Justin Essian
Owner/Director of Operations
Justin is Papa Bear’s Owner, Director of Operations, and Chief Pilot. He oversees the day to day operations as well as managing pilots and airplanes.
Justin grew up in Michigan and completed a four-year aviation degree at Western Michigan University. He ventured to Alaska in 2009 for an internship with Papa Bear Adventures and became hooked on the Alaskan way of life. After his internship, he worked as bush pilot until 2017, when he bought Papa Bear Adventures. Justin’s three favorite things in this world, besides God and family, are hunting, fishing and flying. What better place to be than in Alaska where he can combine all three!
Jesse Helmuth
Operations Manager
Jesse, a rare breed of hardworking generation “Z,” has once again found his way to Bethel, Alaska to work for Papa Bear Adventures for his 3rd summer.
Jesse is 23 years young and was born in Nappanee, Indian and grew up with his 2 brothers and sister in Oakland, Maryland. He currently calls Alaska “home” officially making the move winter of 2024.
Jesse has his private pilots license and wishes to continue his passion for aviation and obtain his instrument and commercial ratings. In 10 years he see’s himself in Alaska flying as a bush pilot. (For Papa Bear, hoot hoot!)
His passions include Hunting, flying, and anything outdoors.
Jesse started working for Papa Bear in 2022 and we welcome him back with open arms for the 2024 season.
We think Jesse is in the right place!
Jennifer Essian Merchandiser/Book-keeper
Jennifer is Justin’s co-pilot in life and merchandising/book-keeping expert for Papa Bear. She oversees the inventory and ordering of products and needed supplies. She also helps with the on and off-season needs of the business that pop up and is support staff to Justin and Seth.
Jennifer is an Alaskan transplant, circa 2009. She maintains a degree in Occupational Therapy and also works for the local hospital. In her free time, she enjoys exploring uncharted territory, trying out new wild game recipes, and knitting the warmest natural fiber known to mankind… Qiviut!
Alexander Parker Pilot
Another new member to the Papa Bear family, please welcome Alex!!
Alex was born in Arizona, but grew up in South Texas with a very close family. He completed an Associates degree equivalent from Wayland Baptist University in West Texas while playing two years of college basketball and began learning to fly after that. He went to flight school at ATP Flight School in Daytona Beach, Florida and since then he’s instructed in Texas, Massachusetts, and seaplanes in Alaska while also flying seaplanes commercially in the Bahamas. He came to Alaska in 2021 and quickly realized this is where he belongs whether it comes to the flying or the lifestyle. He loves it all. Flying is one of his greatest passions, but he also enjoys learning new trades, hunting, fishing, gardening, anything outdoors, sports, and staying active in any way possible.
Tanner Hetz Lead
Pilot
Tanner moved to Alaska in 2012 and has accumulated over 6,000 hours of part 135 commercial flying since. He began his commercial flying with Hageland Aviation Services both flying and helping to manage the training department. In 2019, Tanner began flying with Papa Bear and transitioned to seasonal float flying. Additionally, he worked at Security Aviation during the off season as a Chief Pilot doing charter work to remote locations around the Alaska. Recently Tanner has started a business as a compliance consultant for Alaska based part 135 air carriers and air taxi’s and will continue to work seasonally with the Papa Bear family.
Andy Wilson
Pilot
My name is Andy, I come from a large and extremely close southern Louisiana Family. I could not have asked for a better place to grow up. We spend more time together than I care to admit and always have a reason to celebrate! Cooking good food and spending quality time at the lake are just a few of our specialties. I was born in Colorado where my Dad lives currently and I have spent every summer in the heart of the Rockies since I was a child. I love spending time out west wandering around the high country with friends or floating down desert rivers in Moab. I have been interested in all things flight since I was a young boy so becoming a Pilot was not even a question. I got my start flying professionally in Moab, Utah with Redtail Aviation where I met some of my closest friends and mentors. There I fell in love with backcountry aviation and knew that was where I belonged. I came to Alaska in late 2018 and was blown away at the vastness and all the opportunity Alaska has to offer. I met Justin Essian at our previous employer and am overjoyed at the opportunity to be a part of the Papa Bear team. Flying floats in Alaska is what some might call the Mecca of aviation and I am happy to be a part of it. I earned a degree in Geography from LSU in Baton Rouge. Cooking, Biking, Canoeing, Boating (of all sorts), and Sailing are just a few of my hobbies. During my off season from Papa Bear I am planning on spending time sailing around the Caribbean.”
Randy Cone Pilot
Randy is originally from Jay, Oklahoma where he began his aviation career in an aircraft paint shop. He went on to solo during his senior year of high school and then received his aviation degree from Oklahoma State University. He started his commercial flying career in Bethel in 2000, working for several small charter operations, and has been working with Papa Bear Adventures since 2011. Randy enjoys coming to Bethel with his family where they enjoy fishing, berry picking, hunting for buried treasure, and making sure Justin’s water rudders are up.
Lana Tollas Pilot
This is Lana’s second season with Papa Bear and we are very grateful to have her back. She has extensive knowledge of flying in Western Alaska in Beavers, Cessna 208’s and other small airplanes. She started at the bottom as a dock hand and worked her way up to pilot in command. She is no stranger to hard work and has earned every ounce in a way that only an Alaskan would truly understand. We are more than thrilled to have her as a part of the Papa Bear family.
Lana grew up in South East Wisconsin on the shores of Lake Michigan and is the daughter of an Indian immigrant. She began flying in high school and quickly realized her passion for aviation. While attending college in Oregon for Math and Economics, she pursued her flying credentials on the side. After a year in the corporate consulting world, she could no longer ignore her desire to fly and pursued a career in commercial aviation. She has recently achieved her longtime goal of flying floats in the summer and flying Cessna Caravans in the winter. In her free time she is a professional novice, aiming to learn all the skills she never had the opportunity to pursue while growing up: surfing, skiing, fishing, mountaineering, diving, shooting, ect.
Welcome back Lana!!
Colin Smith
Lodge Manager
Colin grew up in Bad Axe, MI with family roots in the Upper Peninsula and Harbor Springs. Currently, she lives in Wyoming, MI, outside of Grand Rapids, with her partner, pup, and kitter. She owns her own business as a "jill of all trades".
Wandering, exploring, and curiosity are in her blood. She travels any chance she gets and loves to seek out new places, people, food, and experiences. When she's not doing this, she cherishes hanging out with her loved ones.
Colin was fortunate enough to be able to explore Alaska in 2013 and fell in love. She is extremely excited to be able to return and to contribute to all the exceptional experiences that Papa Bear Adventures provides.
This is Colins 2nd year with the Papa Bear family and we are beyond excited to have her back.
Moriah Charles-Pierre
Assistant Lodge Handler
Papa Bear would like to welcome “first timer” Moriah to the family!
My name is Moriah (I also answer to Moe). I was born and raised in South Florida by two Haitian parents. I currently live in Grand Rapids Michigan.
I have a passion for art and art history. I love lying in the sun, flowers, SpongeBob, The Smiths, and sugary foods. I’m ready and willing to go wherever life takes me. My goal is to become a freelance illustrator and printmaker.
Moriah is going to make a great addition to our lodge team. Who wouldn’t want to see that smiling face waiting for you at the airport!! Welcome to the fam jam Moriah!
Alijah Thedell Assistant Lodge Handler
Also new to the Papa Bear team for the 2024 season is Alijah!!
Alijah was born and raised in a small farm town in Cache Valley, Utah. She is 21 years old and is the oldest of 3 kids. She grew up playing down in the “river bottoms” and swimming in the backyard irrigation ditch with her younger brother, however she doesn’t consider herself a “real“ country girl.
She grew up with the beautiful Rocky Mountains as her playground, so naturally home is wherever the mountains are.
Alijah loves God, her family, and the outdoors. She loves to camp, hike, and fish (she would consider herself an amateur fisher at best but loves it nonetheless). She also loves to play tennis, pickleball, and the occasional round of golf. She isn’t afraid to try new things and has a long list of hobbies.
Alijah has her associate degree from Southern Utah University and plans to continue her education by pursuing a degree in dental hygiene in the next few years.
Alijah is excited for this new adventure with Papa Bear and can’t wait to meet y’all!
AJ Smith Lead Dock Hand
AJ was born and raised in West Michigan where he learned to appreciate the beauty of the natural world at a young age by camping every summer with his family. This love extended into a Bachelor’s Degree in Natural Resources Management.
He has always had a desire for adventure. This has appeared throughout his life by joining the Marine Corps right out of high school, spending a year traveling the US in a camper van, working for a hot air balloon tour company, and countless camping and road trips.
AJ is very excited to mix his passions for adventure, nature, and meeting new people by joining the Papa Bear family this season.
Goes without saying, we are very grateful and excited to have AJ back as a part of the Papa Bear team for the 2024 season.
Benjamin Stephens Dock Hand
Ben, another hardworking mid-west boy will be joining the Papa Bear team.
Ben is 19 years and is from the heart of Missouri, specifically Columbia. He is the youngest in a family of five. He is currently holding an associate degree and has plans to continue my education next fall at Mizzou. His two favorite hobbies are Hunting and fishing, but I like fishing a little more.
Throughout my childhood and high school years, I enjoyed staying active, engaging in sports such as swimming, wrestling, and track. Swimming has stayed a favorite pastime, always a go-to activity in my free time.
Welcome to the PBA family Ben!!
Harrison Dushane Dock Hand
This year we have decided to increase our customer service experience. One of those steps included adding an additional crew member to our dock hand team. Let’s welcome Harry to the team!
My name is Harrison Owen Dushane, I was born and raised on the east side of Michigan in Fenton and Holly. I like to to write short stories and have a huge passion for film and cinema. I love being outdoors and have always enjoyed walking or biking trails through the woods. I like to read a lot, my favorite author is Stephen King, and when I write I usually find myself writing scary stories.
Maybe I see a scary story about adventures in Alaska in the near future……stay tuned!
Welcome to the family Harry!!
P.S. Harry might have a thing for Moriah :)
