Our Team
Our people come from diverse backgrounds — serving private businesses, governments, and not-for-profits — but they share a passion: finding innovative, long-term transportation solutions that make life better for our clients and those who depend on them.
Meet our experienced team:
Rob Beynon
Founder and President
Rob Beynon has 30 years of senior consulting experience in Canada, the US and internationally. He founded OEI in 2014, having concentrated on the airport sector as a vice president of an international consultancy. His objectives for OEI were, and continue to be, helping clients of all sizes to make the best possible strategic decisions by using data and timely information, and creating forward-looking plans.
Rob’s work includes infrastructure analysis, organizational planning, marketing, and development with a focus on ports and airports. He has an AAP designation from the International Association of Airport Executives (IAAE), is a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport – North America (CILTNA), and is a member of the BC Aviation Council’s Airports Committee. He has an MA and BA from the University of British Columbia. His master’s thesis explored Japanese foreign direct investment in Canada following the Second World War.
Jon Spalding
Associate
Jon Spalding brings more than 30 years of senior consulting and executive leadership experience in designing, leading, and implementing successful strategic business process change. He has experience in most segments of the North American transportation industry, with a focus on aerospace and maritime projects. Before joining Operations Economics, Jon was manager of ports and airports for a Canadian engineering firm. He has a master’s degree in environmental science from York University and BSc from the University of Victoria.
David Ferman
Associate
David Ferman has more than 25 years of experience in communications, marketing, research in the non-profit and corporate sectors, as well as in journalism. His corporate work includes lead marketing and communications writer for PwC’s client services, branding, and employee messaging in BC. His work with CEOs and managing partners has helped them to successfully navigate through rebranding, mergers, and other times of extreme change.
Zoe Beynon-MacKinnon
Associate
Zoe Beynon-MacKinnon is a founder of Vancouver-based Lettuce Harvest, an urban agriculture not-for-profit organization. She has supported OEI with research and digital support for five years. Her work has a youth and sustainability focus. She has an MA from the University of British Columbia and a BA from Dalhousie University. She received a grant from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) to complete her master’s degree.