started in 2009 as an airport operations specialist, the frontline position responsible for snow removal, wildlife control, and ensuring runways meet exacting safety standards. Sixteen years later, he directs all operational aspects of Northwestern Ontario’s busiest airport, drawn by the industry’s unique combination of structure and unpredictability. “I really enjoy structure. I enjoy seeing the fruits of my labor come to fruition over time and seeing how the time I invest into what I do has grown within the company over the years,” Brading says. “I really see the changes that have taken place and the positiveness that goes along with that.” The aviation sector’s regulatory framework appealed to his systematic approach, but daily operations rarely follow a script. “What keeps me going is the opportunity to continue my growth. I learn something new every day. I contribute the best I can every single day from what I’ve learned, and I try to impart that with others in the organization,” he explains. The experience accumulated over 15 years becomes an operational asset when unexpected situations arise.“Sometimes you’ll get an off-the-wall something that you never would have anticipated, but you’ve dealt with something similar before. So, you dig down into the archives of your plans or manuals and policies; lessons learned.” Industry networking across Canada amplifies that institutional knowledge.Attending conferences and building relationships with counterparts at other airports creates a support system where solutions to complex problems can be found through a phone call. “You’re attending conferences, you’re growing your network across Canada with other airports, and you’re really growing and learning every single day,” Brading says. “I just feel bonded with the industry, bonded with the airport. It’s a sense of personal pride and ownership in a job well done.” A VISION FOR THE PREMIER AVIATION GATEWAY Thunder Bay International Airport entered 2025 179 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 12, ISSUE 12 THUNDER BAY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
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