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Part of Economy and investment

Strategic Aviation Advisory Council

The council provides recommendations on ways to improve the aviation and aerospace sector to boost economic growth in Alberta.

Overview

The Strategic Aviation Advisory Council provides expert advice on aviation and aerospace sector improvements, leading to greater efficiencies, new economic development opportunities, expanded markets and job creation in our province.

The Strategic Aviation Advisory Council focuses on setting a stage for a strong long-term growth and for future aviation and aerospace development through research, analysis and consultation with key stakeholders.

Roles and responsibilities

The council members conduct research and analyze information about the aviation and aerospace sectors and consult with key industry stakeholders.

The council makes recommendations to government on how to improve the aviation and aerospace industries with a focus on:

  • strategic planning, prioritization, securing and retention of intra-provincial, regional, national and international air services in support of economic growth, tourism development and sector diversification
  • strategic use, optimization and investment in aviation-related programs and infrastructure to address opportunities for commercial and private pilot training and licensing
  • improvements to scheduled, charter and general aviation airport services and infrastructure, including services to remote communities
  • supporting focused development of aviation and aerospace related research, technology, programming, production capacity and operational expertise and training
  • supporting emergency medical and fire response in the province through aviation-related services and infrastructure
  • supporting agriculture-focused aviation-related services and infrastructure
  • federally regulated aviation-airport services and airport and transportation policies that may positively or negatively impact the province

Council members

The appointed members of the Strategic Aviation Advisory Council have extensive knowledge of the aviation industry and are qualified to make recommendations on how to improve related services, infrastructure and training.

  • Richard Gotfried, chair

    Richard Gotfried was an MLA for Calgary-Fish Creek, having served from May 2015 to May 2023. As an MLA, he introduced the council’s enabling legislation as a private member’s bill. He currently works as a senior advisor for Alberta Counsel and previously worked as district sales manager for Cathay Pacific Airways.

  • Brian Andrus

    Brian Andrus is vice-chair of the Alberta Aviation Council. He serves as a board member for 700 Wing Royal Canadian Air Force Association and has worked for Edmonton Public Schools as a high school curriculum coordinator (aerospace and aviation instructor skills centre).

  • David Curtis

    David Curtis has senior executive level experience with the De Havilland Aircraft Company, Longview Aviation Capital, and Viking Air Limited. In addition, he has served as the chair of the board of directors, Aerospace Industries Association of Canada.

  • Chris Dinsdale

    Chris Dinsdale is the president and CEO of the Calgary Airport Authority. Prior to this position, Mr. Dinsdale held several executive roles in the airport sector over the past decade, including the Budapest Airport chief financial officer and CEO. 

  • Dr. Elizabeth Evans

    Dr. Evans is a senior strategist for Aviation, Business and Communication Studies at Mount Royal University (MRU), playing a lead role in the expansion of MRU’s Aviation Diploma and Bachelor of Aviation Management programs. 

  • Lynda Holden

    Lynda Holden is the associate dean for Aviation and Technology at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAlT). She has 13 years of aviation experience working as an aircraft maintenance engineer in southern Alberta and 14 years supporting the aviation programs at SAlT.

  • Justin Jimmy

    Justin Jimmy is an Indigenous finance and governance professional and principal at Urban Cree Consulting and a qualified commercial pilot. He is currently a trustee on a First Nation investment trust, director with the Metis Settlements Development Corporation and the Aboriginal Finance Officers Association of Alberta. 

  • Myron Keehn

    Myron Keehn is the president and CEO, Edmonton Regional Airports Authority and has been with the Authority since 2007, and president and CEO since 2023. Mr. Keehn has led the privatization and monetization of airport assets, with major e-commerce, logistics, distribution, and manufacturing activities.

  • Kendra Kincade

    Kendra Kincade is an air traffic controller with NAV Canada. Ms. Kincade serves as chair of the Alberta Aviation Council and is the founder and CEO of Elevate Aviation where she advocates and works to promote aviation to women.

  • Robert Ndule

    Robert Ndule is an experienced aviation professional and captain with AirSprint Private Aviation in Calgary. With more than 16 years in the field, he has operated a variety of aircraft and helicopters, including the Boeing 737. Mr. Ndule has also overseen civil aviation regulations and logistics contracts and served on the board of Delta Operators in Nigeria.

  • Ferio Pugliese

    Ferio Pugliese is the senior vice-president of people and culture for Parkland Fuel Corporation. Prior to this, he was a senior vice-president with Air Canada and has also served as an executive with WestJet and WestJet Encore, WestJet's regional airline.

  • Cole Rosentreter

    Cole Rosentreter is the founder and CEO of Pegasus, an aerospace company focusing on the full potential of autonomous flight to solve complex challenges, with a focus on wildfire management. Mr. Rosentreter also served 15 years in the Canadian Army as a paratrooper, including multiple operational deployments around the world.

  • Richard Skermer

    Richard Skermer is the president and CEO, Alberta International Airshow and Alberta’s Aerospace Exposition and has served in this position since 2012.  Mr. Skermer is also founder and lead proponent of the Ville Aero Aerospace and Logistics Conference.

  • William Stewart

    William Stewart is the chair of the Alberta Airports Management Association, which provides assistance and support to small community and regional airports with a focus on training, trade shows, funding, wildlife management and federal airport regulation changes. Mr. Stewart has also served as director, terminal services with the Grande Prairie Airport since 2022.

  • Denean Tomlin

    Denean Tomlin is currently the Industrial and Technology Benefits (ITB) and Offsets Manager for SkyAlyne, a team of defence and aviation industry experts assembled to help prepare the next generation of Royal Canadian Air Force pilots and aircrews. She is also the former president of the Western Canadian Defence Industries Association.

Compensation disclosure

Public sector bodies are required to post online the names and compensation paid to:

This disclosure is a requirement under the Public Sector Compensation Transparency Act. The postings are required by June 30 each year and will be maintained for 5 years. If there is nothing to disclose for that year, a Nil Report is published.

Compensation disclosure files

Download the Strategic Aviation Advisory Council's compensation disclosure (disclosures for 2022 and 2023).

There were no disclosures for 2021:

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