CEO, President & Accountable Executive
Ryan DeGroot was born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Ryan was hired by Calm Air in 2003 where he worked as an Aircraft Maintenance Technician heavily involved in the freighter conversion of Hawker Siddeley748 Aircraft in Thompson, Manitoba. Ryan transferred to Calm Air’s Winnipeg base in 2005, where he performed line maintenance as an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer on the Calm Air fleet of Saab 340, ATR 42,ATR 72, Dornier 328 and HS748 aircraft and provided remote location support of Calm Air’s fleet throughout Northern Manitoba, Northern Ontario, and Nunavut.
With the construction of the Winnipeg Calm Air hangar and increase in the number of maintenance staff in Winnipeg, Ryan was promoted to Lead hand and Crew Chief managing a crew of technicians and a fleet of ATR and Dornier aircraft. Through his diverse experience, Ryan has gained extensive knowledge in remote cold weather aircraft operations and maintenance requirements.
In 2015, Ryan accepted a position with Calm Air management team overseeing the Maintenance Reliability program, engine program and participated in the company Safety Management System where he utilized a systems approach for continuous improvement in each area of responsibility. As Calm Air continued to grow, Ryan assumed the role of Director of Quality Systems and later as the Vice President of Quality and Safety. In this role, Ryan developed a team of subject matter experts within the airline, enhancing the entire Quality Assurance program and Safety Management System at Calm Air. In addition to his role with Calm Air, Ryan actively participated in EIC initiatives promoting continuous improvement throughout the entire network of EIC companies.
In 2018, Ryan accepted the position of VP, Quality and Safety with Exchange Income Corporation where he enhanced the EIC Quality Assurance Program providing oversight, operator collaboration, and driving best practices establishing multiple Communities of Practice. In addition, Ryan formalized EIC operator relationships with key industry vendors. These relationships leverage the size and scope of the organization to establish best in class support and pricing. Ryan further accepted the role of VP, Aviation at EIC in 2022 where he continued to drive efficiencies, expanded labour initiatives and focused on Human Capital initiatives and growth of future leaders throughout the entire organization.
In his role with EIC and now Keewatin Air, Ryan utilized the same process-based logic to develop and enhance community initiatives within the group of EIC companies ensuring all entities continuously improve.
Ryan brings an extensive knowledge of aircraft maintenance, quality, and safety systems. Additionally, his team approach to continuous improvement and efficiencies has been proven to be successful throughout his career. The community-based approach of sharing best practices continues to enhance the safe operations of aircraft, and drive efficiencies throughout the organization.
Chief Financial Officer
Aaron Thompson provides a strong background in accounting, assurance, and financial management. Currently serving as Chief Financial Officer at Keewatin Air LP, his goal is to drive financial strategy and operational excellence. Prior to this role, he held the position of Vice President Finance at a Winnipeg based group of companies, overseeing financial operations and strategic planning for two years.
Aaron spent nearly a decade at PricewaterhouseCoopers in Canada and Australia leading audit and assurance engagements for a diverse portfolio of clients, inclusive of the medical and aviation industries. He specialized in managing project financials, achieving budgetary goals, and providing strategic insights to enhance client profitability and operational efficiency.
Vice-President, Medical Operations
Debbie started her aviation career in 2000 as a travel coordinator for the Government of Canada. She discovered Perimeter airlines in 2001 where she excelled in the fast-paced environment of Winnipeg Operations.
She then joined Calm Air as a flight attendant to gain hands on experience and knowledge of northern Manitoba and Nunavut. In 2007, Debbie returned to Perimeter as an air ambulance flight follower. From there she assisted in the growth of the air ambulance department and the transition of Perimeter from a Type C to a Type B program, becoming the first licensed dispatcher in the company. In 2014, Debbie was promoted to Air ambulance Operations Manager and shortly after became a member of the executive as Director of Air Ambulance Operations. In this role Debbie gained experience interacting with Government Officials and processes in overseeing the air ambulance operations.
With Debbie’s interest and passion of structured environment success, she added Director of SOCC onto her role in 2023. Debbie restructured the SOCC department to be prepared for continued growth and led the team through a full transition of a new operational software.
As Debbie’s passion remains with Air ambulances, in 2024 she accepted a position with sister company Keewatin Air as Vice President of Medical. Debbie is leading the medical team through adjustments of restructuring, focusing on training, policies, procedures, and medical control protocols for best practice and patient care.
Director, Business Development & Strategic Planning
John Kliewer joined KAL in 2018. He provides senior leadership, strategy, operational continuous improvement, and organization development/excellence expertise to the management and staff of KAL. He also provides general human resources consultation, and advice as well as project management to the organization as appropriate.
In 1988 during his second year of studies at the University of Manitoba, John was accepted as an Officer Candidate in the Royal Canadian Air Force Reserves. In 1989, after graduating at the top of his class from the Canadian Forces Officer Development School, he received his Commission as a Second Lieutenant. Over the next 14 years John completed over 3,000missions as a Pilot, Flight Instructor, and Flying Standards Officer. As well, John was appointed to several command positions with respect to flight operations and training in Manitoba and Alberta. John also completed the Flight Safety/Accident Investigator Course with the RCAF Directorate of Flight Safety (DFS). Towards the later part of his service, John was attached to Air Command HQ in Winnipeg to support Provincial Operations in the Province of Manitoba. In 2006, John retired from the RCAF Reserves at the Rank of Captain, after having been awarded the Canadian Decoration (CD) Medal in 2004 for Long Service to the Canadian Armed Forces with exemplary conduct.
While serving in the military, John simultaneously completed his Science Degree at the University of Manitoba in 1990. Then in 1996, he began a bachelor’s degree in business administration at the University of Winnipeg. John went on to complete an advanced Certificate in Human Resources Management from the University of Manitoba from 2003 to2005.
In 2011, John joined Manitoba Aerospace Inc., an organization supporting workforce, business/organization, and research/innovation development for the Province of Manitoba’s large aerospace and defense industries. In this position, John supported the CEOs, CFOs, and COOs of over 30 organizations in Manitoba, as well as organizations in Western Canada, and the UK. His support assisted these organizations to develop and implement world class management systems and methodologies, enhancing the ability of these organizations to be able to succeed in the very competitive aerospace and defense industries globally.
John has been a member of the association of Chartered Professionals in Human Resources Manitoba since 1997. He received the designation of: Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) in 2008.
Director, Operational Compliance
Ken Giesbrecht joined KAL in July of 2019 to assist with the Company’s Pilot training programs, and a short time later was promoted to Director of Flight Operations role. He brings 46 years of diverse Aviation and Governmental experience to KAL.
Ken has extensive experience in the roles of Director of Fight Operations, Chief Pilot, Acting Assistant Deputy Minister, Accountable Executive, Elected President/CEO of the Canadian State Air Operators Association, Aviation Risk Manager, Aviation Consultant/ Technical Writer, Line Pilot and Flight Instructor.
With an excess of 9600 hours Ken has had the opportunity to work for several aviation organizations including two of our sister companies, Perimeter and Calm Air. He has broad flight experience throughout North America from the Artic to southern Mexico.
In his previous position Ken had the opportunity assist Transport Canada and companies from Israel, Japan and United States with technology and regulatory advancement. His belief in the teamwork concept and out of the box thinking allowed him to be a recipient of the Manitoba Government 2009 Service Excellence Award for Innovation.
Ken promotes a teamwork and innovation philosophy at KAL and knows that honesty, integrity and humour play an import role in a healthy workplace.
Director, Medical Operations
Cathy joined Keewatin Air in 2022 as the Director of Medical Operations for the Manitoba Division, where she was instrumental in establishing the Trauma Flight Helicopter EMS program in Thompson, MB. In 2024, she expanded her responsibilities to include oversight of medical teams and programs for both Nunavut and Manitoba operations as Director of Medical Operations. Cathy is a Registered Nurse with more than 36 years of dedicated service, specializing in neonatal and pediatric critical care. She has advanced expertise in air ambulance operations, particularly for critically ill neonates and pediatric patients. Prior to joining Keewatin Air LP, Cathy served as a transport nurse clinician with the Child Health Transport Team (previously known as the Manitoba Neonatal Transport Team), where she completed numerous missions throughout Manitoba, Northwestern Ontario, Nunavut, and carried out interprovincial transfers for neonatal and pediatric patients requiring cardiac surgeries not available within Manitoba.
Drawing on her expertise, Cathy serves as an instructor trainer in both Neonatal Resuscitation (NRP) and Acute Care of the At-Risk Newborn (ACoRN), maintaining her certifications and instructor trainer status through continued affiliation with the University of Manitoba Clinical Learning Simulation Facility (CLSF).
Cathy is dedicated to promoting educational efforts that enhance the skills of healthcare professionals, especially within the aeromedical sector. She eagerly shares her knowledge and is genuinely motivated by helping others achieve success. Taking a collaborative approach, she values fostering change through the collective expertise of her team.
Director, Quality & Safety
Dallas Radcliffe began his aviation career in 1999, working in the fixed wing field throughout Manitoba. After graduating from Stevenson Aviation in Southport, MB in 2001, he obtained his Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME) license in 2002. Between 2004 and 2006, Dallas worked in Africa as a contract AME on King Air 200s and 1900C/Ds for United Nations operations, gaining valuable international experience and exposure to remote settings.
In 2007, Dallas joined Keewatin Air as an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer. He transitioned to the Quality Assurance Manager role in June 2013 after passing the Transport Canada interview. In 2022, Dallas advanced to become the Director of Quality/Safety. With over 25years of experience as an AME, Dallas brings extensive knowledge in remote and overseas operations. He currently oversees Keewatin Air’s QA ad SMS system, supporting staff and eight bases with more than 12 years in quality assurance leadership.
Senior Director, Maintenance & Person Responsible for Maintenance (PRM)
Mark Scharien has been the Senior Director of Maintenance, Person Responsible for Maintenance at KAL since2021, having formerly been the Director of Maintenance (DOM) from 2017 – 2021, and an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer from 2008.
In his role as PRM, Mark is responsible for all KAL Approved Maintenance Organization (AMO) activities including Quality Assurance, Technical Records, and Parts/Inventory
Chief Financial Officer
Aaron Thompson provides a strong background in accounting, assurance, and financial management.Currently serving as Chief Financial Officer at Keewatin Air LP, his goal is to drive financial strategy andoperational excellence. Prior to this role, he held the position of Vice President Finance at a Winnipegbased group of companies, overseeing financial operations and strategic planning for two years.Aaron spent nearly a decade at PricewaterhouseCoopers in Canada and Australia leading audit and assurance engagements for a diverse portfolio of clients, inclusive of the medical and aviationindustries. He specialized in managing project financials, achieving budgetary goals, and providingstrategic insights to enhance client profitability and operational efficiency.
Chief Financial Officer
Aaron Thompson provides a strong background in accounting, assurance, and financial management.Currently serving as Chief Financial Officer at Keewatin Air LP, his goal is to drive financial strategy andoperational excellence. Prior to this role, he held the position of Vice President Finance at a Winnipegbased group of companies, overseeing financial operations and strategic planning for two years.Aaron spent nearly a decade at PricewaterhouseCoopers in Canada and Australia leading audit and assurance engagements for a diverse portfolio of clients, inclusive of the medical and aviationindustries. He specialized in managing project financials, achieving budgetary goals, and providingstrategic insights to enhance client profitability and operational efficiency.
