Executive Biographies

Ron Gernat
Interim Chief Executive Officer

Ron started with Wasaya Airways in 1995 and has worked his way up within the company taking on many different management roles in the Wasaya maintenance department over his twenty years of service. Previously, as Vice President of Maintenance and Engineering, he was involved with Company strategic planning and budgeting, flight scheduling, fleet planning, aircraft leasing and acquisition, as well as, SMS and OHS system improvements.

Ron is based at Wasaya’s Thunder Bay Hangar and has worked throughout Northern Ontario.  

Nick Purich
Chief Financial Officer and                    Vice President, Finance

Nick is experienced in accounting, finance, restructuring and turnaround management. Prior to joining Wasaya, Nick held various positions with Ernst & Young LLP including as a manager in the firm's Transaction Advisory Services practice working with companies in unique financial circumstances. Nick holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree and a Master of Professional Accounting degree from University of Saskatchewan and is a Chartered Professional Accountant, Chartered Accountant. 

Jim Ballingall                                  Vice President,  Sales, Marketing & Distribution

Jim has had a distinguished career spanning 30 years driving sales efficiencies, and business development within regional, national and international markets. His experience includes serving as a senior management with Air Canada as well as VP Marketing and Sales with First Air. Jim brings to Wasaya experience in customer relationship management, process and system improvements concepts. He is experienced in rallying community stakeholders and partners around a compelling business vision and operational direction.

Donavon Macklin
Vice President, Cargo Operations

Donavon has 25 years of experience delivering goods throughout Northern Ontario and Manitoba. In his time with Wasaya, Donavon has experience as the Chief Pilot and Director of Operations as well as flying most of the aircraft in Wasaya's fleet. 
He holds a diploma from Confederation College and a seat on the advisory board of the Flight Management program. He is a member of the Peguis First Nation. Donavon has oversight and full responsibility for the day to day Cargo Operations at Wasaya.

Dan Harris
Director of Flight Operations

A Confederation College Alumni from class of 81. Dan has 36 years' flight and management experience.
First arrived in Pickle Lake in 1983 as a float pilot moving up through Kelner Airways to Wasaya Airways serving Northwestern Ontario, Manitoba and the Arctic from Churchill on the HS748. Dan served as Chief Pilot then DFO with Wasaya from 1998 to 2000 before leaving for Skyservice Airlines on the Airbus.
In 2010, Dan returned as Ground Support Manager for Wasaya. In 2012, he joined Suncor Energy as Senior Captain on the CRJ out of Edmonton. Dan rejoined the Wasaya Flight Operations team in January 2017 as the Director of Flight Operations.

Debbie Arno
Director of Customer Care

Debbie has been a part of the Wasaya team since 2008, her previous roles in the company include working in the Air Delivery Unit (ADU) Department and as Customer Care Manager.

As Director of Customer Care, Debbie is responsible for overseeing the daily operation of the call centre and ensuring the needs of our guests are taken care of in a timely and professional manner. 

Shannon Racco
Director of Human Resources

Shannon started with Wasaya in 2011 as Training Coordinator. Since then she has worked her way through management roles with increasing responsibility within the Human Resources (People) Department.

Shannon holds Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) from Lakehead University majoring in Human Resources and Industrial Relations,  As part of her responsibilities, Shannon oversees and advises Wasaya on Employee Relations, Labour Relations, Organizational Change, Talent Management, Strategic Human Resources Planning, Benefits and Compensation, as well as "on-boarding" and "off boarding" team members.