Our Team
Eric Edmondson - CEO
With over 30 years of experience in corporate and airline operations, Eric brings a wealth of knowledge, skills, and passion to steer the organization in a dynamic and competitive market. He holds an Airline Transport Pilot's License and an Approved Check Pilot certification and has extensive experience flying several types of aircraft across Canada and internationally.
Eric is an active and respected member of the Canadian air transport industry, having served as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Air Transport Association of Canada (ATAC) and as a multi-term Board and Executive Committee member. In May 2020, he was appointed to the COVID-19 Supply Council of Canada, where he collaborated with fellow council members and assisted the Minister of Public Services and Procurement in the national response and recovery to COVID-19.
Recognized throughout the industry as a pioneer in skills development within the Canadian airline ecosystem, Eric led the creation of a pilot cadet program with a major international airline in 2013, one of many early programs that focused on various career advancement initiatives for pilots and other disciplines in the airline sector. His effort culminated in the formal creation of the Canadian Airline Professional Development Academy (CAPDA). Today, Mr. Edmondson is considered one of the leading experts in Canada in addressing the skills shortage within the airline sector.
His leadership during the restructuring of Air Georgian in the initial stages of COVID-19 was widely acknowledged within the Canadian airline and restructuring industries. The successful turnaround in 2020 positioned the airline for a debt-free sale to Pivot Airlines Holding Company Canada Inc. in June of 2024, a consortium of Canadian and foreign investors, of which Eric is a shareholder.
In 2022, Eric received the Lifetime Honoree Award from the Air Transport Association of Canada (ATAC), recognizing his contributions to the association and the Canadian aviation industry.
Katherine Ayre - CLO
Under the CLO umbrella, Katherine incorporates Compliance (CCO) and Chief of Staff (CoS) duties, helping Pivot navigate its sustainable and modern growth!
In her roles, Katherine supports the CEO and senior executives, ensuring smooth operations and strategic alignment. She oversees all legal aspects of Pivot Airlines, its subsidiaries, and its parent company. With her distinguished history as a leading regulation and litigation specialist in Canadian aviation and law, Katherine is well-equipped to handle complex domestic and international challenges and high-stakes relationships required for forging new ground representing Canada's first Advanced Air Mobility airline.
Katherine brings extensive experience in flying, risk assessment and law, ensuring our continued operation at the highest standards for the communities we serve. Her dedication helps our exceptional team uphold our rich tradition of mentorship, collaboration, and high performance.
Katherine is a dedicated entrepreneur and is continuing her efforts with Pivot, alongside CAYRES, the agency she founded for community integration of Advanced Air Mobility and carbon neutral flying. The CAYRES’ mission work aligns closely with Pivot’s collaboration with Smart Green Aviation Group and our indigenous partners and nations. As a Canadian enterprise, Pivot and Smart Green Aviation Group Inc. are playing key roles in the equitable deployment of aircraft and infrastructure, including new technology, under the Connect Airlines brand.
Barbara Syrek - Fractional CFO
Barbara brings significant experience and expertise in strategic financial leadership, having served in top financial roles across the aviation industry. In her new role at Pivot, Barbara will support the CEO and senior executives, ensuring robust financial operations and strategic alignment. Her expertise in profitability optimization, process improvement, and change management will be pivotal in propelling Pivot forward.
Barbara's career includes significant roles such as Chief Financial Officer at Sky Regional Airlines and Skyservice Business Aviation. She has served as a Professor in the Aviation Operation & Safety Program at Seneca College and currently she is a member of the Program Advisory Committee for a Degree Program in Aviation Management. Barbara also holds credentials as a Chartered Professional Accountant and Certified Management Accountant (CPA, CMA).
Barbara’s blend of practical financial leadership and academic experience makes her exceptionally well-suited to guide Pivot through its next phase of growth and innovation. Her leadership will be crucial in our collaboration with Smart Green Aviation Group and our indigenous nations partners. Together, Pivot aims to play key roles in the equitable deployment of cutting-edge aircraft and infrastructure under the Connect Airlines brand.
Brock Henderson - COO
Mr. Henderson is responsible for delivering highly efficient operational control and operations coordination for the Pivot Airlines fleet while ensuring seamless oversight and coordination with airports, all crew planning, and scheduling functions.
Mr. Henderson began his career at Air Canada where he gained over 20 years’ experience in System Operations Control, 14 years as Chief Dispatcher. In 2014 he led the Sunwing Airlines Flight Dispatch organization, maintaining strict regulatory compliance while delivering cost savings through an innovative program of optimized aircraft routing. Later joining Air Georgian as Director, Operations Control, he developed a robust System Operations Control Centre including fully scalable automation which significantly contributed to the Airline’s excellent OTP.
Mr. Henderson holds a BSc from the University of Toronto. He is a Certificated Flight Dispatcher and commercial pilot who takes pride in mentoring his team to excel.
Benjamin Thomas - Fractional CIO
In his role at Pivot Airlines, Benjamin supports the CEO and senior executives, ensuring seamless operations and strategic alignment as the company revolutionizes the airline’s IT infrastructure with state-of-the-art low-code, no-code, and AI solutions. Benjamin’s strategic vision and execution will be pivotal in propelling Pivot Airlines to the forefront of innovation in the aviation industry.
Benjamin’s brings significant experience and expertise in IT leadership, strategy, and innovation. His career has primarily been in consulting where he has managed his own aviation-focused consultancy and rapidly ascended through notable roles at both PwC and Accenture. Most recently, as a Director in Accenture’s Tech Strategy and Advisory practice, he led transformative IT projects, specializing in developing cutting-edge technology strategies, implementing big data and AI solutions, driving automation initiatives, and optimizing both operating models and cost structures. His portfolio included collaborations with leading companies across various industries such as Financial Services, Healthcare, and Luxury Retail, demonstrating his versatility and industry-agnostic expertise.
In addition, Benjamin has earned credentials ranging from Microsoft Azure and AWS to being a Technology Business Management (TBM) Certified Executive. These certifications, combined with his proven track record, ensure that Pivot Airlines is equipped with world-class IT leadership.
John Tory - CCO
As a pilot and strategic businessperson, John brings a wealth of leadership experience and expertise in driving sustainable growth and exploring new market opportunities for Pivot.
John oversees all commercial matters related to ACMI, Regional Scheduled Service, and Private Aircraft Management. He is responsible for fostering relationships in the aviation industry, analyzing market trends and customer needs, identifying opportunities for business expansion such as establishing codeshare services and establishing robust sales channels. John will also ensure the implementation and monitoring of safety, security, quality, and risk management policies that align with commercial opportunities that drive market share.
John’s leadership plays a crucial role as Pivot Airlines advances its commitment to becoming Canada's first carbon-neutral airline. Under his guidance, Pivot will focus on enhancing collaboration with the Smart Green Aviation Group Inc. to promote the use of hydrogen-fueled aircraft and infrastructure under the Connect Airlines brand.
With his extensive aviation background and a strong commitment to environmental sustainability, John is well-equipped to steer Pivot Airlines towards new heights of success.