Trusted Partner Since 1963 

Chris leads Conair Group Inc., including Conair, Conair France and Aero-Flite Inc., our US based subsidiary company. Chris joined Aero-Flite in 2021 bringing with him 26 years of leadership experience in both civilian and military aerospace organizations. After completing his service in the U.S. Marine Corps as a combat experienced F-18 Instructor Pilot, Landing Signal Officer, and Forward Air Controller, he held various roles in engineering, operations, and aviation safety at General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc.

Rick has over 47 years of experience in fighting wildfires, working with the United States Forest Service (USFS) with a focus on aviation operations and resource management. His retirement was short-lived; he joined Aero-Flite in 2017 in the Flight Operations department, coordinating complex logistics for all deployments and supporting the growing fleet of amphibious and large airtankers. Rick now offers his four decades of experience to our government partners, building new relationships and maintaining long-standing ones, working together to provide solutions to agency needs.

Jody is an aviation professional and licensed aircraft engineer with over three decades of experience across corporate, commercial, and manufacturing sectors. He joined Aero-Flite in 2024 to support government agencies worldwide with effective aerial firefighting response and promote the company’s expanding fleet. Previously, he worked at Bombardier on the Dash 8-400 and CL-415 programs, and in 2005, he founded Vortex Aerospace, where he led final-line assembly of the CL-415 aircraft for Bombardier. Responsible for training and global deliveries, he grew the team to 70 specialists at its peak.

Karen began her aerospace career as a composite technician producing space-flight hardware. With a systems-oriented mindset and a drive to understand all facets of the business, she advanced through the aerospace and defense industry, most recently spending 15 years at General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. There, she held roles in Finance and Project Management and built a Business Operations Team supporting a business unit of over 800 personnel and drove cross-functional integration with the broader business organization. Since joining Aero-Flite in 2023, Karen has established a Contract Management role, effectively managing all aspects of the company’s contracts and ensuring cross-functional coordination and effective flow-down of requirements.

Bill joined Aero-Flite as Director of Safety in 2018, before leading the Operations department. He is a retired military officer and helicopter pilot with over 40 years of experience in aviation operations and leading high-performance teams. After graduating from the USAF Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree, Bill served in a wide variety of operational assignments as a USAF helicopter instructor and evaluator pilot executing a diverse range of humanitarian, search/rescue, medical evacuation, counterdrug, aerial firefighting, homeland security and student flight training operations in various locations around the world. During his military career, Bill had the opportunity to serve as Chief Pilot for the USAF H-1 helicopter fleet involving 6 operational major commands, 62 aircraft and 200 pilots worldwide. Additionally, he served as leader of two USAF flying squadrons, an 1100-person Cadet Group at the USAF Academy and the US Department of Defense’s largest Survival Training School. He has a master’s degree in Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with emphasis on aviation operations and management.

Kelly joined Aero-Flite in 2022, bringing more than 30 years of aviation experience. He is a retired California Air National Guard Lt Col whose career started as an aircraft mechanic on the KC-135 Stratotanker. Before joining Aero-Flite, Kelly served as Commander of the Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Maintenance Group Commander, and Commander of the 196th Attack Squadron. A passionate aviator, Kelly holds a Certified Flight Instructor certificate.

Rob joined Aero-Flite in 2024 as Director of Training, bringing over 20 years of leadership experience in aviation, including serving as VP of Flight Operations at Bridger Aerospace. Throughout his career, Rob has held various roles, including Director of Training for De Havilland Canada, Production and Engineering Pilot, Ferry Pilot, and Assistant Chief and Chief Pilot for the world’s largest all-seaplane operator. His career began in the Canadian Arctic, where he flew DHC-6 aircraft.

Aaron began his career in aviation with Hawkins & Powers Aviation, then joined Aero-Flite in 1997. Aaron is a strong leader of the maintenance group, promoting communication in the workplace and fostering good team spirit and a professional environment. With over 20 years of aerial wildfire experience, he has completed the CL215 and CL415 Factory Maintenance Training Course and BAE Systems’ RJ85 Maintenance Training Course. Aaron has been instrumental in developing his team to efficiently, safely, and productively support the fleet.

Mark joined Aero-Flite in 2001 to lead the material and stores division. Mark has over 33 years of supply chain, parts and material expediting experience. Mark’s experience and professionalism has earned him accolades industry wide due to his vast network of OEM and Repair Facility relationships. Aero-Flite’s impeccable safety and readiness record is directly related to Mark and the Material Departments daily performance.

Cathy oversees the company’s accounting functions, supporting the management team with financial information. Cathy joined Aero-Flite in 2015 bringing in numerous years of accounting experience in both public and private companies within the Aero-Space, Manufacturing and the Medical Service industries in various leadership roles. Cathy has a BBA in Accounting from the University of San Diego and has participated in the Providence Sacred Heart LEAD program as well as being a graduate of Leadership Spokane.

Erin left the retail lumber business in 2017 to manage the Aero-Flite HR Department, promoted to Director of Human Resources in 2025. At Aero-Flite, Erin and her department meet the staffing needs of our growing company, recruiting and providing support to over 225 team members.

She brought with her many years of HR Generalist and Manager level experience supervising all functions within the department while supporting the organizational goals. The HR department provides guidance to employees spread across the country, ensuring all team members are able to safely and productively support the company’s mission, while developing and guiding their individual pathway within. A believer in life-long learning and growth, Erin holds a B.S. Degree in Human Resources Management, and is dual certified, holding the Professional in Human Resources (PHR) and Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) designations.

Jason has been with Aero-Flite since 2006, serving a variety of roles including CL215 Lead Pilot, Training Captain, Aircraft Systems Instructor, and Initial Attack qualified Captain and FAA Pilot Proficiency Examiner.

He previously worked in seaplane operations in Alaska, the Caribbean, and Indian Ocean. As an FAR 135 line pilot, Jason flew the de Havilland Beaver on scheduled, on-demand, and USFS chartered flights in Southeast Alaska. He operated as an FAR 121 Captain and Instructor in the US Virgin Islands on the DHC-6 Twin Otter seaplane. He was also Twin Otter Captain operating internationally in the Republic of Maldives.

Jason has been the CL415 Chief Pilot since 2015. In that role he serves as a Mission Training Captain, FAA Designated Pilot Examiner and FAA Part 142 Training Center Evaluator. He is a former NAFA Instructor and Steering Committee member, and has served as an industry representative on the Interagency Water Scooping Subcommittee. He holds FAA ATP Multi-engine Land & Sea certificates, and has been an FAA Certified Flight Instructor for 25 years.

Parker has been actively involved in aerial firefighting as a carded Initial Attack Captain flying SEATs, Scoopers and Large Air Tankers for 13 years with over 7,300 flight hours logged during his 22-year aviation career. He holds an ATP (Airline Transport Pilot) certificate and was previously employed as a FAR Part 135 pilot flying Charter, Air Ambulance, Freight, and Aerial Application. He was hired on with the Aero-Flite RJ85 team in 2018 as an AKTP (Instructor Pilot) and now leads the large airtanker program at Aero-Flite, overseeing both RJ85 and Dash 8-400AT programs.

Parker holds an undergraduate degree in Aeronautical Science from Rocky Mountain College in Billings, Montana and has completed graduate studies in Public Administration at the University of Nebraska Omaha. He is a past Industry Chair for the National Aerial Firefighting Academy (NAFA), where the cadre integrates advanced tactics in fire operations for increased effectiveness and safety. Parker pairs his extensive industry knowledge with his passion for instruction to support and strengthen Aero-Flite’s RJ85 program.

Brian joined the Aero-Flite team in 2015, beginning in the company’s support PC-12 aircraft before transitioning to the RJ85 the following year. Now serving as RJ85 Chief Pilot, Brian brings more than 23 years of aviation experience and 6,600+ flight hours to complex aerial firefighting operations conducted under contract with the U.S. Forest Service and multiple state agencies.

Brian served as the RJ85 Assistant Chief Pilot for seven years and is qualified as an Initial Attack Training Captain. He has remained continually involved in pilot training, evaluation, and standardization throughout his career, including duties as an FAA Part 142 Training Center Evaluator in Aero-Flite’s FAA RJ85 Level D simulator. His background also includes serving as Program Manager for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (UPRT) program, overseeing advanced, safety-critical aerobatic flight training.

Guided by Aero-Flite’s values of Safety, Service, Integrity, and Innovation, Brian is committed to continuous improvement, a strong safety culture, and delivering reliable, mission-ready aerial firefighting capability.