College of Aviation Industry Advisory Board

Prior to his retirement, Kris Bauer was senior vice president of technical operations for United Airlines. In this role, Kris oversaw all of United’s global technical operations functions, including line and base maintenance functions; aircraft reliability and regulatory compliance; administrative, engineering, planning and production support of airframes, engines and components; facilities maintenance and ground service equipment maintenance.

Kris previously served as senior vice president operations for Allegiant where he oversaw the airline’s inflight, flight operations, ground operations, maintenance, and safety functions. Prior to Allegiant, Kris was senior vice president of technical operations for Northwest/Delta. Before joining Northwest, Kris held various financial positions at United, and worked in engineering at The Boeing Company.

Kris holds a Bachelor of Science degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Kansas and received his MBA from Cornell University.

Captain Bentley is currently flying as a line pilot and Check Airman for Cape Air. Prior to rejoining Cape Air Captain Bentley was the CEO of Mountain Air Cargo and CSA Air.

Captain Bentley worked as a flight instructor at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University before joining Cape Air in 1999. Captain Bentley’s flying duties have included; Line Pilot, Flight & Simulator Instructor, IOE Captain and Check Airman. Captain Bentley has held various leadership positions during his time with Cape Air including; Assistant Director of Flight Training Part 135, Fleet Manager Cessna 402, Managing Director of Operations, Vice President of Operations, Senior Vice President of Operations and Director of Safety. Craig has also held the CFR Part 119 designated Director of Operations and Director of Safety positions at Cape Air.

Captain Bentley 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 9,000 flight hours and 3,000 hours of dual given. Mr. Bentley holds a B.S. in Aeronautical Science from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University and a Masters of Business Administration from Daniel Webster College.

Captain Bentley has worked with many collegiate programs across the country to build Pilot Pathways and create opportunities for graduates that are entering the Aviation industry. Captain Bentley 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. Captain Bentley is a member of the Aviation Accreditation Board International and previously served on Regional Airline Association’s Operations Council.

Billon is the Deputy Director for Blue Origin’s Orbital Launch Site where the team is responsible for the design and construction of world class launch infrastructure enabling safe, affordable space access. In addition to launch facilities development, Kelly manages external partnerships critical to Space Coast operations including the 45 th Space Wing, NASA Kennedy Space Center, Space Florida, and the Florida Department of Transportation.

Prior to joining Blue Origin, Kelly supported business objectives across Boeing’s human spaceflight portfolio as part of the Business Development and Marketing team. She holds a master’s degree in Space Studies from the University of North Dakota and graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Honors Program Summa Cum Laude, with bachelor’s degrees in both Applied Meteorology and Communication.

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.

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 President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Air Traffic Control Association (ATCA), where he serves 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 interacts and collaborates 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 represents 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 sits 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.

Ed entered the U.S. Air Force as a Strategic Aircraft Maintenance Technician working as a Crew Chief on the U.S. Bomber fleet after having earned his FAA A&P Technician Certificate at 17 years of age. He earned his A.A.S Degree in Aircraft Maintenance from the Community College of the Air Force and his B.S. in Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (DB ’97).

Commissioned as a Second Lieutenant from AFROTC Detachment 157, Ed entered active duty as a Security Forces Officer and subsequently served as an Intelligence Officer. Ed served in Asia, Europe, South America, Middle East,  and Africa for USCENTCOM, USSOCOM, and other U.S. Government Agencies and is a combat veteran. He founded the Turin Aviation Group in 2008 to provide its clients with expert solutions in the most demanding and extreme operational environments and serves as its CEO. The Company is built around expertise in Aerospace, Engineering, Intelligence, and Security. Turin Aviation Group is currently developing and engineering unmanned systems for commercial applications as well as providing the government with consulting services.

Captain Darrin Greubel is the Manager of Line Operations for ExpressJet Airlines, where he supports the company’s Flight Operations Department and also assists with pilot recruitment and hiring. In his 20 years with the company, he has earned an ATP with type ratings on the EMB-120 and CL65 and has held various positions such as instructor pilot, check pilot, Program Manager of the EMB-120 fleet, Manager of Flight Operations, Manager of Flight Standards and Chief Pilot. In addition to his work at the airline, he has also represented the Regional Airline Association (RAA) on the First Officer Qualification ARC and other government initiatives. Prior to joining ExpressJet Airlines, he worked in various sectors of general aviation, including instructing, surveying, and 135 charter flying. Captain Greubel graduated from Indiana State University in 1991 with a bachelor’s degree in Professional Pilot Technology.

Joe Houghton joined Airbus as Vice President of Training and Flight Operations Support in 2013, bringing to the company over 30 years of leadership in civil and military aviation experience. Based at the Airbus Training Center in Miami, Joe is responsible for driving the business strategy that transformed Airbus training from a traditional support operation to an organization that delivers innovative profitable services throughout multiple locations in the Americas.  

Prior to Airbus, Joe developed a deep background in Airline Certification, Operational Excellence, 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 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 Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, with his wife Elizabeth.

Karsten, a 19,000 hour pilot, is the Chief Pilot, Operations & Compliance for the Boeing Test and Evaluation Flight Group. He is type rated on the B727, B737, B747, B767, B777 and B787 aircraft.

Throughout his aviation career, he has certificated two Part 121 Airlines and two Part 125 Air Operators and was the program lead for the development of two ETOPS programs, two SMS and ASAP programs, a Lower Landing Minimum program, Performance Based & Class II Navigation programs, CPDLC and many pilot training programs.  He has held several post holder positions in the capacity of VP Flight Operations, Director of Operations, Chief Pilot, Aircraft Operator Security Coordinator (AOSSP and PCSSP), Standards Captain and All-Seats Line and Simulator Check Airman on the B737, B757, B767 and B747.

At Boeing, he was the program lead during the certification of Boeing’s Part 125 Air Operator Certificate, which he currently manages as its Director of Operations.  Karsten also liaises with Boeing System Safety and Regulatory Affairs, the FAA, TSA and DOT.

Karsten holds a Master of Business degree with a finance specialty, an undergraduate aeronautics degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and a system safety certificate from the USC Viterbi School of Engineering. 

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.

Jim graduated from ERAU Daytona Beach in 1992 with a Bachelors in Aeronautical Science. He was Assistant Chief Flight Instructor at Part 142 flight school, First Officer and Captain with Atlantic Coast Airlines, First Officer with US Airways, and ERJ-190 Captain JetBlue Airways. 

He is currently working as an Embraer190 Instructor, Check Airman, Aircrew Program Designee as well as a JetBlue Airways Simulator Management Representative. He has been happily married for 17 years and has three kids.

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 Vice President, Customer Services & Support, Business Aircraft, 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 is based at Bombardier Aerospace headquarters in Montréal, Canada and enjoys flying regularly in his single-engine airplane.

Lacey Pittman is responsible for Operations and Air Safety at Amazon Air. In this role, she provides leadership and coordination for the functional aspect of the network control center and is building a robust safety team at Amazon Air. Previously, she was Managing Director of the Operations Control Center at Horizon Air. As such, she provided leadership of the OCC while maximizing revenue, aircraft utilization, and developing and implementing strategic initiatives and procedures used in various irregular operational situations. Prior to that role, Lacey was the Managing Director of Safety at Horizon Air in which she was responsible for all safety programs, including implementing the Safety Management System.

Lacey joined Horizon in 2003 as a Q200 first officer. Three years later, she was named one of the company’s assistant chief pilots, and in April 2012, she was promoted to Director of Safety. She maintained her qualifications as a Q400 captain throughout her time at Horizon.

Prior to her roles within Amazon Air and Horizon Air, Lacey worked for Air Serv International, a not-for-profit humanitarian aviation organization, providing aid and relief around the world. She flew a King Air 200 into refugee camps along the war-torn regions of West Africa.

Lacey earned her MBA at Walden University, and has a BA in Intercultural Religious Studies with a concentration in Aviation from Trinity Western University and Coastal Pacific Aviation. She holds an FAA Airline Transport Pilot License and a Transport Canada Commercial Multi Pilot License.

Lacey met her husband, Sean Pittman, while he was serving in the United States Marine Corps in Africa. Together they are raising their three daughters, Sahara, Keira, and Amelia.

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.

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.

Actively involved in aviation for over 30 years with flight operations experience in flight training, charter, freight, and major airlines. Has flown numerous aircraft which include the DC-6, B727, MD88, B757, B767, and B737. Founded MSK CONCEPTS, LLC with his wife, Regina. MSK CONCEPTS, LLC is a marketing and promotional products company providing a range of products and apparel to meet the marketing needs of a diverse group of companies which include Hotels, Airlines and Universities. Originally from Michigan, Jay and his wife Regina currently reside in Atlanta. Captain on the 737NG aircraft flying both domestic and international routes.

Masters Degree, Business Administration, University of Michigan, 1987
Bachelors Degree, Aeronautical Science, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, 1983
Airline Transport pilot certificate: AMEL, type ratings DC-6, DC-7, B757, B767, B737
Flight Instructor: ASEL, AMEL, IA
Flight Engineer: Turbojet