2024 Organizational Announcements and New Hires at DHC

I am pleased to announce that Shahan Helvadjian will be assuming the role of General Manager, Mid Canada Mod Center (MC2) & Avionics Design Services (ADS) on October 1, 2024

Shahan has 29 years of experience in the Aerospace industry. Shahan started his aerospace career at Bombardier, working in various roles including Avionics Engineering,  Customer Services & Support Director – CSeries (A2200), In-Service Engineering & Technical Support Director- QSeries, Operations Director and Pre-Flight Director- Global 5/6000, before moving onto to the  Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA)  as  a Technical Performance Director.

Since joining DHC in January 2024 as Chief of Avionics, Electrical and Wiring, Shahan has led a Core Engineering Team as a technical leader working across the disciplines of Avionics Design, Electrical Design, Wiring Design, Avionics Installations Design, and contributing to the certification of those systems. Managing a team of specialized and experienced engineers, ensuring the team delivers on its commitments and driving for results.

Shahan will oversee all aspects of the MC2 & ADS operations, from strategic planning to daily management, ensuring that we maintain our position at the forefront of technological innovation and operational efficiency. Leading the teams and driving the company towards its growth objectives.

Please join me in welcoming Shahan to his new role.

Gerry Kelly
Vice-President, Manufacturing

To further optimize business operations, effective July 1, 2024, De Havilland Canada’s Flight Operations and Experimental Testing organization will shift from Engineering to Corporate Operations and Programs, overseen by Sandra Howell. This change will enable greater operational alignment within De Havilland Canada programs.

Harlan Simpkins will maintain his leadership role as General Manager, Flight Operations, ensuring continuity and stability for the teams during this change.

Should you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me directly.

Sandra Howell
Vice President, Corporate Operations and Programs
 

I am pleased to announce that Victor Ocadiz will be assuming the position of Interim Director of Operations for the 515-production facility in Calgary, Alberta.

With over 15 years of aviation experience, Victor has held roles increasing in responsibility. Prior to joining De Havilland Canada, Victor was the Senior Operations Manager at Amazon, where he was responsible for the launch and opening of a fulfillment center in Mexico. Victor had previously worked at Bombardier for 13 years and held the role of Director of Operations (G7500 aircraft). Victor’s background in various industry roles, including production management, manufacturing process implementation, and extensive experience with product start-up, design, and full production line implementation, equips him well for this position.

Since joining DHC in 2023, Victor has led the continuous improvement team, streamlining and standardizing processes across manufacturing sites in Calgary and Victoria. In this role, Victor will support the launch of the 515 program, working closely with cross functional teams across DHC. 

Please join me in congratulating Victor in this new role.  
Gerry Kelly
Vice President, Manufacturing
 

I would like to announce that Mark Dodd, Director of Core Engineering will be retiring from De Havilland Canada, effective May 17. While I congratulate Mark on his decision and wish him well in his retirement, I know I speak on behalf of the organization when I say that we will miss his contributions and leadership in the Engineering function. We thank Mark for his tireless dedication to De Havilland Canada and the hard work he has put into the engineering group for the last six and a half years.

Ryan Curtin will assume the position of Interim Director of Core Engineering. Ryan joined the company in 2006 as a new engineering graduate in the Bombardier Turbo Prop Engineering department and has progressed within the engineering organization to become the Manager of Aerostructures. Ryan is an experienced engineer and people leader. As the Interim Director, his expertise and experience will provide the Core Engineering team with the leadership to continue to deliver engineering activities that consistently provide value to the customer, are efficiently delivered, extend to engage effective external organizations, support business objectives, growth and mitigate risk. 

Please join me in welcoming Ryan to his new interim position within the engineering team.
Robert Mobilio
Vice-President, Engineering

Mark Simpson, Aircraft Welder – Victoria
Zoey Foulger, Stores Peron – Victoria 
Darcy Harder, Stores Person – Victoria 
 

I am pleased to announce that Jason Connolly has joined De Havilland Canada in the role of Vice-President, Transformation on April 29, 2024.

Jason brings 18 years of management and financial expertise in the Aerospace & Defense industry. Throughout his career, Jason has worked in multiple areas including operations management, finance, preparation of commercial bids (RFPs), project management, budgeting, human resource management and adherence to ISO, AS9110 & AS9120 guidelines, and IFRS. Jason’s background in various roles within the industry, including Director, Finance & Administration (MRO, Aerospace), Director, Operations, and Divisional/Corporate Controller, equips him well for this position.

In this leadership role, Jason will be responsible for leading cross functional teams in the execution of complex projects in continuous improvement transformation. Jason’s initial focus will be working closely with the AMO/MRO organization.

Please join me in welcoming Jason to De Havilland Canada. 
Gerry Kelly
Vice-President, Manufacturing
 

I am pleased to announce that Andriy Szkwarek, joined De Havilland Canada in the role of Director, Quality on February 12, 2024.

Andriy brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his role as Director of Quality. With over 20 years combined military and civilian aviation experience, Andriy’s background in various roles within the industry, including Program Lead, Delegated Airworthiness Agent & Deputy Director of Quality, and Maintenance Operations Officer, makes him well-equipped for this position. He holds a master’s degree in organizational leadership and a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering.

In his role, Andriy’s primary focus will be on establishing and maintaining robust Quality Assurance programs and initiatives for the AMO/MRO, Distribution Center and Customer Service Center Aftermarket. This involves ensuring compliance with Transport Canada requirements and overseeing the completion and processing of maintenance records, service difficulty reports, and internal audits in accordance with the Maintenance Policy Manual. Andriy will work closely with his team to liaise with other departments within the organization, providing necessary support to quality programs and standards.

Please join me in welcoming Andriy to De Havilland Canada. 
Sandra Howell
Vice President, Corporate Operations and Programs
 

Fiona Selvan, Flight Test Designer – Calgary
Andriy Szkwarek, Director of Quality – Calgary
Kellen Tietzmann, Stores Person – Victoria
Devon Bennie, Stories Person – Victoria
Alan Muttaghukunnel Joseph, Aviation Machinist – Victoria

FEBRUARY 5, 2024
Luis Campos Triana, Industrial/Manufacturing Engineer – Calgary
Justin Mackey, Aircraft Maintenance Engineer – Avionics – Calgary
Sanad Asadie, Supply Chain Intern – Calgary
Jessie (JJ) Neill, Assembler – Victoria

JANUARY 29, 2024
Jaspreet Ahluwalia, Methods Engineering Technologist – Victoria
Steven Sablotny, Aircraft Maintenance Engineer – Mechanics – Calgary
Jeffrey Escudero, Quality Engineer – Calgary
Rodger Brndjar, Pilot – Calgary
Christian Rimland, Technical Manufacturing & Production Trainer – Calgary
Jahanvi Samyani, Document Control Clerk – Calgary
Marc Freemantle, Quality Control Inspector – Calgary

JANUARY 22, 2024
Peter Albert, Tool Maker – Calgary 
Jasper Palencar, Quality Engineer – Calgary 
Rene Dino, Production Planner – Calgary 
Mohammed Suleyman, AME-M – Calgary 
Ryan Boogaars, Assembler – Victoria
FJ Ian Sigue Balajadia, Assembler – Victoria 
James Ross, Assembler – Victoria 
Shahan Helvadijan, Avionics, Electrical and Wiring – Toronto