Columbia Helicopters Promotes Two in Key Positions

Columbia Helicopters announces the promotions of Kurt Koehnke to vice president of maintenance and Roy Toavs to director of maintenance.

In his new position, Koehnke will oversee all maintenance activity for the company. He has served as director of maintenance since 2002, and was responsible for all maintenance-related operations in the field and the company’s FAA Part 135 maintenance program. Koehnke attended Embry Riddle University and served with the U.S. Army maintaining CH-47s. He joined Columbia in 1987 and worked as a mechanic on the Columbia Vertol 107-II and as a Crew Chief on the Columbia Model 234 Chinook. He has been involved in establishing a number of overseas operations.

Toavs replaces Koehnke as director of maintenance. This position is responsible for overseeing field maintenance operations, and plays a key role in the company’s FAA Part 135 activity. In the 14 years Toavs has spent with Columbia, he has held a variety of positions including Vertol 107-II crew chief, and Model 234 Chinook crew chief under FAA Part 135. He also has experience within the company’s repair station including the structures shop and tech pubs. In his most recent position as the field maintenance manager, Toavs has been instrumental in the successful passing of the CARB audit and transition of the 107 onto the 135 certificate.