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Pacific Coastal Airlines is pleased to announce its new executive leadership team, part of an ongoing reorganization plan designed to improve overall efficiency, better support its operations, and position the B.C.-based airline for current and future growth opportunities.
Rob Kidner – vice-president, Corporate Development
A 39-year veteran of the regional airline industry, Kidner assumes the new role of vice-president, Corporate Development after five years as vice-president, Operations with Pacific Coastal. He is now responsible for all support services including I.T., employee services, corporate communications, leadership and employee development, and corporate strategy.
Darcy Coonfer – vice-president, Flight Operations
A commercial pilot with over 20 years of experience in the aviation industry, Coonfer is now responsible for operational control and regulatory compliance of all flight operations branch activities, including strategic operations and crew planning, flight dispatch, and expansion of our WestJet Link flight operations teams.
Ron Karger – vice-president, Maintenance
A licensed aviation maintenance engineer, Karger has held senior leadership positions with WestJet and Encore, Air Canada Jazz/Canadian Regional, and Time Air over a career spanning 30 years. In his new role, he will grow and mentor the maintenance team, provide operational control and strategic planning, assist in the development of a new fleet strategy and oversee the introduction of new maintenance software to improve efficiency and overall maintenance reliability.
Laura Nadin-Young – vice-president, Airports and Operations Centre
With 32 years of leadership at AirBC and Jazz Aviation, where she served as general manager, Airports – Western Canada, Nadin-Young is responsible for providing strategic leadership and operational oversight for both Pacific Coastal and WestJet Link operations, and development of the Operations Centre.
Johnathan Richardson – vice-president, Commercial Services
Richardson began his career with Pacific Coastal in 2008. Since that time, he has held marketing management roles at Calm Air and Central Mountain Air before rejoining Pacific Coastal in November 2017. In this new position, he is responsible for revenue management, business development, and marketing and product development teams to co-ordinate the design and implementation of strategic initiatives aimed at increasing revenue.
Zahra Kawa – vice-president, Finance
Holding a CPA designation, Kawa comes with experience in the aviation industry through various senior finance roles at CHC Helicopters, Heli-One, and Ledcor’s Summit Aviation Group. Prior to joining Pacific Coastal Airlines in April of 2019, she held the position of director of finance at Ledcor Resources & Transportation, overseeing corporate finance for aviation, marine, and forestry businesses. Kawa is responsible for developing and implementing a long-term financial strategy for the organization and oversees financial planning, financial reporting, procurement and supply chain.
