Vancouver, B.C.; February 4, 2019: Vantage Airport Group today announced a change in leadership at Kamloops Airport (YKA), which involves exciting career opportunities within the Vantage network for two of its senior airport professionals.

Managing Director Heather McCarley has accepted a role with Vantage Airport Group’s Vancouver-based Corporate Office, as Director, Operations. During her time in Kamloops, Heather has led the team through a period of positive growth and opportunity for both the airport and the region. Prior to her work with Vantage, Heather spent 22 years at Vancouver International Airport, where she built a strong operational track record on such diverse files as regulatory compliance, community relations, winter operations and emergency planning.

Heather will remain in Kamloops through early March, when Ed Ratuski will assume the role of Managing Director. With more than 25 years in aviation, Ed is a long-time Kamloops resident who served as Airport Operations Manager at Kamloops Airport from 2010 to 2016. Most recently, Ed was a member of the Operations team at LaGuardia Gateway Partners, the Vantageled organization that is redeveloping the Central Terminal B at LaGuardia Airport in New York.

This transition comes at a historic time for Kamloops Airport; in 2018, YKA welcomed seasonal service to Toronto, invested in general aviation and community amenities with the reopening of the floatplane dock and park space, and welcomed a record 351,631 passengers, 10.6 per cent more than the previous year.  “With our focus on people, performance and place, Vantage offers our people the chance to explore growth and leadership opportunities throughout our network of best-in-class airports,” said Lori Chambers, Senior Director, Operations, Vantage Airport Group. “In addition to ensuring continued strong leadership at Kamloops Airport, these appointments are a testament to Heather and Ed’s industry expertise, as well as the strength of Vantage’s global airport network.”
“The Kamloops Airport Authority Society and the City of Kamloops want to recognize the impressive accomplishments of the Kamloops Airport under the leadership of Heather McCarley.  And we couldn’t be more delighted by the return of Ed Ratuski, who we worked very closely with prior to his move to LaGuardia,” said Ken Christian, Kamloops Mayor and Chair of Kamloops Airport Authority Society. “We look forward to continued advancements in scheduled service and leasehold development at the airport with Mr. Ratuski at the helm.”
“It’s been a tremendous pleasure to be part of both the dedicated Kamloops Airport team and the entire Kamloops community,” said Heather McCarley. “I look forward to remaining connected to the airport in my new operations role at Vantage Airport Group.”

“I’m looking forward to returning to the Kamloops Airport team with a fresh perspective from my role at LaGuardia Terminal B,” said Ed Ratuski. “It’s an exciting time for Kamloops Airport and the community it serves, and I am glad to continue supporting the safe, efficient and friendly operations that our airport is known for.”