The Aeroflyer Team is led by some of Canada’s most dedicated aviation professionals with accomplishments throughout the industry, from domestic and international flight operations to aircraft maintenance and modifications, and federal transportation regulation. We draw on decades of homegrown expertise to deliver safe and reliable passenger charter services.
Barry Lapointe
Barry loves aviation! Starting out with a small aircraft repair business servicing the BC Interior from a panel van, Barry has spent over five decades building KF Aerospace (founded as Kelowna Flightcraft) into an innovative Passenger and Air Cargo operator; an Engineering (DAO), Canada’s largest commercial Aircraft Maintenance and Modification (AMO) provider; a Pilot Training organization for the Royal Canadian Air Force; and an aircraft leasing company. Barry started flying at the age of 16 and has since logged over 18,000 flying hours (fixed and rotary wing); is an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer by trade; and the Founder and Owner of KF Aerospace. Barry’s passion for flight has resulted in a lifetime of dedication and recognition within the aerospace industry in Canada. Barry’s passion for flight has resulted in a lifetime of dedication and recognition within the aerospace industry in Canada. It also inspired his vision for the KF Centre for Excellence—a state-of-the-art aviation museum and conference centre that opened in Kelowna, BC in 2022.
Gregg Evjen
Gregg began his engineering career with KF Aerospace in 1989 and has been instrumental in growing the KF Engineering department into one of Canada’s top Design Approval Organizations. His expertise has led him through successive management roles to his current position as Chief Operating Officer, overseeing KF’s Engineering, Maintenance, Flight Operations, Business Development and Leasing divisions. Gregg is a Transport Canada (TC) Design Approval Delegate heading KF’s TC Design Approval Organization as well as a Department of National Defence (DND) Senior Design Engineer responsible for KF’s DND Recognized Design Approval Organization.
Gregg has played an active role in regulatory rule making over the years and is well respected within Transport Canada Civil Aviation. He currently serves on the Air Transport Association of Canada (ATAC) Board of Directors and the ATAC Audit Committee.
Richard Mrazek
From the flight deck to the executive table, Richard brings over 35 years of aviation expertise to KF Aeroflyer. His accomplished career with KF Aerospace has seen him move from Pilot to Check Pilot, Chief Pilot, and to his current role as Director of Flight Operations, where he leads his team towards outstanding achievements in safety, reliability, and on-time performance. Over the years Richard has been instrumental in launching domestic and international, passenger and cargo services for KF, flying several narrow and widebody aircraft types and accumulating over 14,000 hours. A true aviation enthusiast, Richard has over 20 years of experience with warbird aircraft, owning and flying them at air shows throughout North America.
Denise Tateyama
Denise brings 40 years of hands-on airline expertise to the Aeroflyer team. Born and raised in Kelowna, BC, Denise began her aviation career in 1982 as a flight attendant for KF and soon after helped launch the company’s first scheduled airline, InterCity Air in 1984. She has worked with every KF air operation since, setting up multiple ventures into cargo markets (Purolator, Canada Post) and passenger markets including Greyhound Air and Sunwing. She has taken several promotions over the decades, and in 2023 stepped into her current role as Senior Manager of Flight Operations. With a focus on exceptional customer service and reliability, Denise guides all facets of the Aeroflyer operations, from charter administration and scheduling to flight crew planning and training.
Charter Operations Team
Aeroflyer’s expertise in charter aviation programming is led by a team of industry-recognized professionals known as the Charter Operations Team. This collective of former pilots, project managers, quality management and business development experts offer our clients objectivity, product knowledge, experience and value. Designed to be cost-effective and influential the Charter Operations Team is nimble, responsive, and highly efficient. As leaders, regulatory post holders and in some cases accountable executives, this team has extensive experience in coordinating multiple assets, complex projects and sophisticated contracts. Spanning 40 years within Canadian Aviation and international operations, John Hankirk and Nick Samuel form the backbone of the Charter Operations Team, and are here to support you and your charter needs.
