Executive Biographies

Tom Morris
President & Chief Executive Officer

Tom Morris is back with Wasaya Airways after a short retirement. Previously, Tom was with Wasaya for over 10 years.Tom’s other positions with Wasaya Airways include Executive Vice-President, Vice-President, a senior management trainee gaining experience in all operational areas, and 3 years as a Wasaya Airways and Corporation Resource Worker, responsible for liaison with the North-western Ontario First Nations and customers.

Tom served on the board of Directors of Nishawbe-Aski Development (Thunder Bay), served on the Aboriginal Capital Corporation (NADF) Board of Director, and as Secretary Treasurer of the board.

Brad Martin
Chief Operating Officer

Brad comes to Wasaya with 41 years of Aviation experience including leading Bearskin Airlines as their President and CEO since 2014. He started his career as a dispatcher and pilot, flying fire detection in Northern Ontario, before assuming a role flying charter aircraft as well as operating as a Captain in the NorOntair route network

In 1983, Brad assumed a role as Base Manager in Dryden before moving back to Thunder Bay to assume the role of Operations Manager, In 1988, he became a partner in Bearskin Airlines and assumed the position of Director of Operations, making him responsible for all operational aspects of the airline. Brad has sat on a number of Aviation boards and is a Past Chair of the Aviation Management Advisory Committee for Confederation College as well as past Chair of several ATAC sub- committees.

Ron Gernat
Vice President of Maintenance

Ron started with Wasaya Airways in 1995 working his way up throughout the company through many management roles in the Wasaya maintenance department throughout his twenty years of service. As the Director of Maintenance, he oversees heavy maintenance, technical records, purchasing, and Wasaya's Approved Maintenance Organization. Ron is  based at Wasaya’s Thunder Bay Hangar and has worked throughout Northern Ontario. 

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.