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When Dennis Goll and his partners drew up the plans for what eventually would become West Wind Aviation on the back of a napkin, he knew customer service and safety would trump any disadvantage the fledgling regional airline would encounter versus established carriers. 

As West Wind Aviation transitions to the next generation of leadership nearly 30 years later, the same principles of safety and service excellence that were the foundation of the business plan remain intact. While Goll wants to see his legacy continue to grow and thrive, he’ll be happy as long as the next management team – led by new CEO Gord Gillespie – continues to satisfy customers and employees without fail.

“I just would like to come back here in 25 years and see a company that’s not necessarily bigger, but the best in the industry,” Goll says. “This company is a leader, and to remain a leader in the industry, you must focus on safety and service. 

“We already have the best safety programs; I am confident that will continue,” Goll adds. “I want happy people working here and wanting to work here while earning a bigger piece of the market share.”

Established in 1983, West Wind Aviation provides corporate air charter services through a fleet of 22 aircraft and a work force of more than 250 people. The fleet includes a Cessna 402, Cessna 414, King Air 200, Jetstream 31, ATR 42 and a 1900 C. 

The company operates out of bases in Saskatoon and Regina, Saskatchewan, as well as numerous satellite locations in the North. West Wind Aviation is western Canada’s largest full-support aviation operation. 

“West Wind’s success is built on our commitment to safety, customer service excellence, our people, and continuous improvement,” the company says. 

Along with air charter, West Wind Aviation’s expertise includes corporate aircraft management, medevac, maintenance, avionics, ground services, fueling and scheduled flights through its ExpressAir and Pronto Airways divisions. 

West Wind Aviation has thrived in large part thanks to western Canada’s resource sector. Goll says numerous corporations contract with West Wind for it to provide exploration and work force transportation.

“It’s really changed in the last 40 years,” Goll says. “Today, somebody is looking for someone to look after equipment, and be flexible and nimble in business.”

Despite the challenges of the worldwide economy, West Wind has thrived. In fact, it has doubled its size during the last seven years. 

“We’re really connected at the hip with the resource sector,” Goll says. 

Next Generation

Goll admits he has taken West Wind Aviation as far as he can as an executive, so the company has implemented a detailed succession plan to prepare for his retirement. 

“We need somebody with a different set of skills to take the company forward while using the same culture and values we have had in the past,” Goll says. “We just finished an intense five-year plan that carries on what we’ve been doing and building on the customer base we have.”

Gillespie is a major part of this plan. He joined West Wind Aviation in August 2011 as CEO to replace Goll, who will become the company’s first executive chairman. Although this is Gillespie’s first role within the aviation industry, he has extensive experience in ground logistics throughout Canada and the United States.

Gillespie believes the key to growing West Wind Aviation is expanding into peripheral but related market sectors. 

“One of the long-term goals is to lead the company through significant growth and diversification, and I have a lot of background and experience in that area,” Gillespie says. “The market that we’re in is good, but we have the opportunity to do more with others. We have some very large customers, but through diversification, we can gain complementary new business.”

Replacing a Legend

As for existing customers, Gillespie is committed to strengthen these partnerships to decrease risk for West Wind and clients alike.

“Part of the innovation at West Wind is a strong emphasis on partnerships with core customers,” he says. “Some of the things that are typically a risk in the scheduled airline industry are less of a risk for air charter because of contractual arrangements. Commercial airlines don’t have long-term agreements with customers, and they face huge issues with that.”

The other part of Gillespie’s new role is to step into Goll’s position as a leader in the aviation industry. It’s a difficult position to be in, but he is up to the challenge.  

“I think the role is certainly to get to know the people, first off, by spending a lot of time with our team of employees and get to know what they do, why and when, along with giving them an opportunity to get to know the new guy,” Gillespie adds. “With the strong culture that already exists in the company, they need to know there will not be wholesale changes coming tomorrow. As the founder, Dennis hired and groomed all of these people and became not only their employer but in many cases a mentor and a father-figure. He truly is an icon in the industry.”

However, the talented and committed work force at West Wind Aviation will make it easy as Gillespie gains experience in the industry. 

He says the company’s people are the reason West Wind will thrive for years to come, no matter who is in charge.

“Our people, without question, have an unwavering commitment and dedication to customer service and safety,” he says. “They get it done and get it done right. Also, their ability to trust in each other and function as a team – not as individuals or units – are key to our success, for sure.

“They are West Wind.”