College of Aviation Industry Advisory Board

John Bendoraitis has served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Sprit Airlines since December 2017. From October 2013 to December 2017, he served as the Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.

Prior to joining Spirit, Mr. Bendoraitis served as Chief Operating Officer of Frontier Airlines from March 2012 to October 2013. Previously, from 2008 to 2012, he served as President of Comair Airlines. From 2006 to 2008, he served as President of Compass Airlines, where he was responsible for the certification and launch of the airline.

Mr. Bendoraitis began his aviation career in 1984 at Northwest Airlines, where over a 22-year span, he worked his way up from aircraft technician to vice president of base maintenance operations.

Craig serves as the Chief Operating Officer for Amerijet International Airlines, a CFR 121 Supplemental Air Carrier, providing all cargo service around the world. Craig leads the flight, technical and ground operations with Amerijet and was previously the Vice President of Flight Operations. Craig also held the CFR 119 position as Director of Operations and was responsible for the regulatory interface with the Federal Aviation Administration. Amerijet operates a fleet of (14) Boeing 767 and (6) Boeing 757 aircraft from bases within the United States, Puerto Rico and Europe.

Craig has over 25 years of airline operational experience. Most of his career was spent with Cape Air/Nantucket Airlines, where he served in various roles, Line Captain, Check Airman, Simulator and Flight Instructor, Director of Operations, Director of Safety, Vice President of Operations and Senior Vice President of Operations. Craig also served as CEO for Mountain Air Cargo and CSA Airlines. 

During his career with Cape Air, Craig worked with many collegiate programs across the country to build Pilot Pathways and create opportunities for graduates that are entering the Aviation industry. Craig provided testimony at the symposium on Professionalism hosted by the NTSB in May 2010. His presentation addressed Pilot Selection and Screening processes to include the University Gateway Program with Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, JetBlue Airlines, and Cape Air. He also led various interdisciplinary teams on various projects for the organization. These projects included the implementation of passenger service systems, fuel conservation project, start-up of scheduled Seaplane operations, introduction of two additional fleet types, Supplemental Operation Ops Specs approval, IATA Operational Safety Audit and registry, numerous partner airline safety audits and the modernization of the Systems Operational Control department.

During his tenure at Mountain Air Cargo and CSA Air he led the organizations to develop modern processes. Craig also assisted with the development of the Purple Runway Program; a defined Pilot Pathway from the FedEx Feeder Network Airlines to FedEx Express mainline. 

Craig’s professional aviation career began as a Flight Instructor with Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in 1997, where he served as a flight instructor, check pilot and team manager.

Craig is a member of the Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI) and previously served on Regional Airline Association’s Operations Council. Craig serves as an Industry Member for the accreditation of Flight programs at various AABI schools seeking initial or renewal of their accreditation status.

Craig holds an ATP Multiengine land certificate with an ATR42/72 type rating, a Commercial Single Engine land and Sea certificate, and a Flight Instructor certificate with airplane single and multiengine instrument ratings.  He has accumulated over 10000 flight hours and 3000 hours of dual given. Craig holds a B.S. in Aeronautical Science from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University and a Masters of Business Administration from Daniel Webster College.

Greg serves as a company officer and the Head of Government & Regulatory Affairs for Joby Aviation. He has been leading Joby’s policy and regulatory strategy since the early days of the company. Greg is an active commercial airplane and helicopter pilot and an aerospace engineer.

For nearly two decades, Greg has been working in regulation and policy in the U.S., Europe and around the world to foster the safety and success of the aviation community. During this time, he championed efforts to reform thousands of regulations, including the global changes governing the design of small aircraft like Joby’s.

Previously, Greg represented the global aviation manufacturing base as the V.P. of Global Innovation & Policy at the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA). Prior to joining GAMA, Bowles worked for rotorcraft and airplane manufacturers in advanced design and regulatory roles. Greg is a member of the ASTM Board of Directors and a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society. Greg has served on several ICAO technical committees and has chaired FAA Aviation Rulemaking Committees and several international aviation standards committees.

Greg holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Webster University.

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Joby Aviation is a California-headquartered transportation company developing and manufacturing an all-electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, which we intend to operate as a commercial passenger aircraft beginning in 2024. We have spent more than a decade developing and testing our zero-emissions aircraft that will travel 1500-plus miles on a single charge, enabling a pilot and four passengers to leapfrog over the congestion below at speeds of up to 200 mph.

Andrew Broom joined NBAA in July 2021 as Senior Vice President, Strategy, Marketing and Innovation.

His responsibilities include leading the association’s strategic and innovative initiatives to broaden and enhance the NBAA brand, expanding the member/customer base and generating significant revenue from current and future products and services. This includes developing strategic alliance opportunities, creating business opportunities for the association relevant to business aviation and providing innovative strategy perspectives to enhance existing programs, products and services. Broom is responsible for creating the strategic direction and ensuring the successful execution for NBAA’s marketing, membership and sponsorship programs.

Prior to joining NBAA, Broom served as CEO of the Citation Jet Pilots Association (CJP). Under his leadership, the organization nearly doubled its membership while almost tripling its industry partnerships, expanding its portfolio of member benefits, strengthening its safety and advocacy initiatives and enhancing its annual convention and regional events.

Prior to his work at CJP, Broom held several leadership positions with general aviation companies and associations. He led worldwide marketing and communications efforts for Honda Aircraft Company from 2012-2016, during the launch of the HondaJet, and also served as vice president of communications and outreach at the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA).

Previously, he held positions with Hawker Beechcraft, Eclipse Aviation and the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA).

Broom earned a bachelor’s degree in aeronautical science and an MBA from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He also completed flight training through certified flight instructor, instrument instructor.

Dr. Peggy Chabrian is Founder of Women in Aviation, International and served as President until her retirement in September 2019. The organization was incorporated in 1994 as a result of the success of the annual International Women in Aviation Conference in 1990. The conference began with 150 participants in 1990 and has grown to more than 4,000 attendees. WAI represents more than 13,000 women and men from all segments of the aviation industry including general, corporate, commercial and military. 

A long-time aviation enthusiast and professional aviation educator, Dr. Chabrian is a 2,200-hour commercial/instrument multi-engine pilot and flight instructor flying for over 30 years. She also holds helicopter and seaplane ratings. 

Dr. Chabrian has held several top positions in aviation education including:  Academic Dean and Associate Vice President of Parks College; Dean of Academic Support for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Prescott, Arizona campus; Director of the Center of Excellence for the Aviation/Space Education at ERAU’s Daytona Beach, Florida campus; and, Chair of the aviation department at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia.  She is currently also the publisher of Aviation for Women magazine. 

The recipient of numerous aviation and education awards, Dr. Chabrian has received the FAA Administrator’s Award for Excellence in Aviation Education and the Civic Award from the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. She has been inducted into the Crown Circle of the National Congress on Aviation and Space Education. In December 2016 she received the Distinguished Statesman Award from the National Aeronautics Association.  The purpose of the award is to honor outstanding living Americans who, by their efforts over an extended period of years, have made contributions of significant value to aeronautics, and have reflected credit upon America and themselves. 

Dr. Chabrian is active in numerous aviation organizations and serves as a member of several boards including the Aviation Accreditation Board International. She is the past president and board member of the University Aviation Association and served on the board of the Experimental Aircraft Association for 16 years. 

An international speaker, Dr. Chabrian has given numerous keynote and motivational presentations to hundreds of audiences. She has also authored numerous articles and a textbook on aviation management.

Captain Michael Dee is the Managing Director of Flight Operations for Republic Airways in Indianapolis, Indiana. He has been involved in airline training and operations for more than 20 years.

After graduating from Embry-Riddle, he started his career as a ground school instructor for a 727 operator. After that, he dipped his toe in Flight Operations management positions like Crew Scheduling and Planning before returning to training in 2001.

Michael did a short stint on the other side of the table as a member of Teamsters Local 357’s Executive Council, representing the pilots of Republic Airways, where he oversaw various committees, including training and safety. He was an integral part of the team that brought concepts like Threat and Error Management and AQP training to Republic Airways. In addition, Michael has been a Check Airman and an Aircrew Program Designee on multiple fleet types. He also oversaw the transition to an in-house Flight Training Department at Republic as the Director of Flight Training.

In his current role, he oversees the flight operations department of Republic Airways, which includes more than 2,000 pilots and 220 Embraer 170 and 175 aircraft. Michael currently lives in Carmel, Indiana, with his wife and three boys, and enjoys spending time with his family and golfing in his free time.

Jim Dowd is President of Strategea Group, an Aviation and Defense consulting firm supporting the Department of Defense weapon system acquisition programs.  He supports a major aircraft manufacturer integrating modifications and upgrades to large unmanned aircraft. These high-altitude aircraft operate world-wide in international airspace and are leading the way to remotely piloted aircraft flying in the National Airspace System. 

Jim began his aviation career in the Air Force as a navigator on C-130 transport aircraft.  He was an instructor navigator before serving as an Air Operations Planner for mobility operations in Asia.  After returning from his overseas assignment, he held several management positions in commercial airlift operations, strategic planning, Test & Evaluation, and aircraft fleet modernization planning. 

Jim has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Florida and a MBA in Aviation from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.  He also received Lean process certification from the University of Tennessee, school of Business Administration’s Center for Executive Education.

Peter F. Dumont is the former President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Air Traffic Control Association (ATCA), where he served a global membership of nearly 4,000 in all segments of the air traffic control (ATC)/ air traffic management (ATM) community. In this role, he interacted and collaborated daily with leaders of Fortune 500 companies, as well as federal and international government executives, to develop strategy and policy to drive the future of ATC/ATM. Through his leadership, Mr. Dumont turned ATCA around from a point of near insolvency to what it is today: an organization that successfully represents and creates a conduit that connects the entire aviation community – the providers of ATC/ATM, system architects, manufacturers, suppliers, system operators, and users. Through its renowned domestic and international conferences, ATCA brings together more than 15,000 stakeholders, regulators, and subject matter experts from 136 countries and territories each year to discuss all elements of the global airspace. 

Mr. Dumont represented ATCA’s membership on the FAA’s NAC and DAC Working Subcommittee, as well as on the Unmanned Aircraft Safety Team and the FAA ARAC on controller training. He also sat on the Policy Board of the U.S. Contract Tower Association (USCTA). In addition, Mr. Dumont is a past president of the Aero Club of Washington, former chair of the NextGen Institute, and a former co-chair of the Institute Management Council (IMC) supporting the FAA. 

Mr. Dumont’s 40-year career in aviation began as an air traffic controller with the U.S. Navy. After retiring from the Navy after 20 years, Mr. Dumont began his private sector career with Serco, Inc., where he served as Vice President of Aviation, and later as Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the North American sector of the $3 billion defense contracting services company. During his tenure, he oversaw multiple lines of business in airport management contracts, ATC, ATC equipment installation, meteorology, weather observation, ATC engineering, control tower fabrication and installation, ATM, labor relations, business development, and a number of non-aviation related contracts and corporate management functions. 

A recognized expert in the field of aviation, Mr. Dumont has been published numerous times on subjects relating to ATM, policy and procedures, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), and other aviation-related issues. He regularly delivers keynote addresses at aviation events and moderates or participates on discussion panels about aviation, UAS, and ATC/ATM. Mr. Dumont holds a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics, a Master of Science in Aviation/Aerospace Management, and a Master of Science in Unmanned Systems (All Domains) with a minor in sUAS, all from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He also holds his part 107 drone operator license.

Kate Fraser is NetJets’ Director of Safety Assurance where she oversees the implementation of NetJets’ Safety Management System (SMS), the aviation emergency response plan, internal auditing and drug and alcohol program. Prior to joining NetJets, Fraser spent nearly three years in the emerging market of Advance Aerial Mobility (AAM) as Joby Aviation’s Head of Safety and Uber’s Head of Aviation Policy. 

Previously, Fraser spent over three years with the FAA’s Office of Accident Investigation and Prevention, collaborating with industry partners to reduce the fatal accident rate in commercial and general aviation. There, she represented the U.S. and Commercial Aviation Safety Team (CAST) in Europe and South America and was program manager of the General Aviation Joint Steering Committee (GAJSC). Prior to joining the FAA, Fraser spent nearly six years with the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) as Director of Safety. 

A commercial pilot and certified flight instructor, Fraser holds a BS in Aeronautical Technology from Kansas State University and a MS in Human Factors in Aerospace from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Fraser previously had the honor of serving on the National Business Aviation Association’s (NBAA) Board of Directors and currently serves on the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Women in Aviation Advisory Board. After spending time on both coasts, she now resides in Columbus, Ohio with her husband and two cats.

Brian Hoefig is an accomplished executive with over 35 years of leadership in the defense and commercial aerospace industry. He is the Director of Quality for Test Flight Operations at Blue Origin. Brian is committed to ensuring the highest standards in the company’s mission to create a future where millions can live and work in space. Brian and his team have an important role in the advancement of reusable rocket technology and enhancing testing infrastructure in Blue’s efforts to revolutionize space exploration and enable sustainable human presence beyond Earth. 

Previously, Brian held progressive leadership positions during his 30-year tenure at The Boeing Company, ranging from quality to operations across the domestic and international sectors. As Boeing’s Director of Operations, he led a skilled workforce of 500 employees in the successful delivery of over 2,000 737 airplanes to aviation customers worldwide. Brian believes in empowering strong teams. His expertise lies in building and mentoring diverse, all-inclusive teams, which has enabled him to drive innovation and growth in the aerospace sector.

Brian holds successive degrees from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, starting with an Associate of Science in Aviation Maintenance Technology, a Bachelor of Science in Professional Aeronautics and a Master of Business Administration Aviation (MBAA) in Business. In addition to his degrees and other executive, industry-related training, Brian holds an FAA Airframe and Powerplant License (A&P). Beyond his professional work, he is passionate about sharing his time supporting his alma mater, which reflects his commitment to the future of aerospace.

Brian is excited to join the College of Aviation Industry Advisory Board and looks forward to leveraging his aerospace experience to develop future leaders in the aviation industry.

Joe Houghton is the President and Founder of Flawless Execution, LLC. The company excels in business improvement and change management through operational excellence. They successfully resolve growth-related pain points, business turn arounds, and company start up needs. Joe has extensive experience in complex operations.

Concurrently, Joe serves on the Board of Directors for Group of Telecom (GOT).

Prior to founding Flawless Execution, Joe joined Airbus as Vice President of Training and Flight Operations in 2013, bringing to the company over 30 years of leadership in civil and military aviation experience. Joe’s team was responsible for driving the business strategy that transformed Airbus training from a traditional cost center to a profitable P&L business unit. 

Prior to Airbus, Joe developed a deep background in Airline Certification, Conflict Resolution, Training, Standards, and Safety Management Systems in a variety of management positions at several US airlines. Most recently, as Vice President of Flight Operations for Spirit Airlines, Joe oversaw the airline’s operations control, pilot group, dispatchers, schedulers, crew planning, flight training and regulatory compliance.

As one of the original founding officers of Virgin America, Joe was directly responsible for guiding the airline’s highly successful 14 CFR Part 121 certification efforts, which included operational design, tabletop exercises, evacuation demonstration and proving runs. Joe held key leadership positions including Chief Pilot and Vice President of the Operations Control Center. Prior to his tenure at Virgin, Joe was heavily involved in operations at USAirways (now American Airlines) including roles in management as well as flying the line over 18 years of service. 

Joe is the founder of Locked On, Inc., a leading global airline certification and business improvement consultancy recognized by the FAA. Locked On has assisted in numerous successful airline certifications and been profitable every year since launched. Joe was also a key contributor to the creation of Afterburner Seminars, which has helped Fortune 500 companies to increase performance through flawless execution for more than 10 years.

Joe served 21 years with the Maryland Air National Guard, where he was the A-10 Squadron Commander. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Embry Riddle University and an Associate Degree in Aviation Management. He currently resides in Boca Raton, Florida, with his wife Elizabeth.

Christopher A. Jessup is Vice President, Chief Commercial Officer at AAR (NYSE: AIR), a leading aviation services provider to commercial airlines and government customers worldwide.

Jessup joined AAR in 2008 when the Company acquired Avborne, Inc., where he held various senior executive roles in sales, marketing and business development dating back to 2002. From 2008 to 2015, Jessup served in various senior leadership sales and operational roles within AAR’s MRO Services group, concluding with Senior Vice President, Airframe MRO Services, where he was responsible for the group’s operational oversight and P&L. In 2015, he was promoted to Chief Commercial Officer of AAR’s Aviation Services segment, where he assumed the commercial global sales, marketing and business development responsibilities for the Parts Supply, Integrated Solutions, OEM Solutions and MRO Group collectively. Jessup was elected a corporate officer and assumed his current role as Vice President, Chief Commercial Officer at AAR in 2017.

Jessup earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Aviation Business Administration and a Master of Business Administration in Aviation from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

Kolin Jones is a serial entrepreneur, accomplished pilot, and the Founder & CEO of Amalfi Jets, a leading private jet charter provider operating in 170 countries with a network of over 3,500 aircraft. Through his leadership, Kolin has propelled Amalfi Jets to the forefront of the private jet brokerage industry, pioneering innovative programs, a strong commitment to safety, and proprietary technology. Kolin has not only established Amalfi Jets as an industry leader but continues to set new standards, reshaping private aviation. With a focus on innovation, Amalfi Jets has focused on creating an internal SMS system for private jet charter brokerages as well as technology-focused software to streamline sales and operational processes.

Kolin has amassed over 1,000,000 followers across all platforms and generating over 270 million views to date. His engaging videos captivate both the aviation industry and the public at large, offering a unique inside look at private aviation. A graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Aeronautics and a Minor in Business Administration, Kolin attributes Amalfi's safety-first culture to his education.

When not in the office, Kolin is an avid private pilot, taking to the skies over Southern California and prioritizing philanthropy through the Amalfi Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity which serves as the philanthropic arm of Amalfi Jets and aims to elevate underserved communities in California and abroad.

William E. Lovett is the Managing Director of Phoenix Air Unmanned, LLC, a specialized unmanned air operations company based in Cartersville, Georgia. Under his leadership, Phoenix Air Unmanned has obtained some of the broadest FAA waivers and exemptions for commercial BVLOS flights. The Phoenix Air Unmanned team is committed to the Safety Management System, which has earned them an ARGUS Platinum certification and the first IS-BAO RPAS registration. Will served on the FAA BVLOS Aviation Rule-Making Committee and currently serves on the NBAA Emerging Technologies Committee.

Will has maintained an active role in civil and military aviation as a fixed-wing and rotor-wing aviator. Will holds an ATP with type ratings in BE-200, LR-JET and CE-500. During his 28 years with the U.S. Army, Will operated domestic and international flight missions for Med Evac, Combat Support and Operational Support. He completed the U.S. Army UAS Command and Staff Course in 2015. Will retired as CW5 after his last assignment with the U.S. Army Aeronautical Services Agency.

Will’s professional background includes 20 years in leadership and management positions within the aviation insurance and risk management industry, including AIG Aviation, Allianz and Willis Global Specialties. His educational background includes a Bachelor of Science degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University received in 1991.

Joseph Marshall currently serves as the Senior Manager of Aviation Programs at Wing, where he leads strategy and readiness efforts to enable the safe and scalable integration of Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) into the national airspace system.

Having helped shape critical programs at three of the industry’s leading UAS companies — during some of their most formative and high-pressure periods — Joseph brings a perspective that is both rare and deeply informed by real-world implementation. His experience in commercial drone aviation spans more than a decade, including five years at Zipline and five years at Amazon Prime Air, where he played foundational roles in safety, flight operations and regulatory advancement.

Joseph’s UAS leadership is grounded in traditional aviation. He spent four years at Allegiant Airlines managing Safety Management Systems (SMS) for both flight and airport operations. Prior to that, he built broad flight experience as a commercial pilot and flight instructor, operating a wide range of aircraft over several years.

Joseph holds a Bachelor of Science in Professional Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and currently resides in Charlotte, North Carolina, with his wife and four young sons, with whom he frequently shares his aviation adventures.

Captain Robert W. Maxson, NOAA (retired) is the Director of the NOAA Aviation Weather Center located in Kansas City, Missouri, that issues critical aviation weather forecasts both domestically and globally and is one of two international World Area Forecast Centers designated by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).  The Center also maintains an embedded Branch of meteorologists in the Federal Aviation Administration’s National Command Center in Warrenton, Virginia.  In 2010, the Aviation Weather Center received the Department of Commerce Silver Medal for the development and implementation of the G-AIRMET, a graphical depiction of aviation in-flight hazards created in the Aviation Weather Testbed.  The Aviation Weather Center also received the Bronze Medal for its service in the wake of the 2012 Fukushima tsunami.

From 2005 through 2008, he was a research pilot with the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), operating C-130 and Gulfstream V aircraft in support of the weather, climate, and atmospheric research communities.  A former director of the NOAA Aircraft Operations Center, Captain Maxson managed all NOAA aircraft activities as well as conducted hurricane surveillance missions in the NOAA G-IV jet aircraft.  He holds multiple aircraft type ratings, and received the Department of Commerce Bronze Medal for missions flown into Hurricane ISABEL in 2003.  The Aviation Operations Center was also awarded the Department of Commerce Bronze Medal for providing accurate and timely tropical cyclone data to the National Hurricane Center during the 2004 hurricane season.  In addition to being qualified as a NOAA aviator, he was designated as a shipboard Senior Watch Officer Underway, and as a NOAA Unlimited Diver with mixed-gas and saturation endorsements. 

Captain Maxson is a graduate of the Florida Institute of Technology (Physical Oceanography) and the United States Naval Postgraduate School (Physical Oceanography and Meteorology).  Currently, he is a Ph.D. candidate at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Aviation, Safety and Human Factors).

As a kid, Michael dreamed of becoming a pilot, and by the time he graduated from high school, he had built up an impressive list of FAA ratings, including the title of Senior Captain, FAR Part 135 at Hop-A-Jet. He knew he wanted to build his own charter management company, so he began negotiating agreements with Hop-A-Jet and other charter management companies to rent their aircraft, and build what is now his extensive list of Fortune 500 executive, celebrity, government, and high-net-worth clients. Throughout his career, Michael has honed his ability to identify opportunities, and deliver value to the aviation industry. He credits his success to his experience-based judgment, strong work ethic, and unwavering integrity.

For more than twenty years, he has owned and operated a Part 135 aircraft charter, sales, acquisition, management, and repair business - earning some of the most challenging FAA benchmarks in the air charter industry. Known as an advocate for aircraft safety and pilot training, Michael plays an active leadership role on a number of customer advisory boards with Gulfstream Aerospace and CAE-Simuflite, and is a member of a number of industry associations.

As the President, Founder, Chief Pilot, and Part 135 Check Airman at Universal Jet Aviation for twenty years, Michael overcame a series of extreme challenges and financial setbacks to build the largest Learjet fleet on the East Coast and become the first U.S. operator to secure the Learjet 60, as well as the first operator to launch business operations in Shanghai, China. With the introduction of the Internet and a new highly brokered business environment, Michael conceived and executed a 24/7 dispatch team to increase his competitiveness. In 2014, Michael relaunched Universal Jet Aviation with a new brand and business model - Journey Aviation.

Michael also championed the development of a flight safety program for the FAA - establishing and negotiating a partnership with FlightSafety International to deliver the training to FAA pilots and external clients in Part 142 training centers. Additionally, he established a relationship with CIT to manage the maintenance of their aircraft, which led to a deal to acquire his first Gulfstream aircraft, launching his regional business into the global market. Michael also represents the FAA as a Part 135 Check Airman - evaluating and testing his pilots’ aircraft knowledge and capabilities. Michael holds airline transport ratings in all categories - helicopters, sea planes, jets, and fighters, as well as FAA Flight Instructor certification and Mechanic Airframe & Powerplant credentials.

Greg Nissen is Executive Jet Management’s vice president of owner services for the Midwest region, where he oversees the management of aircraft maintenance, flight ops, finance, billing, budgeting, aircraft trip scheduling, aircraft charter, Part 91/135 ops, onboarding of new clients and managed sales support.

Prior to joining Executive Jet Management, Greg spent 22 ½ years with Gulfstream Aerospace. His duties started out as an A&P technician on the hangar floor, with advancement to lead technician for the first 6 ½ years and then spending the remaining 16 years as a senior customer support sales specialist. In the latter role, Greg supported domestic, international and government contractual proposals, maintenance lease return obligations, margin analysis and financial approvals for client contracts.

He earned his B.S. in Aeronautical Science with a minor in Program Management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, along with his A&P certificate from Colorado Aerotech and a Private Pilot's certificate. With 30 years of dedicated service to the business aviation community, Greg enjoys every aspect of the business.

Greg also spends time as a member of the Chicago Area Business Aviation Association and the Minnesota Business Aviation Association. Greg resides in Green Bay, Wisconsin, where he enjoys spending time with his two grown children and his American bulldog named “Tug."

Andy grew up around airplanes, soloing at age 16 and building his first homebuilt aircraft, a Bensen gyrocopter, at age 19. He graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Studies in 1985 and then a master’s degree in Aeronautical Science in 1993. He also holds a multi-engine commercial pilot rating and is an FAA licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic.

Prior to joining Bombardier, Andy spent 12 years in the airline industry, working as a licensed engineer and touring the world as part of an Aerobatic display team. He was later an instructor and chief technical instructor on several aircraft types, including Boeing, Airbus and Lockheed aircraft.

In 1998, Andy joined Bombardier Aerospace as manager of technical publications for Regional Aircraft and was later appointed Director of Customer Training. In May 2008, he was promoted to Vice President of Customer Services & Support, Business Aircraft, where he was responsible for the overall service and support of the Business Aircraft customer base, including Training, Fleet Reliability, Warranty, Technical Support, Publications and Customer Service. Andy is also responsible for driving initiatives to improve the experience of our customers and continuing the transformation of Bombardier Customer Services & Support into a world-class organization.

Andy retired from Bombardier in June 2022 but continues to be active in the industry. He is the Vice Chair of the Canadian Business Aviation Association and a member of the Bombardier Safety Standdown Advisory Council. He also enjoys flying regularly in his vintage Piper Cub and Beechcraft.

Steve Olson joined JetBlue in September 2022 as vice president of systems operations. His responsibilities include overall responsibility for executing JetBlue’s 1,000 daily flights. In this role, Olson leads JetBlue’s System Operations Center, which houses the airline's dispatch, crew scheduling, weight and balance, and fleet management functions.

Prior to joining JetBlue, Olson led the day-of operation of nearly 6,000 daily flights at American Airlines as managing director of the Integrated Operations Center. He spent nearly two decades with American — and its predecessors U.S. Airways and America West — leading the company’s primary operations center as well as its Phoenix hub.

In addition to his airline experience, Olson spent 14 years as an aviation maintenance technician with the Air National Guard. He holds a commercial pilot license and an aircraft dispatcher license, and is a graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

Dave started his career with Airbus in 2008 and served in multiple customer-facing roles, including the main customer support interface for several airlines, ensuring a high level of customer satisfaction. He coordinated the on-site field service teams and other support functions from training, spares and flight operations. In addition, Dave supported the entry-into-service activities for the A320neo fleet in the region from 2016-2020.

Dave was appointed to his current role in April 2020. As the Head of Fleet Efficiency & Engineering, he is responsible for a team of 50-plus, providing Aircraft/Fleet program and engineering solutions to Airbus customers in the Americas region.

In 2020, Dave received the 54th Nuts and Bolts Award by the Airlines for Americas (A4A), formally recognizing his airline industry contributions while with Airbus.

Prior to joining Airbus, Dave worked for United Airlines for 18 years, starting in Maintenance Operations but spending the majority of his career in Engineering. From 2006 to 2008, he served as Engineering Fleet Chief for the 737 fleet before eventually transitioning to the Airbus fleet at the airline. In this role, he was the technical focal point responsible for fleet reliability, safety and compliance.

Dave graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 1989 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering.

Kathy Rice graduated from the University of Central Florida in 1990 with a B.S. in Mathematics as well as Minors in Computer Science and Aerospace Studies. Kathy then decided to continue her education, graduating from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Worldwide Campus in 2004 with a master's in Aeronautical Science.

Upon graduation, she received her commission into the U.S. Air Force. In 1992, Mrs. Rice completed the Air Force Basic Meteorology Program at Florida State University beginning her 26 years of operational weather experience as a meteorologist in the US Air Force, both as an officer and now as a civil servant. During her career she provided aviation weather support to many fixed wing and rotary aircraft in the Air Force inventory. Mrs. Rice has been at the 45th Weather Squadron since 2000, providing spacelift ground and launch execution forecasts for Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and Kennedy Space Center. She was the lead Launch Weather Officer for the Space Shuttle program from 2002 through 2011, and is currently the primary Launch Weather Officer for both Kennedy Space Center, including the Space Launch System program, and for the Delta IV program. Mrs. Rice married Dillon Rice on June 2nd, 2018, and they have two daughters, Katelyn and Savannah. 

She has received numerous awards most notably the 2016 Air Force Civilian of the Year, 2016 National Space Club Florida Committee Space Worker Hall of Fame, 2013 45th Space Wing Civilian of the Year, 2009 Air Force Space Command Outstanding Technical Achievement Team Award, 2008 NASA Exceptional Service Medal, the NASA Silver Snoopy Award, 2006 Best Space Operations Crew Award.

Jim Segrave is a highly successful entrepreneur and an innovator in private aviation. As founder of Kinston, North Carolina-based LGM Enterprises, he operates flyExclusive, a company he created to provide world-class private jet experiences with a focus on convenience, quality and safety.

A proud son of one of North Carolina’s most prominent business families, Segrave has poured his own passion for flying into a proven record of business success. In 1994 he founded Segrave Aviation, flying charter jets, running airport-based filling stations for planes and offering maintenance services. In 2010, he sold the business to Delta Air Lines, which then become Delta Private Jets.  Segrave served as President of Delta Private Jets until 2012.

Now, with a growing fleet of more than 80 jets, expected revenue run-rate of over $300 million by the end of 2021 and more than 500 employees, Segrave and his team have grown flyExclusive into the fifth largest private jet charter company in the United States in just six years.

Through his leadership, Segrave continues to chart flyExclusive’s course of growth and innovation with strategic investments, including a technology hub in Durham, North Carolina, where the company will develop innovative applications to enhance operations, and two state-of-the-art facilities providing premium maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) services. Ultimately, Segrave and his team are relentless in their desire to continuously improve its world-class private jet experiences. In this, he sees nothing but clear skies ahead.

Segrave attended East Carolina University in Greenville, NC and now serves on the Board of Trustees for East Carolina University.  Segrave is an accomplished pilot with over 10,000 hours of flight time.  He serves on the board of directors of one of the oldest privately owned businesses in North Carolina, L Harvey & Son, founded in 1871.

Mitchell L. Serber is the Chief of Safety for The Boeing Company Executive Flight Operations and directs the Safety Management System for the organization as well as flying the line.

Prior to joining Boeing, Mitch enjoyed a 23-year airline career with over 17,000 hours logged before joining MITRE Corporation's Center for Advanced Aviation System Development (CAASD) in 2007 as a Human Centered Engineer Project Manager. With MITRE, he was on the initial team that established the Aviation Safety Information Analysis and Sharing (ASIAS) program.

As part of his air carrier career, he served the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) at the National level as the Chairman of the Airport and Ground Environment Group (AGE), Operations Committee (OPSCOM) Chairman, and international representative to the IFALPA AGE Committee.

Mitch holds a Masters of Aeronautical Science degree specializing in Human Factors in Aerospace Systems from ERAU in 2013 graduating with distinction, in addition to a B.S. in Aeronautical Science from ERAU and is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society.

Bob Snyder has served as the Senior Vice President - Aviation/UAS Operations with Sedgwick since 2015. He leads a team of aviation professionals in the world-wide support of the business utilizing Gulfstream GVII aircraft. In addition, he oversees the operation of over 120 UAS aircraft to also support the investigative efforts in natural disaster relief.

Prior to joining his current position, Snyder spent the previous 25 years in the Director of Operations role for a variety of operators from high-net-worth individuals to Fortune 500 companies. He has accumulated over 14,000 accident/incident free flight hours with 12 aircraft type ratings.

In 2018, Snyder was awarded the National Business Aircraft Association, Dr. Tony Kern Professionalism in Aviation Award and is also a part of the NBAA Leadership Council. He was a member of the Gulfstream, Customer Advisory Board, G500/600 Committee and a past Board member and past President of the Greater St. Louis Business Aviation Association. He is a 1987 graduate of the Embry-Riddle, Daytona Beach campus with a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Science.

Jim brings 40-plus years of experience in the industry, most recently joining GA Telesis as Vice President of Sales – Americas, including a Senior Advisor of Transportation practice. Sought out for his diverse operational background and established relationships across the industry and global operations, he helps clients simplify results, improve clarity, measure the necessary outputs and drive change.

Most of his career and education at Embry-Riddle has evolved around maintenance operations as VP of Maintenance & Engineering at Southwest Airlines, President at HAECO America, and VP of Mechanical and Network Operations for CN Railroad. Jim also has consulting experience as Senior Advisor with Oliver Wyman. Having worked in different capacities to support initiatives to improve safety and performance, he has numerous best practices to share across broader groups.

While working as a frontline employee, Jim's desire to influence change became a path through progressive leadership roles. One of his longer-term goals is to continue to actively influence positive change and share his experiences across teams. In addition, he is proud to lead an organization that provides the opportunity to grow businesses and add value.

A firm believer that leadership predicates all outcomes, Jim's watershed moments have been most apparent when they have involved people. His most rewarding experiences have come from empowering employee potential to achieve a required goal and win.

Outside of work, Jim has been married since 1984 to his wife Michelle, whom he met at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. Their son, Preston, served six years in the US Navy as an enlisted tech assigned to VAW-113 Black Eagles Squadron onboard the USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). They live in Hallandale Beach, FL, and enjoy bicycling, traveling and golfing.

Kurt Ford is Managing Director of Flight Operations Strategy, Technology, and Business Support at Delta Air Lines. His responsibilities include identifying and maturing strategic programs, advancing flight deck technologies, outreach for new-hire and emerging pilots, and overseeing Delta’s flight simulator support organization. Kurt helps lead Flight operations to meet the current and future needs of the airline’s vision.

Kurt has spent 19 years with Delta, serving in leadership roles in Financial Planning, Corporate Strategy, Fleet Strategy, and Network Planning. Prior to his current role he was Managing Director of International Network Planning overseeing widebody fleet deployment across the trans-Atlantic and trans-Pacific regions. During his seven years as a leader in Network Planning, he was a key contributor to the transformation of Delta’s Pacific network, launching the industry leading Delta-Korean Air Joint Venture. He has also been instrumental in aircraft fleet planning, managing over six billion dollars in aircraft acquisitions and capital modification programs. Kurt contributed to the merger of Delta and Northwest airlines supporting the integration of the two workforces. During his time in Finance, he focused on building cost models and supporting corporate business case development. He has been recognized for his corporate and community contributions, previously serving in roles with LEAD Atlanta, Hands-on-Atlanta, and recently Chris180 - an organization advocating for youth and families across Georgia. 

Kurt is a graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (B.S. in Aeronautical Science, ’04) and pursued his post-graduate studies at Auburn University (Master of Business Administration, ’05).