VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwire) -- 01/29/13 -- Jason McLean, Chairman of Blackcomb Aviation and President & CEO of the McLean Group, has named Jonathan Burke President & Chief Operating Officer of Blackcomb Aviation. This appointment follows a 6 month executive search in Canada, the United States, and Europe. "In a field of exceptionally qualified executive talent," said McLean, "Jonathan Burke was a clear standout. He brings the right mix of leadership and business experience to help us take Blackcomb Aviation to an international level without losing sight of our roots and values. We are delighted to be working with him."

Jonathan Burke is a commercial helicopter pilot with an Airline Transport Pilot rating. From 1989 to 1998 he worked extensively in British Columbia, the Yukon, and Mexico for aviation organizations active in logging, mining, construction, tourism, and general charters. His aviation positions included Captain for Helifor Industries, Chief Pilot for Southern Mountain Helicopters, contract pilot for Tundra Helicopters Mexico, and co-owner/operator of Yukon Airways. Mr. Burke has an MBA from Athabasca University with post-graduate studies in executive management at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School and at Stanford University's Graduate School of Business.

Jonathan Burke comes to Blackcomb Aviation from Westport Innovations Inc. where he served as Vice President of Global Market Development. Prior to Westport, he held executive positions in private and public biotechnology companies including MIGENIX Inc. and Biomax Technologies. Jonathan Burke is a Director of the BC Innovation Council, and a former Director of the California Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition, CALSTART, NGV Global, the Canadian Natural Gas Vehicle Alliance, and the Canadian Investor Relations Institute BC Chapter.

"Blackcomb Aviation has a well established reputation as a leader in the industry with a dedication to safety and exceptional service that is a hallmark of the company's culture," said Burke. "I very much look forward to working with Blackcomb Aviation's customers, partners, and dedicated team to set a course for the future."

ABOUT BLACKCOMB AVIATION - Blackcomb Aviation (www.blackcombaviation.com) provides helicopters, private jets, and aircraft management services to industries and private citizens in Canada and the United States. Headquartered in Vancouver, the company operates 18 helicopters and 8 fixed wing aircraft out of bases in Vancouver, Squamish, Whistler, Pemberton, Lillooet, Bridge River Valley, Sechelt, and Victoria. The company operates in the United States under Blackcomb Aviation USA in Arizona. Services include hydro/utility work, firefighting, filming, private jets, emergency services, construction, mining, and tourism. Blackcomb Aviation is co-owned by John Morris, founder of Omega Air Corporation, and by the McLean family of the Vancouver-based McLean Group (www.mcleangroup.com) who own and operate Vancouver Film Studios.