Meet Our Executive Team
The CASARA executive team is dedicated to leading our volunteers from one end of the country to the other. They draw upon their knowledge and experiences to improve the quality of CASARA service and to advocate for its recognition.
President: Simon Cousineau
Since 2004, Simon has been a volunteer member of Sauvetage et recherche aérienne du Québec (SERABEC), a partner of the Civil Air Search and Rescue Association (CASARA). By obtaining the SAR Ground Search and Rescue certifications, Spotter in Civil and Military Aircraft, Pilot, Navigator and having successfully completed the Military Assistant Search Master course, he has developed a fine knowledge of operations, supervision and operations management. He became Montreal zone Director and led the team of volunteers to successfully complete the operational evaluations conducted by the Canadian Forces. In 2016, he became President of SERABEC from where he opened new zones to better serve Quebec, including the Inuit communities in northern Quebec, and assist the Canadian Forces in their mandate. Simon has also established a partnership with the Sûreté du Québec so that SERABEC can assist the provincial police service in its ground SAR mandates.
In addition to his governance duties, he remains a member who is actively involved in training and operations. Simon received the King Charles III Coronation Medal for his contribution to the search and rescue system in Canada and the Award for Exemplary Service as a Volunteer in Emergency Preparedness Search and Rescue in Canada. Over the past 20 years, Simon has invested more than 13,000 volunteer hours in service to Canadians and the air search and rescue community.
Vice-President Finance and Administration: Ken Pothier
Ken Pothier has extensive military, commercial and recreation aviation experience spanning 45 years. He was a helicopter instructor-pilot and flight commander and participated in three Search & Rescue missions with the Royal Canadian Air Force. In support of Army Training and Operations he flew helicopters in both domestic and international operations. He holds Airline Transport Pilot Licences for both Airplanes and Helicopters and is type-rated on the Bell 206, 212, 412, Pilatus PC12 and Cessna Citation III. In his commercial aviation experience, he was an Operations Manager and Chief Pilot for both Airplane (702, 703 and 704) and Helicopter (702 and 703) charter companies.
Ken is a co-owner of a Piper Cherokee (PA28) with his wife, Verna Wirth. Ken is the President of the Civil Air Search and Rescue Association of Nova Scotia. As a Director on the National Board of Directors of CASARA, he was elected to the position of Vice-President Finance and Administration in May 2022.
Vice-President Training & Operations: Bev Williams
Bio Coming Soon...
National Strategic Planning Committee (SPC) Chair: Mark Webster
Bio Coming Soon...
National Safety Officer: Verna Wirth
Vice-President Plans and Equipment: Raymond Sass
Coming Soon...
National Administrator: Bill Ralph
Bill is a dynamic and business-oriented leader with significant and diverse experience working with both national and international business. He established himself as a trusted advisor through 30+ years working with both a major Chartered Bank and a privately-owned enterprise. Over many years, Bill has been a coach and a mentor to a team of business developers responsible for identifying and understanding clients’ needs in order to help support their strategic growth plans.
Bill is a B Comm (Hons) grad from the University of Manitoba with majors in Finance and Marketing. Bill has experience working with many different organizations in Winnipeg, such as United Way of Winnipeg, Habitat for Humanity and Squash Manitoba. In his spare time, he enjoys the outdoors, racquet sports, golf and travel. Bill is a big sports enthusiast and remains dedicated to supporting sport for all ages! Bill continues to look forward to work with the Member Organizations and the executives of CASARA.