Alberta Aviation Council is a non-profit charitable organization operated almost entirely by volunteers
Alberta Aviation Council began before the 1980s when a group of like-minded individuals came together with a common goal. Their vision was and still is to be a catalyst for industry growth and the recognized voice of aerospace, airport and aviation interests in Alberta. AAC is the sole recognized not-for-profit representative body for various aerospace and aviation industry concerns in the Province of Alberta.
AAC's members represent virtually every aspect of the aviation, aerospace and airport business, including commercial and military aircraft repair, overhaul, design modification and manufacturing, to unmanned vehicle technology, advanced electronics communications, to corporate and commercial aviation, flying training and more. This integrated association approach represents a collective strength in world-class technologies, products, services and capabilities. AAC works closely with its members, industry partners, government and military agencies to help further the interests of those involved in the Aviation, Aerospace, Airports and UVS (unmanned vehicle systems) industry sectors.
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
vice-chair
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.
April Caron
board secretary
Finance and Administration manager, bristow instruments
April is employed by Bristow Instruments responsible for managing the finance and administration aspects of this company and several related companies. She is a skilled executive with three decades of experience in financial accounting, reporting and management.
She lived and worked in Vancouver for eighteen years. She started her career in the automotive industry working for GM and BMW. April then transitioned her career to the software development industry working as the Controller for a software development company in Vancouver for eight years.
She moved to Alberta to focus on raising her family while owning and operating her bookkeeping company for ten years.
April’s first flight as a passenger at the age of 16 in an acrobatic airplane over Okanagan Lake while flying upside down, ignited her passion for aviation.
She has been associated within aviation for seven years with most of her experience with Bristow. April has been actively involved assisting the AAC with two conferences and is now a director and Board Secretary.
April possesses her Class 6 motorcycle license and enjoys spectating at EMRA events. She owns a drone and is currently pursuing her Drone Pilot License.
A. D. (Bram) Tilroe
Past Chair
Pilot
Bram has been employed and active in the Aviation industry since 1964. He started his career as a Meteorological Technician with Transport Canada followed by 3 years with Wardair in Yellowknife as dispatcher Northern Operations and crew member on the Bristol Freighter. In 1970 he joined ATC and worked in the Lethbridge and Ft St. John Towers followed by 29 years as a Terminal controller in the Edmonton ACC. He worked 4 years as a manager with Nav Canada, managing the Tower at Edmonton International which included a short period for the Edmonton City Centre Control Tower. He retired from Nav Canada in December of 2005.
Bram has been trained in Aviation Safety by the military and Transport Canada in incident investigation, including observer status for the Transportation Safety Board. He has chaired International ATC Conferences and participated as an ATC representative to the Royal Commission on Aviation Safety.
Bram has been a Director and Vice-President of the Canadian Air Traffic Control Association (CATCA), Executive director for Alberta of the Civil Air Search and Rescue Association (CASARA) and its National Vice President. He is past Chairman and presently Acting Chairman of the Alberta Aviation Council.
He served as a reserve officer in the RCAF and former Air Cadet Squadron Commanding Officer, and Operations Officer for the Alberta Air Cadet Gliding operation.
Bram holds memberships in and actively participates in many Canadian and American Aviation organizations, i.e. AOPA, COPA, MPA (Montana Pilots Association), MAAA (Montana Antique Aircraft Association), AFF (Alberta Flying Farmers), SAC Soaring Association of Canada and the CAGC (Central Alberta Gliding Club). He is Western Vice-Chairman and Director for Alberta and the NWT for COPA.
He has served on the NCAC since March, 2008 and has served terms as the committee’s Secretary and Vice-Chairman.
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
Director
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.
Trevor Rehberg-Besler
Director
President of BristoW Instruments
Trevor is a management consultant and corporate development professional by trade. His diverse and extensive experience led to the founding of his firm, Cambrian Capital Partners, and the acquisition of Bristow Instruments. Trevor is currently the President of Bristow Instruments and the co-Founder and President of Maverick Aviation Group. Trevor’s goal is to develop a robust aerospace servicing industry in Alberta.
Trevor holds a Bachelor of Commerce from MacEwan University and a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Toronto Rotman School of Business.
Charmain Calancia
Director
Client Executive, Business Insurance, nfp insurance
As a commercial insurance specialist, Charmain Calancia provides insurance and risk management solutions for aviation, tourism, transportation, and construction clients.
Charmain has over 25 years insurance experience, with 20 years in the aviation and property & casualty sectors. During this time Charmain has specialized in negotiating terms for aviation, energy, transportation, and realty clientele. As a specialized risk analyst this also included contract reviews, claims management, and claims mitigation of large losses. Charmain enjoys building long term client relationships and solving risks unique to their businesses. In 2021 Charmain left the largest reinsurance company in the world to join NFP to expand the aviation and commercial lines portfolio.
Giving back to her community, Charmain is a volunteer with the charity Horsepower For Hope benefitting the Kids With Cancer Society, created a successful food drive on behalf of the BMW Enthusiasts of Alberta Car Club, and has been a past volunteer with Racing For A Cure, Women In Insurance Cancer Crusade Alberta, and May Madness Charity Car Show benefitting STARS Air Ambulance.
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.
Carl Lorimer
Director
Carl Lorimer is the Vice President of Sales and Customer Success at Air Trail, one of Canada's premiere aviation operational software providers. He specializes in complex technology sales, business development, marketing, and customer success.
Originally from the US, Carl holds a degree in International Relations and Political Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Carl also lived in China for over a decade, working at leading companies including the Alibaba Group, United Family Healthcare, and Shanghai TALK Media. He moved to Alberta in 2014.
Carl is an AvGeek with a passion for airline revenue operations and human factors.
Nicole Holinaty
Director
An aviation leader with over 15 years of management and business growth background. With experience in training development, executive leadership, strategic planning, and quality control systems, I have the ability to build business and ensure consistency in policy and procedures in ever changing markets. My experience with airports, MROS, operators, and not-for-profits within the aviation space allows me to develop creative solutions to your ever changing business.