Kenmore Family Archives | kenmoreair.com

Chief Pilot Jay Todhunter

Mikaela Judd — Thu, 24 Feb 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Feb 24, 2022 Mikaela Judd

Chief Pilot Jay Todhunter set out to fly for �鶹��Ƶ in 2013. But the path to his stripes wasn’t direct.

Like many of �鶹��Ƶ’s flight crew, Jay started on the dock, splashing planes and washing windows. The job let him get his foot in the door. It also gave him access to �鶹��Ƶ’s flight instruction department, where he earned his seaplane rating.

Jay had gotten his pilot’s license while earning his Bachelor of Science in Flight Technology at Central Washington University.

He knew he wanted to fly, be home with his family every night, and work for a family-oriented company. The criteria was a tall order, but �鶹��Ƶ fit the bill.

“This place is really unique. I get to see my wife and kids daily as a pilot. But it’s also a good company to work for. A lot of companies say they have a family atmosphere. Here it’s actually true,” said Jay.

Climbing the ranks, he became a Flight Instructor, Line Pilot and Assistant Chief Pilot. In February of 2022, Jay was named Chief Pilot. Nowadays, he may fuel an Otter or pump some Beaver floats — but most of his job is making each flight as safe, comfortable, and fun as possible.

“There’s an incredible energy to flying aboard a seaplane. You’re going to unique destinations with killer views. Seeing people really enjoy travel is special,” said Jay.

As the Chief Pilot, flying didn’t become any cushier. And that’s just the way Jay likes it. “I get to actually fly the airplane. I’m not just pushing buttons,” Jay explained.

Plus, every day is different. Whether it’s Friday Harbor or Fisherman’s Bay, the wind, currents, and dock conditions are always changing. “Landing and docking changes from day to day and hour to hour, which keeps things interesting,” said Jay.

At home, Jay loves to spend time with his wife, Mellissa, and their two boys Kasen (7) and Carter (4). The three gents have become avid RC car racers, though Carter’s still getting the hang of steering.

“I’m kind of a homebody. Being with my family is the best,” said Jay.

QUICK FACTS ABOUT JAY

Commercial Pilot’s License: 2005
Seaplane Rating: October 2014
Years Working for Kenmore: 9
First Job at Kenmore: Line Crew Supervisor
Favorite Destination: Desolation Sound
Favorite Airplane: de Havilland Otter

Favorite Destination: Anywhere in Desolation Sound because it’s beautiful, remote, and difficult to reach without a seaplane.

Get to Know More Members of the �鶹��Ƶ Family

Caitlin Hunter — Boeing Field Supervisor

Five years ago, she joined the �鶹��Ƶ family as a Seasonal Customer Service Agent. “Kenmore is a great place to work. I absolutely love it here,” she said.

Lead �鶹��Ƶ Machinist and Welder, Mike Smith

Quality craftsmanship — that’s what motivates Mike Smith. As the lead machinist and welder at �鶹��Ƶ, doing things the right way every time is essential.

Ben Cardin — Lake Union Station Manager & Marketing Coordinator

A relatively new addition to the �鶹��Ƶ family, Ben Cardin’s presence is felt throughout Kenmore’s Lake Union terminal. As the Station Manager, he leads by example with his upbeat spirit and commitment to incredible customer service.

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Meet the �鶹��Ƶ Family

Mikaela Judd — Wed, 18 Aug 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Aug 18, 2021

Munro’s descendants and their spouses: Leslie Banks, Tim Banks, Gregg Munro, Margie Munro, Todd Banks, Jayne Banks, Olivia Banks, Hunter Banks, Mason Banks, Allison Russell, Chris Russell, Kylie Russell, Logan Russell, David Banks.

3 Generations of Mr. Munro’s Descendants (and Counting)

AT THE NORTH END OF Lake Washington, tucked beside the mouth of the Sammamish River, sits a humble airport. It has sat there ever since Bob Munro founded �鶹��Ƶ in 1946 with two high school friends.

What started out as a one hangar, single seaplane company has grown into a thriving multi-faceted business. Today — 75 years later — picnic tables serve as departure “gates”; employees park among company aircraft, and, Munro’s descendants have been raised — quite literally. The original family home still stands at the westernmost edge of the five-acre campus where Munro and his wife Ruth raised their three children, Leslie Banks, Gregg Munro and Margie Munro.

“One of my first jobs here was mowing the grass parking lot where the planes were parked,” recounted Gregg.

While Bob passed in 2000, his legacy lives on. The multi-faceted business he created — including an airline, maintenance department, and parts supply business — celebrates its 75th year and remains a place where family is ingrained in the very culture.

Three generations of Munro descendants can now be found working as a cohesive unit. Leslie keeps her hand in operations in the office and Gregg still enjoys flying to his favorite destinations.

Leslie’s son, Todd Banks, officially joined the company in 1992 and became the company president 15 years ago. Banks’ sister, Allison Russell, works in the company’s accounting department. Banks’ wife, Jayne, is the merchandise manager for the company’s gift shop. And, three of Munro’s great-grandchildren are currently members of the line crew: Hunter Banks, Mason Banks, and Logan Russell.

“This is my son Logan’s first summer. Seeing him out there, working on the docks like I did, is amazing,” said Allison.

Working the line has long been a rite of passage in the airline industry. It’s how most pilots get their foot in the door. But at �鶹��Ƶ, washing windows and fueling planes offers more than just career development. It helps instill the patriarch’s motto — doing the right thing — into the company culture.

“When you do the right thing, you treat people like family. And to us, employees and customers are part of the �鶹��Ƶ Family,” explained Todd.

Quick Facts

Patriarch & Matriarch: Bob and Ruth Munro
Youngest Family Member: Mason Banks (17)
Commercial Pilot Licenses: 2
Private Pilot Licenses: 4
Favorite Local Restaurant: Acapulco Fresh

Does the family have a favorite plane?

“Six Six Zulu. It’s the second de Havilland Beaver my dad purchased and it was his favorite. He flew it everywhere, including his famous glacier flights.” — Leslie Banks

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Express Assistant Chief Pilot Christina Rzeplinski

Mikaela Judd — Mon, 08 Mar 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Mar 8, 2021

Flying wasn’t the original plan for Christina Rzeplinski. But after taking a private jet to tour colleges on the East Coast, the trajectory of her life was forever changed. Christina wanted to be a pilot.

“I was really lucky. A girlfriend from high school took me with her to tour colleges. We flew on a private jet to New York, Boston and Connecticut,” Christina said. “Most people get on a private jet and think, ‘I wish I could always fly on a private jet.’ I got on and said, ‘I want to fly this thing.’”

Despite college shopping on the East Coast, Christina ended up in Salt Lake City at Westminster College. They offered a Bachelor of Science in Flight Operations — the first step in earning her stripes.

Born and raised in California, Christina first visited the Seattle area during a college field trip. Her class toured Kenmore’s maintenance facility to learn about small companies that do their own maintenance.

“I saw the seaplanes on the dock and knew I wanted to fly them. So told myself that after I graduated, I’d come back and get my seaplane rating — right there at Kenmore,” Christina said. And that’s exactly what she did. Christina moved to Seattle, earned her seaplane rating through Kenmore’s Flight Instruction program, and never left. Although, she didn’t end up flying floats.

As with most pilots, Christina worked her way up the ranks. She was initially hired as a Customer Service Agent at Kenmore’s Lake Union terminal in January of 2014. Moving closer to the action in 2015, she joined Kenmore’s Dispatch Department — assisting with the company’s pilot and airplane schedules.

“Dispatch really let me see the interworking’s of the company and get a feel for the life of a full-time pilot,” Christina said.

While Christina loved flying floats, working in Dispatch gave her a unique appreciation for the company’s wheeled plane division, �鶹��Ƶ Express. “I really liked that the pilots got to fly through the clouds. With instruments, we can take off and land with less ground coverage. And we can fly right through weather,” said Christina.

Named Assistant Chief Pilot in 2018, Christina has been flying the Express line for four years and, “Loves it just as much today as the day I started,” she said. Not to mention the fact that flying will forever be interwoven into her life. Her fiancé recently proposed during an empty leg to the San Juans. “I was getting ready to descend into Friday Harbor when I looked over and he’d pulled out a ring,” she said.

You just never know what kind of magic will happen aboard a �鶹��Ƶ flight!

Quick Facts About Christina

Name: Christina Rezplinski
Occupation: Express Assistant Chief Pilot
Age: 29 Grew Up In: Mendocino, CA
Current Residence: Seattle
Years Working at Kenmore: 7
First Job at �鶹��Ƶ: Customer Service at Lake Union
Pilot’s License: 2011
Education: Bachelor of Science in Flight Operations

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Caitlin Hunter — Boeing Field Supervisor

Mikaela Judd — Mon, 12 Oct 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Oct 12, 2020 Mikaela Judd

Raised in the airline industry, Caitlin Hunter’s no stranger to helping make a passenger’s travel day fly by smoothly. She joined her mom at SkyWest Airlines in 2005, doing anything and everything that was needed.

“You name it, I’ve done it. Working the ticket counter. Loading bags. Pushing the airplane out. Being a gate agent. I’ve done everything but fly the airplane,” Caitlin explained in a break between customer service calls.

Five years ago, she joined the �鶹��Ƶ family as a Seasonal Customer Service Agent. “Kenmore is a great place to work. I absolutely love it here,” she said. A people person through and through, Caitlin’s upbeat attitude made her a perfect fit for working with customers and she was quickly hired on year-round at the Lake Union seaplane terminal.

In 2017, Caitlin was promoted to her current position, Supervisor at Boeing Field. Still a customer-facing position, you’ll often find her at check-in. And, keep a lookout for her trusty four-legged companion, Dahlia.

The cute and cuddly corgi is just five months old this October and has taken quickly to airline life. “Being a dog-friendly airline is incredible,” said Caitlin. “It’s really special to be able to bring our pups to work and to meet our passengers’ dogs. Kenmore’s really unique in that way.”

In addition to check-in, taking reservation calls, and loading bags, Caitlin also assists her manager as needed with tasks like scheduling and hiring. “As a small, family-owned airline everyone does a little bit of everything,” she said.

An avid reader and a new gardening enthusiast, Caitlin also loves to spend time with her wife, Cynthia, their daughter Cadence, and their other fur baby Luna. Movie nights are a cherished tradition in the Hunter family, with a special emphasis on Disney classics. “We often share the originals with Cadence first and then the remakes. It always makes me so proud when she likes the originals best,” Caitlin shared.

Quick Facts About Caitlin

Occupation: Boeing Field Supervisor
Age: 33
Birthplace: Germany
Grew up in: Lakewood, Wash.
Current Residence: Kent, Wash.
Years Working for Kenmore: 5
First Job at Kenmore: Seasonal Customer Service Agent at Lake Union

Question: What’s your favorite thing to do in Seattle?

Go to Pike Street and get fresh flowers from the market. It doesn’t matter what season it is, they’re always beautiful. I’ll often buy three or four bouquets. They just bring me so much joy.

Get to Know More Members of the �鶹��Ƶ Family

�鶹��Ƶ Seaplane Pilot Steve Bjorling

At the end of the day, whether Steve Bjorling has flown to the northern tip of Vancouver Island or the quaint dock at Roche Harbor, he’s put a smile on someone’s face. That’s what keeps this former police officer passionate about flying year-after-year.

Inside the Upholstery Shop with Clarence Kappes

�鶹��Ƶ’s upholstery shop sits just above the mailroom. Its nondescript entrance rests at the top of a narrow stairway. Most people give the nearly windowless space nary a glance, let alone have a clue as to the artistry that goes on inside.

Sarah Feller — Operations Manager

You have a good chance of seeing Sarah at any one of �鶹��Ƶ’s three Seattle terminals. As the Operations Manager, she oversees all aspects of each location. And every location benefits from her guidance and leadership.

A Day on the Line with Jay Todhunter

As glorious as job of a �鶹��Ƶ pilot is, they earned their positions the hard way: on the line. What’s it like to pay your dues and earn your stripes?

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Lead �鶹��Ƶ Machinist and Welder, Mike Smith

Mikaela Judd — Tue, 18 Aug 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Aug 18, 2020

Quality craftsmanship — that’s what motivates Mike Smith. As the lead machinist and welder at �鶹��Ƶ, doing things the right way every time is essential.

“I like having to do stuff right. I like that part of my job,” said Mike. In his role at �鶹��Ƶ Mike specializes in creating prototypes, fabricating custom parts, making tools, and producing small production runs of parts.

Mike supports the aircraft maintenance operation at �鶹��Ƶ as well as the parts department and EDO floats. Fabricating parts from scratch wasn’t Mike’s first career. He started working as a car mechanic when he was 20. In the 10 years following, he grew tired of repairing things he knew he could improve upon. “So I decided if I wanted stuff to work properly, I’d have to make it myself,” said Mike.

This is how, in his early 30s, Mike found himself making a career shift into metal fabrication. Originally, he went to work for a metal shop in Seattle’s Fremont neighborhood. “The shop made architectural metalwork and art. There were a lot of wild projects,” Mike recounted. The fabrication skills he learned there combined with his automotive experience, made it possible to pursue a dream of working as a race car mechanic. He found a job in a race car restoration shop specializing in vintage racing while also working at the track as a mechanic. It was a career shift that highlighted his love of the technical side of projects. “I’m more technical than artistic,” he explained.

�鶹��Ƶ, as a next career step, was a natural evolution, as it offered a regular work schedule while still providing the demand for high-level craftsmanship. It was a welcome change from the grueling hours of the race track and shop. “Race cars need to be reliable and work perfectly. And airplanes do too. So they’re very similar industries. It’s just that here, I get to go home for dinner every night instead of working 12-14 hour days,” said Mike. “Plus, I’m really proud of Kenmore’s safety record. We have a reputation for high-level workmanship and reliability. That’s really important to me.”

One of the programs Mike supports is Kenmore’s aircraft restoration. The de Havilland Beavers the company flies haven’t been manufactured since 1967. To keep these aircraft in top shape, they are completely restored to better than OEM condition.

For example, Mike fabricates the Beaver fuselage struts that hold the engine mount to the rest of the airplane. “To say those are critical to the aircraft is an understatement. We manufacture them from scratch, building an improved version of the original. I like doing those because they are a critical element of the aircraft. I like that part of my job. I like being responsible for such a vital element of the plane’s safety,” Mike said.

It is work like Mike’s and the other highly-skilled technicians at Kenmore that have earned the program a reputation for restoring aircraft to a better-than-new condition. In fact, Beavers that Kenmore restores are fondly known as ‘Kenmore Beavers.’

Outside of the shop, Mike enjoys spending time with his wife Rachel, his daughter Emersen, and his two pointers, Angus and Zeke. He enjoys fly fishing and horseback field trials.

Quick Facts About Mike

Occupation: Metal Fabricator
Age: 61
Birthplace: Columbus, Idaho
Residence: Phinney Ridge, Seattle
Years with Kenmore: 19
Years in the Industry: 30

Meet More Members of the �鶹��Ƶ Family

BEN CARDIN — LAKE UNION STATION MANAGER & MARKETING COORDINATOR

KENMORE AIR SEAPLANE PILOT STEVE BJORLING

INSIDE THE UPHOLSTERY SHOP WITH CLARENCE KAPPES

SARAH FELLER — OPERATIONS MANAGER

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�鶹��Ƶ Pilot Mari Peterson

Mikaela Judd — Thu, 12 Sep 2019 00:00:00 +0000

Sep 12, 2019

Mari Peterson was born to fly. It’s in her blood. Her great grandfather was a Navy pilot during World War II. And growing up, her dad flew the family’s small airplane.

“He would cruise around in it and commute to Seattle for work. I practically grew up sleeping in the backseat,” Mari told me as she flew one of �鶹��Ƶ’s Cessna Caravan at 4,500 feet over the San Juan Islands.

Yet despite her family lineage, Mari didn’t grow up with dreams of flying professionally. She spent the majority of her formative years living on San Juan Island — riding horses, playing tennis, and cheering for the local high school. She did take a ground school class (a pilot training class) offered through school, but didn’t pursue her pilot’s license immediately.

Rather, she went to college at Washington State University and earned her Bachelors in Apparel Design. During summer break, between her junior and senior year, Mari worked at Westwind Aviation in Friday Harbor. “Working at Westwind was really amazing. I got my private pilot’s license in about two months. After that, I really wanted to check out of school, but I made myself go back and finish my degree. It just felt like something really important to do,” Mari said.

A free spirit, Mari studied abroad in Paris after graduation. She spent time flying charters for Westwind aviation, and 14 months flying in remote Alaskan villages. “You talk to a lot of pilots and they knew what they wanted to be when they were 14 or 15. I didn’t. I feel really lucky about that. That I tried a bunch of different things before realizing I wanted flying to be my career,” Mari explained.

Mari joined the �鶹��Ƶ family as a part-time pilot in 2018. Her two-week-on two-week-off schedule flying in Alaska allowed her to pick up occasional flights with Kenmore and travel. Transitioning into a full-time pilot in February of 2019 she primarily flies the regularly scheduled flights between Boeing Field and the San Juans.

In her free time, Mari loves to fly her Taylorcraft with her fur baby, Kitax. (Kitax means foot in Aleut, the native language spoken in Alaska’s Aleutian Islands where Mari flew.) “I absolutely love what I do, but I never want it to feel like a job. That’s why having my own plane felt so important. It lets me have the freedom to still do the things I want to do. Plus, I can bring Kitax along. So that’s really fun,” Mari said.

Despite being one of the newest members of the crew, Mari is an incredibly seasoned pilot. “After flying in Alaska, you can handle pretty much anything. Or you know when you need to be firm and put your foot down about not taking off,” Mari told me as she approached the runway at Eastsound Airport. We both marveled at the beauty of the Orcas Island runway, which offered a stunning waterfront view at the north end of the island.

“Flying for Kenmore has been really amazing,” Mari said. “Being from San Juan I often know a lot of the passengers, either because they are regulars or because I grew up with them on the island. Plus, I couldn’t imagine working at a desk. I just love to be outdoors.”

In addition to flying, Mari’s an avid sailor, hiker, rock climber, and snowboarder. “Pretty much anything outdoors I love,” she said. Prior to flying in Alaska, Mari also took over the ground school class at the local high school — something which she hopes to resume in the 2019-2020 school year.

“The class was really incredible. I wasn’t as focused on convincing kids to get their pilot’s license. Rather, I wanted to expose them to different things so they could make up their own mind,” Mari said. To do so, she introduced a series of field trips to Boeing Field, the Boeing Factory in Everett, and the Whidbey Island Navy Base.

What’s your favorite time of day to fly?

Sunrise. It’s so calm, everything is still, and the light is incredible.

What’s your favorite destination?

Roche Harbor. For the past three years my best friend and I have taken my boat and anchored it near Roche Harbor for the 4^th of July. Friends will come and raft up. We participate in the Blindfolded Dinghy Race. It’s one of my favorites.

Quick Facts About Mari

Occupation: Pilot
Age: 27
Birthplace: Redmond, WA
Years Working for Kenmore: 1
Years Working as a Pilot: 5
Number of Daily Flights: 6
Pilot’s License: 2013
Education: Bachelors in Apparel Design

Meet More Members of the �鶹��Ƶ Family

BEN CARDIN — LAKE UNION STATION MANAGER & MARKETING COORDINATOR

KENMORE AIR SEAPLANE PILOT STEVE BJORLING

INSIDE THE UPHOLSTERY SHOP WITH CLARENCE KAPPES

SARAH FELLER — OPERATIONS MANAGER

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Ben Cardin — Lake Union Station Manager & Marketing Coordinator

Mikaela Judd — Fri, 05 Jul 2019 00:00:00 +0000

Jul 5, 2019 Mikaela Judd

Joining the �鶹��Ƶ team in 2017 as a Customer Service Supervisor, Ben was quickly promoted to Station Manager. He also recently assumed the role of Marketing Coordinator.

Wearing both hats, today he oversees all elements of the station’s operation and is the go-to resource for marketing relations and community development. As Station Manager, Ben’s role includes scheduling, onboarding new staff, maintaining an upbeat work environment, and promoting positive customer experiences. Recently, he also oversaw the Lake Union Terminal renovations. (The Lake Union Terminal saw major upgrades this spring, as new windows and floors were installed.)

As the Marketing Coordinator, Ben is the go-to resource for marketing relationships and community development. This means coordinating promotions with local tourism companies and �鶹��Ƶ’s social media team, providing documentation for local businesses, and developing relationships with other tourism companies.

“Kenmore’s an incredible place to work and a big part of that is the people. That’s why one of my top priorities is making this an upbeat and positive place to be,” Ben said.

From staff to passengers, Ben is committed to providing the best experience possible.

“Kenmore offers something really unique. Whether passengers are arriving or departing, they’re happy to be here. And that’s something we focus on. Because not only does it make our jobs better, but promoting that kind of environment makes our passengers even happier. And that’s something incredibly fulfilling.”

While Ben quickly became an integral part of the �鶹��Ƶ family, he didn’t have a background in aviation. In fact, his professional life started in Hollywood, where he worked as an events coordinator for major production companies and producers. “That experience really taught me the importance of details, like noticing where someone likes to be seated or how they like to be treated,” said Ben.

It’s this same level of detail that he uses to foster strong relationships among staff members and passengers. “I’m always looking for little ways to recognize someone’s contribution and let them know they’re valued,” explained Ben.

Moving to Seattle in 2009, Ben met his husband, Ricky, and started a new career as the building manager of Seattle’s tallest building. “My time as a building manager taught me a lot about managing multiple schedules in a hectic environment. That’s a skill I definitely utilize here, especially during the summer months.”

Luckily for �鶹��Ƶ, Ben was passionate about rising even higher. During the evenings, he’d often sit on the deck of his Capitol Hill apartment and watch the seaplanes take off and land. “I was drawn to them. It’s such a wonderful and unique part of Seattle,” Ben said.

So, he applied for a job at �鶹��Ƶ. “I couldn’t be happier. This place doesn’t just talk about treating people like family. They do it. And that’s exactly the kind of place I want to be,” Ben shared.

When his schedule allows, Ben loves to fly with Kenmore. “I’ll just stare out the window and marvel at this magical place we call home,” he said. And having moved 21 times before arriving in Seattle, Ben’s lived in a lot of cities. But this is the first one that’s really become home.

Key Facts

Name: Ben Cardin
Occupation: Lake Union Station Manager & Marketing Coordinator
Age: 44
Birthplace: Chicago Heights
Residence: Capitol Hill, Wash.
Years Working for Kenmore: 2
First Job at �鶹��Ƶ: Customer Service Supervisor

Question: What’s your favorite destination?

Vancouver is one of my favorites. It has such an international cosmopolitan feel. The downtown core has amazing shopping, with great dinner spots and grand hotels. Plus, the city has a fun pulse.

Get to Know More Members of the �鶹��Ƶ Family

�鶹��Ƶ Seaplane Pilot Steve Bjorling

Inside the Upholstery Shop with Clarence Kappes

Sarah Feller — Operations Manager

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Sarah Feller — Operations Manager

Mikaela Judd — Fri, 08 Mar 2019 00:00:00 +0000

Mar 8, 2019

When you ask Sarah what does your job entail she smiles and says that’s a great question. She has a hand in quite a few departments including Kenmore Dispatch (the department that schedules and directs planes), Line Crew (the team responsible for fueling, cleaning, and docking aircraft), and she is responsible for inputting flight schedules and fares.

Her main job in the busy summer months is adjusting capacity. Additionally, Sarah helps coordinate the aircrafts’ 100-hour and annual inspections to ensure safety. To say her role involves wearing many hats is putting it mildly.

“Ultimately, as Operations Manager my goal is to have a smooth day. I’m here to help make that happen anyway I can,” she says.

She joined the �鶹��Ƶ family in April of 2012 as a Customer Service Agent at Lake Union. She was initially a seasonal employee but before the summer was out, Sarah had been promoted to supervisor of the Lake Union terminal and then to manager—a position she held until 2015 when she was promoted to Operations Manager.

But, �鶹��Ƶ wasn’t Sarah’s first experience working for an airline. She joined the aviation industry in 1999, working the ramp at Horizon Air. It was at Horizon that Sarah not only developed the skills to organize and direct travelers, but also met the woman who would one day become her wife — Christi Hendrickson. The two have been together for the last 15 years and counting.

Living in Ballard with their two border collie labs named Stella (12) and Jack (11), Christi and Sarah love to travel. They are passionate about all sporting events, including the Seattle Seahawks, Seattle Mariners, and USWNT Soccer. They love visiting new microbreweries, relaxing on their days off, and finding new places to camp in their Sprinter Van.

“We like to explore together, but we’re both really passionate about our careers,” Sarah explains. “Christi and I both have busy jobs and really enjoy making our days off together count.”

And for Sarah, one of the things she values greatly is the opportunity to boost company morale.

“My co-workers are the main reason I love working here. This is truly a small family business. We can teach people how to do things, but we can’t teach them attitude. And we’re really lucky to have people with great attitudes,” says Sarah.

To help promote community among the staff, Sarah’s started an annual staff trip to the Mariners game. She often organizes happy hour meet-ups. And during company BBQs, it’s not uncommon to spot Sarah behind the grill flipping hamburgers and hot dogs.

“I try to do things that encourage people to visit with their co-workers. Especially from a different department! It’s been one of the best ways for employees to understand the family feel of �鶹��Ƶ.”

But of course, there’s nothing quite like a busy July day, when Kenmore’s flown more than 700 passengers. “It’s fun what we do. When we’re cranking at our peak, there are hundreds of people passing through here each day. And we get to be part of helping them all have an amazing experience. That’s incredible.”

Question: What’s your favorite destination?

Sarah: The San Juan Islands are incredible. It’s a slower pace of life and I can see myself retiring up there one day. Give me a hammock and a view of the water and I’m set!

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Jan Fields – 46 Years with �鶹��Ƶ

Mikaela Judd — Fri, 14 Sep 2018 00:00:00 +0000

Sep 14, 2018

Most passengers may never meet her, but Jan Fields is an integral part of the �鶹��Ƶ family. From her level-headed counsel and guidance to her genuine concern for each family member, this 46-year veteran has been with the Pacific Northwest airline since before it was a full-fledged airline.

“When I first started, we didn’t sell individual seats like we do today. If you wanted to fly to Canada, you had to charter a plane. So, we chartered a lot of planes back then,” says Jan.

Her tenure began June of 1972, working as a receptionist and charter specialist during her summer vacation to help pay her way through college. Jan commuted from her childhood home in Kirkland, Wash., returning the subsequent two summers while she finished her Bachelors in Sociology at Western Washington University.

During those early years, Jan worked closely with Bob Munro, one of Kenmore’s founders. The lessons she learned from Mr. Munro are still with her today.

“Mr. Munro was a really considerate boss to his employees. He was polite and respectful, even to a young ‘wet-behind-the-ears’ employee. And, he wanted to do the right thing in business. As a young person, watching how he dealt with things was very impressive,” says Jan.

Jan’s role has evolved as Kenmore’s needs have presented themselves — a situation which has suited this multi-passionate woman nicely. “One of the things I’ve really loved about working here is the ability to try new things. If there’s a need and you’re willing to take it on, Kenmore supports you,” Jan explains.

And over the years, she’s tried a lot of new things — holding more than seven titles. Today, she still wears multiple hats serving as the Director of Human Resources, Payroll Manager, Personnel Manager and Employee Benefits Manager. Acutely aware of how the business is impacted by the seasons, Jan plays an active role in on-boarding spring hires and helping full-time employees get the benefits they need.

“That’s one of the things about Kenmore. They’ve never wanted to act like a corporation. They’ve always strived to do the best they can for their employees and treat everyone like family,” says Jan.

With such thoughtful leadership and employee development, it’s easy to see why employees are considered part of the ‘�鶹��Ƶ family’ rather than staff.

A woman of many talents, Jan earned her private pilot’s license on floats at Kenmore in 1978 — a skill she enjoyed using when visiting her in-laws in LaConner and taking her husband to Dabob Bay for oyster- and crab-packed picnics on the beach. Jan and her husband Mike, are both advanced scuba divers, former motorcycle riders and sailing/boating enthusiasts. They also spent several years as beekeepers, a labor-intensive hobby they chose to give up once they had kids.

Now that both kids have finished college, the couple has slowed down. Their primary recreation is hopping into BERT (Mike’s dream truck, a 2500 GMC Sierra Denali diesel) and bebopping from town to town and campground to campground. “We call the truck BERT for ‘Big Expensive Red Truck’. And when I get in BERT, I just sit back and see where the road takes us,” says Jan. Together, they’ve explored national monuments, old growth forests, and the pristine Pacific Northwest coast.

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Emily Mamales

kenmoreairstg — Wed, 06 Jun 2018 00:00:00 +0000

Jun 6, 2018

Emily Mamales is the woman at �鶹��Ƶ who makes (nearly) any adventure possible. As �鶹��Ƶ’s Charter Specialists and Group Sales Manager, she helps customers plan everything from surprise proposals to unique fly-away adventures.

“I get to help people plan unique adventures,” says Emily. “That’s one of the things I love most about my job.”

�鶹��Ƶ’s regular service flies pre-determined routes and times. The flights Emily plans tend to be a little more extraordinary.

“With charter flights, we can customize the experience,” she explains. Emily works with businesses to create unique team bonding experiences; she helps excited partners plan surprise engagements; families fly to remote vacation homes; and boaters to remote coves in the BC Islands.

“As long as there’s protected space to land and takeoff, we really can do just about anything,” says Emily.

However, not all destinations have a dock that can handle a seaplane, Emily warns. (Docks must have a profile no taller than three feet to allow for wing clearance.) “If there’s no dock available, we may be able to land on the beach or do a boat transfer,” she says.

As a boat owner, Emily is very familiar with boat transfers. She and the love of her life, Steve, live aboard a 42-foot Grand Banks. Steve will often take their motor yacht to a remote location, such as the BC Islands or the San Juans. Emily will fly in to meet him, allowing her to maximize her vacation time.

“That’s one of the great things about seaplanes. The seaplane lets you travel back and forth between the city, so your boat can become your vacation home,” she says. But Emily cautions, the boat used for transfers must have the same low profile as a seaplane dock.

This year, Emily hopes to go to the Broughton Islands. “It’s supposed to be absolutely stunning,” she explains. Because their boat takes roughly a week each way, Emily will likely fly up and meet Steve. “The flight is also a really good way to bring some perishables, like fruits and vegetables or a favorite wine, which can be hard to get when you’re at a remote location,” says Emily.

Emily also gets to create unique packages. “Kenmore’s really given me the freedom to be creative and they’ve been excited about my ideas. I appreciate that a lot,” she says. Emily’s introduced an annual Mother’s Day flight to Kiana Lodge. She’s helped arrange Father’s Day volcano flight tours. And this year, Emily introduced a new seaplane picnic package.

“The picnic packages are fabulous. We’re working with great caterers and we go to remote beaches. It’s an experience you’ll never forget,” she says.

Emily developed her passion for travel in her former career. As a Banking Consultant specializing in mergers and acquisition projects, she was constantly on the road. Moving where work took her, she learned that the best way to experience a new place was to dive in feet first and explore what looks most interesting. It’s this same principal she uses when designing tours and trips.

Her background in translating ‘tech speak’ into everyday terms has helped her simplify the charter process for customers. “Sometimes it can be difficult to understand why a dock won’t work, how plane availability affects scheduling or what limitations there are for carrying capacity,” she says. “While we do have a lot of flexibility, we’re also not the traditional commercial airline most passengers are used to. So sometimes we just need to help customers familiarize themselves with what makes Kenmore so unique, which is one of the bonuses of flying with us. The entire trip is a special experience.”

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