Photo credit: Corporal Braden Trudeau
RCAF Association Trust Fund
Registration No. 0451195-51
Business No. 88737 4999 RR0001
The Royal Canadian Air Force Association Trust Fund (RCAF Trust Fund) exists to provide meaningful support to Veterans and serving members of Canada’s Air Force s and their families. Through the generous contributions of our members, donors, and supporters, the Trust Fund helps address needs that improve the welfare, education, and quality of life of Air Force personnel, veterans, and their loved ones.
OUR MISSION
To support, assist and promote the education of all Canadians in matters relating to aviation history.
Trust Fund Administrators
The RCAFA works hand-in-hand with veterans, serving members, government partners, and community organizations to support Canada’s Air Force and preserve its legacy. Together, we strengthen our community, honor those who serve, and ensure the Air Force’s history and contributions are remembered.
Ian Whiting
Chairman
RCAF Association Trust Fund
Ian Whiting
Qualified Provincial and Branch Compliance Officer/Manager, Qualified Trading Officer, Partner and Director for Mutual Funds, Associate Member, Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, Member – Disciplinary Hearing Panel – FPSC – 2015-17
With a 50th industry anniversary coming on November 1st of 2021, Ian is an acknowledged leader and sought-after presenter. After starting on the administrative side of the house, he moved into the field in 1976 and completed the Life Underwriters Association Training Course in 1979 along with the LUAC Financial Planning Skills Course. Throughout his career, he has attended numerous Schools in Agency Management and Sales Management through the Life Insurance Marketing Research Association. He obtained his Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) in 1987 while also completing his Investment Funds Institute of Canada Mutual Fund qualification and Fellowship in the Life Management Institute with a specialty in Financial Services.
In 1989, he was awarded the Chartered Financial Consultant designation. In 1992, he qualified as an Associate of the Academy of Home Office Life Underwriters (Head Office underwriter qualification) and in 1993 he completed his Associate, Customer Service designation program through the Life Office Management Association. In 1997, he qualified as a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and also completed his courses and exams to obtain the Associate, Insurance Agency Administration designation. In 1999, he completed the study and examinations to qualify as a Trading Officer, Partner and Director for Mutual Funds with the BC Securities Commission and the Mutual Fund Dealers Association. As a result, he is also qualified as a Trading Officer Partner or Director for Mutual Funds, a Branch Compliance Manager and Head Office/Provincial Compliance Officer. Additionally, he is an Associate Member of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners.
Earlier in 2016, he successfully completed the ETF Marketing course through the Canadian Securities Institute. He is currently completing course work for the Registered Retirement Consultant (RRC) designation. Long known as an innovative, creative and forward thinker in the financial services world, Ian enjoys the challenge of learning new material and planning for the future evolution of our profession.
As the past-Senior Editor and a Contributing Writer to MONEY MAGAZINE, Ian is recognized throughout the financial services community in Canada. He also teaches a wide range of financial industry qualification and designation courses through Ashton College in Vancouver (HLLQP, CIFC and the CLU, CHS and CFP programs).
As a strong supporter of both ADVOCIS and the Financial Planners Standards Council, Ian is active in both, having served as the BC Quarterback for the IAFE for 4 and a half years and was a Member of the Disciplinary Hearing Panel for the FPSC for 2015 through 2017 inclusive. As a Marketing Director and Financial Planner with Customplan Financial Advisors Inc., Ian uses his qualifications to expand advisors’ proficiency in both operating their businesses effectively and serving the needs of their clients.
He can be reached by email at iwhiting@customplanfinancial.com or by phone at 604.888.3078. Additionally, he is the Branch Compliance Manager for CFA associates who do business through Monarch Wealth Corporation – an MFDA dealer.
Joan Embleton
Trustee
RCAF Association Trust Fund
Joan Embleton
Joan Embleton has been the Program Manager of the CHORUS (Consortium for Heavy Oil Research by University Scientists) since 2002 and is an SEG and CSEG member.
Joan has a background in gemology and has done lab work with geology core measurements in the mining and gold research projects. Joan is also an Alberta Justice officer and has handled all of the legal, software, data and confidentiality contracts for the CHORUS projects. Joan coordinated the CHORUS work plan outlines to all of the industry sponsors and assisted in assigning the research project data projects to the grad student thesis projects.
She is a recipient of the University of Calgary’s Presidential U Make a Difference award. Joan is currently the SEG Global Affairs Coordinator for Canada and also the Western Canada Business Advisory Chair.
Joan served as an RCAF Communications specialist in Command Squadron at the CF Baden West Germany Air Force Base for 2 years. Upon completion of her oversees work, Joan was appointed to special posting to Veterans Affairs Canada located in Calgary.
During my term at VAC, Joan served in the legal hearings to veterans regarding the effects of PTSD in a war time setting. Joan has been a member of 264 Legion since 2015 and served as the 264-604 Air Cadet liaison for 2 years. Recently Joan became a Navy League of Canada senior instructor as a band officer and enjoys teaching brass and music theory to the young cadets.
Joan is an active member of the RCAF Association and was elected to be a Wing Director for our 783 Wing.
Pat Sulek
Trustee
RCAF Association Trust Fund
Pat Sulek
joined the Royal Canadian Air Force Association (RCAFA) in 2000 and held numerous positions including Wing Chair 2014 – 2017 and am currently the Chair of the Wing Past President’s Flight. Over the past 23 years I have created several protocols and procedures including Funeral Service procedures and producing a Missing Comrade Table Ceremony booklet which was sent out to all Air Cadet Squadrons throughout Alberta and Alberta Wing Chairs. Was instrumental in initiating the 783 (Calgary) Wing Remembrance Day Service and was chair for 10 years which now hosts over 900 people in attendance. Organized over 19 trips and tours through out Alberta for our Wing members. Most recently was the Chair of the National Biennial General Meeting 2018. I also had the honour of holding the position of Vice Chair Alberta Group from 2017- 2022.
During my 30 years of service with the Air Cadet League of Canada I served on numerous committees, including Wing Director for six years and have been the recipient of several awards including Honorary Life Member of the Alberta Provincial Committee of the Air Cadet League of Canada.
For many years was with the Youth Justice Community Committee as Chair and part of the Calgary Police Service Volunteers.
For the past 12 years I have been a Director with the Friends of Col Belcher Veteran’s Hospital (FOCB).
I was a business owner in Vancouver and Calgary for many years and worked in Calgary with Dr Coppola MD for 28 years as his Medical Office Assistant.
I am the proud recipient of numerous awards including the Rotary Club Crowchild Integrity Award 2006, awards of recognition and Meritorious Service from the Air Cadet League of Canada, along with several Wing and National Awards from the RCAFA. I am proud to say that I am a Life Member of the RCAFA and an Honorary Life Member of the Provincial Committee of the Air Cadet League of Canada.
I would be honoured to be part of the RCAFA Trust Fund Board of Directors.
Ira Peters
Trustee
RCAF Association Trust Fund
Ira Peters
Sergeant (Ret) Ira Peters served as President of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 112 Whitby for six years, filling a number of Executive positions including Membership, Service Officer, and Vice President positions.
He was Provincial Chair for the NATO Veterans of Canada Organization and presently works with Veterans Affairs Canada and the Royal Canadian Legion Dominion Command on the Outreach and Visitation Programs. Ira was involved on the Town of Whitby (Ontario) Senior Advisory Committee.
He is a member of the Royal Canadian Air Force Association, the NATO Veterans of Canada Association, a Master Mason and a member of the David T Campbell group in Whitby, Ontario.
Ira supports the Royal Canadian Ontario Regiment Tank Museum, and was a member of 420 Wing Oshawa, for a number of years. He served in the Canadian Forces dating back before 1983, and he served with NATO forces in Afghanistan in 2007-08. Ira’s experiences in logistics, technical services, transportation firms, heavy equipment and vehicle operations is extensive.
A full resumé of his qualifications is available on request. Ira looks forward to serving the RCAF Association in any way that might be needed.
Giles Belisles
Trustee
RCAF Association Trust Fund
Giles Belisles
Gilles né le 15 septembre 1945 dans le petit village de St-Émile de Suffolk conté Papineau. A fait sa formation scolaire à Pont-Viau pour terminer à Villemaire de Sainte-Rose en 1962 et Gilles joint les forces armées canadienne au sein du programme d’apprenti – soldat, c’est alors que Gilles perfectionne son anglais et gradue en 1964 en temps que commis – magasinier. De 1957 à 1962 Gilles fut cadet de l’aviation (l’Escadron de district Canadair N° 592 ) pour atteindre le rang de WO 1 (Adjudant Première Classe) ( Cadets de l’Air 710 Ste-Rose) . Le 10 mai 1962 Gilles appose sa signature au document et joint les Forces Armées Canadienne, au dépôt de Longueuil, sa carrière l’a amené à travers le monde et pour nommer quelques endroits: Longue-Pointe, Valcartier, Rivers / Shilo, Werl, Soest, Lahr Allemagne, l’escadron 430 ETAH BFC Valcartier, Lahr Schwarzwald , Ottawa, après une carrière bien remplie, Gilles finira celle-ci en 1990 en temps que vérificateur contrôleur chez Loockheed Martin. L’expérience acquise lors de ses nombreuses mutations, l’ont amené à travailler pour le système de la santé au sein du service ambulancier pour en assurer une saine gestion, chemin faisant, Il prit goût au bénévolat. L’amour du bénévolat l’amène au sein de mouvement scoutisme, le mouvement 4H, Judo, à la création du Canada Power-Skate Gilles était la, puis vient le hockey, le travail communautaire : membre du conseil de Rockcliffe Park, président du comité de discipline de la ligue de hockey de Ottawa, Boisbriand/Blainville, administrateur à la Coopérative Santé de L’Islet, membre LIONS, fut 1 er Vice Président de L’Escadron 302 de l’Association des Forces aériennes du Canada et (Past Président) de la Filiale 150 Bernatchez Légion Royale Canadienne. Maintenant à sa retraite avec son épouse Denise la femme de sa vie, ils ont trouvé l’endroit idéal pour un repos bien mérité…Rivière Trois-Pistoles pour ne pas dire Tobin. Mais le bénévolat n’est jamais très loin. Présentement Gilles est membre de l’Escadre 302 de l’Association des Forces aérienne du Canada, et Officier d’EntrAide de la Filiale 205 Petite Nation LRC.
Gilles was born September 15 1945 in the Village of Saint-Émile de Sufolk, Papineau Co, Qc, . His junior school was in Pont-Viau to be finish at Villemaire de Sainte-Rose in 1962 at that time Gilles jonit the Canadian Arm Forces as an Aprentice Soldier, that is when Gilles polish up is English and graduated as Storeman Clerk. From 1952 to 1962 Gilles was a member of the Air Cadet Corp (Canadair Squadron No 592) to reach the rank of WO1 (Warrant Officer First Class) (Squadron St-Rose No 710). On Mai 10 1962 Gilles joined the Canadian Forces at the Longueuil Dépôt, his career took him throughout the world and to name some place Longue-Pointe, Valcartier, Rivers / Shilo, Werl, Lahr Allemagne, 430 ETAH Sqn, BFC Valcartier Lahr Schwarzwald, Ottawa, after Gilles will put a term to hi career in 1990 as a stock controller at Lockheed Martin. The acquired experience thru his numerous posting, took him to work for the helt system as manager for Urgence Santé to insure a good management, thru the years He toke a liking for (Bénévolent). That is what took him to the Scouting movement, 4H, Judo, at the start of Skate Canada to become Power-Skate, Gilles was there, and then came Hockey, community work, member of the Rockcliffe Park conseil, president of the disciplinary commitee of the Minor Hockey Ottawa, Boisdriand/Blainville, administrator of/council the Coop Santé de L’Islet, Lions member, was 1st First Vice of the Royal Canadian Air Forces Association and (Past President) of Bernatchez Branch RLC. Now with Denise the woman of his life the fond the place for a well deserved retirement …Rivière Trois-Pistoles not to say Tobin. But call for benevolent is never too far. Gilles is a long-standing member of the 302 Wing of the Royal Canadian Air Forces Association & Service Officer at the 205 Branch Petite Nation RCL
