Rick Roof, President & CEO. Rick was a co-founder of Companion Air and has been with the company from its early concepts. He joined Companion Air full time in his current role in February 2002. Rick spent nine years in the U.S. Air Force working with Aircraft and developing, Operations Research models. After leaving the U.S. Air Force he worked in heavy industry and the information technology sector as an Industrial Engineer and Operations Researcher before moving into General Management. Rick has served in several Senior Executive positions with various Corporations since 1984 and includes such diverse Organizations as PRC Realty Systems, the dominant provider of computer services to the Real Estate Industry, QEP Roberts, the leading manufacturer of flooring tools and accessories and Continental Datagraphics, the data management, reproduction and distribution operation for Boeing Commercial Parts Catalogs. In 1999, Rick became Senior Vice President of Operations for the Internet startup Improvenet which became the premier Internet home improvement company and conducted a successful IPO offering in March 2000. Rick is an Instrument Rated Commercial Pilot, Angel Flight Volunteer and Pet Lover.
Diana Roof, Director, Pets & People. Diana first conceived an airline for pets & their families and is a co-founder of Companion Air. Diana is an experienced Direct Sales and Marketing Executive in a variety of industries. She was Marketing Director and Production Assistant in one of the first companies to create specialized sports videos. Her experience extends into health care, industrial tools distribution and hospitality industries. Additionally, she was instrumental in the launch of one of Detroit’s most unique Theme Restaurants. Diana has worked for a specialized animal import company in South Florida where she coordinated the safe importation of rare and exotic species while maintaining compliance with USDA and other Government Regulations. At Companion Air, Diana is responsible for creating and maintaining Companion Air’s passionate culture, directing Companion Air’s charity programs, overseeing Companion Air Ware, and leading the creation of the exceptional travel experience for pets and people, before, after and in-flight.
Dick Strauss, Chief Pilot and Veterinary Advisor. Dick is uniquely qualified to function both as Companion Air’s Chief Pilot and in the role of Veterinary Advisor since he is both a practicing Veterinarian and a highly qualified aviation professional. Dick has over 10,000 hours as a professional pilot, FAA Check Airman/Examiner, charter operator, and fixed base operator. He has serviced as Chief Pilot for numerous charter companies including Jet Charter International, Bizjet, and St. Lucie Skyways. Dick also continues to practice Veterinary medicine in Florida. This unique background provides Companion Air with a rare expertise and exceptional insight into air travel for animals.
Colleen Paige is Companion Air’s “official” behaviorist. In that role she provides advice and guidance to the Companion Air team, authors a travel advice column, and is available to assist Companion Air customers with their pets. Known as "Seattle’s Favorite Dog Trainer" by the media, Colleen Paige started working with animals in Los Angeles as a teenager; however she became a professional Animal Behaviorist and Dog Trainer in the late 1980’s. Colleen learned how to professionally train dogs with one of the largest and most publicized dog training facilities on the west coast. Colleen is well known as a "Lifestyle Trainer". Her approach to training and behavior therapy combines the personality of the pets and their people, environment and lifestyle routines, into a customized behavior plan on a very personal level. She was born in Los Angeles California, daughter of Emmy Award winning actor Robert Paige and actress JoAnne Ludden. Colleen has been offering animal behavior consultations and dog training in Western Washington since 1996 and is pictured with her dog "Tinna" a Lab mix. Although she has always worked with animals, as a former Paramedic in Los Angeles, Colleen spent 6 years rescuing many different kinds of animals in car accidents and home fires, as well as volunteering at animal shelters in Southern California and Western Washington. Additionally, Colleen is endorsed by the Washington State Fire Department regarding family & pet safety and offers a wealth of information when it comes to animal safety in travel. She has advised clients from all walks of life, from Celebrities to Politicians, from Microsoft Employees to Space Engineers. Colleen’s clients have nick named her "The Oprah of the Dog World" and although she is nationally recognized, her client list expands internationally as far as England, Iceland, Belgium and the Philippines. Among other things, Colleen has been very active in offering seminars around the country, as well as training employees at pet related establishments nationwide. She's been a guest expert on numerous radio shows such as "Animal Talk Radio" and "The Environmental Variety Hour", a satellite radio program with host Jerry Kay. Her training articles have been featured in publications around the country, advising people about how to solve their dog problems simply and easily by using her renowned, "gentle & positive reinforcement" techniques. In addition to her role with Companion Air, Colleen is currently a dog behavior consultant and columnist for Puppy Finder.com, Traveldog.com and the nationally popular Fido Friendly Magazine. Colleen has also been an independent behavioral referral for PetsMart in the Northwest and is the author of "Dog Drool" her new Audio Dog Behavior Book. For more information about Colleen and her services, please visit www.universitydog.com.
Rick Roof, President & CEO. Rick was a co-founder of Companion Air and has been with the company from its early concepts. He joined Companion Air full time in his current role in February 2002. Rick spent nine years in the U.S. Air Force working with Aircraft and developing, Operations Research models. After leaving the U.S. Air Force he worked in heavy industry and the information technology sector as an Industrial Engineer and Operations Researcher before moving into General Management. Rick has served in several Senior Executive positions with various Corporations since 1984 and includes such diverse Organizations as PRC Realty Systems, the dominant provider of computer services to the Real Estate Industry, QEP Roberts, the leading manufacturer of flooring tools and accessories and Continental Datagraphics, the data management, reproduction and distribution operation for Boeing Commercial Parts Catalogs. In 1999, Rick became Senior Vice President of Operations for the Internet startup Improvenet which became the premier Internet home improvement company and conducted a successful IPO offering in March 2000. Rick is an Instrument Rated Commercial Pilot, Angel Flight Volunteer and Pet Lover. 
Diana Roof, Director, Pets & People. Diana first conceived an airline for pets & their families and is a co-founder of Companion Air. Diana is an experienced Direct Sales and Marketing Executive in a variety of industries. She was Marketing Director and Production Assistant in one of the first companies to create specialized sports videos. Her experience extends into health care, industrial tools distribution and hospitality industries. Additionally, she was instrumental in the launch of one of Detroit’s most unique Theme Restaurants. Diana has worked for a specialized animal import company in South Florida where she coordinated the safe importation of rare and exotic species while maintaining compliance with USDA and other Government Regulations.
Dick Strauss, Chief Pilot and Veterinary Advisor. Dick is uniquely qualified to function both as Companion Air’s Chief Pilot and in the role of Veterinary Advisor since he is both a practicing Veterinarian and a highly qualified aviation professional. Dick has over 10,000 hours as a professional pilot, FAA Check Airman/Examiner, charter operator, and fixed base operator. He has serviced as Chief Pilot for numerous charter companies including Jet Charter International, Bizjet, and St. Lucie Skyways. Dick also continues to practice Veterinary medicine in Florida. This unique background provides Companion Air with a rare expertise and exceptional insight into air travel for animals.
Colleen Paige is Companion Air’s “official” behaviorist. In that role she provides advice and guidance to the Companion Air team, authors a travel advice column, and is available to assist Companion Air customers with their pets.
