Management Team

The founder of TrueNorth Avionics, Mark van Berkel is a licensed pilot with more than 20 years of experience in the avionics industry, previously serving as Chief Avionics Specialist for Transport Canada’s Aircraft Services Directorate. His vision for airborne telecommunications is that it should enhance the inflight experience for business jet operators and passengers, and he has built TrueNorth on the guiding principle that the purpose of the company's technology is to make its customers more successful, in both their business and personal lives.

Terry Markovich has more than 30 years of avionics engineering and technical experience, including work with Atlantic Aviation and Duncan Aviation as an avionics facility manager. Born and raised in Texas, Terry now resides with his wife in New Jersey.

A principal in TrueNorth, Dan Martella has nearly 40 years of aviation experience, including career service with the Canadian Air Force where he was a senior aircraft engineering officer and mission avionics specialist. Originally from Montreal, he is a graduate of the Canadian Military College in St. Jean, Quebec. Dan currently resides with his wife and two sons in Ottawa, Ontario.

Gerry Wall has more than 35 years of aerospace and avionics experience, including service with the Royal Air Force, a UK Cabinet Office and his own aerospace consulting company. He also spent 10 years with Mxi Technologies, where he was VP in charge of service delivery. Gerry holds a B.S. with honours in Aerodynamics from the City University, London, England, an MBA from Durham University, England, and an MA in Defence Procurement from King’s College, London. He is a Member of the Royal Aeronautical Society and the Institute of Engineering Technology.

An experienced sales executive with a strong background in global business development, go-to-market sales strategy and sales management, and a proven track record for delivering long-term business growth, Thomas Marrocco has held senior executive positions in the telecommunications and IT industries. Prior to joining TrueNorth, he led enterprise software sales for the global commercial aviation and MRO marketplace at Mxi Technologies. He also helped found two start-up companies and his experience includes work with ISTAR Internet, Siemens and AT&T Canada. Thomas resides in Ottawa with his wife, two daughters and two sons.

Don McGirr, VP/Software Development

Don McGirr brings more than 20 years of military avionics software development experience to TrueNorth. While his primary focus is on developing applications to support avionics engineering, Don’s accomplishments include Software Engineering Process Group (SEPG) participation in the achievement of a Level 3 Capability Maturity Model (CMM). He holds a Bachelor of Computer Science degree from Concordia University.

Bonnie Wright, CFO

Bonnie Wright, C.A., PAdm, is a Chartered Accountant and Chartered Secretary who provides a full range of CFO services for TrueNorth, from financial and reporting system design and maintenance to fund raising. Starting her career with an accounting firm that’s now part of Ernst & Young, she has more than 25 years of experience in senior financial positions at technology companies, including TMI Communications, BIO LOGICALS and Atsana Semiconductor. Bonnie has also served as a venture capitalist with Working Ventures Canadian Fund.