Stikine Airport Society
The purpose of the Stikine Airport society is to ensure safe and efficient air access to the Dease Lake community, and surrounding region. To achieve this purpose, the board consists of members from the Dease Lake community, aviation experts and representatives of the region's resource sectors.
Meet the Stikine Airport Society
Board of Directors
Freda Campbell
Stikine Airport Society Board President
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Freda joined the Stikine Airport Society Board of Directors in February 2023 and is a member of the Tahltan Nation, Crow Clan, and Dekama family. She has lived in Tahltan Territory, in communities directly affected by the mining industry for over 15 years, and currently resides in Dease Lake.
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Freda is the Community Relations Director for Skeena Resources Ltd., and has worked in the mining industry for both proponents and Indigenous Nations for more than 25 years. She embodies the future of the mining industry through her dedication to empowering the Indigenous workforce, innovation in Indigenous community engagement, and mentoring the next generation of Indigenous leaders.
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Freda's commitment to the Tahltan Nation and her vision for the mining industry led to her being recognized as the 2023 indigenous trailblazer by Women in Mining Canada.
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Christina Callbreath
Stikine Airport Society Board Director
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Christina joined the Stikine Airport Society Board of Directors in February 2023 and is a member of the Tahltan Nation, a resident of Dease Lake, and representative of the Tahltan Central Government.
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Christina's position as Dease Lake Community Director within the Tahltan Central Government allows her to assist in bringing the community voice to the SAS Board for better representation from the Tahltan Nation's government and community.
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As Dease Lake Community Director, Christina interacts regularly with the people of Dease Lake and assists to gather opinions regarding the needs and wishes of the community.
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Christina is also a gifted artist, and shares her interest in art through events hosted at the community center.​​​
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Carrie Colville
Stikine Airport Society Board Director
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Carrie Colville has been a member of the Stikine Airport Society Board since 2024. With a career in aviation that began in 2007, she has worked with Central Mountain Air and Northern Thunderbird Air, gaining extensive experience in the region’s air travel needs. Her dedication to aviation safety and supporting the community's access to essential services has driven her active involvement with the SAS Board.
Carrie is passionate about ensuring safe and reliable travel to Dease Lake and the surrounding region, with a particular focus on maintaining the airport's critical role in medevac services. Her work with both commercial aviation and emergency air services allows her to bring a unique perspective to the Board’s efforts in enhancing the airport's capacity and safety.
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Outside of her professional life, Carrie enjoys exploring the outdoors and remote areas of our Province, making her deeply connected to the area and its people.​​​​​​​​​
Corey Taylor
Stikine Airport Society Board Director
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Corey joined the Stikine Airport Society's Board of Directors in 2024. As Vice President of New Markets and Technology at Mustang Helicopters, Corey has an esteemed career as a helicopter pilot, having flown in more than 20 countries. He is the current Chair of the Helicopter Association of Canada’s Safety Committee, and represents Canada at the International Helicopter Safety Foundation. During his career spanning three decades, Corey has an extensive history in senior operations and management roles, including roles such as Chief Pilot, Operations Manager, and General Manager, as well as achieving more than 11,000 hours of accident-free flight time.
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Corey is driven by the desire to eliminate incidents and accidents, while also striving to explore new areas, new work methods and new clients.​​
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Kathleen Harris
Stikine Airport Society Board Director​
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Kathleen joined the Stikine Airport Society's Board of Directors in August 2025. Prior to stepping into a Director role on the Board, she was actively involved with the Society by serving as its Administrator from 2019 - 2025.
Kathleen played a large part in the success of the Airport Improvement Project in 2021 and continues to help with projects focused on improving safety at YDL. In addition, she serves as Administrator for the nearby Bob Quinn Lake Airport Society, contributing to the effective operation of regional airports.
Kathleen has worked as a Registered Nurse since 2008; originally with Northern Health, and with Fraser Health since 2019 after moving to the Lower Mainland.
She is dedicated to continuous learning and collaboration, and is committed to supporting communities by helping ensure essential services remain accessible, consistent, and reliable.
Kathy Asselstine
Stikine Airport Society Administrator
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Kathy joined the Stikine Airport Society as its Administrator in May 2025.
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With a strong background in transportation, government relations, and corporate communications, she brings a well-rounded and practical skill set to the Stikine Airport Society. Her experience in administrative leadership, project management, and community engagement is an asset to supporting effective airport operations in Northern British Columbia.
Kathy has worked closely with public agencies, industry partners, and Indigenous communities throughout BC, contributing to collaborative and accountable decision-making. Known for her organized, solutions-focused approach, she supports governance, financial oversight, and strategic initiatives that strengthen service delivery. She is committed to advancing the Society’s mandate and supporting safe, sustainable, and community-focused airport operations.
Mack Cyrzan
Stikine Airport Society Board Vice President
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Mack joined the Stikine Airport Society Board of Directors in February 2023.
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Mack has an extensive aviation background gained through more than 25 years within the aviation industry. Following 10 years of teaching ground operations personnel, Mack joined WestJet's Learning and Development team to support development strategies and teaching methods, and leading the Standards and Procedures teams for eight operational departments including ground operations, customer service, and flight attendants.
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Mack was elected as Vice Chair of Security and Facilitation Subcommittee of the National Airlines Council of Canada, where he represented Canada's four largest airlines to government agencies, law enforcement agencies, and industry groups on matters related to aviation and border security. He also provided safety, security and training guidance for airlines and government agencies in Canada and internationally.
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Mack has been with Executive Flight Center Aviation since 2017 as a training and instructional development professional. In Mack's current role as the Director of Aerodromes, he is responsible for providing strategic oversight for three aerodromes in Central Alberta, Dease Lake Aerodrome in British Columbia, as well as EFC's Fixed Base Operations (BFO) throughout British Columbia.​​​​​
Tricia Forhan
Stikine Airport Society Board Director
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Tricia joined the Stikine Airport Society Board of Directors in February 2024. She is employed at Newmont Corporation, where she oversees the company's travel logistics. With extensive experience coordinating large-scale travel and charter flight operations, she brings a strategic approach to balancing corporate and operational needs.
A passionate traveler who has explored over 50 countries, Tricia is a key liaison between Newmont and the Stikine Airport Society, advocating for efficient flight services while ensuring alignment with community needs and local priorities. Her expertise in logistics, stakeholder engagement, and process optimization makes her a valuable addition to the board.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
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Anna Fritch
Stikine Airport Society Board Director
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Anna Fritch joined the Stikine Airport Society Board of Directors in 2022. As a longtime resident of Tahltan Territory, Anna has lived in Dease Lake for majority of her life. With extensive familial history in Dease Lake, Anna engages with the Dease Lake community regularly and represents community perspective for the Board.
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Born and raised in the Tahltan Territory, Anna has a strong respect for the land and people of the Stikine region and brings that valuable perspective to the Board. Anna is a Registered Nurse by trade, and resides in Terrace, BC, returning home to Dease Lake regularly. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
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Violeta Visotska
Board Treasurer
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Violeta has been part of the Stikine Airport Society's Board of Directors since August 2024. She holds the position of Treasurer as an Officer of the Board.
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Violeta currently works as a Senior Accountant with the City of Calgary, and previously worked with the Executive Flight Centre, which operates in Dease Lake. With extensive experience in accounting, treasury, internal audit, job costing, policy creating, budgeting, and financial reporting in government, manufacturing, oil and gas and construction industries, Violeta brings invaluable expertise to the Board.
Violeta completed her degree in Accounting and Audit from University of Economics in Bulgaria, followed by obtaining her CPA designation in Canada.​​​​
Mark Wheatley
Stikine Airport Society Board Director​
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Mark joined the Board of Directors of the Stikine Airport Society in March 2021.
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As an aviation professional with extensive experience in the management of a broad spectrum of both fixed and rotary wing operations, he provides valuable experience to the Society.
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Mark has flown, managed, and studied both military and civilian operations with wide exposure to humanitarian support and relief efforts. He is a risk professional and a Certified Practicing Risk Manager.
Mark’s specialization is in the use of helicopters in field operations, particularly those conducting external load operations.
Collaborations
