Can-West People
Art Schooley, President / Owner / Pilot
Mr. Schooley has been the sole owner and president since the company started in 1988. Art has been involved in many different businesses, and holds a diverse business portfolio. He started into the flying business when he was working in northern Alberta and the idea of owning and operating a charter company just seemed to be a natural progression. Art holds a lot of vision and passion for where Can-West is going in the future, but holds fast to tradition when it comes to the value of someone's word and a good hand shake. These values are what has made Can-West what it is today and will continue to do so well into the future.
Mark Anderson, Operations Manager / Pilot
Mark started with Can-West four years ago as a pilot on our medevac service. He continued to grow and expand with the company into the role of our operations manager. Mark has an excellent ability to deal with daily issues and managing our overall operation. He attended the University College of the Fraser Valley in 1998, studying Business Administration and Aviation.
Mark's background is in Aviation training, and he enjoys contributing his efforts as a training captain in both the aircraft and at Flight Safety International. Prior to aviation Mark was employed with the Canadian Coast Guard and was based in British Columbia.
Kyle Thorsell, Manager of Charter Operations / Pilot
Kyle was added to our team in early 2007, into a new position as our Manager of Charter Operations. He brings several years of experience in business and flying to this position. Kyle owns his own business and has been in different management roles with different companies throughout his career.
He worked early in his career as a flight instructor then made a progression to Medevac flying. He was introduced into the world of executive charters flying different turboprops and jets throughout North America. This combination of business and international flying experience allows him to command a good knowledge of the industry, and to bring a diverse vision to our company to help lead us into the future.
Jim Vomastic, Chief Pilot
In today's industry it would be very hard to find the kind of individual with the knowledge and experience that Jim brings to our organization. Jim came back to our company in 2005 to become our current chief pilot. His career is very diverse and full of experiences. From starting his flying dreams at Mount Royal College and learning how to fly. To becoming a SAIT graduate in aircraft maintenance, and further becoming a licensed AME. He had the opportunity to work on large Boeing aircraft to different water bombers as he grew his career in aviation. He then decided to become an acting partner and chief pilot for a flight training school in central Alberta that is still doing well today.
Since 1994 Jim has turned is attention to flying in different roles from Medevac flying to charter work all throughout northern Canada, from remote areas to busy airports. During this time he has held many management appointments with lead companies in the aviation industry. All the time lending a hand, and helping when most would have walked away. So it is needless to say Jim adds a lot of character to Can-West, and we are proud to have him.
Hal Hobenshield, Director of Maintenance
Hal started his career as an apprentice with us after graduating from SAIT in 2000. Prior to starting his path in aviation he worked as a logger in BC were he grew up. He currently resides in Slave lake and holds a great passion for his position. Hal has been very instrumental in developing programs, and providing Can-West with one of the best maintenance departments in western Canada.
