Richard Aboulafiaa

The Teal Group

Richard is Vice President of Analysis at Teal Group. He manages consulting projects in the commercial and military aircraft field and analyzes broader defense and aerospace trends. He has advised numerous aerospace companies, including most prime and many second- and third-tier contractors in the US, Europe and Asia. He also advises numerous financial institutions on aerospace market conditions.

Richard writes and edits Teal Group’s World Military and Civil Aircraft Briefing, a forecasting tool covering over 135 aircraft programs and markets. He also writes publicly about aviation and defense, with regular columns in Aviation Week and Space Technology and at Forbes.com. His articles have also appeared in Foreign Policy, the Wall Street Journal, Slate, AIAA’s Aerospace America, the Financial Times, Professional Pilot, and other publications.

Frequently cited as an aviation industry authority by trade and news publications, Richard has appeared on numerous television news and radio programs including ABC, BBC, Bloomberg, Reuters, CBS, CNN, NBC, NPR and PBS. He has spoken at numerous conferences, and presents a yearly lecture to the Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy Industry Study program.

Before he joined Teal Group in 1990, Richard analyzed the jet engine market at Jane’s Information Group. He has a Masters degree in War Studies from King’s College, University of London and a Bachelors degree from George Washington University.

Jonah Adler

Jet Edge

As Chief Revenue Officer, Jonah is responsible for all revenue channels at Jet Edge, including all sales teams and strategic revenue and marketing opportunities.
Jonah served as a passionate principal and CEO of Noteworthy, responsible for all aspects of operating a diverse consumer product design and manufacturing powerhouse. Jonah developed and nurtured C-suite relationships with every Fortune 50 retailer in America and built a corporate culture that focused on “best in class” service and “flawless execution”. This culture was an integral part of the successful manufacturing and sale of over 500 million units to the world’s largest retailers. After the sale of Noteworthy, Jonah co-founded FORTU, an ultra-luxury lifestyle management platform for UHNW individuals, families and entities that want to optimize the way they experience the world; addressing a clear need in the UHNW marketplace.

Jonah received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern California, and is also an active member of the Young Presidents Organization.

Michael Amalfitano

Embraer Executive Jets

Michael Amalfitano is president and CEO of Embraer Executive Jets, where he oversees global operations for the aircraft manufacturer’s business jet division. Prior to joining Embraer, Amalfitano was executive vice president, senior managing director at Stonebriar Commercial Finance. He previously served as managing director and executive head of Banc of America Leasing – Global Corporate Aircraft Finance, a position he held for over 22 years with Bank of America Merrill Lynch, and in various sales management positions with the Commercial Equipment Financing Department of GE Capital. Amalfitano holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and a master’s in financial management from Fairfield University. He is an active member of the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association, Helicopter Association International and European Business Aviation Association. He has also served on the Finance Committee and as past chairman of the Associate Members Advisory Council for the National Aircraft Resale Association, and has served two consecutive terms as president on the Board of Directors of the National Aircraft Finance Association. He has written numerous articles for aviation industry publications and is an active speaker or panelist at business aviation seminars and finance conferences throughout the industry.

Chad Anderson

Jetcraft

Chad Anderson joined Jetcraft in 2005 and was named President in 2010. In his current role, Chad is responsible for leading the company’s overall global operations and strategy, with specialties in transaction structuring, aviation finance and tax. Prior to Jetcraft, Chad was the national asset manager and business development officer in the corporate aircraft finance division of Bank of America Leasing (formerly Fleet Capital Corporation). He directed all aircraft asset marketing, operation, support, and management functions with special focus on finance, industry intelligence and market research. He also held positions at Regent Aviation and Cessna Finance Corporation, and was an aviation underwriter for American Eagle Insurance Company. Chad holds a B.A.A. in Aviation Administration from the University of North Dakota. He is a commercial pilot (single and multi engine) and certified flight instructor and is based in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Phil Anderson

Perception A

Phil has worked in financial, corporate and consumer PR for 30 years.  He was a Board Director at the global communications agency Citigate Dewe Rogerson for 17 years, and left there at the end of 2019 to set up his own  agency,  Perception A.

He has advised some of the largest financial services companies in the world, and has worked in business aviation since 2008 for clients such as Jet Republic, Hawker Beechcraft, Textron Aviation, GlobeAir, Colibri Aircraft, Nextant Aerospace, Hangar8 and Gama Aviation.

Robert Baltus

EBAA

Robert Baltus’ aviation experience spans nearly 20 years advising and supporting senior management and executive Boards of a variety of aviation related companies. He has worked for aircraft management, fractional and charter operators and has built strong relationships with the leading business aviation companies in the industry. A business aviation specialist, Baltus is experienced in start-ups, fleet selection, training and strategic change management.

As Chief Operating Officer of the EBAA, Robert oversees a team of experts to monitor and provide analysis on European aviation policies, and is responsible for member engagement with events such as EBACE, EBAA Safety Summit and AirOps.

He has a business management degree from HES Amsterdam and an MSc in Air Transport Management from Cranfield University, was a JAA Accountable manager and is a Commercial Pilot rated on the Boeing 737.

René Banglesdorf

Women in Aviation Advisory Board

Charlie Bravo Aviation Co-Founder and CEO René Banglesdorf provides company leadership and management from her work in a number of fields. She pulls marketing and entreprenuerial experience from the software, telecom, retail, publishing and aviation industries.

René serves as a spokesperson for business aviation and women in aviation in speaking and press appearances all over the world. She is an advisor to Phoenix Arising Aviation Academy, a group that teaches the love of STEM learning through aviation in her local community. She also serves on the board of International Aviation Women’s Association as the industry vice president for General Aviation, Business Aviation and Helicopters. René also is an active member of the Women Presidents Organization,  the National Business Aircraft Association and the National Air Transportation Association President’s Council.

Matt Barber

PrivateFly

Matt leads PrivateFly’s fast-growing European flight sales team to offer an expert and responsive on-demand private charter service, to clients in Europe and worldwide. After joining PrivateFly in 2014, Matt has rapidly risen through the ranks to become part of the company’s senior team, also working closely with the PrivateFly tech team to successfully implement integrations with key operators and partners. Matt has a lifelong passion for aviation, and has a degree in aeronautical engineering from Southampton University.

Sheryl Barden

Aviation Personnel International

An aviation industry recruitment and talent identification veteran, Sheryl Barden is a frequent guest speaker and author for several aviation organizations and publications. She is particularly regarded for applying her extensive background in employee search, screening and coaching to fulfill aviation recruiting and human resource consulting needs.

To help API’s clients attract and retain the level of talent they’re seeking, Sheryl serves as a trusted advisor on HR-related matters, such as aviation hiring best practices and competitive compensation packages.

Sheryl joined API in 2001, as Vice President of Business Development, and she assumed the critical role of President in 2003. She added CEO responsibilities to her position in 2013. API has grown exponentially under her leadership, while always remaining true to the company’s founding principles of integrity, confidentiality and industry-leading client service.

As an aviation industry thought leader on employment issues, such as the aviation talent shortage and pilot professionalism, Sheryl has also contributed commentary at the National Transportation Safety Board’s Safety Symposium, in response to the 2009 Colgan Air accident.

Sheryl is a member of the International Aviation Womens Association (IAWA), Flight Safety Foundation (FSF), Women in Corporate Aviation (WCA), Society for Human Resources Management and the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA). She serves on NBAA’s Board of Directors is Chair of the NBAA Advisory Council and, for six years, served on the NBAA Corporate Aviation Management Committee. Additionally, she’s past president of the International Women’s Forum of Northern California.

Sheryl holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Management with an emphasis in Personnel Management from Pennsylvania State University, and a MBA from the McLaren School of Business, at the University of San Francisco.

Jennifer Bartenstein

Signature Aviation

Jennifer Bartenstein is the Vice President of Health, Safety and Environment at Signature Flight Support.  Jennifer joined Signature last year, bringing over 10 years of aviation safety experience with multiple part 121 air carriers.  She has overseen numerous emergency responses, including the current COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring Signature’s team and customers remain safe.  Jennifer has a background in Safety Management Systems, Internal Evaluation Programs, and Emergency Response.  Additionally, Jennifer is a graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and has a Commercial-Multi pilot’s license.

Kirsten Bartok

AirFinance

Kirsten Bartok Touw is the managing partner of AirFinance, a firm that specializes structured finance, leasing and the financing of aircraft and aerospace assets, with emphasis on emerging markets. AirFinance’s core business is as an originator and servicer of aerospace structured financings backed by government Export Credit Agencies. To date the firm has originated more than $1 billion in aircraft financing and working capital loans.

Kirsten is also an active venture investor, with emphasis on advanced air mobility and the enabling technologies and technology infrastructure required for unmanned air vehicles (UAVs/drones) and vertical take-off and landing vehicles (VTOLs). Most recently, she has focused on building up AirFinance’s venture platform, AirFinance ventures.

Prior to founding AirFinance, Kirsten was Vice President, Strategy, Structured Finance & Corporate Development at Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (HBC), the manufacturer of business, special-mission and military trainer aircraft.  There she led the company’s expansion into Asia, joint ventures and strategic sourcing relationships, as well as M&A and strategic partnerships.

Before AirFinance, Kirsten was a co-founder, board member and CFO of XOJET, a US based next generation fleet operator sold to VistaJet and prior to the sale was the third largest US business jet fleet operator.

Prior XOJET, Kirsten spent the prior 12+ years in venture capital and early stage private equity. Most recently, Kirsten was a partner at Alpine Investors, a small cap growth private equity firm, where she led investments in the transportation, software, services, gaming and business process outsourcing.   Prior to that she worked for Hambrecht & Quist’s venture fund where she focused on software and internet investments, eventually the fund was acquired by JPMorgan Partners/Chase Capital Partners.  Kirsten began her career at Goldman, Sachs & Co., in investment banking and fixed income capital markets.

Kirsten received a BA, cum laude, from the University of Pennsylvania where she was a Benjamin Franklin Scholar, and an MBA from Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business.  Kirsten splits her time between the San Francisco Bay Area and Washington, D.C.

Richard Berkemeier

Pegasus Aircraft Appraisal Group

Profile coming soon.

Mike Berry

ExecuJet

Having initially established himself as a Chartered Accountant in South Africa, Mike Berry has since been involved in a variety of industry sectors including manufacturing, insurance, telecommunication and aviation.

Mike joined ExecuJet Middle East in 2002 as a Financial Director. In 2004 Mike’s prominent ability in ExecuJet saw him progress to the role of Managing Director Middle East, overseeing the general management of the region including new and pre-owned sales, product support, aircraft management, flight operations, FBO and maintenance services.
His main objective for the region focuses on the development of ExecuJet as the premier business aviation service and solutions provider. Having become one of the main contenders in the Middle East Aviation market, Mike is confident that ExecuJet will remain prominent in the region.

Since becoming the Managing Director, Mike has seen ExecuJet Middle East move into a state of the art facility at Dubai International Airport, expanding support capabilities with over 240 employees and includes plans to open a new facility at Dubai South.
In late 2015 Mike became President Aviation Services of ExecuJet and in 2017 expanded this role to the whole Luxaviation Group being appointed Executive VP Luxaviation Group in addition to his role as VP Middle East.

David Best

Jet Aviation

David Best is Senior Vice President and General Manager US Operations for Jet Aviation,
responsible for the Fixed Base Operation, Aircraft Management, Staffing and Charter businesses
across North America along with Business Development globally. With over twenty years
industry experience he has worked across the world with experience in both the business aviation
and commercial aviation sectors.

In addition to his role at Jet Aviation David serves on the Board of National Air Transportation
Association and Leadership Council of the National Business Aviation Association, has also served
as Vice Chairman Asian Business Aviation Association and on the Governing Board of the
International Business Aviation Council. David has worked and lived in Europe, Asia and the USA
throughout his business career.

Previously he served as Chief Commercial Officer based in the USA, and was Managing Director
Europe, Middle East and Africa for a large FBO chain, Prior to returning to the USA he was based
in Asia where he headed up the strategic development of an aviation services and aftermarket
businesses in the Region.

He is a graduate of the University of Strathclyde where he earned his MBA and is a member of
the Institute of Directors.

Ed Bolen

NBAA

Ed Bolen became the president and CEO of the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) in Washington, DC, on Sept. 7, 2004.

Prior to joining NBAA, Bolen was president and CEO of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) for eight years. Bolen joined GAMA in 1995 as senior vice president and general counsel. GAMA’s board of directors elected him president and CEO in November 1996.

In 2001, Bolen was appointed by President Bush to serve as a member of the Commission on the Future of the U.S. Aerospace Industry. Established by Congress, the commission’s objectives were to study and make recommendations on ways to ensure American leadership in aerospace in the 21st century.

Bolen was nominated by President Clinton and confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve as a member of the Management Advisory Council (MAC) to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). He chaired the council from 2000 to 2004.

Bolen is a member of the board of directors of the National Aeronautic Association. He also serves on the Aviation Advisory Board of the Mitre Corporation, a federally funded research and development corporation.

Prior to his association career, Bolen was majority general counsel to what is now the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. He also served as legislative director for U.S. Senator Nancy Kassebaum (R-KS) and was a key player in the passage of the General Aviation Revitalization Act of 1994.

Bolen received his Bachelor of Arts in economics from the University of Kansas. He is a graduate of the Tulane University School of Law and holds a Master of Laws degree from Georgetown University Law Center.

Bolen, a recreational pilot, is also a competitive tennis player and former captain of the University of Kansas varsity tennis team.

Joe Bonita

Citadel Completions

Profile coming soon.

Felipe Bonsenso

CAL Law

Felipe is a Partner in CAL’s São Paulo office specialising in aviation law, particularly in regulatory matters and aircraft finance with extensive knowledge of the Brazilian market and the country’s legal framework.

He has assisted several Brazilian and international banks with the development and implementation of structured finance transactions for business and commercial aviation, from simple operating leases to highly complex EETCs (the first and only one for Latin America) and cross-border loans.

Over the last few years he has been deeply involved with corporate jet deals, providing services to an array of clients (individuals, corporations and banks) for the purchase, sale, importation and financing of aeronautical equipment, with more than 50 successful transactions on his portfolio. Felipe has also over 200 commercial aviation (airline) deals on his transaction history.

Felipe is recognised by leading legal directories including Chambers & Partners, The Legal 500 and Euromoney Expert Guides for his outstanding practice in transportation and aviation. He is the first Latin American attorney listed as a ‘Rising Star’ by the ‘Airfinance Journal’. Felipe is a Board Member and Director of Regional Outreach of the MAC Protocol Working Group, participating on the UNIDROIT project for development and implementation of an additional protocol to the Cape Town Convention. He is also a Professor of Aviation Law in São Paulo for post-graduate students.

Felipe Bonsenso Veneziano holds a Master’s degree, with distinction, and Bachelor’s degree in Law from the University of São Paulo. His Master’s dissertation was the first academic work in Brazil to thoroughly study the Cape Town Convention and Aircraft Protocol.

Justin Bowman

Air Charter Service

Justin is renowned in the charter industry for his encyclopaedic knowledge of all things aviation. This, combined with his enthusiasm on the subject, has made him one of the most trusted and successful aircraft charter experts in Europe over the past three decades. Starting his tenure with ACS in 1992, Justin rose through the ranks to the position of Group CEO in 2013. He is a key member of the ACS & Mountfitchet Group (Holding Company) boards and was awarded a Fellowship of the Royal Aeronautical Society in 2016. In his spare time he enjoys following his football team, Brighton & Hove Albion, and is a keen golfer. Justin lives with his wife and their three children in Surrey.

Nancy Bsales

AeroCarbonfund

Ms. Nancy Bsales, carbon offset provider and strategist , has directly contributed into the voluntary carbon offset market for almost 15 years, specializing in business aviation (aerocarbonfund.org) ,business to business (B2B), and business to business to consumer (B2B2C) offset programs.

Since starting her sustainability career in 2005, she has sold over three million metric tons of carbon offsets. Her innovative, first of its kind consumer programs include corporate aviation, charter and jet card programs, OEMs, large scale events, shipping, and travel. Ms. Bsales understands the voluntary market in a way that can only come from building one of the first e- commerce and business carbon providers in the United States. The success was recognized when TerraPass retail was purchased in 2014 and she was acknowledged in the State of the Voluntary Markets annual report as a contributor. Her unique aspect creates successful, long running, impactful emission reduction programs.

Ms Bsales ventured out on her own in August 2016 building aerocarbonfund and partnering with Bonneville Environmental Foundation, focusing on successful programs to reduce emissions through efficiencies, technologies and offset programs. Her current work includes unique offset programs, custom portfolios, and supporting corporate aircraft reduction goals through verified greenhouse gas reduction projects.

Her work is especially focused on reducing emissions by building custom portfolios that meet budgetary and environmental goals to move toward industry goals for 2020 and beyond.

Søren Jorstad Bugge

Blackbird

Reliable, Innovative & Persistant
An agreement is an agreement, a promise is law. Me, you can always count on! I work hard and take a second stint to help my colleagues. I owe that to my colleagues – and my employer.
I am all for change, but not just for the sake of change. I’m always open to new ideas, I dare to think big.

I’m the one who gets things running and everyone to do their best. I believe that two brains think better than one. I am resilient and throw myself to new assignments with a smile.

BLACKBIRD Air Charter a/s CCO February 2015 – Present (5 years 5 months)

Bernie Burns

B2 Aviation

Like many aviation enthusiasts, Bernie found a passion for aviation early in life. “Growing up in New Jersey, I lived underneath Newark Airport’s flight path which was the busiest airport in the world at the time. I quickly realized that I would eventually have to find out how those 100 ton machines soared through the air.”

Obsessed by the desire to bring his childhood dreams to fruition, he attended Jacksonville University where he would gain all of his pilot certificates. Upon graduation, most followed the path of the airlines. Instead, Bernie chose the path less traveled and pursued a career in private aviation.

Prior to launching B2 Aviation, Burns held management and executive positions with CitationAir by Cessna, Flexjet by Bombardier and even polished his culinary skills all in Chicago. Bernie offers a wealth of knowledge to the team on the dynamic landscape of private air travel.

Stefan Buschle

Jet Aviation

Stefan Buschle joined Jet Aviation in August 2014. As Senior Director Regional Sales, he heads the sales teams covering Europe and Africa. A multi-lingual German national, he was raised in Brazil, and worked and travelled in several countries. His intercultural skills help him build up lasting relationships with clients of the most diverse cultures.

Buschle brings a deep understanding for Jet Aviation customers’ needs and expectations, as he has worked for several airlines in the past 20 years. He began his aviation career at Lufthansa Airlines, where he was responsible for the regional partners of the national carrier, before eventually moving to executive aviation.

As managing director of Cirrus Aviation, he led the merger with former DaimlerChrysler Aviation to form Germany’s leading executive airline, DC Aviation. In 2010, he moved to Portugal for a new challenge, expanding the business of the Omni Group to Africa and Brazil.

Buschle holds a combined German degree in business administration and engineering, is married and has 2 daughters.

Laura Casati

GlobeAir

Profile coming soon

Alison Chambers

Emerald Media

Alison Chambers is co founder director of Emerald Media, a boutique, network-focused PR and communications agency with an international client base.  Her career in aviation started at Flight International, where she became its first ever female reporter.  Specialising in regional aviation as editor of two further international titles, she moved into PR, launching Emerald in 1993 together with Kelly Murphy, who heads Emerald Media USA.

Today, the Emerald team is typically front and centre of trends,  positioning topical stories and Op eds – be it the business value of bizjets, next gen, SETops, biometric security solutions, through to sustainable aviation fuel.   Alison has brought together a team including journalists, marketers and a social media specialist – all with deep aviation industry experience.  She is also a Board member of the British General Aviation Association, handling media liaison and supporting new memberships.

During the lockdown, Alison launched a fortnightly e-zine Resilient Aviation,  hosted by BlueSky News – featuring original content through generous support from prolific aviation freelance writers.

Having supported hundreds of aviation companies in all disciplines,  steering airline and bizjet launches, including innovative ‘firsts’ such as Aerion Supersonic and The Jet Business, her black book is second to none.  Colleagues describe her as the ‘LinkedIn’ of aviation.

Jeremie Caillet

Jet Aviation

Caillet joined Jet Aviation in 2008 as Engineering Team Leader. He later assumed the role of Key Account Manager in the former Falcon Completions line before taking on a Project Manager role in the Completions Center and subsequently becoming Director of PMO Completions. Following this he was responsible for supporting global alignment projects, and in 2019 was appointed as Vice President VIP Completions.

Caillet previously worked for Dassault Falcon Jet in the US. He holds a Master’s degree in Engineering from the Ecole Supérieure des Techniques Aéronautiques et de Construction Automobile (ESTACA) in Paris, France, and an MSc degree in Aircraft Design from the Linköping University, Sweden.

Tom Chatfield

Camber Aviation Management

Tom Chatfield is the CEO of Camber Aviation Management, guiding a team of experts that manage the complex process of transforming an airliner to a corporate jet – from selecting the right aircraft to cabin design, engineering, fabrication and certification through to the delivery of the finished corporate jet to our clients.

Tom has over 35 years’ experience working with highly respected companies in the aviation industry. He has held Part 145 and CAMO Postholder positions; managed operations, maintenance and engineering departments; performed aircraft acceptances and lease returns; and recovered aircraft from challenging situations.  His passion is to innovate and push the barriers of what is possible in a large cabin corporate jet completion, helping to creating unique, bespoke aircraft for their proud owners.

Jeffrey Chiang

AsBAA - Asian Business Aviation Association

Profile coming soon.

David Clark

Integris Aviation Group

Having spent almost two decades in Brazil, David Clark founded Integris Aviation Group in 2010 to help North American companies break into the Brazilian private aviation market – including clients like Jetcraft Avionics and a long-standing relationship with ACASS where he built that brand in the Americas over a period of four years. Having previously worked for UPS, Elliott Aviation and CAE Simuflite in management & sales roles, David has a unique depth of experience in business development and aircraft sales & acquisitions in the Americas. His focus today is working directly with UHNWIs and flight departments providing guidance in mid to large cabin aircraft sales and acquisitions.

With offices in Minneapolis and São Paulo, Integris Aviation Group continues to grow by providing high levels of service on a personalized basis and leveraging a superb network of industry professionals to enhance outcomes

Alexandria Colindres

The Registry of Aruba

Alexandria Colindres, is the Chief Operating officer at the Registry of Aruba. She holds a degree in Fine Art from Tufts University graduating in 2010, and graduated Summa Cum Laude from Colombia College when obtaining her Masters degree. During this time, she organized and curated several art exhibitions, both for profit and non-for-profit and collaborated with several reputable arts organizations. She was also selected to be the volunteer Curator for the Rock for Kids, Junior Boards annual charity fundraiser (2012), resulting in the highest grossing Junior Board charity event to date.

After graduation she went on to manage Spinello Projects one of Miami’s most successful and reputable art galleries. Developing relationships with many local and international collectors, artists, and arts organizations. Currently she is on the board of the Steering Committee at the Perez Museum of Art, based in Miami, FL.

Now she has combined her passion in the arts with her family’s heritage in Aviation. Revitalizing the aesthetic image portrayed by the Registry of Aruba and using her public relations skills to enhance customer satisfaction.

At the Registry for the past five years, she currently handles all the customer development, works directly with the Aruba’s civil aviation authority, and offers support to the various other departments to keep continuous communication throughout. She is also responsible for the coordination and organization of the various trade-shows, conferences, and publications which the Registry of Aruba participates.

At the Registry of Aruba, Alexandria has cultivated strong relationships with clients/customers, team members, upper management, and the community has resulted in significant increases in the success of numerous projects and a stellar reputation in the aviation industry and a key asset to the registry.

Andrew Collins

Sentient Jet

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Len Cormier

Bermuda Aircraft Registry

Captain Len Cormier is the Safety Oversight Consultant for the Bermuda Civil Aviation Authority (BCAA). He is responsible for advising the organisation’s Safety Oversight Advisor and Director General on all aspects of the BCAA safety oversight programme, including the implementation of Safety Management System (SMS) by service providers.

Prior to working in Bermuda, Len was engaged by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) for 14 years as a Chief Technical Advisor in the Asia Pacific region. Over this period, he was responsible for assisting states in strengthening their safety oversight programmes.

He was previously engaged by Transport Canada for 20 years as an inspector and manager in the area of personnel licensing, aerodromes and flight standards. For most of that period, he was responsible for the development of air operator regulations and standards, as well as oversight of air operators.

Len began his aviation career as a pilot for various air operators in Canada. He holds a Canadian Airline Transport Pilot License and is type qualified on the DC-3, C550, CL601, B737, B757, B767 airplanes and on the Bell 206 helicopter.

Marc Cornelius

80:20 Communications

Marc has over 25 years’ international PR experience gained at leading agencies and in-house.

He was formerly a country manager in the Middle East for a top global PR agency and worked in London for another global PR leader and a premier City PR firm. In-house, Marc was communications director for a Dubai-based telecom technology provider and corporate communications manager for a UK FTSE 100 company. He has specialised in aviation, travel and transport for more than 15 years, devising and overseeing successful international PR programmes and building 8020 Communications into a leading sector specialist.

Marc has served as a PRCA Awards judge and is a member of the Aviation Club of the UK and the Institute of Travel & Tourism.

Duncan Daines

Gama Aviation

Duncan is the Group CMO of Gama Aviation Plc. Since joining the company in 2014, Duncan has been part of Gama Aviation’s global leadership team with responsibilities in Investor Relations, reputation, communications and the prosecution of sales leads within our global lines of business. Duncan joined from a consulting background having worked extensively in Europe, Middle East and Asia across a variety of sectors including airlines, ground handling, wealth, energy and business aviation.

Steve Day

Global Jet Capital

Steve Day is the Head of Origination for North, Central and South America at Global Jet Capital.  Prior to joining Global Jet Capital, Steve spent 20 years with GE Capital, where his latest role was Head of Investor Development for the company’s securitization platforms.  Steve also spent several years with GE Capital Corporate Aircraft Group, managing a domestic team of 13 sales representatives responsible for over $9B portfolio, $2.5B in annual volume origination, and $80MM in net income generation from corporate aircraft financing and leasing activities.

Saskia de Jong

Avinode Group

As Director of Customer Success at Avinode, a global tech tools provider for air charter brokers, operators, and flight departments with the world’s leading leading B2B platform for sourcing air charter, Saskia is responsible for managing the regional Customer Success team and covering a portfolio of Key Accounts in EMEAA and the Americas. She’s responsible for setting customer targets and objectives, implementing sales strategies, analysing trends and championing the development of new opportunities for both customers and Avinode. Saskia has been with Avinode since she started in 2012 as the Sales Manager for the Midwest and Southwest regions.

Rob diCastri

Royal Jet

David Dixon

Jetcraft Asia

As President of Jetcraft Asia since 2012, David Dixon is responsible for optimizing sales strategies and managing operations from Beijing to Sydney. A leading global authority on the private aviation sector, David has lived and worked in Asia in aircraft sales for more than 30 years, and has more than four decades of aerospace industry experience. David joined Jetcraft following a long and successful career as Regional Vice President for Bombardier Business Aircraft. He was awarded the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) distinction by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth in 1977 for his contribution to British exports and is the former Vice Chairman of the Asian Business Aviation Association (AsBAA). David is originally from the UK and currently resides in Hong Kong.

Gary Dolski

MetroJet

Gary brings more than 35 years of progressive aviation experience to Metrojet having previously worked for Bristol Aerospace, Bombardier, MD Helicopters and Jet Aviation.

In September 2017, Gary was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of Metrojet Limited. The company’s principle lines of business include Aircraft Management and Maintenance with operations based in Hong Kong, China, The Philippines and Singapore, servicing the Asia region.

His work experience covers business development and strategy, customer support, finance, commercial, completions/refurbishment, manufacturing, program management, FBO, MRO, and aircraft management and charter within the commercial, military and general aviation sectors.

Gary has significant international experience having held numerous senior management positions based in locations throughout Canada, the UK, USA and Singapore prior to his arrival in Hong Kong.

Don Dwyer

Guardian Jet

Don Dwyer, Guardian Jet’s co-managing partner, is particularly regarded for his extensive expertise on aircraft finance, asset management, fleet planning and aircraft sales. He spent most of his career rising through ranks at the aircraft manufacturer, Hawker Beechcraft. As their Vice President of Global Sales, he led the entire sales team, had responsibility for $2 billion in revenue and oversaw the company’s international dealer network. In 2010, Don Dwyer joined his brother, Michael, as co-managing partner of Guardian Jet. Since then, Guardian Jet has become one of the top three aircraft brokerage and consulting firms in the world. An avid sailor, Don is also a 4,500-hour commercial pilot and certified flight instructor. He is the President of the Board of Challenge America, and is a former board member for Challenge Aspen, a world-renowned organization devoted to recreational therapy for all types of disabled persons.

Dave Edwards

The Air Charter Association

Dave’s career has taken him through all areas of the aviation industry, including flight operations, ground services and maintenance into senior executive roles with leading airlines and aviation companies. He is Managing Partner of Windsor Capital LLP, a small investment fund operating mainly the aviation industry, including Synergy Aviation, Oaklands Global, Flying Support and Lazyriver Digital, as well as being a non-executive director of a number of companies, including Web Manuals International AB, the world’s leading aviation manuals digitizer. Alongside his own business interests, he is the part-time CEO of BACA – The Air Charter Association and a trustee of the aviation charity, fly2help. Dave completed fifteen years with Gama Aviation plc as their Managing Director, Middle East and Asia and Group General Manager before moving to Qatar Airways’ Business Jet Division, Qatar Executive as Executive Vice President. In 2010 he was elected as the youngest ever Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, in addition he is a member of the Royal Air Force Club, the Royal Aero Club, the Honourable Company of Air Pilots, the Air League and is a Freeman of the City of London. When not playing with aeroplanes he continues to pretend he can play both the trumpet and golf.

Alex Fecteau

Boeing Business Jets

Captain Alex Fecteau is the Director of Marketing for Boeing Business Jets, a division of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. Prior to his current position Captain Fecteau worked with airlines around the world in Boeing Commercial Airplane marketing, with a focus on flight deck technology, and Boeing technical product subject matter. Captain Fecteau earned his undergraduate degree in Aeronautical Engineering, and Master of Science Degree in Mechanical engineering, followed by an extensive career as an F-15 instructor pilot in the US Air Force and pilot for 2 major US Airlines.

Alex has extensive experience working with customer flight operations departments, flight standards, training, and executive levels leadership. He has also worked with regulators worldwide for airplane systems certifications and performance based navigation operational approvals, and was an advisor to several EASA, ICAO, and FAA aviation rulemaking committees.

Brian Foley

Brian Foley Associates (BRiFO)

Brian formed the consultancy Brian Foley Associates (BRiFO) in 2006 to help aerospace firms and investors with strategic research and guidance. Previously he was Marketing Director at Dassault Falcon Jet for 20 years. His career began at Boeing as a flight test engineer and marketing manager. He serves the Transportation Research Board as a member of the business aviation, helicopter, commercial airline and UAV system subcommittees. He earned a Series 7 General Securities Representative license and is an instrument-rated private pilot. As a Forbes.com contributor, thoughts are shared on the aviation segment. A dual BS degree in aerospace and mechanical engineering from Syracuse University and an MBA from Seattle University are held. He completed Wharton’s Executive Education Program in Corporate Governance and is now considering additional board roles.

JP Fourie

National Airways Corporation

Profile coming soon

Bernhard Fragner

GlobeAir

Driven by the mantra ‘Passion into Profession’ Bernhard Fragner founded GlobeAir in 2007 with the dream to create a new way of travelling in Europe, by applying an air taxi business model to short-haul flights.

Today GlobeAir is internationally recognized as one of the leading private jet charter operator in Europe, with the world´s largest fleet of Citation Mustang jets, 20 in total.

Passionate about aviation, technology and customer service Bernhard Fragner pushes every day his team to new limits, making sure every charter request is handle with extreme precision and care to exceed clients´ expectations.

Since 2008 Bernhard Fragner has become a very active member of the entry light jet community. In November 2011 he joined the Baltic Air Charter Association (BACA) and he became a member of the Council in November 2014. In August 2014 Bernhard Fragner joined the board of directors of the Citation Jets Pilots (CJP) and in 2017 he has been awarded with the prestigious PEGASUS award for his lifetime achievement.

Bernhard graduated as a civil engineer in mechanical plant design from Vienna University and received an MBA in aviation management from the Blue Danube University in Linz, Austria. Furthermore, he holds an ATPL license, including a type instructor endorsement and an EASA FCL type rating examiner authorization. After having worked as a commercial director in industrial plant design for several years he was trained in all EASA post holder management positions at mainly JAAT in The Netherlands.

Stephen Friedrich

Embraer Executive Jets

Steve Friedrich is the Chief Commercial Officer at Embraer Executive Jets, where he is responsible for the direct management of the global sales organization for new and pre-flown aircraft as well as the oversight of relationships with customers and industry collaborators. With more than 30 years of experience in the leasing and aerospace sectors, his wealth of experience spans across sales, marketing, finance, customer support and services and aftermarket programs.

Prior to joining Embraer, Steve led global sales efforts and marketing activities at Rolls-Royce Civil Aerospace Business Aviation as the company’s Vice President-Sales & Marketing. His previous banking and aviation finance experience includes key leadership positions as Vice President at Summit Bank of New Jersey and Assistant Vice President at United Jersey Bank.

Steve graduated with an A.B. in Economics & Business from Lafayette College and received his M.B.A. from the Stern School at New York University.

Patrick Gallagher

NetJets

An expert on private aviation fractional ownership, Patrick has served the industry in numerous roles for almost two decades.

As President of Sales, Marketing & Service at NetJets, Patrick is responsible for strategic oversight of NetJets’ sales and marketing efforts across the Americas. He understands the unique needs of people seeking private aviation and develops solutions that improve the lives of each NetJets Owner. Prior to joining the company, Patrick was Executive Vice President, Head of Sales at Marquis Jet Partners, where he was instrumental in the sale of Marquis Jet® to NetJets. He’s also held sales and management positions at Jet Aviation, United Airlines®, The Tom Peters Company, and Cintas® Corporation. Patrick received a Bachelor’s degree from Bowling Green State University® serves as a foundation board member of Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago, and is an advisor to technology startup, SirenGPS.

Marie-Laure Gassier

BNP Paribas

Marie-Laure Gassier is Head of Business Jet financing for BNP Paribas, based in Geneva. Marie-Laure is a senior finance professional with over 20 years of experience with BNP Paribas in France, Singapore and Switzerland. Marie-Laure has successfully grown over the last 10 years the business jet financing franchise of the bank for clients private and corporate. Since 2016, BNPP has set up in Switzerland a new platform dedicated to business jets and yachts financing, in order to serve better UHNWI clients. Based in Geneva, the team is dedicated to providing jets and yachts financing solutions with a bespoke approach to a wide range of private clients. The focus is on transactions from 10 MUSD onwards for new or pre-owned aircraft with a global approach. BNP Paribas is a leading bank in the Eurozone with a well-recognized footprint in Aviation and Shipping finance globally. Since 1981, the aviation finance department originates, arranges and distributes all types of aircraft financing solutions. With a global exposure in excess of 10 Bn USD and a portfolio of more than 1000 aircraft, the group maintains a prime and leading position in the transportation sector. Marie-Laure holds a Political Science diploma with major and economics and finance (Sciences Po) and a Master Degree in History from Sorbonne University. She is a regular contributor at some major corporate jets conferences and events.

Robert Gates

Global Jet Capital

Robert Gates serves as the Head of International Originations for Global Jet Capital.  Robert has over 20 years of experience in aircraft financing and leasing. Prior to joining GJC, he has held senior-level positions with Chase Manhattan Bank, Merrill Lynch and RPK Capital (a Carlyle Group portfolio company). He holds an MBA from Cornell University.

Jack Gilchrist

Gilchrist Aviation Law

Jack Gilchrist is the founding director and shareholder of Gilchrist Aviation Law, P.C., and heads the firm’s practice as special FAA and International Registry counsel with respect to transactions involving aircraft, engines, propellers and spare parts.

For almost 30 years Mr. Gilchrist has focused his career on aviation transactions, representing clients from all areas of the industry with regard to every current structure of aircraft and aircraft engine transaction. He has counseled clients around the world in aircraft transactions, including most of the major air carriers, aircraft and engine leasing companies, air cargo companies, corporations, banks and other lending institutions, as well as aircraft brokers, dealers and manufacturers. These transactions include the sale, purchase, lease and financing of large transport aircraft as well as business aircraft. He also counsels clients in connection with establishing and operating aircraft fractional ownership programs.

Mr. Gilchrist regularly assists clients in structuring transactions and working with pertinent documents with respect to their recordability with the Federal Aviation Administration, Aircraft Records Branch, in Oklahoma City, and the registration of International Interests under the Cape Town Convention, Aviation Protocol. He regularly serves as special FAA and International Registry counsel to other law firms and companies in aviation matters.

Mr. Gilchrist is also a frequent lecturer and author in the areas of aircraft financing, registration and title law. He is the author of numerous articles regarding aviation title and registration law. He has served as a lecturer for organizations such as the American Bar Association, the Transportation Lawyers Association, International Bar Association and the Federal Bar Association.
Mr. Gilchrist serves on the Legal Advisory Panel to the Aviation Working Group under Unidroit, the management arm of the Cape Town Convention, Aviation Protocol. He is a member of the Oklahoma County, Oklahoma, Federal, American and International Bar Associations. He is also a member of the Business Law Section, the Aircraft Financing Subcommittee and the Forum on Air and Space Law of the American Bar Association, as well as the Association of Aircraft Title Lawyers, the American Transportation Lawyers Association and the FBA Transportation Law Section.

Sierra Grimes

NBAA

Sierra is the Senior Manager, Registration & Programs at the National Business Aviation Association, where she manages the registration division and system for NBAA’s international and domestic conventions, regional forums and other conferences, seminars and professional development courses; totalling over 50,000 attendees.

Sierra is the founder of the NBAA YoPro (young professionals) program, which is a leading program pushing diversity and development within the business aviation industry globally. NBAA YoPro is a group dedicated to building relationships between emerging leaders across the business aviation industry. Through events at key business aviation industry gatherings, the group promotes networking, sharing of best practices, leadership and management development and builds a sense of community among future aviation leaders and industry advocates.

Through NBAA YoPro, Sierra has had the opportunity to speak at various events to promote cross generational communication, attraction and retention of the workforce and diversity amongst race and gender.

Eddie Gross

Vedder Price

Edward Gross has 30 years of experience representing bank-affiliated and large, independent equipment financing companies in all aspects of equipment finance transactions, including documenting, structuring, negotiating, syndicating and enforcing these transactions.

Edward is considered an industry leader in business aircraft and helicopter finance. These transactions vary in structure and include tax and non-tax lease, operating lease and secured loan financing of managed and /or chartered aircraft, fleet aircraft and helicopters operated in various service capacities and engine pools, aircraft operated under fractional and pay card arrangements and progress payment, completion and other multi-funding structures. Clients include market-leading aircraft and helicopter financing providers, investors or operating lessors, as well as large publicly or privately held businesses, governmental entities or high-net-worth individual users. Many of these transactions involve foreign registered aircraft.

Todd Guelich

AssuredPartners Aerospace

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Yosef Hafiz

NasJet

Yosef F Hafiz is the Vice President of Sales & Marketing at NASJET, one of the largest private business aviation operators in the Middle East based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.  Yosef has been leading the NASJET Sales & Marketing team to new levels of success with a strong focus on Aircraft Management in the region.  Yosef joined NASJET in 2004 moving through various departments within the organization including Aircraft Engineering, Aircraft Acceptance & Completion, Aircraft Management, and Sales & Marketing.  Yosef has previously held the position of Director of Sales & Aircraft Management prior to his current role and was based in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia at that time.  Yosef received his undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University – West Lafayette Indiana in 2002 and his graduate degree in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University – West Lafayette Indiana in 2004.  During his time at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana Yosef had a passion for flying and obtained his Private Pilot License in 2001, Instrument Rating in 2002, and Commercial Pilot Certificate in 2003.  Yosef enjoys spending time with his family, being a mentor for those interested in aviation, and traveling the world.  He can be reached at [email protected].

Shawn Hall

Signature Aviation

Shawn is the Chief Commercial Officer for Signature Flight Support, with responsibilities over it’s global Sales, Marketing ,and Revenue Management departments, as well as driving strategic opportunities including joint ventures, investments, alliances, and new market initiatives. Before taking the CCO role, Shawn oversaw strategy and business development for the Signature Aviation portfolio.

Before Signature Aviation, Shawn held the position of Associate Partner with McKinsey & Co., where he covered the aviation, logistics, and hospitality sectors. Additionally, Shawn served in the United States Navy as a Naval Aviator and Tactics Instructor Pilot in the F/A-18 Hornet and Super Hornet.

Shawn holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) in International Global Affairs from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Strategy from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, and a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Civil Engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point.

Patrick Hansen

Luxaviation

Patrick Hansen was born in Luxembourg. He holds a Commercial Engineering degree from ICHEC, Brussels and an MBA Finance degree from McGill University, Montreal. He started his career in finance and banking in London and Moscow and successfully created several companies, one of which was sold to Nasdaq-quoted Company (MMW) and another one to a company listed on the Australian Stock Exchange (REA). In 2007, he co-founded Edison Capital Partners S.A., an asset management company specializing in shipping, aviation and industrial participations. He founded Luxaviation Luxembourg in 2008 and became its Chief Executive Officer.

James Hardie

Collins Aerospace

James Hardie is responsible for Collins Aerospace global marketing and strategic planning for ARINCDirect services. ARINCDirect was established in the USA in 2003 to provide direct access for business jet operators to ARINC communication services. Additional services such as flight planning, were quickly established and continue to be developed. He took responsibility for the ARINCDirect business development in EMEA in early 2006 and subsequently in the Asia Pacific region.

Based in the UK, James joined ARINC in 2001 and has worked with various flight departments around the world providing and developing products and services to meet their needs. Now part of Collins Aerospace IMS division, he has been involved in various projects related to airline and business aircraft operations and communications. James also has a background as a pilot with a CPL(A) and military helicopter experience

Hamish Harding

Action Aviation

Hamish Harding is the Chairman of Action Aviation, an international aircraft brokerage company with a long history in the Middle East and Asia. Action Aviation sold over US$ 200 million of pre-owned business jets in 2015, and Action Aviation has, in recent months, sold a number of business jets to Asian buyers, including a Boeing Business Jet and a Gulfstream G650ER. Hamish is enthusiastic about the potential in the Asian market for preowned business jets, both for sales and acquisitions, and sees business aviation partnerships as the way forward to better cover the geographically largest continent. Hamish originally gained a degree in Chemical Engineering from Cambridge University. From there he joined UK IT consultancy company Logica and was involved in information technology for the banking sector throughout the 1990s, operating as Regional Managing Director for Logica in the Middle East and later India. Hamish has been a pilot for over 30 years and holds an Airline Transport Pilot with a number of jet type ratings, and is the holder of several FAI speed records in business jets. He was a commissioned officer in the British Territorial Army for 8 years, and enjoys scuba diving, skydiving, snow skiing, golf and spending time with his young family in Dubai.

Adam Hartley

Universal Weather & Aviation

Adam Hartley, Manager, Global Regulatory Services / Global Emissions Programs, has established himself by helping operators understand and comply with complex regulations worldwide. Adam’s expertise includes: emissions reporting and sustainability, international ops to/from the U.S., international mission feasibility, worldwide charter requirements and operational best practices. He is a FAA licensed dispatcher, currently Chair-Education / NBAA S+D Committee, member of NATA Air Charter Committee and was recognized as Top 40 under 40 in Business Aviation 2018 by NBAA.

Keith Hayes

PNC Aviation Finance

Keith Hayes is senior vice president and national sales manager of PNC Aviation Finance.  Prior to joining PNC Aviation Finance in 2017, Keith was with Regions Bank, BB&T and GE Capital for 27 years where he held numerous leadership roles across different business lines, including the last 8 years as national sales manager for GE Capital Corporate Aircraft Finance. Keith holds a B.A. in business administration and a MIS degree from the University of North Florida.

Clay Healey

AIC Title Service

Clay is a pioneer in the aviation services industry, leading technological innovation in the aviation services industry over the past 16 years. A seasoned pilot, Clay is licensed in the following: Cessna 525, Cessna 680, Pilatus PC-12, Baron G58, Cirrus SR22, BonanzaA36, Cessna 210. Cessna 172. and Grumman Tiger. AIC is the global industry leader in aviation Title Services, Escrow, Document Filing, Lien Clearance, and International Registry filings. AIC is also the exclusive provider of title searches for AvSure, easing client access to aviation title insurance both domestically and internationally. Customers can request title searches online, and complete escrow transactions all within the Aircraft Closing Room, the only virtual aircraft closing platform in the industry. Additionally, the Closing Room is protected by Blockchain, making AIC’s customer data the most secure in the industry. AIC’s team of 40+ employees boasts over 600 years of aviation experience and completes over 15,000 title searches and 4,000 closings annually. AIC uses this experience to bring ease and speed to an Aircraft Closing.

Dori Henderson

Collins Aerospace

Profile coming soon

Jolie Howard

TAG Aviation

Ms Jolie Howard is the CEO for TAG Aviation Asia. Jolie has been in the business and general aviation industry in Asia for over 20 years, specialising in the areas of advising business jet owners on the aircraft operations, costing, flight planning and international registration issues. Jolie has been involved in various helicopter and business jet projects in China in the areas that range from identifying, developing to implementing such aforementioned aviation projects. She is very familiar with the business jets operational issues in Asia and worldwide. Jolie served as Director of Business Development in TAG Aviation Asia over 7 years and she was Vice President at CIT’s business aviation leasing unit in Asia.

Athar Husain Khan

EBAA

Athar has spent the last 25 years as a leader, aero-political negotiator, lawyer, advocacy specialist and CEO in various aviation organisations and companies, in both the public and private arena. Using his experience in the international aero-political world and proven track record in association management, Athar continues to strengthen and advocate for the European business aviation industry in the Brussels’ arena. As Secretary-General of the EBAA, Athar stands at the helm of Europe’s leading aviation association, strengthening the voice of business aviation in Europe at the highest EU political and institutional levels. Athar is an Air & Space law expert by education. He received his Master of Law at the University of Leiden in the Netherlands, and followed post-graduate courses in law, communications, management, finance, natural leadership and coaching. Prior to working at the EBAA, he held senior positions at AEA, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and the Netherlands Ministry of Transport and Ministry of Education and Science. He is married with one son, is a keen sportsman and holds a private pilot license.

Alireza Ittihadieh

Freestream

Alireza graduated from Boston University School of Management with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and has also attended post-graduate workshops in Business Management at Harvard University. Following graduation, Alireza joined the Republic National Bank of New York in New York City as a Trader. He was rapidly promoted to Lead Trader for the foreign exchange desk reporting to the Head Trader until he left to join The M Group. While there, he continued working as a Foreign Exchange Trader, specializing in Structured Finance Currency Derivatives. In 1992, he founded Freestream Aircraft Limited, where he continues as Director. Freestream Aircraft Limited is a Multi Faceted Aviation Company.

Clive Jackson

Fly Victor

Serial entrepreneur & business owner. Founder and Chairman of Victor, one of Europe’s leading business and private aviation on-demand charter brokers. The Company has ranked for 5 consecutive years as a Top 100 Sunday Times Fastest Growing Tech Company. In July 2019 he pioneered an industry first carbon offset program, mandating a minimum 200% carbon offset for every Victor flight. He lead his campaign with an open letter to the Financial  Times, headlining with the uncomfortable truth, a private jet pollutes up to 20x per passenger mile than an airliner. His mission is to set an example in business aviation campaigning for other brokers and operators to follow and encourage both the industry and it’s customers to avoid, reduce and offset their carbon emissions on every flight.  Clive is often referred to as the boss of a private jet company that’s become a committed aviation environmental campaigner.

In March 2020 he co-funded the MBO of Fly Victor Ltd from the Alyssum Group. In July 2020 he moved into a non-operational role as Chairman following the appointment of Toby Edwards and James Farley as the Company’s joint CEO’s. Clive remains a committed environmental campaigner with the ambition to transform the business and commercial aviation industry to a lower carbon future and provides consulting services across commercial and business aviation, clean energy and environmental lobbyists.

Paul James

DC Aviation Al-Futtaim

Paul James is the Sales Director for Dubai-based DC Aviation Al-Futtaim (DCAF) and oversees all Aircraft Management activities. In addition, he deals with other commercial aspects such as Charter, FBO Sales and Hangar Parking Sales.

Before joining DCAF, Paul held commercial positions at Execujet Middle East, Ocean Sky and Chapman Freeborn in Dubai.

Paul holds a Master’s degree in Sales and Marketing Management from The University of Nottingham from the UK.

Paul Jebely

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP

Paul serves as the managing partner of the Hong Kong office of Pillsbury Winthrop and as the co-head of the firm’s asset finance practice globally. In 2018 he was named by the prestigious Chambers & Partners as the top business aviation lawyer in world. He has closed over 250 deals, and also overseen numerous repossession, enforcement and other related litigious matters. He primarily serves as counsel ultra high-networth individuals and their business enterprises around the world. He is admitted to practice law in England & Wales, New York and Ontario.

Steve Johns

LL Johns & Associates

Growing up around aviation, Steve shared his father Larry’s passion for flying. Steve started flight school in high school and soloed at the age of 16. Focusing on his education, Steve completed his training and received his private pilot’s license 5 years later.

After graduating from the University of Michigan, Steve joined Larry at LLJohns and began a journey that would last 30 years and counting.

Throughout his career, Steve has served both charitable and organizational groups in leadership roles. Steve served as Chairman of the Board for Angel-Flight Michigan, an organization providing flight services for those in need. Steve also spent 6 years on the board of directors with the National Aircraft Finance Association and as a member of the National Aviation Business Association.

Today, Steve is responsible for leading LLJohns and running daily operations. Everyone at LLJohns is client focused and that comes from Steve’s leadership and dedication to their clients. While maintaining his own group of clients, Steve sets the standard for the rest of the team, fostering the culture that has made LLJohns a leader in the aviation insurance industry.

Along with leading the operational segment of the business, Steve enjoys digging into the numbers, identifying trends and developing efficiencies within the industry and his own business.

The time he spends with his wife, 4 children and 2 grandchildren is cherished and hard earned. A proclaimed Jesus follower, Steve’s faith has been a guiding light in his life, family and business. Over the years, Steve has enjoyed participating in leadership roles within his church’s ministry and outreach. Today, he strives to live out the words attributed most commonly to Saint Francis of Assisi, “Preach the Gospel at all times, and if necessary, use words.”

Eric Jullien

Airbus Corporate Jets

Profile coming soon

Sarah Kalmeta

AsBAA - Asian Business Aviation Association / Pivot Point

Ms. Sarah Kalmeta is a strategic leader, coach and educator in the business aviation industry. She has over twelve years of experience working with vendors, service providers and aviation authorities in Asia Pacific and around the globe. Sarah is a passionate advocate for ensuring the future of business aviation and developing future leaders within the industry. As a member of the Board of Governors at AsBAA, she is heavily involved in the Hong Kong committee and is the Head of AsBAA Discovery, the association’s student and careers chapter aimed at bridging the gap between next generation of talent and industry.

An active public speaker, Sarah enjoys moderating and speaking on panels at various business aviation and leadership events and conferences around the world focusing on her expertise in operations and ground handling and leadership best practices.

Sarah, a former leader with Universal Weather & Aviation’s APAC offices, now leads her consultancy, Pivot Point. Having lived in four countries, Sarah has a passion for bridging cultures at work, school, and life. Pivot Point works with individuals, schools, students, and corporate entities to develop people to their full potential.

Elina Karjalainen

Jetflite

Profile coming soon.

Sho Kassam

Oklahoma Aviation

Originally from Mombasa, Kenya, Shohaib “Sho” Kassam brings an international perspective to Oklahoma Aviation. Sho began his tenure with Oklahoma Aviation in 2004 as our first flight instructor.

He soon took the role of Chief Instructor as the company added pilots. Sho was Director of Operations when the company became available for sale in late 2010. He had missed the opportunity once before and didn’t hesitate the second time, he took ownership in 2011.

Sho stays active as a pilot in the Citation 680 and Hawker 750. He is type rated in the Cessna 525 series as well as the Beech 400 aircraft. His passion for flying is what steered him into aviation. Sho had a knack for business growing up in an entrepreneurial family, the ability to do both makes it a very fulfilling experience for him.

Marwan Khalek

Gama Aviation

Following a management career in the manufacturing industry Marwan started Gama Aviation Ltd in 1983 in the UK with his business partner Stephen Wright. He has overseen the groups expansion from its foundation to its current multinational status encompassing many varied markets and areas in the aviation industry. Marwan continues to take a very active and hands on role in all aspects of the groups development and has also headed the groups expansion into the US market.

Marwan is both Chairman of the British Business and General Aviation Association (BBGA) and a board member of the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA).

Marwan holds an Airline Transport Pilots Licence and occasionally flies the Beech 200.

Kirill Kim

MySky

Kirill is a young successful entrepreneur specializing in the banking & finance industry based in Moscow. Prior to founding My Sky in 2015, Kirill worked in senior management positions in a number of Russian and European banks and development companies, in charge of investment strategy and general advisory.

George Kleros

JSSI

Mr. Kleros is responsible for large fleet support and strategic planning within Technical Services and JSSI Advisory Services at JSSI. He has over 30 years of aviation maintenance experience in areas including management, field support services and appraisals for business jet aircraft.

Mr. Kleros was previously Eastern Region Customer Service Manager for Rolls-Royce North America and, prior to that position, was the Technical Support Manager with JSSI for almost a decade. Mr. Kleros has also held a field support position with Textron Flight Services and was the Director of Maintenance for an air carrier fleet. He also held the position of President for an aircraft maintenance company with multiple satellite facilities supporting charter operations, flight schools, and retail maintenance. Mr. Kleros currently serves on the maintenance airworthiness committee for the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, is a board member of the Westchester Aircraft Maintenance Association, and serves on the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Aviation Maintenance Science Industry Advisory Board. Mr. Kleros holds an FAA rating for Powerplant and Airframe, with additional privileges as a holder of an Inspectors Authorization. He is an accredited Senior Appraiser through the American Society of Appraisers in the Machinery and Technical Specialties discipline with a specialty in aviation.

Richard Koe

WINGX

Richard Koe is joint Managing Director of WINGX, taking the lead on strategy, business development and sales initiatives. Together with Christoph Kohler, Richard has grown WINGX to be the leading provider of market intelligence to the global business aviation industry. As well as managing WINGX, Richard is a regular speaker, panellist and moderator at industry conferences worldwide, writes on a wide range of business aviation issues, and works closely with regional regulators and industry associations. Richard has spent a decade in the business aviation sector, initially as a board member of PrivatAir, subsequently managing the group’s private jet charter and management division. Richard has also advised several airline and business aviation ventures prior to starting WINGX. Before working in aviation, Richard spent 10 years in the international telecom and technology sectors, holding senior business strategy and sales positions with a range of blue-chip multinational, start-up and management consulting companies, living and working in the UK, Spain, France, United States and Africa. Richard has a first class undergraduate degree from Oxford University and a masters cum laude in International Economics from the Johns Hopkins graduate School of Advanced International Studies, in Washington DC. He now spends his time working between WINGX offices in Hamburg and Geneva.

Marty Kretchman

Signature Aviation

Marty Kretchman is Senior Vice President, Operations Planning at Signature.  Marty has over 15 years aviation experience, and has been with Signature since the purchase of his prior company Landmark Aviation in 2016. Before that he had roles leading acquisitions and integrations, FBO general management, and as a corporate pilot.  He and his teams are responsible for labor, GSE, fuel, customer experience and training programs for Signature’s global network.

Nadya Krishko

Honeywell

In her role as Senior Director, Honeywell Aerospace, Nadya is responsible for leading Business & General Aviation aftermarket in EMEAI region with $350M P&L responsibility.

She was promoted into this role in June 2019 and previously served as Airlines Aftermarket short cycles sales leader in EMEAI region. For this position Nadya has been awarded the President Club Award for excellent sales performance

Nadya joined Honeywell in 2007 as ISC procurement specialist, later moved to Sales department where she had several different roles with increasing responsibilities.

Nadya earned a Bachelor degree in Custom Management & Master degree in Economics Management from Riga Technical University (Latvia) and MBA in Global Business and Management form University of Seattle (Czech Republic branch). Also Nadya has been Six Sigma Green Belt certified in Honeywell.

Satheeshkumar Kumarasingam

Pratt & Whitney Canada

Satheeshkumar (Kumar) Kumarasingam was named Vice President, Customer Service, Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC), in 2018.

Mr. Kumarasingam joined P&WC in 1995 as a mechanical engineer following his graduation. He assumed positions of increasing responsibility in the Engineering, Quality, Operations, Marketing and Customer Service organizations.  Most recently, Mr. Kumarasingam held the position of Vice President, Business Development and Commercial Services where he led a significant transformation in product and service strategy.

Mr. Kumarasingam provides innovative leadership to the global Customer Service organization including Aftermarket Operations, Asset Management, Global Sales, P&WC’s Service Network and Commercial Services.

Mr. Kumarasingam earned a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from McGill University in 1995.

Tobias Laps

Comlux

After graduating from the University of Stuttgart and the Georgia Institute of Technology both with a Masters Degree in Aerospace Engineering Tobias Laps started his career at Jet Aviation in Basel in aircraft completions in 1999 as an engineer. Spending 5 years at Jet Aviation he was promoted to engineering project coordinator after only 6 months and Sales & Program Manager after 2 and half years selling various completion projects. After that he worked for 4 years at a subsidiary of Saab in Hamburg as a Branch Manager winning customers and growing the business significantly. He then was offered a job at ExecuJet in aircraft sales and later as a General Manager of the Berlin facility. Before joining Comlux, he was recruited as Head of Sales at RUAG in Munich in the area of business aircraft maintenance and refurbishment where he was able to secure large cabin modification and refurbishment projects.
Tobias also holds a Private Pilot License since over 20 years and is passionate about aviation.
Tobias joined the Comlux team in November of 2015 as Vice President Sales for Western Europe, Asia and India. In 2018, Tobias is appointed Senior Vice President, Head of Sales for Large VIP Aircraft.
In 2019, Tobias was promoted Executive Vice President Sales, Large VIP aircraft.

Jenny Lau

Sino Jet Management

Ms. Lau is the Group President of the Sino Jet Group, which she established in 2011. In close cooperation with the Sino Jet leadership team, Ms. Lau plays a prominent role in formulating and implementing the company’s growth and development strategies. She also defined the company’s mission and values – which include a commitment to service excellence, diversification and to creating new business opportunities by forming win-win alliances with vendors and industry players.

In 2014, Sino Jet merged with Bear Jet under the investment of Tsinghua Holdings Industry Investment Fund (TH capital). Since this time, Sino Jet expanded rapidly and became the largest business jet operator in Asia Pacific with a fleet size of 45 in 2019. Sino Jet is also continued its reign as the fastest growing operator,  changing the landscape of China’s thirty-year-old business jet industry. Sino Jet delivers services through an international hub structure which is supported by dual headquarters in Beijing and Hong Kong, in addition to bases in Shanghai, Hangzhou, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Xiamen, Zhuhai, Chengdu and Singapore. In addition to her role as Group President of Sino Jet, Jenny was also elected as the first female chairperson of AsBAA in 2017 since its establishment 20 years ago.

Prior to joining the world of aviation, Ms. Lau had a successful career in the private banking division of Morgan Stanley, providing wealth management services and advice to ultra-high-net-worth clients in North America and Asia. During this time, Ms. Lau keeps developing the opportunities of the business aviation industry in Asia. Ms. Lau holds a Master’s degree in Public Policy and Management and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Southern California. She holds three securities trading certifications in the United States of America and serves as Independent Non-executive Director of Digital Domain- a public listed company on Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

Tony Lefebvre

Signature Aviation

Tony joined Signature Aviation in July 2013 as President and Chief Operating Officer of Aircraft Service International Group and has been responsible for a number of portfolio businesses during his tenure, including Global Engine Services and Signature TECHNICAir. Tony has over 25 years’ experience in the aviation industry.

Prior to joining Signature Aviation, Tony was the Chief Operating Officer of Spirit Airlines and previous to that role he was with US Airways serving as their Managing Director Europe. Tony holds a BA in Business from the University of Maryland.

Volker Lemke

FAI

Volker Lemke is since 2005 a member of the Executive Board of FAI rent-a-jet AG (dba Flight Ambulance International) and the head of the air ambulance division of the company. He started his career as a paramedic in ground based and helicopter emergency services and acquired an experience of thousands of missions from 1983 to 1999. He took over management roles for air ambulance providers in 2000, specializing himself in this field of cost sensitive assistance services. His capacity to fulfil the requirements of senior managerial positions in the air ambulance industry, as he has done for quite a long time now, is based on those long years of professional activity, his comprehensive market knowledge and also a talent for interpersonal relationships.

Dawit Lemma

Krimson Aviation

Dawit Lemma is the Founder and CEO of Krimson Aviation – an aviation support services company based in Ethiopia and Switzerland since 2015. He is a Swiss citizen, but of Ethiopian origin, and has lived and/or worked all over the world; from Zambia to Afghanistan, the USA to Switzerland – making him a true global citizen. Dawit returned to Ethiopia in 2012, after almost 30 years abroad, as he recognized the thriving potential and opportunities being displayed by Ethiopia’s economic resurgence.

He is a graduate of Purdue University in the USA, where he received a degree in Aeronautical Engineering & Flight Technology. In addition, he received an MSc. degree in Aviation Management & Marketing from the Basel Business College in Switzerland. Dawit also holds an Airframe & Power- plant Mechanic’s License (American FAA), Commercial Pilot’s License (American FAA, South African CAA, Swiss FOCA/EASA), and an EASA Frozen ATPL. He has over 20 years of experience in the aviation sector across 4 continents, with a cache of notable experience garnered at leading companies from around the world, including TAG Aviation, Emirates Airlines, MAF, and Ethiopian Airlines, to name a few.

Dawit’s commitment to excellence and achievement has lead to Krimson’s rapid growth and sound reputation. Krimson’s mantra of Achievement through Quality & Integrity of Service serves as more than just a philosophy but a lifestyle and deep-rooted value that Dawit has applied throughout his education and professional career.

Eric Lewin

The Global Closing Room

Eric Lewin is an owner of Global Closing Room^TM.

Global Closing Room^TM makes available state-of-the-art, enterprise grade technology to its users to monitor a transaction’s status and execute documents digitally. Global Closing Room^TM can also integrate documents executed in manuscript.  Immediately following closing, permissioned users receive a closing set of all of the transaction documents.  Global Closing Room^TM can facilitate, during the European business day, funds flows in USD, EUR, GBP, and CHF.  Global Closing Room^TM is adaptable, and it can accommodate incumbent systems and processes.

Eric, a creative, practical, and entrepreneurial professional, has had a wide-ranging career that has included practicing law with a pre-eminent international law firm and working as banker with one of the largest banks internationally.

Jeffrey Lowe

Asian Sky Group

Mr. Lowe has over 35 years of Engineering, Marketing and Sales experience in commercial and business aviation. His most recent position is as Managing Director for Asian Sky Group & Asian Sky Media in Hong Kong. Asian Sky Group is the largest business aviation consulting group in the Asia-Pacific region with 30 employees & 6 offices. It focuses on both fixed and rotary aircraft and related aviation services. Asian Sky Media annually publishes 10 industry reports & magazines and offers a number of different marketing platforms for clients wishing to increase their brand awareness in the Asia-Pacific region. Asian Sky Group & Media are both backed by SEACOR Capital (Asia) Limited and Avion Pacific Limited and both are designed to capitalize on their shareholder companies considerable investments and business development initiatives already in the Asia Pacific region. Having resided in Hong Kong since 1997, Lowe specializes in the Greater China business aviation market. He first came to Hong Kong as a Director of Sales for Asia-Pacific for the Bombardier Aerospace Business Aircraft Division. He was then appointed Regional Vice President of Sales for Asia by Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation in May 2000 where he was a top sales executive. In 2007 Lowe joined the recently formed BAA Jet Management Limited and was responsible for establishing and expanding its managed aircraft business plus aircraft sales, marketing and project development. Prior to moving to Hong Kong, Lowe worked in commercial aviation for the de Havilland Aircraft Company of Canada, Boeing Canada, Boeing Commercial Airplanes, the Canadair Regional Jet Division and Bombardier’s Regional Aircraft Division. Lowe began his career as a Ground Test Engineer and then moved into marketing and sales internationally in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Lowe earned a Bachelor of Applied Science (BASc) in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Toronto in 1983. He is a Canadian native, married with 2 children.

Kevin MacNaughton

Air Partner Inc.

Kevin Macnaughton Managing Director, Charter has over 15yrs experience in the aviation charter industry, both in the UK and overseas, having previously been on the European board at NetJets leading the Sales and Commercial group. Most recently, he has been instrumental in developing a new Charter Sales strategy at Air Partner which has included expansion into the Middle East with the recent opening of the Air Partner Dubai office.

Adel Mardini

Jetex

Adel Mardini launched Jetex in Dubai in 2005, with the mission to create a one-of-a-kind company catering to the needs of high-profile clients in every aspect of private aviation. His business philosophy encompassed delivering individually tailored services, from the moment of departure all the way through to arrival at the client’s destination and beyond, providing a complete luxury travel solution every step of the way. Today, Jetex serves an elite clientele through its extensive global network of FBOs and ground handling facilities in more than 30 countries worldwide, and employs over 300 staff. The company offers a comprehensive range of international trip planning, ground support and bespoke concierge services, all delivered with a high degree of flexibility and signature personal touch. Mr. Mardini provides entrepreneurial, hands-on leadership, embodying the spirit of developing a deep understanding of Jetex’s clients, while constantly inspiring the Jetex team to exceed their own ambitions and capabilities. From humble roots through to global success, his visionary stewardship has been a decisive factor in the company’s continuous growth. A board member of the Middle East Business Aviation Association (MEBAA), Mr. Mardini played a key role in its development. This pioneering body was instrumental in starting a dialogue between airportoperators and the region’s governing authorities. MEBAA has helped shape local regulations to meet with international standards, as well as create extensive business opportunities in emerging markets. Mr. Mardini is also an active member of the World Economic Forum (WEF) and the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO), a global community committed to a shared mission of becoming better leaders through lifelong learning and idea exchange. A strong believer in corporate responsibility and giving back to the community, he is involved with numerous charitable activities, including fund raising for the Corporate Angel Network.

Chris Marich

MySky

Entrepreneur since his young age, Christopher started his first business at 14. His career between Europe and Russia has given him a thorough expertise of the business aviation market, covering operational, brokerage and acquisition knowledge. Christopher is a contributing writer to the Swiss economic magazine BILAN as an aviation expert.

David McCown

Air Partner Americas

David has over 20 years’ experience in the private aviation industry serving in various capacities including founder of AirCharter.com (the first online reservation system for private jets; acquired in 1998), board member of holding company for Wyvern Aviation safety and chairman of the Air Charter Association of North America. Prior to aviation, David spent several years in the banking industry with Bank of America.

Scott McCreary

McAfee & Taft

Scott McCreary represents local, national and international clients in connection with matters involving the buying, selling, leasing and financing of aircraft. His practice is primarily focused on matters relating to the Cape Town Convention, the Federal Aviation Act and the FAA Aircraft Registry, such as aircraft title, registration, finance and leasing law, as well as regulatory issues relating to the operation of aircraft under Part 91 of the Federal Aviation Regulations.

Scott is a frequent speaker at aviation conferences in the United States and abroad and has made presentations at venues such as the Strategic Research Institute’s Annual FAA Aircraft Registration, Lien & Securities Interest Conference; the Federal Bar Association’s Aircraft Title, Registration, Finance and Leasing Law Conference; the Institute for International Research’s Corporate Aviation Symposium; the NBAA’s Cape Town International Registry Meeting; and the Geneva International Forum on Aircraft Finance & Commercial Aviation.

His achievements in the area of aviation law have earned him inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America (equipment finance law), Oklahoma Super Lawyers, The International Who’s Who of Aviation Lawyers and Who’s Who Legal.

Scott currently serves on the Regulatory Issues Advisory Group and the Tax Committee of the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA). He has previously served as the leader of the firm’s Aviation Group and on McAfee & Taft’s board of directors.

Jay Mesinger

Mesinger Jet Sales

Jay Mesinger is the CEO and Founder of Mesinger Jet Sales, an international aircraft brokerage firm, with 46 years of experience in the aviation industry. Mesinger Jet Sales has modernized the formula for buying and selling aircraft and provides their clients with the best market intelligence for aircraft sales pricing and correct acquisition expectations. Additionally, Jay was a Member of the Board of the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), and the Chairman of the Associate Member Advisory Council (AMAC). He is the first aircraft broker to serve on the NBAA board. His 10-year term was over October, 2013. Jay is on the Customer Advisory Board of Jet Aviation and also served on the Customer Advisory Board of Airbus North America. Jay is also a member of Gulfstream’s “Key Player” team. Jay served on the Duncan Aviation Customer Advisory Board for 2 terms, and is a member of the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA). He is also a member of the Colorado Aviation Business Association (CABA). Jay is also on the Board of Directors of The Morris Animal Foundation. In addition, Jay regularly speaks at industry gatherings, writes the monthly Mesinger Pulse newsletter (Jay Mesinger’s Industry Perspectives), and started the very first aviation brokerage website over 20 years ago, www.jetsales.com. Jay continues to communicate from the cutting-edge of business aviation through various social networking platforms – blog (www.jetsales.com/blog), twitter (@jmesinger) and LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com). On those rare no-aviation moments in my life, he loves to take advantage of the Colorado outdoors, hiking and walking with his dogs. He also has a home in Zihuatanejo, Mexico.

David Minty

Investec

Profile coming soon.

Ian Moore

Vista Jet

Ian Moore has served as Chief Commercial Officer of VistaJet since 2010 and is a Director of the company’s UK subsidiary. Ian is responsible for global market expansion, commercial negotiations, sales, marketing, customer service and product delivery.

Previously he worked in various roles including Vice President Strategy & Sales, Sales Manager and Strategy & Analysis Manager for NetJets Europe, from 2002 to 2008.

Ian also served as Vice President Sales & Marketing for the business jet subsidiary of TATA, Business Jets Pvt Ltd (BJETS), from 2008 to 2010.

Liz Moscrop

GearUp TV

Liz Moscrop is CEO of GearUp.TV, a company she founded in 2016 (along with some investment from Steve Varsano of The Jet Business) to provide video storytelling services to the private aviation industry. Her mission is to have far more of the private aviation b2b community benefit from using video marketing, which can help skyrocket leads and sales when done effectively. Top tip – you don’t even need a videographer to get started.

Among others, GearUp’s clients include: Airbus, the BBGA, Bombardier, CAE, Dassault Falcon Jet, Embraer, Haywards, Flexjet, Guardian Jet, London Oxford Airport, Panasonic Aviation, Make Tech Fly and Corporate Jet Investor. Quite frankly, if your company is not there already, why aren’t you on that list? 🙂

Until January 2020, Liz served as head of Women in Aviation International UK and now sits on the communications committee for the new UK Women in Aviation and Aerospace Charter, where she is busy assisting with the virtual Farnborough Airshow.

Her journey to videography encompassed 15 years of reporting on the industry. She served as editor for Inflight Magazine and business aviation editor for African and Arabian Aerospace magazines. Lifestyle and consumer credits include: Altitudes, Bombardier Business Aviation Experience Magazine (for customers only), Business Jet Traveler, Channel 4 Television, the Daily Telegraph, the Financial Times, Invictus, and the Robb Report.

Andrew Murphy

Transport & Ennvironment

Transport & Environment (T&E) campaigns for a zero-emission mobility system that is affordable and has minimal impacts on our health, climate and environment. Andrew Murphy is T&E aviation manager, joining T&E in 2014 having previously worked for the Green European Foundation and the European Commission’s transport directorate.

David Norton

Shackelford, Bowen, McKinley & Norton, LLP

David T. Norton is a partner and head of the aviation practice at the law firm of Shackelford, Bowen, McKinley & Norton, LLP, in Dallas, Texas. He received his B.A. from the USAF Academy, his M.B.A. from Louisiana Tech University, and his J.D., cum laude, from Southern Methodist University, where he was Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Air Law & Commerce, published by the SMU Law Review Association. While his firm offers a broad array of legal services, Mr. Norton focuses solely on aviation law and has an internationally recognized practice that encompasses a broad range of business aviation regulatory, risk management, transactional, tax, and commercial dispute resolution matters. He actively participates in many business aviation industry-related committees and groups, including previously serving as: Manager of the 2015 Fair Sales Tax Initiative for Texas Aircraft, LLC, a coalition that interfaced with the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts and resulted in new statutory provisions designed to bring much more clarity and fairness to the assessment of sales/use taxes on aircraft in Texas; Industry Co-Chair of the joint FAA/Industry RVSM LOA Process Enhancement Team of the Performance based Advisory Rule Marketing Committee and the subsequent related efforts to re-write AC 91-85; a member of the Applicability Working Group of the Federal Aviation Administration’s Part 135/125 Advisory Rulemaking Committee; and as the founding Chair of the National Business Aviation Association’s Domestic Operations Committee. He currently serves as a member of the American Bar Association’s General Aviation Committee; the National Air Transportation Association’s President’s Council, Air Charter Committee and Illegal Charter Task Force; the NBAA’s Tax Committee and Regulatory Issues Advisory Group and Chair of the NBAA’s Operational Excellence Strategic Focus Team; and as a member of Texans for General Aviation. He is a past Chair of the Aviation Section of the State Bar of Texas, and is an advisory board member for the Journal of Air Law & Commerce, published by the Law Review Association of the Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law. Mr. Norton is a Life Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation. He is also active in many community organizations, previously serving, for example, as Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Frontiers of Flight Museum, located at the Dallas Love Field Airport. Mr. Norton was a regular commissioned officer in the U.S. Air Force from 1984 to 1993, serving primarily as a KC-10A pilot and aircraft commander. Before becoming a pilot, he also briefly served as a KC-135A navigator. Mr. Norton currently holds many civil certificates issued by the Federal Aviation Administration. He is an airline transport pilot (multi-engine land) with a DC-10 type rating, and a commercial pilot (single-engine land). He also maintains certification as a certified flight instructor, instrument and multi-engine, as well as an advanced ground and instrument instructor.

Alex Nott

PrivateFly

Profile coming soon

Tim Obitts

National Air Transportation Association

Timothy R. Obitts was named President and CEO of the National Air Transportation Association (NATA) in January of 2020.

Obitts most recently served as the Association’s Chief Operating Officer, overseeing the day-to-day operation of NATA.

Prior to joining NATA in November 2014, Obitts served as the managing partner of Gammon & Grange, P.C., a national practice law firm specializing in nonprofit and communications law. During Obitts’ 18 years at Gammon & Grange, he served as corporate counsel and general counsel for many nonprofits and trade associations, handling a wide array of issues that affect their day-to-day activities and also lobbied Capitol Hill and federal agencies.

Obitts earned a Juris Doctorate, cum laude, from California Western School of Law and a Bachelor’s Degree, double major Philosophy and History, from Gordon College, where he also was named All-New England in Tennis, NAIA. Obitts is licensed to practice law in California, Colorado, the District of Columbia and Virginia, as well as numerous federal and appellate courts, and the U.S Supreme Court. Obitts co-founded several nonprofit organizations and serves on several nonprofit boards. Obitts and his wife of 20 years, Krista, have five children, ranging in age from seven to seventeen.

Holger Ostheimer

DC Aviation Al-Futtaim

Holger is the Managing Director of DC Aviation Al-Futtaim in Dubai. A joint venture business between the DC Aviation Group and the Dubai based international business conglomerate Al-Futtaim.

He has been advising both JV partners in the making of the organization before taking on managing the live business in 2012. During the buildup stages Holger formed a team in Dubai to provide technical expertise on developing the hangar facility structure, establishing all operational, administrative and commercial structures, as well as obtaining a UAE aircraft operator certificate and a CAR 145 maintenance organization.

Originally educated at Frankfurt’s Johann Wolfgang Goethe University in Germany in the area of Sports Science, Biology and Education he built his career with extensive experience in the areas of airline operations, aircraft brokerage, flight support as well as obtaining a commercial flight crew license back in 2001.

Holger is a passionate business professional with a strong emphasis on premium quality operations and an understanding for people relations

Bill Papariella

Jet Edge

Bill is a seasoned senior executive within the aviation industry. Before co-founding Jet Edge International, he spent the previous six years working at NetJets, Marquis Jet, and Sentient. As senior vice president, Bill was responsible for advising and educating individuals and corporate clients on a variety of private aviation solutions including fractional ownership, jet card membership, charter and whole aircraft management.

During his tenure in the private aviation industry, Bill’s efforts have consistently propelled his sales teams to #1 in total new business year over year. Under his leadership Jet Edge has rapidly emerged as one of the leading sales, acquirers, and operators of luxury large cabin aircraft in the world.

Prior to being recruited into the aviation industry, Bill was a former Hollywood film executive and entrepreneur spearheading movie projects with A-list talent and major studios.

Bill is a native of Pittsburgh, educated at Ohio University and is a member of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO-WPO) – Beverly Hills Chapter.

Tom Parsons

AirBP

As commercial development manager for low carbon Tom is responsible for Air BP’s low carbon strategy, and the sourcing and supply of sustainable aviation fuel.

Tom joined BP as a research chemist in 2008, working on the development and scale-up of technologies including BP’s Fischer-Tropsch process.

He has since held business development and strategy roles in technology licensing, BP’s Fuels businesses and in Downstream commercial development. He also led BP’s Advanced Bio Products team at its inception before joining Air BP in 2017.

Tom holds a Master’s degree and D.Phil in Chemistry from the University of Oxford. Outside of work he enjoys coaching his son’s rugby team as well as playing the trumpet in a local jazz band.

Chris Partridge

Deutsche Bank Wealth Management

An aviation industry professional with over 30 years experience in various elements of the aviation sector. He started out training as a pilot on a Royal Air Force Scholarship, moved into a role as an aerial surveyor with an aerial mapping company (MAPS) in the Middle East before spending time as a geophysical surveyor. From here he went on to spent almost 10 years with a leading aviation consultancy as an appraiser and aviation consultant, from where he was recruited into Morgan Grenfell, which was subsequently purchased by Deutsche Bank. He has also had very broad exposure to and experience of the aircraft leasing industry through the financing of such vehicles, be it via commercial debt, export credits or structured tax products. In 2010 he established a cross divisional joint venture within his financial institution to bring the extensive asset financing capabilities of the Investment Bank to the organizations Private Bank and its private clients. In 2013 Chris moved permanently to the organizations Private Bank where he now heads up the Private Jet financing team and coordinates the expansion of the private jet financing initiative globally.

Dominic Pearson

Watson Farley Williams

Dominic is a partner in the asset finance group at WFW.Dominic has extensive experience in both the London and New York markets advising banks, ECAs, underwriters, issuers, borrowers, lessors and airlines in a broad range of aviation finance transactions including aviation related asset-backed securitisations (ABS), other complex warehouse and portfolio financings, and large portfolio sales.

He is one of the principal advisors to the Aviation Working Group in relation to the Global Aircraft Trading System (GATS), and is their lead lawyer on the drafting of the GATS ‘e-terms’ and standard form trust documents.

Dominic is qualified to practice in both England & Wales and the US states of New York and California.

Nuno Perieira

Bestfly

Profile coming soon

James Person

Viasat

James Person joined Viasat in 2013, where he leads sales and business development in the Business and VVIP Aviation segment of the company, an area that Viasat has been active in for more than ten years, including both Ka and Ku-band networks. Prior to Viasat, Mr. Person had general management, sales, and product management roles in high technology wireless and satellites communications companies. He began his career as a US Naval officer where he deployed during combat operations to the Middle East twice on a destroyer. Mr. Person earned a BSEE degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and an MBA in international marketing from the University of Southern California (USC).

Craig Picken

Northstar Group

Craig is focused on recruiting senior level leadership, sales and operations executives for some of the most prominent companies in the aviation and aerospace industry. Clients include aircraft OEM’s, Operators, Leasing / Financial Organizations, and Maintenance / Repair / Overhaul (MRO) providers. Since 2008 he has successfully concluded over 200 searches in a variety of disciplines. His professional career started in the US Navy where he was a combat decorated Naval Flight Officer. Upon leaving the Navy after eight years he spent more than seven years in sales with both Gulfstream Aircraft and Bombardier Business Aircraft. At Gulfstream, Craig helped drive sales efforts throughout the Middle East and Africa and played significant roles in securing sales in Algeria, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. He also worked with the “Government and Special Missions” division where he led campaigns for head-of-state and militarized aircraft throughout the world and helped secure Gulfstream’s largest sale ever to the US Government which included firm orders for 37 Gulfstream V’s under the VC-X competition. While at Bombardier, Craig managed the Southwest territory for Flexjet. In this role he more than doubled the territory sales volume, producing more than $125M in sales revenue in 3 years. A Texas Tech Graduate with a B.S. in International Trade, Craig has both lived overseas and conducted business throughout North America, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Middle East.

Jacques Pierrejean

Pierrejean Vision

Renowned for his work across the domains of aviation, yachting, architecture, and design, Jacques Pierrejean is synonymous with creating works of astounding elegance. He founded the company Pierrejean in Paris in 1975 and has since then completed a wide array of projects for renowned companies across the world. Pierrejean’s philosophy on design and conceptual projects is largely based on nature. He looks for the symbiosis and symmetry in the shapes and forms of flora and fauna, and carries these into his work. In 2018, he created the Pierrejean Vision, which encompasses his 45 years of professional experience into a new and complete brand spanning all four sectors.

Andy Priester

Priester Aviation

Andy Priester serves as Priester Aviation’s President and CEO.

He is the third generation of Priesters to lead the family business. In this role, Andy is dedicated to leading the organization to become the preeminent choice in aircraft management, aircraft charter and related aviation services. During Andy’s tenure at Priester, he has grown the fleet from seven aircraft to over 50 aircraft they manage globally today.

Andy holds a master’s degree from Concordia University and has held many leadership roles at aviation safety and trade associations.

Andy is a former Board Chair of the National Air Transportation Association (NATA).

Brian Proctor

Mente Group

Brian Proctor is founder, President and CEO of Mente Group, LLC. He founded Mente in 2009 and has been serving private aviation clients for over 19 years. Having been involved in over $8 billion in aircraft transactions and over $7 billion in aviation business planning, Brian’s experience is sought by corporations and individuals, worldwide.

After serving for six years in the US Army as an infantry Ranger and intelligence officer, Brian left the military to pursue a career in the private sector. After working at Transamerica Corporation, Mr. Proctor served as consultant, COO and President of the world’s second largest consultancy and broker/dealer.

Brian serves on boards for: International Aircraft Dealers Association (IADA), Jet Aviation Advisory Board, and formerly, the Frontiers of Flight Museum in Dallas.  He also previously served as President of IADA.  He holds a BA degree in International Studies in Politics and Diplomacy from the University of Richmond and an MBA from Southern Methodist University.

Tanya Raynes

Pula Aviation Services

Tanya graduated from Bristol University with a BSc(Hons) in Psychology and then began her career with Pricewaterhouse Coopers in London, qualifying as a Chartered Accountant in 1996. After qualifying, Tanya went on to gain significant experience within insolvency and then Corporate Finance, across a wide range of industries, projects and high-profile clients.

Tanya relocated from London to Sydney, Australia in 2000, joining the Commercial Real Estate team within GE Capital (a division of the large conglomerate General Electric) as Associate Director, responsible for structured debt financing and asset management of a diverse portfolio of commercial property. In 2003 Tanya became the P&L leader for a US$1bn book of loans acquired from a major bank, then returned to the UK in 2005 as Risk Operations Leader for Europe. Tanya’s roles with GE provided broad leadership and transactional experience, with a focus on operational excellence, business transformation and delivery of financial targets.

In 2012, Tanya joined Centreline as Finance Director, moving into the role of COO shortly after. Tanya was appointed CEO in 2014, to lead and drive the growth and diversification of Centreline’s business streams (Charter & Management, FBO, MRO, ATO), including the sale of the group in 2016 to Guernsey based family office, Pula Ltd. After the change of ownership, Tanya remained as CEO and Accountable Manager for Centreline to ensure continued profitable growth of the business.

More recently, Tanya assumed the position of non-executive Chair for Pula Aviation Services Ltd, the aviation division of the Pula group that is tasked with the growth and diversification of its aviation businesses, to provide customers with full-service business aviation acquisition, ownership, management and operational solutions.

Taunya Renson-Martin

MachMedia

For more than 18 years, Taunya has been active in the business aviation industry, first as a journalist, then as a publisher and, more recently as founder of the marketing and PR agency of record for several business aviation organizations. For the past decade, one of her key clients has been the European Business Aviation Association, for whom she serves as Strategic Communications Advisor, supporting the Association with the design and roll out of its industrywide campaign, Expanding Horizons (www.expandinghorizons.org). Among other goals, Expanding Horizons seeks to mobilize the business aviation community in sharing positive stories and messages about the value the industry delivers to local communities and the European economy.

Born and raised in Washington, DC, she has lived in Belgium since 2000. Taunya brings a fresh approach to marketing communications by combining a sharp business sense with a healthy dose of positivity and creative ingenuity.

Jean-Noel Robert

Airbus Corporate Jets

Mid 2006, Jean-Noel joined Airbus team in Dubai as Sales Contract Director, looking after airlines in Middle East. Mid 2008, he became ACJ North Asia Sales Director. In Sep 2010, he moved to Hong Kong and in June 2015, his regional responsibilities were extend to whole Asia.

Jean-Noel also served as Chairman of the not-for-profit Asian Business Aviation Association (AsBAA) from 2011 to 2013. Under his leadership, AsBAA notably doubled its members, launched the 1st ABACE in Shanghai and created the Hong-Kong, Mainland China and South East Asia chapters.

Mid 2016, Jean-Noel moved to HQs (Toulouse – France) to his current position. His main mission is to develop initiatives supporting commercial activities with clients and industry influencers.

Jean-Noel graduated from Toulouse Business School. He started his carrier with Airbus in 1995 in the Customer Support division. In between his Airbus experiences, JeanNoel worked for Schneider Electric for 10+ years successively as Financial Controller in Middle East; Country CFO in South Korea; Project Manager at corporate level and West Africa General Manager based in Senegal.

Jean-Noel, is happily married for 18 years and father of 2 children. He has been involved in various sports and more specifically in Rugby.

Dean Roberts

Rolls-Royce

Dr Dean Roberts is a civil aircraft industry expert and author with thirty-six years of experience at Rolls-Royce. His career spans roles within marketing, sales, corporate development and engineering departments.

Today, his expertise is used to support the strategy development of business aviation at Rolls-Royce. He provides twenty-year forecasts for new engine programs, analytics support, and reports on the current market scene.

In 2019 Dean briefed the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy on the market for supersonic business aircraft. In 2011 he wrote the Rolls-Royce input to the International Trade Commission’s investigation into the competiveness of the business aircraft industry.

Dr Roberts had his book entitled Entering the Civil Aircraft Industry: Business realities at the Technological Frontier published in 2017. Dean is an active member of the Transport Research Board committee for Light Commercial and General Aviation. For six years he was an Adjunct at the University of Virginia where he presented a course on the global aerospace industry.

Nicholas Sandler

Stonebriar Commercial Finance

Nicholas Sandler is Executive Vice President of Stonebriar Commercial Finance and Head of SCF Aviation Capital, Stonebriar’s leasing and financing platform that provides customized capital solutions to owners, operators, dealers and manufacturers of business and commercial aircraft worldwide. Previously, Nicholas was a Managing Director at Guggenheim Partners where he served in various capacities including portfolio manager of the Guggenheim Aircraft Opportunity Fund, L.P, Head of Public Affairs and was member of the firm’s corporate credit group. Prior to joining Guggenheim, Nicholas was an analyst and portfolio manager at a private investment company in Hong Kong. Earlier in his career, he served as special assistant to former California Gov. Gray Davis. Nicholas serves on the boards of Epic Aero, Inc., the parent company of Flexjet and Sentient Jet, Simcom Aviation Training, the Miguel Contreras Foundation and is President of the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation, the official team charity of Major League Baseball’s Los Angeles Dodgers.

Keith Sawyer

Avfuel

Keith Sawyer, manager of alternative fuels for Avfuel Corporation, has worked in the energy business since 1977 including 10 years in the Aviation Industry. After a 40-year career with Chevron, Sawyer joined Avfuel, a leading independent global supplier of aviation fuel and services with 650+ branded FBOs and 3,000+ fuelling locations worldwide. In 2016 as its regional business development/supply chain manager where he was responsible for developing and nurturing relationships with fuelling locations throughout the Western U.S., Canada and Alaska. To further capitalize on his expertise in the fuel market, Sawyer became Avfuel’s manager of alternative fuels in 2017, leading all aspects of evaluating the sustainable alternative jet fuel market and its suppliers while representing Avfuel within the environmental and fuel supply chain groups associated with GAMA, NBAA, NATA and IBAC.

During Sawyer’s tenure at Chevron, he oversaw petroleum and natural gas product supply chain management, cargo operations, general aviation business, branded programs, aviation investments, and marketing in various markets, operating out of Perth, Western Australia; Houston, Texas; San Ramon, California; Almaty, Kazakhstan; San Francisco, California; and Vancouver, British Columbia.

Sawyer received a bachelor’s degree in economic geography from the University of British Columbia, as well as completed the university’s executive development program, and Alberta’s Banff School of Management business and marketing development program.

Rob Scholl

Textron Aviation

Profile coming soon

Mike Silvestro

Flexjet

Michael Silvestro is the chief executive officer of Flexjet, a global leader in fractional private jet travel. Now the fractional private jet industry’s longest-tenured CEO, Silvestro began his aviation career at Flight Options in 2000, which his former Notre Dame roommate Kenn Ricci had founded in 1998. Silvestro served Flight Options as Vice President of Sales and Marketing from 2000 to 2005, helping to pioneer the company’s approach of selling fractional shares in refurbished as well as new aircraft. During his tenure, he helped to build Flight Options into the industry’s second-ranked company, with more than 200 aircraft and several thousand fractional and jet card customers. Silvestro left Flight Options after Raytheon Travel Air’s investment that ultimately led to its acquiring majority control of the company. Silvestro held a senior position with fractional provider CitationShares from 2005-08. In 2008, Silvestro was named CEO of Flight Options upon its being re-acquired by Ricci’s Directional Aviation. On top of needing to re-build an enterprise that was neglected by previous ownership, the bottom fell out during the financial crisis, with flight activity dropping 35 percent in just a few months, followed by a period of contraction for the private aviation industry. Forced to innovate, Silvestro managed through two very conflicting initiatives scale back the business and do more with less. At the same time, Silvestro understood how important it was to continue to provide customers with exceptional levels of service. Silvestro not only helped keep Flight Options alive during the recession of 2008-09, but, through steady leadership, positioned it to return to a state of growth faster than its peers. By the first quarter of 2011, Flight Options saw a 467 percent increase in fractional jet sales and a 46 percent increase in jet card sales during that year’s first quarter, compared to the same period in the previous year. This was part of four consecutive years of improved financial results since Silvestro became Flight Options CEO. At the close of 2012, Flight Options saw sales increase 30 percent year over year, with a 70 percent increase in sales to owners who left a competing brand. During this period, Flight Options became the launch customer for the Embraer Phenom 300 light jet as well as the Nextant 400XT, the world’s first remanufactured business jet. Both aircraft were perfect for this period of guarded capital deployment and economic recovery, as they were the most capable in their class with the industry’s lowest acquisition and operating costs. By 2013, Silvestro had Flight Options on such a track of stability and growth that its owner, Ricci’s Directional Aviation, acquired fractional pioneer Flexjet from Bombardier, eventually merging it with Flight Options. Once again, Ricci turned to Silvestro and his steady hand, making him CEO of the new combined enterprise that would move forward under the Flexjet banner. Since then, Silvestro has overseen the rebranding of Flexjet as the industry’s most refined and Owner-centric fractional provider, invested billions in new aircraft with an emphasis on large-cabin models turning Flexjet into a truly global operator and launched premium offering Red Label with features never before seen in the fractional private jet industry such as dedicated crews and the LXi Cabin Collection of artisan aircraft interiors.

Adriana Simoes

Mattos Filho Law

Adriana specializes in aviation law, focusing on contractual and regulatory matters. She has solid experience in commercial contracts, tax and corporate law, concerning aviation and substantial knowledge in the rules issued by the National  Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC). Her experience includes drafting purchase and sale agreements for aircraft and aircraft equipment, aircraft financing and leasing in the commercial and business aviation sectors. She is a member of the Aviation Working Group (AWG), the Aviation Law Committee and Space Law Committee of the International Bar Association (IBA) and member of the International Aviation Womens Association (IAWA), as well as the Brazilian Bar Association Aeronautical Law Commission, São Paulo Section (OAB/SP) and of the Brazilian General Aviation Association (ABAG).

Jane Stanbury

Arena Group

Jane has over 30 years’ professional experience working in business development positions in the media, communications, aviation, and travel sectors. She has run and sold two successful companies, and with a first-class MBA under her belt and a specialisation in crisis comms, launched her third business Arena Group in January 2017.

With firm foundations in the sales, business development, marketing and communications arenas working with leading international corporations Arena Group now supports SMEs in finding the voice of the company to communicate with internal and external marketplaces. She has spent significant time working in Africa, was part of the founding AfBAA team, and organised business aviation events in Nigeria, South Africa, Morocco and Ethiopia.  Jane believes Africa’s future lies in the continued sustainable development of the business and general aviation sectors.

She has lived and worked in London, New York, Mallorca, Japan and Montreal, which brings an international perspective to any corporate situation. Driven by a desire to explore, and discover Jane is always seeking out new potential in the companies she works with.

Nel Stubbs

Conklin & de Decker

Nel Stubbs is a Vice President of Conklin & de Decker, the industry leader in aviation research, consulting and education, and Director of Consulting Services at Jet Support Services, Inc. (JSSI).

Nel has been in the business aviation industry for more than 30 years and has consulted with numerous Fortune 500 companies and high-net-worth individuals on aviation tax-related matters at both the federal and state levels. Nel is considered one of the foremost tax experts in the industry and has extensive experience in the areas of tax planning, cost and financial analysis, budgeting, aircraft ownership and operating structures and tax audits.

Over the course of the last 32 years, Nel has worked with the Internal Revenue Service and various state departments of revenue and taxation regarding tax issues associated with general aviation aircraft. She is also an active participant in industry-related tax activities, a frequent speaker at seminars and industry forums, and has been widely published in the aviation trade press.

Nel is a member of the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Tax Committee, National Air Transportation Association Air Charter Committee, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Industry Advisory Board, and Business Aviation Advisor’s Advisory Board. She has also served on the Helicopter Association International Finance and Leasing Committee; NBAA Associate Membership Advisory Council; National Aircraft Finance Association’s Board of Directors; and Arizona Business Aviation Association’s (AZBAA’s) Board of Directors, where she also served as President.

Prior to joining Conklin & de Decker, Nel was with the NBAA from 1987 to 1999, where she was instrumental in the development of their tax program. She also played a key role in developing NBAA’s first comprehensive aircraft cost comparison program.

Nel has a bachelor’s in mathematics from California State University, San Bernardino, and a master’s in aeronautical science/aircraft operations from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Nel works from Conklin & de Decker’s regional office in Prescott, Arizona.

Conklin & de Decker, founded in 1984, is a JSSI company. Conklin & de Decker’s primary focus is fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft operating cost data, performance and specification databases, maintenance management software, financial management, fleet planning, market research, aviation tax issues and management seminars. The company also consults with and serves numerous high-net-worth individuals, corporations and government agencies worldwide. Nel is responsible for the management of Conklin & de Decker’s State Tax Guide for general aviation and developing and supporting Conklin & de Decker’s educational seminars and programs.

Shelley Svoren

International Aviation Women's Association

Her 28 year career in financial management and credit quality includes roles as Assistant Bank Examiner for the FDIC, Assistant Vice President at Silicon Valley Bank, and Financial Analyst for Agilent Technologies and Southcorp Wines, where she created and managed the budget for its North American operations and oversaw the financial operations for a joint venture. She currently oversees the underwriting and portfolio management for FRB’s Aviation & Marine team (over $1Bn in commitments since founded in 2006), which has yet to incur a loss or foreclosure. She works with FRB’s clients located throughout the US who are involved in diverse businesses – real estate, private equity, venture capital, and entrepreneurs as FRB specializes in meeting their unique financing needs– and aircraft are used as business tools to expand their clients’ brands.  She serves on the boards of the Society of Daughters of Holland Dames and the International Aviation Womens Association, where she oversees the Scholarship, Mentorship, Internship, and Leadership Development committees; and is involved in over 20 organizations that are dedicated to historic preservation and meeting the needs of her community. She moderates panels and speaks at conferences regarding aviation and marine industries; writes articles; and mentors colleagues at work and in the aviation industry. She earned her BS from the University of Oregon with a focus on Finance, Economics, and Scandinavian Studies.

Kai Tang

Inmarsat

Kai Tang is Senior Vice President, Business and General Aviation at Inmarsat, the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications. He is responsible for leadership of Inmarsat’s ground-breaking portfolio of connectivity services for the business aviation industry, including its global, high-speed JX inflight Wi-Fi solution, which delivers an inflight broadband experience comparable to on-the-ground connections. Previously Kai served as Senior Vice President, Channel, for Inmarsat Aviation as well as Chief Commercial Officer and VP for Commercial Strategy and Operations for Inmarsat plc, which provides satellite communications services to the United States government.

Mr. Tang received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA).

Richard Taylor

Committee on Climate Change

Senior Analyst at the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) leading their work on aviation, shipping, bioenergy, wastes and GHG removals for the 6th carbon budget, due to be published in early December 2020. He is also contributing to UK, Scottish and Welsh Progress Reports during 2020. Richard has a background in physics and environmental technology, with 10 years’ experience in sustainable energy consulting prior to joining the CCC.

Henry Thomas

Clay Lacy Aviation

Henry Thomas has more than a decade of business aviation experience, and wide-ranging knowledge of aircraft management and operations. Clients rely on the uncompromising professionalism Mr. Thomas brings to the management of their aircraft, from safety and maintenance to dispatch reliability and crew recruitment and governance. They also value his ability to control costs through strategic planning, and his personalized, responsive service. Mr. Thomas joined Clay Lacy as an Operations Specialist, playing a critical role in implementing our innovative web-based Safety Management System, as well as coordinating risk management and independent safety audits. Previously he worked in line and customer service at a major Southern California FBO. An enthusiastic licensed private pilot, Mr. Thomas has a BS in Business Administration with a focus in Business Law from California State University, Northridge.

Jeffrey Towers

TVPX

Jeff serves as General Counsel for TVPX’s 1031 exchange and FAA owner trusts businesses. Jeff is the current Chairman of the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Tax Committee and is an active member of various other aircraft related organizations in the U.S. and Europe. Jeff has given presentations on aircraft tax, registration and related issues to most of the major manufacturers and lenders, and at various aircraft conferences including NBAA and HAI.

Vinna Tsang

The V Executive Search

A seasoned Business Executive with over 18 years’ experience gained from reputable companies across various industries, including consumer banking, recruitment and business aviation.

Currently a Founder and Director at The V Executive Search which is specialized in recruiting for the business aviation sector in Asia.

Skilled in Talent Acquisition & Management, Training and
Coaching, Strategic Planning, Business Development, Sales & Marketing, and General Management.

Sarah Tschudin

UBS

Profile coming soon

Ed Underwood

Avsurance Corporation

Ed Underwood, president of Avsurance Corporation, and vice president and risk manager of Avfuel Corporation, has been in the aviation insurance industry since 1980. He holds the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter designation conferred in 1984 and the Certified Insurance Counselor designation conferred in 1995. Underwood received a bachelor’s degree from Colby College. Prior to his appointment as president of Avsurance Corporation in 1991, Underwood was vice president of the Rockwood Company in Chicago, Illinois. Avsurance Corporation is a specialty Aviation Insurance Broker and a wholly owned subsidiary of Avfuel Corporation. Avsurance is licensed in all 50 states and places coverage for more than 300 aviation accounts throughout the world. The agency practice includes Part 121 cargo operators, Part 135 fleets, fixed based operators, maintenance facilities, component part manufacturers and more than 200 turbine Part 91 aircraft. Specializing in US registered foreign-owned aircraft.

Stephen Vella

Kestrel Aviation Management

Stephen Vella and the Kestrel team are market leaders in the Head of State and corporate aircraft sector. Kestrel has turn-key project managed the purchase, cabin design, outfitting and sale of 50 large corporate aircraft including 14 widebody and 14 narrowbody platforms from Airbus and Boeing for worldwide clients since 1998, including the world’s first BBJ 787. Kestrel Aviation Management has purchased and sold over three hundred and fifty large commercial and corporate aircraft valued at over US$50 billion and arranged over US$9 billion of financing on behalf of airlines, governments, corporations, investors and high net worth individuals.

Rolland Vincent

JETNETiQ

Rolland Vincent Associates, LLC (RVA) is a consultancy focused on aviation market research, strategy, and forecasting. RVA’s client base includes the world’s foremost civil aircraft and engine manufacturers, aerospace suppliers, aviation service providers, fleet operators, lenders / lessors, and the investment community. With 35+ years in the aviation industry, Rollie has served as a trusted consultant and at Textron, Bombardier, and ICAO in various roles in strategy, marketing, business development, aviation economics, and aviation statistics. Identifying a need for enhanced insights into the state of the business aviation marketplace, RVA partnered with JETNET in 2010 to create JETNET iQ, a respected source of independent market intelligence incorporating proprietary voices of the customer research. He is chair of the Transportation Research Board’s Standing Committee on Light Commercial and General Aviation, overseeing subcommittees focused on business aviation, regional aviation, and helicopters / vertical lift solutions. A private pilot, Rollie earned a BA and MA in economic geography and a MBA in international business and marketing from McGill University.

Frank Volz

UBS

Profile coming soon

Ford von Weise

Citi Private Bank

Mr. von Weise is currently a Director and Global Head of the Aircraft Finance Group at Citi Private Bank. The group provides private aircraft financing solutions to individual ultra high net worth clients and their companies throughout the world. Mr. von Weise’s responsibilities and roles while at Citi have included loan origination, product program management, reporting and workouts. The group focuses on transactions typically in the range of $10 to $50 million. Mr. von Weise has over fourteen years of business aviation experience most recently serving as Vice President of Business Aviation Finance for Merrill Lynch Capital. Prior to Merrill Lynch, he worked for GMAC Commercial Finance in the same capacity. His expertise covers a wide range of corporate and personal aircraft both domestically and internationally. Prior to joining GMAC, Mr. von Weise was Vice President of Capital Transactions at Lend Lease Real Estate investments, where he was responsible for the recapitalization and workout of large multi-family properties throughout the U.S. Mr. von Weise is a member of the Board of Directors of the National Aircraft Finance Association and was appointed by the Boards of Selectmen from the Massachusetts towns of Concord, Lincoln, Bedford and Lexington as a commission member of the Hanscom Field Advisory Commission. He is also a past board member of the Massachusetts Business Aviation Association and a local volunteer representative for the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. He is also an instrument rated pilot, aircraft owner, and a pilot for the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. Mr. von Weise has also appeared on the Discovery Channel as an aviation expert in the Celebrity Crash Files, J.F.K., Jr, documentary series. He is also currently a member of the Board of Advisors for Brown Aviation Lease. Mr. von Weise holds an undergraduate degree, cum laude, in Environmental Studies and History from the University of Vermont.

Ryan Waguespack

National Air Transport Association

Ryan Waguespack joined the staff of the National Air Transportation Association (NATA) as Vice President of Aircraft Management, Air Charter Services and MROs in November 2018. A long-time supporter of the aviation business community and NATA, Ryan Waguespack served as the Chair of NATA’s WorkForce Development Committee and Illegal Charter Task Force, as well as Vice Chair of the Air Charter Committee as an association member. As Vice President, Ryan leads the Association and industry effort to combat illegal charter, working with the FAA and its Field Offices to educate the public on the risks, assisting the FAA in enforcement through data collection and reporting, and leveraging existing data sources to help the agency focus enforcement efforts. Previously, he served in various operational roles for charter management companies, as well as aircraft sales, working closely with clients to educate them throughout the purchasing process and help them attain the best aviation solution for their needs. Prior to NATA, Waguespack held the position of Vice President of Business Development of Summit Aviation. Waguespack is the founder of the Alabama Business Aviation Association, an organization dedicated to promoting the value of business aviation throughout the state, educating stakeholders on the value of business aircraft and community airports, and advocating on behalf of aviation businesses. A staunch champion for promoting aviation workforce development, Ryan travels the country to speak at industry events dedicated to reaching the next generation of pilots, maintainers and business aviation leaders. He is also a frequent guest lecturer at universities nationwide, including Auburn University in the Harbert College of Business, Southern Illinois University, and the University of Dubuque. Through Waguespack’s community-building initiatives at the universities, he is working to develop channels to connect rising students with aviation businesses. Ryan is a recreational pilot who lives in Birmingham, Alabama with his wife Amanda and two children.

Don Walsh

Stonebriar Commercial Finance

Don Walsh is currently Senior Vice President of Originations for Stonebriar Commercial Finance, Business Aviation, the company’s global business aviation financing platform.

Don joined Stonebriar from Guggenheim Partners, where he was most recently a Managing Director and oversaw new transaction origination activity for Guggenheim’s Business Aircraft Investments group. He brings over 25 years of experience in the business aviation finance industry, previously originating transactions at US Bank Equipment Finance, Key Equipment Finance and Boeing Capital Corporation. He joined Boeing Capital following the merger between The Boeing Company and McDonnell Douglas Corporation. He previously worked at McDonnell Douglas Finance Corporation as an Asset Manager, responsible for the company’s portfolio of business aircraft operating leases. Prior to joining McDonnell Douglas Finance, he worked at Equitable Life Leasing Corporation as a lease manager. Don received a BS from University of the Pacific and an MBA from Pepperdine University.

Mike Walsh

Aer Mobi

An award-winning seasoned senior executive, recently appointed the new CEO of PBEC – Pacific Basin Economic Council. Walsh advocates the economic benefits of professional networking, responsible business, fair trade and a friendly regulatory environment for companies in the APAC region. He believes in win win benefits from the reduction of barriers to entry and tariffs for business, encouragement of foreign investment whilst keeping environmental impact to a bear minimum.

Walsh has 23 years experience in the Aviation Industry and sold the award winning business aviation company Asia Jet HK to a subsidiary of HNA Group in 2016 called Hongkong Jet.

In November 2014, he joined the AsBAA – Asian Business Aviation Association board as a volunteer. Under his leadership and guidance, the value proposition of AsBAA was developed and it has earned global recognition by Air Transport Government-related Agencies and other international trade bodies for its efforts to date.

One of his many proud achievements was creating in 2014 the annual Icons of Business Aviation, Annual Industry Awards Asia event and its charity gala dinner hosted in Hong Kong which has raised over HKD1.2M in donated funds for Orbis Charity since its inception and has become a must attend network & recognition event.

His passion extended to youth engagement and the next generation of talent through the creation of the AsBAA Student Discovery program which has hosted several thousand students from across the region over the past 4 years, to educate young people about Business and General Aviation and its benefits. He has worked diligently with several Government Agencies and Airport Authorities to advocate for new infrastructure to accommodate the future of general and business aviation across Asia.

Walsh holds a Master’s Degree in Finance & Accounting and a MSc in Economics. He is a Part Qualified Management Accountant and a Graduate of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators.

Johnnie White

American Society of Appraisers

Profile coming soon

Kevin White

Jet Edge

As a leading broker at one of the largest aircraft sales and acquisition firms in the world for over a decade, Kevin has built a rapport with everyone from UHNW individuals, to fortune 50 corporations, as well as heads of state. As an avid pilot with 20 years of experience in the aviation industry and nearly 4,000 hours of flight time, Kevin started his career operating a flight school and later worked as a corporate jet pilot, all while buying and selling aircraft. Now specializing in the Gulfstream market and with nearly 150 aircraft transactions completed totaling approximately $1.5B, Kevin understands all aspects of aircraft sales from start to finish and will lead the team from our east coast office.

Pamela Williams

Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals

Pam Williams is a native Memphian and a consummate leader with a track record of outstanding results. Pam is a graduate of Woodbury University with a degree in business and the University of Arkansas with a master’s degree in Operations Management. She has over 32 years of management experience in Operations and Human Resources in the aviation industry. Pam’s relationship with OBAP started in 2011 when she was asked to prepare and deliver a workshop on Emotional Intelligence at the OABP convention in Las Vegas. She did a workshop annually for 5 years on various leadership topics thereafter. In 2018 she was honored at the Pioneer’s Breakfast and given the Bessie Coleman award for her dedication to aviation.  Her commitment, steadfastness, and relationship-building skills have brought her continued success.

Pam joined the Board of Directors for the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP) as Director of Human Resources (HR) in August 2019. Pam’s primary focus is to provide human resource expertise to the board and staff members, and has accountability for all core functions of HR including talent acquisition and policy oversight.

Pam works with Shelby County Schools (SCS), her local community school system on developing an intentional career path into some of the city’s largest employers and runs a potentially free college tuition program with the University of Memphis. Pam is also a Certified Master Coach, accredited by the Behavioral Coaching Institute, and has a master certification in Emotional Intelligence Coaching from The Six Seconds Network. Pam was recently selected as a member of the Federal Aviation Administration Women in Aviation advisory board (FAAWAIB).

When she isn’t busy doing amazing work, Pam enjoys spending time with her family, reading, mentoring, and coaching individuals on life skills. Her favourite quote is: “Don’t let anyone steal your joy!”

Francisco Zozaya

JSSI

As Senior Vice President, Business Development & Strategy, Mr. Zozaya provides leadership to the organization’s activities throughout North America and Latin America, and oversees the global JSSI Alliance Program.

Prior to joining JSSI, Mr. Zozaya served as Pre-Owned Director at Aerolineas Ejecutivas, managing its pre-owned aircraft sales and acquisitions business unit. He facilitated several key industry alliances and memberships for Latin America’s largest business aviation company and has established an extensive network with the global broker community, financial institutions, OEMs and MROs. Mr. Zozaya graduated from Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City as an industrial engineer.

Joe Zulueta

Aeronautical Systems

Joseph T. Zulueta, ASA, Managing Partner of Aeronautical Systems Inc., has directed aviation portfolios, executed aircraft appraisals, forecasted future values and consulted on airplane equipment selection studies since the early 1990s.

Joseph also has been intimately involved in aviation financial analyses, fleet evaluations, contract maintenance and inspection “return” provisions, physical aircraft inspections and associated historical record auditing, equipment returns and remarketing strategies. Over the course of his aviation career, he has provided commercial jet and business aircraft market research along with value adjustment factors, current and future value trend analyses. He is noted as well for his skill in overhauling periodicity analyses, maintenance cost estimating and technical report writing in support of the aircraft appraisal process