bell aircraft worldwide.

Corey is the current Chair of the Helicopter Association of Canada Safety Committee and has represented Canada at the International Helicopter Safety Taskforce. Over a career spanning 3 decades, Corey has been a Chief Pilot twice, an Operations Manager 4 times, a General Manager 3 times and has achieved over 11,000 hours of accident free flight time.
Corey is driven by the desire to eliminate incidents and accidents, while also striving to explore new areas, new work methods and new clients. .

Yan has an impressive 30-year career in the aviation industry, starting with various roles in airline operations before joining NAV CANADA in 2002. He began as a Flight Service Specialist in Victoria Harbour and Quebec FIC and later joined the Montreal FIR management team in 2009. Throughout his journey at NAV CANADA, Yan has held various positions in Operation, Training, and Human Resources, ultimately becoming the General Manager of the Winnipeg FIR in 2021.

In his current role, he oversees the delivery of ATS services at FSS, FIC, IFSS, and Towers in the Montreal, Moncton, and Gander FIR. Additionally, Yan is actively involved in supporting and sponsoring key strategic initiatives and strategies in the aviation industry, including Digital Airport Air Traffic Services (DAATS). .

Matthew has a background in engineering and in finance. A co-founder of Pulsar Informatics, he has also contributed to the conception, financing, and development of several high tech startups in Canada, the U.S., and in Poland. Prior to assuming the position of CFO at Pulsar Informatics, Mr. van Wollen was an associate partner at Lasanoz Finance, a boutique investment bank based in Warsaw, Poland. During his five years with Lasanoz Finance, Mr. van Wollen managed transactions totaling over $4 billion in transaction value for major multinational companies and private equity firms. He acquired deal making experience throughout New Europe and developed a specialist knowledge of a number of sectors including technology, media, telecommunications and infrastructure. Mr. van Wollen has served as a member of the board of directors of publicly listed companies in Canada and in Poland. He holds a degree in engineering physics and is a CFA Charterholder.

After taking Business Administration in Humber College, Greg began a career in aviation in 1986 as a Bench and Airframe Mechanic with McDonnell Douglas Aircraft working on the F-18 and MD80 series aircraft. He completed his fixed wing pilot’s license in 1987 and his commercial helicopter license in 1990, having graduated from Canadore College School of Aviation.

Greg served four years as the Flight Safety Manager for an Air Ambulance program with nine bases, and in 1999 he transitioned to Base Manager in Baku, Azerbaijan. In 2002 Greg was promoted to Vice President, Safety, and in 2004 that portfolio was expanded to Corporate Vice President Safety and Quality where he led the creation of CHC’s first global SMS.

In January 2022 Greg accepted a full time role as North American Rotary Wing Growth Leader with Marsh and transitioned to the Advisory Board of Parallel Flight Technologies.

Greg is a graduate of the Aviation Management program at Canadore College School of Aviation, and the International Safety Management program at the British Safety Council. He is also a graduate of the University of Southern California (USC) Viterbi School of Engineering, Aviation Safety & Security program, and holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) Degree from Royal Roads University.

Kevin Yuen has been in the insurance industry since 2001 with the last fifteen years focused on aviation insurance. Recently, Kevin Yuen,role at Global Aerospace has been enhanced to Underwriting Director and appointed to theBoard of the Global Aerospace Underwriting Manager (Canada) Limited.

Kevin joined Global Aerospace in 2018 as an Executive Underwriter in the Markham Global Canada Office. Prior to joining Global Aerospace, Kevin worked as an Aviation Underwriter with Allianz Global Risks for 10 years in their Toronto Office. Prior to working as an Aviation Underwriter, Kevin worked as commercial automobile underwriter and personal line automobile claims representative.

Kevin is a graduate of Carleton University with a B.A. in Political Science.