Team Members
The CASARA NL team is dedicated to leading our volunteers located in Newfoundland and Labrador. These are the members who dedicate their time and effort into managing and leading the NL Member Organization to make successful search and rescue taskings possible.
Provincial President: Minette Ledrew
Provincial Vice-president: Temporary Vacancy
Treasurer: Rick O'Neill
Rick has been with CASARA since the early 2000’s and holds the title of Treasurer here at CASARA NL. As a Pilot, he owns his own Bell 206L LongRanger. Besides being a pilot, Rick also is also a radio operator and ground support member. He is a great asset to the team and helps make the MO operationally ready for searches.
Secretary: Georgie Macfie
Director: Maurice Murphy
Maurice is our Director of CASARA NL and has been a member of CASARA NL since 1986! With over 35+ years of experience, he holds this title with roles as a Pilot and Ground Homing Specialist. With his own privately owned aircraft, Maurice plays a crucial role in providing leadership and operational assistance for NL.
Director: Wally Pennell
Aviation career over 57 years and counting. Started as a military pilot, then airline aviation for 35 years. Accumulated over 23,000 hours experience. Currently (2025) holding ATPL C Class 1, Single/Multi engine, Land & Sea, as well as a Commercial Helicopter endorsement on Bell 206. Experience ranges from small 2 Seat Aircraft, Float flying, to large Multi-engine Operations and tactical helicopter flying. Trained as a military Search Master, Wing Flight Safety Officer, and a line indoctrination training pilot. Served as past Captain and a founding officer of COPA Flight 195. Presently serving as Director Of CASARA Exploits Valley Resource Unit and pilot flying Cessna 182 XP.
Director: Hans Lindner
Director: Jim Vey
Provincial Safety Officer: Wayde Butler
Wayde has been involved with CASARA for 8 years and now holds the title of Provincial Safety Officer. As a Safety Officer, he focuses on providing safety related services, but also fulfills the role as a spotter, Zone board member and MO Book Keeper. Wayde joined after a 37 year career with the Canadian Coast Guard. In that time he was a navigation officer and in addition was involved in Quality Assurance audits, incident reporting as well as recruitment. He is also a part owner of a private aircraft and is working on his PPL.
Provincial Training Officer: Larry Wall
Larry has been involved with CASARA for over 10 years and now and has just signed on as Provincial Training Officer. As a Training Officer, he focuses on membership currency, but also fulfills the role of spotter and heads up the Ground Homing Specialist training