Ely Woods has been involved in aviation maintenance and management for multiple decades and has served many roles from field mechanic to large scale maintenance facility program management. Ely’s mechanical experience includes Robinson R22, R44, Bell 206, 212, 214, and 412’s; Boeing CH-47D, Eurocopter AS350 B2, B3; Lama; BO-105; S-64; MD 500 D; Kaman K-1200 KMAX, CASA 212; Beechcraft 1900; King Air 200s. Ely Holds a A/P license I/A license, rotor-wing pilots license, multiple factory training certificates and FAA awards. Ely manages day to day business operations, oversees all aspects of the company’s departments, strategic marketing, sales, and manufacturing

Chris Maynard grew up in a commercial aviation family in Alaska and has been around aviation his entire life. Chris holds a Private Pilot’s license with SEL, SES and MEL ratings for airplane and is working towards his rotor wing add-on. Chris has an extensive history in leadership roles in Aviation, Oil & Gas and Tourism from around the globe and brings over 30 years of experience in New Business Development, Strategic Planning, Sales & Marketing, Financial Analysis, Contract Management, Operational Management and Safety to ROTAK. Chris directs New Business Development Strategies while fostering partnerships with our customers.

Martin Cude has over 30 years of experience in helicopter operations and contracting projects in ecologically sensitive and access challenged terrains, Martin’s passion for engaging relationships with local operators, utilities, EPC’s, and government ministries for the purpose of effective project development through to completion by incorporating aerial heavy lift methodology is where all stakeholders realize improved safety and efficiency, increased productivity, and dramatically reduced environmental impact. Martin has contract experience with medium and heavy lift services throughout North America, South America, Europe, and also projects in India, China, Malaysia, Philippines, and Australia. Martin’s career began as an Aviation Electrician for the United States Navy, and since holds FAA Airframe and Power Plant ratings, and is a Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer in New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Australia. His bachelor studies include Organizational Communications and Business Leadership from Marylhurst University, and he holds a certificate in Project Management form Portland State University. Aircraft maintenance experience includes Sikorsky S-58T, SH-3G/H Sea King, CH-53E Super Stallion, Boeing Model 234-UT/LR/ER Chinook, BV/KV-107-II, Bell 206L3, 212, 412EP, 214-ST, MD500, Beechcraft King Air, and De Havilland Twin Otter. 

Kevin Brashar has been involved in numerous remote construction jobs, remote telecom tower service, Heli-skiing operations, remote lodge support, powerline construction, and firefighting operations.  Kevin is an FAA certified Check Airmen, he is an instrument rated commercial rotor-wing pilot and a certified flight instructor.  Kevin holds ratings in the R-22, R-44, R-66, AS350FX, AS350B2, Huskie HH-43, KMAX K-1200, and is factory trained in the Robinson and Kaman platforms.  Kevin serves as the company Chief Pilot and Director of operations overseeing pilot training, check rides, direct supervision and management for all flight staff and organizing pilot’s schedules. Kevin plays an integral role in the company’s safety culture, compliance, and project planning. Kevin further assists with all contracts and marketing requirements.

Mike began his aviation career by attending the University of Alaska Anchorage Aviation Maintenance program. After graduating from the A&P program he completed a Bachelor of Science in Technology and went to work on helicopters. He has worked on helicopters from the North Slope of Alaska, to the Ross Sea of Antarctica, and many places in between. Mike holds an Inspection Authorization and has experience on R44, AS350, BO-105, B206, BH212, BH412, MD500, K-MAX and CH-47D. He has been with ROTAK since 2018 and worked as a field mechanic prior to assuming the role of Director of Maintenance.  

Crystal is a lifelong Alaskan that brings over 20 years of strategic cross-functional management experience to ROTAK. From a young age Crystal was eager to learn and enjoyed assisting with her family’s small locally owned business, ergo her career has been focused on positions in leadership, business development, financial management, accounting, and operation analysis. From 16 years old Crystal has fulfilled leadership positions from Bank Branch Supervisor, Medical Officer Manager, Controller, Managing Director, CEO, and CFO.  Crystal’s leadership approach is to create a philosophy that is built from the belief in the organization by influencing the team’s behavior by creating a passion. Crystal propels results by establishing and implementing values and ideas for focus, strategic planning, execution, and organizational structure, resulting in a high-performing culture. Crystal’s extensive experience in financial stewardship, business development, and human resource management will bring a new vision to ROTAK.

Rob was raised in Juneau and started his aviation career washing airplanes at 15 years old.  He earned his A&P license from the University of Alaska Anchorage in 1994 and immediately joined the Alaska Air National Guard part time as an HH-60 Pave Hawk crew chief.  After several years working as an A&P, Rob decided to serve full-time in the guard as a combat search and rescue flight engineer.  During his 26-year military career he qualified in five different specialty codes including maintenance technician, evaluator flight engineer, search and rescue controller, air defense tracking technician and chief enlisted manager.  He rose to the rank of Chief Master Sergeant and retired in 2020 with nearly 3,000 flight hours, 5 combat deployments, over 100 lives saved, and one Russian bomber detected attempting to penetrate U.S. airspace.  While on active duty Rob earned a Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Safety and Health along with associate degrees in aviation maintenance, aviation operations, and emergency management.  He has world-wide experience as an aircraft mechanic, flight engineer, emergency manager, and aviation safety officer.  Before joining ROTAK, Rob spent several years teaching A&P students at UAA as a lab instructor.  His 30+ years of diverse aviation experience helps our safety program continually improve and grow as our business matures.  His motto is “Mission First, Safety Always.”

Thomas brings a wide breadth of experience and knowledge to the ROTAK Team. With a background in aerospace welding and fabrication, technical maintenance, project management, and knowledge of remote operations. Thomas is responsible for the companies GSE fleet and fuel quality assurance. Thomas also conducts fabrication projects including welding, CNC water jet operations, and the operations of and many of the other support functions that ROTAK’s pilot and mechanics require to get the job done.

Tyler Robinson, a lifelong Alaskan, joined our ROTAK team with a pure passion for heavy lift helicopters. Tyler has over a decade of parts procurement experience spread over multiple industries. Tyler caught the itch for aviation, starting with medium helicopters supporting AS350 B2 and B3E, EC135, 206, 205, 212 and 412 aircraft on remote jobs conducting operations in Oil and Gas, Wildfire, Heli-ski, and Mineral Exploration. Being raised Alaskan, his curiosity led him to bush planes, supporting customized part procurement and fabrication for PA-18, DHC-2, Maule, and Cessna aircraft. After gaining even more experience in aviation, he decided that the helicopter was the ultimate utility aircraft and set his sights on heavy lift helicopters. He now handles procurement for our K-1200 KMAX and CH-47D Chinook operations. Having a mind for understanding the machine, he has a good grasp on the mechanics that go into these aircraft, making him well suited to be our parts manager.

Rey Saclayan has been in the helicopter aviation field since 1997, after receiving his FAA Airframe and Powerplant ratings at the local college, University of Alaska – Anchorage.  He’s done many years as a field mechanic in the State of Alaska, working on a number of airframes, AS350s, Bell 206s, and Bell 212s, in various challenging environmental conditions. Rey has also done a number of years in the Helicopter EMS program working on several airframes, the BK117C1, AS350, and BH407.  As the Chief Inspector for ROTAK, Rey comes with many years of helicopter experience.