Our Team

Lane Zirnhelt | Chief Operation Officer, Summit Aviation Group

Lane joined Summit in August 2015 and has the responsibility of overseeing the commercial and operational aspects of both Summit Air and Summit Helicopters.

A Certified Professional Accountant by trade, Lane has over 18 years of business and management experience and has been working directly within the aviation industry since 2004. Before joining the Summit Aviation group, Lane was a partner with KPMG LLP.

Matthew McElligott | Vice President, Business Development

Matthew has been with Summit Air since 2012 and is responsible for all marketing and business development initiatives within the company. In addition to seeking out new business opportunities, Matthew is also responsible for the oversight and maintenance of Summit Air’s existing customer and partner relationships.

A relative newcomer to aviation before joining the Summit team, Matthew brings over a decade of experience in various marketing and customer management roles with a strong focus on logistics.

Peter Rice | General Manager

Peter has been with Summit Helicopters for eleven years and has more than fourteen years of rotary aviation experience. Before his new role as General Manager, Peter was the Summit Helicopters Operations Manager for five years. Peter moved to Kamloops, BC, in 2016 after managing the Yellowknife Base for three years. As the Accountable Executive, Peter is responsible for all elements of the Summit Helicopters operations.

Jordan Cyr | Director of Maintenance

Jordan has been a senior manager with Summit Helicopters for seven years and has over seventeen years of aviation experience. Jordan’s expertise includes liaising with regulatory agencies concerning new equipment, subcontracting, and other related matters. Prior to his role as DOM, Jordan assumed the roles of Quality / SMS Manager where he provided tactical and strategic leadership in the implementation, development, and use of HS&E programs, as well as developing short-and long-term operational safety objectives to meet the needs of our growing company. As Director of Maintenance for Summit, Jordan oversees the maintenance control system. He manages the activities of Summit Helicopters under the policies set out in the Maintenance Control Manual (MCM).

Steven Williams | Director of Flight Operations and Chief Pilot, IFR

Steven’s diverse flight background includes IFR/VFR, commercial, and military flight operations experience. With more than 36 years of aviation experience flying on five continents, he offers a strong understanding of aviation operations, training, management and technical expertise. He is a CRM facilitator, simulator instructor, Approved Check Pilot and NVIS Training Pilot.

Aaron Toombs | Chief Pilot VFR

Aaron is responsible for overseeing the VFR operations at Summit Helicopters.  Prior to assuming the role of Chief Pilot, VFR, Aaron proved to be a critical asset at Summit through his various roles, including being a Summit Helicopters approved training pilot and a TC Approved Check Pilot.  Aaron has over twenty-two years of aviation experience which follows him throughout Canada, with most of his flying taking place in Northern British Columbia.