Board Members
Bo Dear - Founder & Secretary
The one with the dharma. Bo was born and raised in Vancouver, BC, earned a Bachelor of Health Sciences, then joined the Royal Canadian Air Force to become a pilot. After flying Tactical Helicopter in Edmonton for his first two tours, he was then assigned as helicopter flight instructor and the Grob Flight Commander in Portage La Prairie, MB. Recognizing the shortcomings of opportunities and skills when younger, and now having been provided with both these things, the vision of creating the Dear Aviation Society was born.
Luke Porter - President
The one with the technical knowledge. Luke is our youngest member who graduated from BCIT Aerospace Technology Campus as an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer in 2020. When he is not working on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, or building flight simulator computers, he is somehow able to volunteer all his extra time to help at the Dear Aviation Society where he recently re-wired our Rotorway 162F helicopter.
Natalie Marcinew - Treasurer
The one with the financial background. Natalie is a Chartered Accountant who has worked with Pricewaterhouse Coopers, both in Vancouver and Auckland, NZ and has audited some of the major helicopter companies over the years. Currently working back in Vancouver with a smaller local private company, she also has opportunities to work in the Human Resources sector, so Natalie is helping to keep us all in good working order.
Lt Col Alexia Hannam, CD - Vice-President
The one who has done it all. Born and raised in Winnipeg, Alexia earned her Bachelor degree at the Royal Military College of Canada to then become a pilot with the Royal Canadian Air Force. Having flown multiple helicopter platforms domestically and internationally, she moved to Cold Lake where she has worked as search and rescue, as Detachment Commander, as Flight Safety and volunteered as the Director of Military Relation for Elevate Aviation, a national non-profit organization for women in aviation.