2025 AERO-GO Volunteer Newsletter
Introducing the Executive Team AERO Gatineau-Ottawa Airshow. Vol 1
The AERO-GO team is composed of the wonderful cadre of volunteers (YOU!). Meet the Nine members form the Executive Team organization AERO Gatineau-Ottawa Airshow. In their own words, we’d like to introduce you to them now
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Board Position: Director, and Executive Member Airshow Role: Director General Favorite Aircraft: Spitfire, P-38 Why do I volunteer? I like giving back to the community, I have done all my life. Why the airshow? Because my passion is for airplanes and letting everyone see them as they should be flying!
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Board Position: Director, and Executive Member Airshow Role: Director of Site Logistics, Finance Favorite Aircraft: *Lancaster bomber, Hurricane, A-10 Warthog Why do I volunteer? As a non-pilot, but aviation enthusiast, what better way to get close and personal to vintage and modern aircraft and enjoy the experience of seeing aircraft flying or static, normally not seen but in pictures, movies or on TV?? I've been volunteering with air shows since the late 90's, when they were located at the Ottawa International Airport, then Carp ON, Vintage Wings (Wings Over Gatineau) and since AERO-GO's inception.
*The Lancaster bomber has always been my favourite aircraft; its size, power and the majestic sound of 4 Merlin engines. A bit of personal connection - my father was part of a group of 5 close school pals that were in various elements of the British Armed Forces in WWII.They all survived but 1, and he was killed in a Lanc participating in the famed Dambusters raid, shot down on the way home. |
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Board Position: Board Member Airshow Role: Director, Performer Support (POC) I am “the host with the most”! I ensure that the participating teams and visiting performers are properly supported with regards to accommodations, transportation, aircraft support equipment and fuel, and any other thing or service that they need during their stay with us. My role keeps me busy throughout the year. I get activated as soon as a team gets confirmed for the show. I also help with providing similar care for the civilian performers. I have a small team of highly motivated and exciting people working with me. Favorite Aircraft: DeHaviland Mosquito, Fairchild A-10, Hawker Hurricane Why do I volunteer? I particularly enjoy creating those special moments for the performers and spectators, whenever I can. Also, you get to meet and work with such amazing people! |
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Rob Collison Board Position: Board Member Airshow Role: Crowd Safety Director Favorite Aircraft: Snoopy’s Flying Doghouse |
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Board Position: Director, and Executive Member Airshow Role: Director Ground Ops air side, Sponsorship Coordinator Favorite Aircraft: B-25 Mitchell, B-17 Flying Fortress, DH Mosquito Why do I volunteer? I always wanted to work to produce an airshow plus being around aircraft and friendly faces is a lot of fun. (PS…there is a long story behind the call sign!)
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Denis "Olaf" Godin
Board Position: Board Member, Program Director Airshow Role: Air Operations/Program Director
Favorite Aircraft: CL-415, Lancaster Bomber Why do I volunteer? I love to work with colleagues that are aviation enthusiasts like me, who are very passionate about the mission and its execution. However, the main reward for me is to see the smiles of the public, especially children, when they see the aircraft in the air and on the ground. |
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Board Position: Board Member Airshow Role: Volunteer Coordinator Favorite Aircraft: My favourite plane is the Canadian Chinook CH-149
Why do I volunteer? Hi, I'm Sam Kazak , the Volunteer Coordinator at Aero Gatineau Air show! I'm here to connect passionate individuals with meaningful volunteer opportunities that align with our mission to Fly High with our Air show 2025. Whether you're looking to give back to the community at our Air show, or gain new skills, I'm excited to help you find the perfect volunteer role for you
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Board Position: Director, and Executive Member Airshow Role: Director, Customer Experience Starting with Marketing, through Sales, and ultimately the on-site experience, to ensure that all our different audiences' needs are met. Or simply, making sure that everyone has a good time! Favorite Aircraft: Spitfire, SR-71 Blackbird, my Piper Lance Why do I volunteer? Good question! For the past 40 years it seems people have just kept asking me to help run their air shows. And I am excited to continue as part of the AERO-GO team in 2025 |
Airshow Coordinator and Board Member
AERO-GO continues to expand! In order to support the growth and sustainability of the AERO-GO events this year and into the future, the Board of Directors decided to engage an Airshow Coordinator. This role is meant to support the Board and varied section heads with production logistics, sponsor engagement and industry relationships. To the role, we welcome Kate Witoszkin! Some of you may remember meeting her onsite in 2024 as part of the POC Team.
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A bit about me: Hi Everyone! (wave emoji here) I am thrilled to be working on the AERO-GO show again this year, and look forward to meeting you all in person as we work on training and onsite projects through the summer…and of course during the show weekend!
I’ve spent a lot of my life around airshows; starting as a volunteer in the Rotary Club Concession Tent at The Abbotsford Airshow when I was 12! Fast-forward 30 years, and I have worked or volunteered at 15 airshows across Canada, USA and UK. Some highlight shows in my repertoire: Abbotsford, California Int’l Airshow (Salinas CA) and the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT, Fairford England).
Each show site and its group of volunteers bring a special and unique spirit to an event. It is a special type of family to belong to, and Gatineau-Ottawa is no exception.
In my daily life, I work in the Space Division at DND where I get the chance to hear very smart people tell me about the things that we’re doing in space! I am also an avid reader and theatre fan. |
Kate’s Favorite Aircraft: BAC Electric Lightning & deHavilland Vampire
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Vol 1
The AERO-GO team is composed of the wonderful cadre of volunteers (YOU!). Meet the Nine members form the Executive Team organization AERO Gatineau-Ottawa Airshow. In their own words, we’d like to introduce you to them now
|
Board Position: Director, and Executive Member Airshow Role: Director General Favorite Aircraft: Spitfire, P-38 Why do I volunteer? I like giving back to the community, I have done all my life. Why the airshow? Because my passion is for airplanes and letting everyone see them as they should be flying!
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|
Board Position: Director, and Executive Member Airshow Role: Director of Site Logistics, Finance Favorite Aircraft: *Lancaster bomber, Hurricane, A-10 Warthog Why do I volunteer? As a non-pilot, but aviation enthusiast, what better way to get close and personal to vintage and modern aircraft and enjoy the experience of seeing aircraft flying or static, normally not seen but in pictures, movies or on TV?? I've been volunteering with air shows since the late 90's, when they were located at the Ottawa International Airport, then Carp ON, Vintage Wings (Wings Over Gatineau) and since AERO-GO's inception.
*The Lancaster bomber has always been my favourite aircraft; its size, power and the majestic sound of 4 Merlin engines. A bit of personal connection - my father was part of a group of 5 close school pals that were in various elements of the British Armed Forces in WWII.They all survived but 1, and he was killed in a Lanc participating in the famed Dambusters raid, shot down on the way home. |
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Board Position: Board Member Airshow Role: Director, Performer Support (POC) I am “the host with the most”! I ensure that the participating teams and visiting performers are properly supported with regards to accommodations, transportation, aircraft support equipment and fuel, and any other thing or service that they need during their stay with us. My role keeps me busy throughout the year. I get activated as soon as a team gets confirmed for the show. I also help with providing similar care for the civilian performers. I have a small team of highly motivated and exciting people working with me. Favorite Aircraft: DeHaviland Mosquito, Fairchild A-10, Hawker Hurricane Why do I volunteer? I particularly enjoy creating those special moments for the performers and spectators, whenever I can. Also, you get to meet and work with such amazing people! |
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Rob Collison Board Position: Board Member Airshow Role: Crowd Safety Director Favorite Aircraft: Snoopy’s Flying Doghouse |
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Board Position: Director, and Executive Member Airshow Role: Director Ground Ops air side, Sponsorship Coordinator Favorite Aircraft: B-25 Mitchell, B-17 Flying Fortress, DH Mosquito Why do I volunteer? I always wanted to work to produce an airshow plus being around aircraft and friendly faces is a lot of fun. (PS…there is a long story behind the call sign!)
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Denis "Olaf" Godin
Board Position: Board Member, Program Director Airshow Role: Air Operations/Program Director
Favorite Aircraft: CL-415, Lancaster Bomber Why do I volunteer? I love to work with colleagues that are aviation enthusiasts like me, who are very passionate about the mission and its execution. However, the main reward for me is to see the smiles of the public, especially children, when they see the aircraft in the air and on the ground. |
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Board Position: Board Member Airshow Role: Volunteer Coordinator Favorite Aircraft: My favourite plane is the Canadian Chinook CH-149
Why do I volunteer? Hi, I'm Sam Kazak , the Volunteer Coordinator at Aero Gatineau Air show! I'm here to connect passionate individuals with meaningful volunteer opportunities that align with our mission to Fly High with our Air show 2025. Whether you're looking to give back to the community at our Air show, or gain new skills, I'm excited to help you find the perfect volunteer role for you
|
|
Board Position: Director, and Executive Member Airshow Role: Director, Customer Experience Starting with Marketing, through Sales, and ultimately the on-site experience, to ensure that all our different audiences' needs are met. Or simply, making sure that everyone has a good time! Favorite Aircraft: Spitfire, SR-71 Blackbird, my Piper Lance Why do I volunteer? Good question! For the past 40 years it seems people have just kept asking me to help run their air shows. And I am excited to continue as part of the AERO-GO team in 2025 |
Airshow Coordinator and Board Member
AERO-GO continues to expand! In order to support the growth and sustainability of the AERO-GO events this year and into the future, the Board of Directors decided to engage an Airshow Coordinator. This role is meant to support the Board and varied section heads with production logistics, sponsor engagement and industry relationships. To the role, we welcome Kate Witoszkin! Some of you may remember meeting her onsite in 2024 as part of the POC Team.
|
A bit about me: Hi Everyone! (wave emoji here) I am thrilled to be working on the AERO-GO show again this year, and look forward to meeting you all in person as we work on training and onsite projects through the summer…and of course during the show weekend!
I’ve spent a lot of my life around airshows; starting as a volunteer in the Rotary Club Concession Tent at The Abbotsford Airshow when I was 12! Fast-forward 30 years, and I have worked or volunteered at 15 airshows across Canada, USA and UK. Some highlight shows in my repertoire: Abbotsford, California Int’l Airshow (Salinas CA) and the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT, Fairford England).
Each show site and its group of volunteers bring a special and unique spirit to an event. It is a special type of family to belong to, and Gatineau-Ottawa is no exception.
In my daily life, I work in the Space Division at DND where I get the chance to hear very smart people tell me about the things that we’re doing in space! I am also an avid reader and theatre fan. |
Kate’s Favorite Aircraft: BAC Electric Lightning & deHavilland Vampire
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John Bennett
Barry Camm
Mike” SPARKY” Clark, RCAF Capt (ret’d)
Michel “Overlord” Côté 
Sam Kazak 
Girvan “Girvan!” Patterson 