Kendra Kincade

AAC chair

Founder & Chair, Elevate Aviation

Honorary Colonel Kendra Kincade is an Air Traffic Controller and has been with NAV Canada for nearly 21 years. Kendra is also Founder and President of Elevate Aviation where among other things she spends her time public speaking and working to promote the world of aviation to women.

Kendra began her philanthropic journey by climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro to fundraise for the Lois Hole Hospital. Realizing that giving to others was where her happiness lay, she then founded her first organization, Changing Stories, undertaking projects such as building schools, playgrounds and homes in El Salvador and Nicaragua.

Upon recognizing the negligible female presence in the aviation industry, in 2015, she founded Elevate Aviation, a non-profit devoted to helping women realize their potential through aviation.  Kendra’s work has led to projects such as; a three-year national project to dismantle barriers that females encounter in aviation in which the Status of Women awarded nearly half a million dollars, opening of The Elevate Aviation Learning Centre at the Edmonton International Airport with a second location opening spring 2020 at the Calgary International Airport, and a national wide mentorship program to empower women.

Some awards and recognition include Global Woman of Vision, NAV Canada Chairman’s Award, recognized as a 2019 SHEInnovator with the Global Innovation Coalition for Change, a partner with United Nations Women, and Woman of Inspiration from The Universal Women’s Network, and the prestigious Trailblazer award with the Northern Lights Aero Foundation. 

This mother of four and grandmother of three is a public speaker and is a regular columnist for Wings Magazine and Helicopter Magazine.

Kendra is the Honorary Colonel of the RCAF 417 Helicopter Squadron who are now affectionally known to her as ‘the Jokers’.

Brian Andrus

Operations director

JB Educational Consulting

Brian has been involved as an educator for over 35 years, teaching secondary education and adults including leadership roles as a supervisor, Department Head, Curriculum Coordinator, Project Manager and Associate Dean. Through his education career he has been involved with many educational boards, curriculum development and committees. Most notable, Brian was a board member of the Council of Alberta Teaching Standards (COATS) for the Government of Alberta, a ministerial appointment. He has just completed his appointment with the Technical Committee of the Safety Codes Council of Alberta.

His aviation background includes 21 years with the Air Cadets, promoted to A/LCol for two summers at CFB Cold Lake, He was actively involved with five air shows and four Cadet Appreciation Days at CFB Edmonton (Namao), two air shows at YEG and one show at Moffat Air Force Base in California covering over 40 years in related aviation experiences. As the Associate Dean at NAIT, one of the programs Brian was responsible for was the former Aircraft Skin and Structures program.

He has been involved with curriculum development, writing and producing material for a wide variety of clients. The most notable curriculum development, the update of the Aviation Maintenance Orientation Program (AMOP) for CCAA for the high school aviation programs across Canada.

Ryan Albizzati

Treasurer

president, Executive Flight Centre

Ryan Albizzati joined Executive Flight Centre as the VP Finance in 2013 and has progressed into the role of Chief Operating Officer (COO). Ryan brings over 20 years of management and operations experience in both the private and public company realms.

Ryan graduated from the University of Calgary with a Bachelor of Commerce degree and joined PricewaterhouseCoopers to earn his Chartered Accountant Designation. During his seven years at PwC, Ryan specialized in owner-managed businesses and gained invaluable experience in understanding private company strategies, operations and culture.

In 2002, Ryan became the Controller of the Winroc Corporation, a large private entity that distributed building supplies and had operations in Canada and the USA. Ryan was an instrumental part of the management team that facilitated the sale of Winroc to Superior Plus Income Trust in June 2004.

Ryan was hired by Net Safety Monitoring in 2005 as their Chief Financial Officer. As part of the executive team, Ryan led Net Safety through a rapid growth program and an international expansion that saw sales increase exponentially. In July 2011 Net Safety was acquired by Emerson Electric Co. and Ryan was a key leader in ensuring Net Safety’s successful integration into Emerson’s reporting and operating structure.

Ryan is currently a Director with the Alberta Aviation Council and acts as Treasurer for the council. He is an avid curler and loves the game of golf.

Steve Michoulas

Director

LAWYER

Steve is the founder and principal of Avra Law, a law firm based in Vancouver, BC.    Steve was called to the BC Bar in 2003 and has deep industry experience in aviation and commercial real estate.  Prior to founding Avra Law and spending time as a partner at a major national law firm, Steve spent 8 ½ years at the Vancouver Airport Authority (YVR) as Director, Legal Services, where he oversaw virtually all aspects of airport matters including major real estate developments and non-aeronautical revenue projects, terminal concessions, airside and terminal operations, procurement, jurisdictional matters, and competition – among many other things.  Steve has advised multiple airports regarding land development, flight plan protection, fueling, competition, corporate governance, constitutional matters, as well as construction projects. 

Steve is a board member with the Alberta Aviation Council.  Steve is also involved with the BC Aviation Council, the Worldwide Airport Lawyers Association, and he spent a number of years on the Legal Affairs Committee of Airports Council International (North America). 

Michael Stimac

Director

CEO, Attune Aviation

Michael has an extensive business background overseeing operations and corporate strategies in diverse geographical arenas. He is the founder of Attune Aviation Ltd., an innovative air charter brokerage company that leverages technology and business model innovation to serve an exclusive member community.

Michael’s link with aviation began over 25 years ago, as a student pilot at the Edmonton Flying Club. Today, he continues to pursue his passion as a licensed private pilot, personal aircraft owner and life-long student of general aviation.

Kimberly Van Vliet

Director

Founder & CEO, WAVV Business Development

Kimberley founded WāVv over 14 years ago to support, as a civilian, her family’s legacy of service to North America through Aerospace, Defence & Security (ADS). As a third generation Van Vliet she specifically is uniquely positioned from the civilian side ensuring that the best technology, research, and innovation is provided to the women and men in our armed forces, ADS, Mining, Tech and Energy sectors. WāVv was created to diligently engage in securing those vital elements.

Kimberley is the founder and creator of CONVERGX® – a global x-sector congress bringing together decision makers from the Military, Energy. Mining and ADS and Tech industries, to discuss opportunities, technologies, problems, solutions & opportunities that these industries can collaborate on.

Sophia Wells

board secretary

Director of Mentorship and Volunteers, Elevate Aviation

Sophia, formerly the Chief Flight Instructor at the Edmonton Flying Club since 2012, transitioned from her leadership role in July 2023 to embark on a new journey as a mother, welcoming a beautiful baby girl into her life. She serves as the Director of Mentorship and Volunteers with Elevate Aviation, where she passionately guides and inspires women entering the industry. Dedicated to fostering diversity and inclusion, Sophia shares her lifelong passion for aviation through Elevate Aviation, empowering and mentoring newcomers to the field.

Sophia's credentials include holding an Airline Transport Pilot's License and serving as a Transport Canada Pilot Examiner. Her expertise extends to piloting a Navajo and Citation 560 for Morgan Construction and Hutch Air, as well as other contract flying enriching her experience in the charter aircraft business.

Her contributions have been widely recognized, earning her the distinction of being named a Top 20 under 40 recipient by Wings Magazine in 2018. The following year, she was honored with the Outstanding Alumni Award from Mount Royal University, underscoring her exceptional leadership and achievements.

When not soaring through the skies, Sophia cherishes moments spent with her husband Mark, their daughter, and their cherished fur baby, Elroy, savoring the joys of family life.

Kevin Wong

Director

Barrister & Solicitor, a founder of several technology companies, entrepreneur, and a veteran enterprise software developer, Kevin first encountered the Scientific Research & Experimental Development (SR&ED) program in Canada in 1993, and the UK’s R&D Tax Credit Programme since 2008.

Since then, he has filed many millions of dollars worth of SR&ED and R&D Tax Credit claims, in a wide array of industries, on behalf of taxpayers in Canada and the UK.

Throughout his years of experience, Kevin developed a unique perspective of the SR&ED program being simultaneously an inventor, taxpayer, business owner and solicitor. Through this perspective, he realized a driving need for the creation of an SR&ED/R&D Tax Credit-focused law firm.

Kevin is licensed as a Barrister and Solicitor in Alberta, Canada and is admitted as a Solicitor in England and Wales.

Liz Evans

Director

Mount Royal University

Dr. Elizabeth Evans Joined Mount Royal University (MRU) in August 2016 as the Founding Dean of the Faculty of Business and Communication Studies. From June 2020 to January 2023 she served as Provost and Vice-President Academic (Interim). Returning from administrative sabbatical in 2024 Dr. Evans is currently a Senior Strategist for Aviation, Business and Communication Studies.

 Prior to joining MRU, Elizabeth held positions at Toronto Metropolitan University as Associate Dean in the Ted Rogers School of Management and Associate Professor, Retail Management. A successful career in the retail sector and consulting, Dr. Evans is trained in creative problem solving and has led several programs to advance women’s leadership and entrepreneurial growth.

 Professor Evans has an MBA from Queen’s University and a PhD in International Marketing from the University of Stirling, Scotland.

 MRU Aviation is strategically positioned to meet the needs of an expanding aviation and aerospace sector in Alberta. The Aviation Diploma, celebrating 55 years of flight training in 2025, is expanding to double its pilot training. A Bachelor of Aviation Management degree will be launched in Fall 2024 ensuring the qualified talent to support sector growth.

Mel Cornelus

Director

Director of Maintenance, Rocky Mountain Aircraft

Mel is a seasoned professional with over 35 years of experience in aircraft maintenance. Mel manages Rocky Mountain Aircraft’s maintenance organization and sets the overall goals, strategies, and objectives for the business and for individual team members.

“Safety First” is Mel’s mantra. The maintenance policies and procedures that he creates are the guide rails that ensure we meet or exceed Transport Canada Civil Aviation and other regulatory bodies’ regulations and requirements. He also has ultimate responsibility for creating and maintaining the overarching culture of safety within the organization.

Prior to joining RMA in 1988, Mel worked for Kenn Borek Aircraft and Peariso Aviation. He graduated from “SAIT” in Calgary with a diploma in aircraft maintenance technology in 1985; he currently holds Transport Canada Aircraft Maintenance Engineer license and an FAA A&P license. Mel’s expertise includes work on 522, 523, 525 and 527 category aircrafts as well as MD-M certification.

Nicole Holinaty

vice chair

Nicole supports HeavyAero Maintenance Centre as their Director of Strategic Growth, HR & Systems Safety. She comes from a background in business development, human resources, and policy and procedure mapping. With a background in business and aviation leadership, and almost 10 years in the industry, she ensures that the teams around her have the foundational corporate culture and values to lead the business into sustainable growth. Prior to her time with HeavyAero, Nicole’s experience allowed her to support the expansion and development of regional airports. Her education in business, project management, aviation leadership, and emergency planning allow her to wear multiple hats for multiple organizations, and support the AAC through the launch and growth of the Canadian AME Competition.

Jared Milkock-Gerke

Director

Westjet

Jared Mikoch-Gerke is the Director, Alliances & Airport Affairs at WesUet Airlines, where he drives the development and optimization of WesUet's extensive portfolio of airline partnerships, encompassing interline and codeshare agreements with over 50 carriers worldwide. In addition, Jared spearheads WesUet's Airport Affairs division, overseeing strategic commercial planning and engagement initiatives across the airlines globalairport network.

With over 19 years of dedicated service to WesUet, Jared has amassed a wealth of experience in various senior leadership capacities, spanning airport operations, security, government relations, regulatory affairs, and commercial.Jared's educational background includes studies in Commercial Aviation and Airline Management at the University of North Dakota,complemented by additional studies in Marketing Management at Mount Royal College in Calgary. Furthermore, he holds a private pilot license,underscoring his deep-rooted passion for aviation. Driven by a commitment to excellence and innovation, Jared continues to play a pivotal role in shaping WesUet's strategic direction and fostering collaborative partnerships within the aviation industry.

Hannah McKay

Director

Edmonton Flying Club

Hannah started her aviation journey in 2018 as a Flight Attendant. She realized she was on the wrong side of the flight deck door and began flighttraining in 2020. Hannah came to the Edmonton Flying Club in 2021 to complete her Commercial license, Multi engine rating, and more recently her Flight Instructor rating.

 When she is not flying at EFC, Hannah works as the Membership and Community Outreach Coordinator with Elevate Aviation. She loves givingback to the community when she can and inspiring the next generation of pilots. Hannah has gained experience with the Alberta Aviation Councilas a member of the Associate Board of Directors, a group of young professionals who shadow and participate alongside the AAC Board to gainexperience on board operations and board governance.

Hannah has been a positive contributor to events with the Alberta Aviation Council withher support of our 2024 Alberta Aviation Council Conference, leading panels and attracting sponsorship. Hannah is looking forward to taking the next steps in her jouney as a contributing member of the Alberta Aviation & Aerospace Council by placing her name forward for an official role as a member of the board.

Nancy Paish

Director

Red Deer Airport Authority

With a prominent role at Red Deer Regional Airport, Nancy has demonstrated exceptional leadership and strategic planning capabilities,significantly contributing to the airport's growth and operational excellence.With a proven ability to develop and execute long-term plans thatalign with organizational goals, and trong communication and relationship-building skills with diverse groups, from government officials to local businesses and community leaders.

Financial Acumen: Proficient in budgeting, financial planning, and resource allocation to optimize operational performance.Professional Affiliations:

•  Member, Alberta Aviation Council, Women in Aviation International, and Canadian Airports Council

•  Board Member & Past Chair, Tourism Red Deer

•  Event Producer, Girls in Aviation Day Alberta, Red Deer Regional Airshow, and Central Alberta Family Expo

Chioma Onyedikachi Okoro, PhD

Director of Manufacturing Committee

Chioma's aviation journey began when she won a bilateral education agreement scholarship between the governments of Ukraine and Nigeria.This paid for undergraduate studies at the Aerospace faculty of the National Aviation University, Kyiv Ukraine and paved way for a PhD in Aviation Transport specializing in maintenance and operations of aircraft from the same faculty. She believes the future of aircraft maintenance will primarily implement predictive techniques for cost-effective and efficient aircraft operations.

Chioma is an aircraft maintenance engineeringanalyst at De Havilland Aircraft of Canada and holds a private pilot license. She is a board member of the Young Scientists' Association, chapter chairperson for the BC Coast 99s and a junior board member of the Northern Lights Aero Foundation. Her dedication to the aviation industryhas earned her numerous awards and recognition from various organizations including the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the Royal Aeronautical Society and Elevate Aviation.

Vaibhav Sharma

PROJECT MANAGER

aLBERTA aac

Vaibhav Sharma, has over 12 years of professional experience in marketing and project management. He brings extensive experience in leading strategic initiatives to promote Alberta’s aviation and aerospace sectors. He has developed and executed marketing campaigns, managed partnerships, and coordinated large-scale events, including aviation-focused conferences. Vaibhav is passionate about advancing the industry and collaborates closely with stakeholders to drive growth and innovation within Alberta’s aviation community.

 Vaibhav holds a Master of Business Administration in Marketing and a Bachelor of Computer Applications, further strengthening his expertise in strategic marketing and project management. His educational background is complemented by a Diploma in Public Relations, Marketing, and Strategic Communications, as well as a Management Certificate from The University of Winnipeg. His combination of academic knowledge and hands-on experience enables him to deliver impactful solutions that align with the Council’s goals.

Matthew Bleakney

Anas Abdulazim

Almina Kovcic