Officers of the Union

President

The primary role of the Union President is that of Chief Executive and Administrative Head. This means that he/she:

Chairs the Board of Management meetings and Conference
Is responsible for the business affairs of the union
Works with other union officers to further the objectives and polices of the union
Carries out instructions given by the BOM and Conference

In essence the President is there to ensure that NZALPA runs in accordance with the rules of the union and is operated in an efficient and effective manner.

Mark Rammell

Mark is a 747 First Officer with Air New Zealand who commutes out of Wellington. Mark joined NZALPA in the early eighties while working for Eagle Airways as a Chieftain and Beech Baron pilot. Since 2000 he has been an Air New Zealand Council and Board of Management member, and last year he filled the position of Vice President. Mark is also a Trustee of the NZALPA Contingency Fund Trust and was involved in the project management team during the recent building of ALPA House at Airpark Drive. He and his wife Fiona have four children: Ben, Christopher, Samuel and Renee who all support him in the work he does for the union.

Email: president@nzalpa.org.nz

Vice President

The Vice President is responsible for overseeing all union financial and administrative affairs. This means that he/she:

Tracks the union financial performance to make sure it is keeping within the boundaries of the Conference approved budget
Ensures that the employment arrangements with the NZALPA staff are kept up to date, and carries out annual reviews of these arrangements
Prepares a budget for the upcoming year for approval by Conference
Completes other administrative duties as assigned by the President or the Board of Management.

The Vice President ensures that NZALPA is adequately resourced to undertake activities that will achieve its objectives, in both the Industrial and Safety arenas.

Peter Fleming

Peter has been an NZALPA member since 1987, within a short time he was 'roped in' to ALPA work. Over the years this work has included, Northern Branch Committee member, Board of Management representative, Air New Zealand Council member, and Negotiator.

He started in aviation as an RNZAF Navigator, operating Andover and C130 aircraft.

Next came 3 years as an Air Traffic Controller in Australia, training in Melbourne then working in Sydney. While in Sydney he completed a CPL.

With a new CPL in hand went looking for work as a Pilot, finding a job with Talair in PNG. After 3 years with Talair flying C206's, BN2's, C402's and Twin Otters he was employed by Air New Zealand.

Currently on the A320 by way of the 737, 767, and F27.

He is married with two children and lives in Auckland.

Email: vicepresident@nzalpa.org.nz

Secretary

The Union Secretary is a position appointed by the Board of Management, with eligibility being determined by election to any branch position. The Secretary is responsible for attending to all membership related enquiries, advising members of conferences and meetings, organising any remits for such meetings, advising members of proposed rule changes, organising ballots for approval of such changes, recording details of the Board of Management and Conference meetings, and being a Board liaison person with the front office staff.

Howard North

The incumbent Secretary, Howard North, is an Air New Zealand pilot and Northern Branch committee member who brings to the position a vast amount of experience in different aviation sectors. Early in his career, Howard spent 11 years in the RNZAF piloting helicopters and C130 aircraft, followed by four years in GA, both in New Zealand and Africa, flying a variety of turbine aircraft including Dornier, King Air B200, and Metroliners.

Since 1994 Howard has been with Air New Zealand, flying on the 747 and 767 fleets. He is currently involved with Air New Zealand pilot recruitment as well as being a member of the Air New Zealand Pilot Council.

Howard is married with two boys, lives in Auckland, plays bad golf, and enjoys boating of any type.

Email: secretary@nzalpa.org.nz

Industrial Director

The primary role of the Union Industrial Director is to oversee the legal team and act as a Negotiator in Employment Agreement negotiations. This means that he/she:

Is involved in, and responsible for all collective Employment Agreement negotiations
Assists different councils and provides legal resources to them as required
Reports and makes recommendations to the Board of Management on issues of legal significance.

Kevin Henderson

After 6 years working for the Ministry of Transport in the mid-1970’s as an air traffic controller, Kevin spent five years working for Safe Air, a small to medium sized airline. In 1985 he joined Air New Zealand and is currently a B767 Captain.

Kevin joined ALPA in 1980, became involved as representative in 1986. Since then he has worked in a number of areas including ALPA Board of Management, Conference Delegate, Air New Zealand Pilots' Council, Wellington Airport First Impact Committee, Wellington Airport Security Committee, Critical Incident Response Program Peer Support Volunteer, Central Branch Chairman, Negotiator, and most recently as Industrial Director.

Email :industrial@nzalpa.org.nz

Technical Director

As well as implementing all technical policies of the Union, the Technical Director is responsible for working with the President in all technical matters, including assisting members with any incidents, accidents or other safety related issues that may occur while carrying out their flying duties. This work also extends to assisting other IFALPA affiliated members during their operation into or out of New Zealand. In addition, the Technical Director's role includes overseeing all the safety work undertaken by NZALPA. This ensures the New Zealand regulatory authorities and participants in the NZ aviation system are kept up to date with the latest international trends related to improvement of aviation safety through systems, procedures, training programs, and compliance with ICAO standards and recommended practices.

Hugh Faris

Hugh joined Air New Zealand in 1987 as a First Officer on the F27 Fokker Friendship having cut his teeth flying seaplanes around the Pacific and the North Island of New Zealand.

He progressed to First Officer B737-200 and then did an 18 month stint as Second Officer on the B747-400. Hugh has also served as a First officer on the B767-2/300. Hugh gained his first jet command on the B737-300 after nearly 17 years with Air New Zealand. and has recently been type rated on the Airbus A320 where he has been appointed as a Training Captain.

Email: technical@nzalpa.org.nz

ATC Director

The role of ATC Director is to co-ordinate the Air Traffic Control "wing" of the Association and represent members employed by Airways New Zealand.

Jim Dunn

Email: atc@nzalpa.org.nz

IFALPA Director

The IFALPA Director is responsible for all safety matters pertaining to IFALPA in New Zealand. He/she advises the President and other relevant parties on all IFALPA matters, and is responsible for insuring that any deficiencies relating to aerodromes and airspace are reported to the Regional Vice President and IFALPA.

The IFALPA Director is also the primary means of communication between IFALPA and the New Zealand Air Line Pilots’ Association and is responsible for ensuring open and effective communication between the two parties.

Glen Kenny

Email: ifalpa@nzalpa.org.nz

Medical and Welfare Director

The Medical and Welfare Directors role in NZALPA covers several areas which include:

Monitoring CAA, MOT and Industry when rule and legislation changes are proposed that may affect ALPA members in so far as medical certification is concerned.
Advise members on best course of action when faced with medical problems which could lead to recertification/employment issues.
Refer members to ALPA's specialist Aeromedical Advisor when professional assistance is required to regain recertification or rectify problems/restrictions on current valid medical certificates.
To oversee ALPA's “Pilot Recovery Programme” for members with substance abuse problems.
To oversee ALPA's “Critical Incidence Response Programme”.

Ron Woodward

Ron joined Air New Zealand Ltd in 1978 as an Engineering apprentice and it was during that time his passion for flying was ignited.

In 1986 Ron transferred across into the Flight Operations department as a First Officer on the F27 and since that time he has flown a variety of aircraft, experiencing both the lifestyles of the Domestic and International operations. Ron has been with NZALPA ever since he started his commercial flying and during that time found the usual excuses to keep himself at arm’s length from the day to day operations of the Association.

However, during his flying career he has always maintained an active interest in the welfare of his colleagues and has participated in Peer support activities, Line Safety Groups and the Pilot Health & Safety Group.

In 2005 the excuses ran out as all three of his sons suddenly seemed to grow into young men overnight and the time seemed right to put his hand up for a more active role within the Association, serving as a Northern Branch member of the Air New Zealand Council and BOM member.

Ron stepped into the role of acting Medical & Welfare Director later that year as the position became vacant and is delighted that he has now been re-confirmed for a further term to continue his work in this important area.

Whenever the opportunity allows, Ron pursues his interests of boating and fishing with his wife and family, whilst spending most free Saturday mornings standing on the sideline of the Rugby Fields supporting his sons’ sporting interests.

Ron currently holds the rank of Captain on the A320 with Air New Zealand.

Email: medical@nzalpa.org.nz