An aviation enthusiast with an absolute passion for flying. I always dreamt of being a jet fighter pilot but life took me in the engineering direction, pursuing a B.Sc., M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Process Engineering. I am currently the CEO, board member and partner of a Calgary based engineering firm. I obtained my UL permit in 2014, UL instructor permit and PPL in 2015, night rating in 2016, multi-engine rating in 2017 and I’m currently working on an IFR rating.

I owned and operated an ultralight training school from 2016 to 2018. In my 625 hours of flying time I have flown airplanes X-country in both Canada and the USA. My best memories come from flying ultralight aircraft from Ontario and Idaho to Calgary and Cessna 172XP from Calgary to New Brunswick, Alaska, California, Washington and Wisconsin. These flights have given me a good exposure to both the Canadian and US aviation systems.

During my journey in aviation thus far I have owned a Zenair CH-750 STOL and currently own a Cessna 172XP and a Merlin Sport 65. As a member of Calgary Recreational and Ultralight Flying club (COPA Flight 114) I have been deeply embedded with general aviation at the grass roots level on up. I also served a one term as President of COPA Flight 114. My ultralight flying school experience gave me a good insight into TC requirements and excellent exposure to Canada’s aviation training environment at multiple levels.

I believe my 20 years of experience in running companies and 7 years Board of Directors experience will bring to COPA a significant amount of experience in corporate leadership and governance experience. I believe that the most important issue that faces the GA in Canada is the Lack of understanding by government about the importance of GA in the overall prosperity of Canada. Promoting government attention and proper planning the local airports can be converted to a community and economic centers that bring people to GA which will enhance the reduction of the skyrocketing GA cost, increase the training facilities and growing pilot populations. Promote to the government the benefit of airports being considered as part of emergency / response and disaster relief infrastructure similar to the USA and that will help us move in the right direction.

I am a member of COPA Flight 114, COPA, AOPA, EAA, CASARA, APEGA, APEGS and QuantumShift.