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Elevate Aviation

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Board of Directors

Johnathan member of the Elevate Aviation Directors

Jonathan Burke – Chair

In June of 2023, Jonathan became President & Accountable Executive for Blackcomb Helicopters LP. Prior to that he was President & CEO of Canadian Heating Products/Montigo, a Private Equity-owned manufacturing business that specializes in gas fireplaces for commercial and residential spaces. From February 2013 to February 2016, Jonathan was President & COO of Blackcomb Aviation. From 2005 to 2013, he served as Vice President of Global Market Development at Westport Innovations (now Westport Fuel Systems), an alternative fuel engine company. Prior to Westport, he held executive positions in private and public medical technology companies including MIGENIX Inc. and Biomax Technologies. He is currently a Director of the H.R. McMillan Space Centre and was Chair of the Board from 2020 to 2022. He is also and an active partner with Social Venture Partners (SVP) Vancouver. He previously served on the boards of the Loran Scholars Foundation, the Vancouver Writers Festival, the BC Aviation Council, The Helicopter Association of Canada, the BC Innovation Council, the Canadian Natural Gas Vehicle Association, CALSTART, NGV Global and the Canadian Investor Relations Institute. Jonathan has an MBA from Athabasca University with post-graduate studies in executive management at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School and Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business. Jonathan is also a commercial helicopter pilot and lives in Vancouver with his wife Susan and two children.

Suzanne member of the Elevate Aviation Board of Directors

Suzanne Acton-Gervais – Director

Suzanne brings over 30 years of experience in the aviation sector to her role as Vice-President of Stakeholder Relations and Regulatory Affairs at the National Airlines Council of Canada (NACC). Since joining the NACC in 2015, she has been instrumental in advancing strategic initiatives and fostering collaboration among industry stakeholders. Her career includes senior roles at the International Air Transport Association (IATA), where she worked globally with governments and organizations to shape aviation standards, often sharing her expertise as a speaker at international conferences. She has also held leadership positions at Airports Council International (ACI World), Transport Canada, and Air Canada, giving her a unique and multifaceted perspective on the aviation industry. An advocate for professional development, Suzanne established and implemented the first, second, and third-year undergraduate mentorship program at the University of Ottawa, which included the highly successful “From Backpack to Briefcase” initiative. She also holds a Bachelor of Education in Adult Education, graduating with distinction, and recently earned a certificate from Wharton on Executive Presence and Influence. Suzanne serves on the boards of Elevate Aviation and C-CAST and co-leads a workstream focused on the evolution of work for the Global Aviation and Aerospace Skills Task Force (GAAST).

Chris member of the Elevate Aviation Board of Directors

Chris Miles – Director

Chris Miles serves as the Chief Operating Officer for the Calgary Airport Authority (The Authority). Chris is responsible for The Authority’s day-to-day operations, engineering and construction portfolios. He is a senior aviation professional with over 25 years of progressive global experience. Chris has worked with airlines, airports and industry trade associations, including the Greater Toronto Airports Authority, Airports Council International World, Air Canada, Abu Dhabi Airports Company and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in Geneva, Switzerland. He is fluent in English and French and holds an MBA from the Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario. Chris joined The Authority in 2018 as Vice President, Operations. Chris lends his expertise to several organizations to advance the aviation industry, including the Canadian Airports Council, ACI World and ACI North America Operations. He is also active in serving the local community as an advisory committee member with Tourism Calgary Meetings and Conventions and a governor of Lindsay Park Sports Society and MNP Community Sports Centre.

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Land Acknowledgement

Elevate Aviation is grateful to be headquartered within Treaty 6 Territory and within Region 4 (North Saskatchewan River Territory) of the Métis Nation. We acknowledge the land as the traditional territory of First Nations such as the Nehiyaw (Cree), Denesuliné (Dene), Nakota Sioux (Stoney), Anishinaabe (Saulteaux) and Niitsitapi (Blackfoot). We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples for their ongoing guardianship and deep connection to the land across Turtle Island.
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