Meet our Executive Team
Jeevan Darred
President
Jeevan joined SFU Aviation as President shortly before co-organizing the 2020 Waypoint Aviation Connections with UBC Aviation, BCIT, and BC Aviation Council. He is an avid aviation enthusiast always aiming to inspire, encourage, and help individuals new to aviation. To do so, he has embarked on many new projects as the Flight Operations Officer at his previous Air Cadet Squadron, and as a Committee Member on the BCAC’s Youth Engagement Council. He proudly works for Harbour Air and has had several other aviation experiences. At SFU, he is currently pursuing his Economics Degree with a Business Minor and other business accreditations/experiences. At SFU Aviation, Jeevan hopes to lead his wonderful team of executives an established and successful organization by bringing the aviation community together. His passion for the skies knows no bounds. Apart from being around airports and airplanes, you can find Jeevan playing all types of sports. He loves adventure and makes beautiful BC his backyard in the summers.
Rupert Xu
VP of Finance
I'm currently a 4th year criminology student at SFU as well as currently working towards my Private Pilots License (PPL) with aspiration to complete my Commercial Pilots License (CPL) following the completion of my PPL. I've always loved aviation and its definitely an industry with endless opportunities! As of 2019, I've been a member of the Canada Armed Forces reserves. Completing basic training (boot camp) in summer 2020. One of the toughest experiences of my life! With my military connection in the army please feel free to contact me if you have any questions regarding the military and/or want to know about my experience.
Mandy Lu
VP of Marketing
I'm currently a third-year Business student at the Beedie School of Business at Simon Fraser University.
Other than the academics, I'm an aviation enthusiast & photographer! In 2017 I was selected as one of the top 15 applicants out of a pool of over 150 candidates for Cathay Pacific's competitive 'I Can Fly Program.' In this program, I got to experience the various facets of aviation, ranging from customer service to airline marketing to engineering as well! The photo that you see is me standing on a Boeing 777-300ER wing, a one in a lifetime experience!
Liz Macey
VP of Operations
Liz Macey is faculty member in the Aviation Operations programs at BCIT. She brings to this role nearly a decade of experience in the industry in a variety of roles, from ground handling and flight operations, to flying floats, and aviation project management. In addition to practical industry experience, Liz holds a Graduate Diploma in Business Administration from SFU, a Graduate Certificate in Project Management from UBC, and is an MBA candidate at Simon Fraser University. When she is not working or helping out with the SFU Aviation Club, she enjoys flying with friends, skiing, mountain biking, and is actively engaged in research at SFU looking at the effectiveness of alternative assessments in virtual classroom settings.
Leo Cheung
VP of Development
I started my flying journey in 2016 as an air cadet and continued to build more flight experience in the lower mainland until I was accepted into the Cathay Pacific cadet pilot programme in 2019. I would say I am one of very few who currently hold an Airline Transport Pilot License at SFU. Having been actively involved in the aviation sector for 5 + years, the industry never fails to captivate me and I will continue to actively look for ways to contribute to everyone involved in this amazing industry filled with amazing individuals!
Who are we?
Started up in the Fall of 2012, The SFU Aviation Club is a group of people composed of pilots and non-pilots alike who have come together with the intent of promoting and exploring the wonders of aviation and the aviation industry.
We represent a diverse group of students that promote and explore the wonders of aviation within the SFU community. Through a safe and accepting atmosphere, the club strives to connect aviation enthusiasts with professionals in the industry, while promoting an environment camaraderie through engaging activities such as: the control tower tours, Boeing factory tours, career nights, familiarization flights, fly-outs, ground school, social events and more.
Our Vision
Bridge aviators together and have meaningful connections and friendship within the SFU community
Spread awareness of all aviation programs / seminars to members around the community
Familiarize members of General Aviation
Make connections with locally-based airlines/companies
Have more events specified for licensed pilots
More aviation events and seminars
Our Mission
SFU Aviation aims to support members by bridging members interested in aviation to actually pursuing a career or recreation within the industry. SFU Aviation seeks to provide a niche community where like-minded individuals can connect and thrive together
The History of SFU Aviation
Original Founding Members of SFU Aviation 2012
Samuel Hung – President, Founder
Dominic Liu – VP, Director of Operations, Co-Founder
Melissa Yuen – Finance Officer, Co-Founder
Sonic Chang – Administration Officer, Co-Founder
Anselm D’Souza – Public Relations Officer, Co-Founder
Joyce Mak – SFU Community Engagement Officer, Co-Founder
Samuel Hung has always been fascinated with airplanes and the ability to fly. His interests led him to join the Air Cadet Program where he obtained both a Glider Pilot license and a Private Pilot’s license. Upon enrolling at Simon Fraser University in 2010, Samuel wanted to find a public forum where he could easily connect with others that had common backgrounds and shared his passion for aviation. Unfortunately, no such community existed at the time. At first, he was discouraged because he thought this was due to a low number of people with similar backgrounds, or a general lack of interest within the community. However, he quickly realized that was not the case and immediately went to work. He knew he was on to something, and from this understanding stemmed an idea - the notion to bring together a diverse group of individuals who share a common interest in aviation related activities.
As Samuel’s flight experience grew, so did his passion for aviation and a desire to promote it. Additionally, he wanted to leverage his business background as well as aviation experience to help connect people like himself with flight opportunities and with key players in the industry. Combined with his spirit for business, Samuel began to expand his network and establish important relationships with flying clubs, industry leaders and other liked-minded individuals. The efforts resulted in the start of an unbelievable journey and something great.
Together with co-founders: Sonic Chang, Dominic Liu, Joyce Mak, Anselm D’Souza and Melissa Yuen, the SFU Aviation Club was officially founded in the fall of 2012 and began its humble beginnings in pursuit of something bigger. The focus was to offer a quality experience driven by events and activities demanded by its members; providing the ability to experience the full spectrum of the aviation industry as a whole. The result was a series of successful, well-run events, an increase of membership and a loyal following of enthusiasts consisting of members and alumni year after year - unmatched by other aviation chapters at other academic institutions. It was to this philosophy along with the support of the co-founders and original members in which Samuel credits his success.
Today, the SFU Aviation Club represents a diverse group of students that promote and explore the wonders of aviation within the SFU community. Through a safe and accepting atmosphere, the club strives to connect aviation enthusiasts with professionals in the industry, while promoting an environment camaraderie through engaging activities such as: the control tower tours, Boeing factory tours, career nights, familiarization flights, fly-outs, ground school, social events and more.
Samuel graduated from Simon Fraser University in 2014 with a Bachelor of Business Administration and is currently serving as a pilot for the Royal Canadian Air Force. His experience includes flying the CC150 Polaris in which he has logged over 1000 hours of experience flying passengers, cargo, medical patients along with VIPs including the Canadian Prime Minister, Governor General and members of the Royal Family.