Management & Staff
Dave Devana
President & Chief Executive Officer
Dave started with the Nanaimo Airport Commission in the role of President and CEO in 2020. He is a CPA, Chartered Accountant with over 20 years of senior management experience as a Chief Financial Officer and Chief Administrative Officer within municipal government. Dave is well known amongst his peers as an innovator with a focus on environmental stewardship and economic development.
Corporate Services
Justine Lyver
CPA – Chief Financial Officer
Justine first started with the Nanaimo Airport Commission in March 2022 as the Financial Controller and was promoted to CFO in November 2024. After graduating from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Commerce in 2017, she spent 5 years working at a mid-sized accounting firm in Edmonton and obtained her CPA designation in 2019. Justine likes to spend her free time exploring Vancouver Island with her husband or relaxing at home with their 2 cats, reading a good book or watching reality TV.
| Naomi Thomas | Executive Assistant |
| Christania Chantyman | Accounting Assistant / Payroll Administrator |
Operations, Regulatory Affairs, and Infrastructure
Don Goulard
Vice President, Operations, Regulatory Affairs, and Infrastructure
Don Goulard brings extensive aviation and business experience to Nanaimo Airport. While earning his Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL), he apprenticed as an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME) and advanced to become Production Manager at an Approved Maintenance Organization (AMO). Before joining Nanaimo Airport in 2016, Don served as Airport Manager in the Kootenays, gaining valuable operational insight in a dynamic regional setting. Don is also actively involved in shaping the future of aviation, serving on several provincial, national, and international committees focused on airport operations and environmental stewardship. Don holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA), is a licensed commercial pilot, and is recognized as an Accredited Airport Executive (AAE) with IAAE Canada. When he’s not working at the airport, you’ll likely find him flying a variety of aircraft, or in deep research, narrowing down which make and model he’ll one day build and fly himself.
| Megan Low | Operations Administrator |
Brandon Wiebe
Senior Manager, Regulatory Affairs and Infrastructure
Telephone: (250) 245-2157, ext. 1400
Brandon started with the Nanaimo Airport Commission in 2017 as the Manager of Operations and in 2025 took on the role of Senior Manager of Regulatory Affairs and Infrastructure He started his airport career back in 2007 as an apprentice electrician and enjoys the flexibility and how diverse the airport world is and how things are always changing with new technologies and regulations. Brandon was born and raised in Northwest BC. He loves the BC outdoors and enjoys the mild winters of Vancouver Island.
Owen Burt
Manager, Airport Operations
Owen started with the Nanaimo Airport Commission in July of 2012 as an Airport Technician. As the airport grew, he took on the role of training for operations and Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting. In June of 2018 he was promoted to Airport Duty Manager, a position he held until his latest promotion to Manager, Airport Operations in June of 2025. Owen has also served as a paid-on-call firefighter and Lieutenant with Ladysmith Fire Rescue since 2013. In his spare time, Owen can be found camping, hunting, or at a rink or field, coaching or watching his two daughters.
Amanda Nielsen
Superintendent, Safety & Security
Amanda joined the Nanaimo Airport Commission in March 2025 as the Superintendent of Safety and Security. She has been part of the YCD community since 2019, previously working as a Manager of Security Screening and a Trainer for airports across Vancouver Island. Outside of her role at the airport, Amanda helps run a small family business with her husband in Nanaimo. When she’s not working, she stays busy raising two teenagers and enjoying the company of their two dogs.
| Nick Creighton | Assistant Superintendent, Safety & Security |
Marc Gregoire
Duty Manager
Telephone: (250) 618-7713
Marc first started with the Nanaimo Airport Commission in June 2021 as an Airport Operations Specialist and was promoted to Duty Manager in May 2025. After over seven years of operational experience at airports, Marc has spent over a decade serving as a Canadian Coast Guard Rescue Specialist, Naval Reservist, and Firefighter, earning certification as a Fire Officer and Instructor. Marc spends his free time with his wife, their young daughter, and their dog, staying active outside, or relaxing at home, planning their next adventure.
| Aaron Page | Airport Operations Specialist |
| Jason Benedict | Airport Operations Specialist |
| Kyle Rainone | Airport Operations Specialist |
| Kelsey MacKay | Airport Operations Specialist |
| Mike Loevenmark | Airport Operations Specialist |
Jarrod Edwards
Duty Manager
Telephone: (250) 618-7713
Jarrod first started working for the Nanaimo Airport Commission in June 2021 as an Airport Operations Specialist and Heavy Duty Mechanic and was promoted to Duty Manager in May 2025. He has been a heavy duty mechanic since apprenticing through the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) and spent 3 years working as a mechanic at the Calgary Airport before moving to Vancouver Island. In his spare time, Jarrod can be found riding his motorcycle or doing yard work, accompanied by his 3 dogs.
| Gord Medves | Airport Operations Specialist |
| Joshua Taylor | Airport Operations Specialist |
| Kevin Needham | Airport Operations Specialist |
| Kyle Evans | Airport Operations Specialist |
| Paul Cygan | Airport Operations Specialist |
Jackson Hewer
Airport Operations Specialist – Electrician
Jackson started with the Nanaimo Airport Commission in January 2020 as an Airport Operations Specialist and electrician. With 20+ years of industrial electrical experience, Jackson has worked on a variety of job sites across British Columbia and Alberta in varying roles from apprentice Electrician to Operations Supervisor. He has experience in Construction, Oil and Natural Gas Plants, and Pulp Mills. When he isn’t working he’s… working! Living on a small acreage in Lantzville, his wife keeps him busy with renovation and garden projects and refers to him as her “Jackson of All Trades”. He still manages to find time to have fun, spending ski days at Mt Washington with his kids, and summer weekends at their cabin at Horne Lake.
Laurie Hawthornthwaite
Airport Terminal and Customer Care Manager
Telephone: (250) 245-2157, ext. 1400
Laurie started with the Nanaimo Airport Commission in Jan 2012 as the Customer Service Coordinator. In 2020, Laurie was promoted to Airport Terminal and Customer Care Manager. She has extensive experience in the customer service field. Laurie has developed and is director of the Blue Navigator Ambassador Program for the Airport Terminal and supervises the Customer Care and Social Media Representatives. In her free time Laurie likes spending time with her family and their dog Max. She loves being outdoors and enjoys gardening, walking, hiking, and exploring.
| Savanah Broatch | Customer Service and Social Media Specialist |
| Colton Coppens | Customer Service and Social Media Specialist |
| Kirstin Marshall | Customer Service and Social Media Specialist |
