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Speakers, presenters, moderators

33 speakers/presenters/moderators/ will participate in a program that foresees 2-3 simultanious break-out sessions during most of the program schedule.

Mind that the speakers listed below are not automatically also the panel members of the BA-ThinkTank sessions. There are four Think Tank sessions. The exception is Chris Crum (see below) who will be chairing the sessions. However 8 panel mebers have been determined and another eight may be chosen from the participant depending on where the discussion lead to and what expertise is needed at that stage of discussions. This to achieve an optimal outcoming.depending on the direction of the interactive discussions, the panels may differ. This flexibility will help optimize the outcome the Think Tank.

The list of BA-Meetup speakers/presenter/moderators includes:



John Barron, Partner and Internet Marketing Director, Gravety Free, Sarasota, FL, USA

Have new ideas and suggestions? Speak to John and you will get the real value for realistic ideas and suggestions. John is an internet marketer and manager with in-depth experience in search marketing, search engine optimization, email marketing, e-newsletter, online advertising campaigns and social media.

Formerly the owner of Barron Productions, an internet marketing company, John has been working as a marketing professional for over 12 years. He has led teams of specialists in the conception, implementation and management of complex marketing campaigns that have resulted in dramatic improvements for clients. He is Individually Qualified in Google Adwords.

Internationally, John has made presentations in India and Ireland.



Marcia Buckingham, Treasurer & Co-Founder of the Association for Women in Aviation Maintenance, Vice Chair of Workshops at Sun 'n Fun Fly-In, Inc., Edgewater, FL

Marcia was the first female Space Craft Operator (SCO) at Cape Kennedy Space Center in Florida. As a licensed A&P, IA, Marcia is a 14 year veteran of the Space Shuttle Program, first as a mechanical and electrical technician and later as a lead quality control inspector. She was the first female Spacecraft Operator (SCO) at Kennedy Space Center. SCOs or "grounded astronauts" perform systems tests and checkout from the cockpit of the Orbiter between launches. She is also a certificated airline transport pilot and a flight instructor in fixed and rotor wing.

Marcia is a general aviation mechanic, a student of electrical engineering and a former space shuttle mechanic and inspector.
More specifically, Marcia is an Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) Mechanic and holds an Inspection Authorization certification. She has private, commercial, and airline transport pilot‚s licenses. Marcia is also an instructor in multi-engine and instrument flying. In 1971, she earned her license for rotary wing helicopters.

Her aviation interest began at the tender age of 5 when she knew she wanted to become a helicopter pilot. Through her mother's encouragement she learned there were no boundaries to what she could accomplish. In her teens, Marcia joined the Civil Air Patrol; taught auto mechanics in high school; and repaired foreign cars out of her mother‚s garage. After high school graduation Marcia traded flying time for airport work and became the first woman student at Flight Safety International, one of America's premier flight training institutes.

Today Marcia is using her newly earned electrical engineering technology degree working at an on-campus public broadcasting television station, teaching new students in aviation to fly.



Dr. Peggy Chabrian, President Women in Aviation International, Dayton, OH, USA

Dr. Peggy Chabrian is President and Founder of Women in Aviation, International. She has grown the organization from its first conference attended by 150 people in 1990 to an organization representing thousands of women in all aspects of aviation today. She is a multi-thousand hour commercial pilot as well as a rotary-rated pilot and flight instructor who has been flying for more than 20 years.

Prior to her founding Women in Aviation, International, she held several top positions in aviation education including Academic Dean and Associate Vice President of Parks College; Dean of Academic Support for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's Prescott, Arizona campus; Director of the Center of Excellence for Aviation/Space Education at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's Daytona Beach campus; as well as Department Chair of the Aiation Department at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia.



Elizabeth "Liz" Clark, Executive Director Women in Corporate Aviation, Hernando, MS, USA

Liz serves as a Executive Director and Headquarters for WCA, Women in Corporate Aviation.

She is a is a pilot at FedEx Corporate Aviation department and the Captain on both the Challenger 601 and Learjet 45 aircraft flying the executives and guests of FedEx Corporation.

As a graduate of Louisiana Tech University's Professional Aviation program, Liz began in 1981 as a flight instructor in Lake Charles, LA. Later in New Iberia, LA, she instructed and also flew as traffic watch pilot for Pelican Aviation Corporation. In 1983 she moved to Jackson, MS where she flew Part 91 and 135 charters, 135 commuter, and cancelled check runs for Flight Line, Inc. In 1985 she relocated to Birmingham, AL where she flew briefly for Hangar One, Inc., as a 135 charter pilot and co-pilot for BellSouth Corporation--her first real taste of corporate aviation.

Later that same year, she landed a corporate flying position with Southern Company Services of Atlanta, Georgia, and moved to PDK (Peachtree-Dekalb). In 1989 Liz transferred from their Atlanta base to Gulfport, Mississippi, and progressed from flying Beech King Air 200s to getting her first type rating in a Cessna Citation V. During this time she discovered Women in Aviation International and worked with other corporate aviation professionals to found WECAN, Women Engaged in Corporate Aviation Network. Later renamed WCA, Women in Corporate Aviation works to network, mentor and promote careers in the business aviation world.

In 1997 Liz changed jobs to a smaller corporate operation flying a King Air and Beechjet 400A for Mississippi Chemical Corporation. That same year she was elected as President of WCA and was honored to represent her company in the NBAA sponsored "Business Wings" exhibit in the National Air and Space Museum-a highlight in her career. In November of 2000 Liz was awarded the first Challenger 604 type rating scholarship given through Women in Aviation International at the NBAA convention in New Orleans, LA. Eight months later she was hired to fly Challengers and Learjets for FedEx Express Corporate Aviation in Memphis.



Jim Clifford, CEO, Clifford Development LLC, Toledo, OH, USA

Jim is a senior-level industry veteran with more than 35 years of comprehensive experience in aviation including; maintenance, overhaul and modification of aircraft, avionics, engines, interior, paint and charter and FBO operations. His current company develops modifications using newly emerging engine and avionics technologies on legacy business jets, creating fuel efficient, technologically advanced products at an economical price point.

His demonstrated talent to build, motivate and lead multifunctional teams in developing and sustaining new business and product growth is well recognized. Using a refreshing "outside the box" approach to problem solving and team building, Jim has mentored companies and teams to deliver initiatives that create sustainable value in challenging situations. Jim says "it is paramount when adapting to changing situations that you provide strong solutions and communicate that vision effectively".

Jim has additional expertise in FAA Certified Repair Stations (CRS), STC development and certification, business and financial modeling and property management. While senior vice-president at Kal-Aero he orchestrated 3 major OEM appointments and oversaw the technical growth of 400 technicians in less than 5 years, while maintaining a top five position in customer satisfaction.



Graham Coate, CEO, London, UK

Graham Coate maybe be considered THE expert on ground transportation in the Greater London Area.

He is the CEO of First Class Cars and began the operation in 1999, based at Luton airport with only one luxury car and one employee. First Class Cars now owns a 35-strong fleet of vehicles including the S-Class Mercedes saloon, Mercedes Viano, Chrysler Grand Voyager, Bentley Continental Flying Spur, plus a brand new addition to the fleet, the Rolls-Royce Phantom.

Graham is just as devoted to finding the perfect fleet as we are to finding the perfect chauffeurs; some say we're a little ruthless. All of First Class Cars chauffeurs are handpicked and hired on their presentation, personality, driving ability and on hand knowledge of the London area without satellite navigation. The executive chauffeurs are rigorously trained to make one feel like a First Class client and they present themselves in our tailored uniformed suites at all times.

First Class Cars uses a state-of-the-art vehicle tracking system, which provides updates of vehicle positions every 60 seconds. Also, key to serving the demanding business jet market, the company uses a sophisticated flight tracking system, enabling it to monitor the precise arrival times of jets, saving clients and charter brokers waiting time and cost.

The growth of the company has come from word of mouth recommendations and Graham Coate's passion and dedication for providing a reliable and boutique service for the private aviation industry.

First Class Cars is headquartered at London Luton Airport and recently opened a new facility at London Stansted Airport. It has global connections through affiliates in Paris, Milan, Barcelona, Washington DC and Sydney.


Al Costa, CEO, Alkol Inc, Madrid, Spain

Al Costa is Chief Executive Officer of Alkol, a world leader consulting on ethanol solutions and sugarcane technology with operations in US and Spain. The company consults for large companies and institutions which want to use biofuels to obtain energy and environmental benefits. The company is also bringing to Europe and the US a number of technologies which allow car fleets and boilers to become "flex", that is, to use their original fuels plus bioethanol.

Mr. Costa has written extensively and has been a keynote speaker about the ethanol industry in several venues in Lisbon, Berlin, USA, Abu Dhabi, etc. He is an advocate on the use of sustainable ethanol to attain fuel independence. Also, he's the author of a book in which he studies the brazilian ethanol model and how it can help Spain (where he lives and is a citizen) to also attain its fuel independence.

An entrepreneur by heart, he was also one of the pioneers of the e-commerce industry in Brazil, where he wrote the first book on e-commerce in Brazil, helped found the Brazilian chamber of e-commerce, and founded the first e-commerce consulting company. He later sold it to a US group (Visualcom) with clients such as Charles Schwab and Starmedia, later sold to Fusion Networks. Mr. Costa founded Brazil's 2nd largest music portal, with over 52.000 registered tracks from over 2000 musicians. He founded an e-commerce portal similar to "The Sharper Image" importing products from China. The model proved quite succesful, and Mr. Costa travelled to Shenzhen, Beijing, Shanghai, etc.

Mr. Costa holds a BA in Biology from Saint Leo University and a Master in Computer Engineering from University of South Florida. He was mentioned in Time Magazine and MSNBC.



Chris Crum, Founder at Sextant Advisory, Phoenix, AZ, USA

Chris Crum is a Business Developer and Strategist for ServiceElements. Chris has over 25 years of progessive management responsibility in the business aviation industry. Most recently, he was President and CEO of Royal Jet Group, an international charter and aviation services company based in Abu Dhabi, UAE. He has extensive and progressive management responsibility in business aviation and in his current role as a Founding Principal at Sextant Advisory, LLC, he enables business aviation organizations to successfully 'navigate' difficult business issues by advancing solutions that achieve their operational, financial and strategic goals.

During his time in the Middle East, Chris was a founding Board member of the Middle East Business Aviation Association (MEBAA) and primary sponsor of the first MEBA conference. Chris recently returned to Phoenix following executive assignments in Europe, the Middle East and North America that included well-known aviation delivery organizations such as Stevens Aviation MRO/FBO chain (President and COO) and Garrett Aviation (VP/GM). While with Allied Signal Engines (now Honeywell), Chris directed aftermarket programs and spearheaded the creation and execution of a division-wide re-engineering/customer service training program. In addition, during his assignment in Germany, he revamped and led the international support organization for Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

He is a seasoned veteran of several aviation market segments including: OEM, MRO, FBO, charter and completions.

Chris has been a military officer, holds an MBA from Arizona State University, and combines his education and broad international leadership experience to provide effective solutions for organizations. He enjoys sharing methods that enable individuals to better understand customer needs, determine their strategic direction and realize their business potential. His authentic style and excellent communication skills enable him to articulate specific concepts and direction to the organization while maintaining consummate professional relationships with owners and Boards of Directors alike.

His speciality is to lead companies to achieve aggressive growth and profitability regardless of economic conditions and significant skills include: Strategic and financial planning; Sales and market development; International management expertise; Operational and process analysis; Program, budget and contract management; Customer relationship/loyalty development


Jean Dible, President, GA Food Safety Professionals, Atlanta, GA, USA

Jean Dible is president and founder of GA Food Safety Professionals, a mobile food & alcohol safety training school in Atlanta, GA. Jean’s career in foods and nutrition has expanded over 30-years, beginning with a BS degree in foods/nutrition & education from the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, WA.

Jean's food background includes community adult education in foods and nutrition for Washington State University and The University of Arizona, as part of the Cooperative Extention Outreach programs through both universities.

In Jean's experience with both universities, she trained several hundred 4-H leaders in foods and nutrition. With the general public, Jean lectured and trained thousands of adults in foods and nutrition in-person, and through news articles, and television in Washington State. After the University experience, Jean worked for a number of years as a corporate trainer and sales manager for the Armour Meat Co. throughout the Southeast.

Currently Jean teaches restaurant management food safety certification classes in 4-languages, with the help of translators. Jean is also a restaurant consultant and a restaurant food safety auditor inspector. Ms Dible has expanded her food safety knowledge from the ground to the air and the Aviation Industry and works closely with several Aviation Caterers. Another dimension to Jean's teaching and experience is training aviation employees in food safety standards. The aviation food safety training is the same as on the ground, but is modified to meet the needs of aviation employee and passengers 40,000 feet above the ground.


Terry Drinkard, Chief Engineer at Athena Galleys, AL, USA

Terry Drinkard has designed airplanes, marketed airplanes, and worked out the production problems of airplanes. He just knows know a lot about airplanes and has an interests and desire are being involved in cool developments around airplanes and in the aviation industry and publishes his views in a weekly column called "Industry Insight" in BlueSky News.

Currently Terry is Chief Engineer at Athena Galleys and advises on implementation of new galley technology for business aviation. He has held senior positions with Gulfstream Aerospace and Boeing Commercial Airplane and has years of experience at MROs designing structural repairs.

An outstanding, highly intelligent, knowledgeable and energetic professional, Terry combines solid business skills with a strong aeronautical engineering. His areas of specialty are aircraft design, development, manufacturing, maintenance, and modification; lean manufacturing; Six-sigma; worker-directed teams; project management; organization development and start-ups.

Terry holds an MBA of Seattle University and a BS, Aeronautical Engineering of the California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo.



Capt. Francis Freeman, IOSA Lead Auditor, IS-BAO Auditor, Flight Crew Recruitment advisor, MCC Examiner, London Metropolitan University Lecturer, London, UK

Captain Francis S. Freeman, the Managing Aviation Consultant, is the Chief Multi Crew Cooperation Course Instructor (CMCCI) at London Metropolitan University (LMU) UK. He also instructs MCC courses at Bournemouth Commercial Flight Training company (BCFT) UK and Stapleford Flight Centre.

He is a qualified IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) Evaluator Auditor for the Wake organization of UK and has conducted audits in Africa, Europe, the Far East, the Middle East, Russian Federation and former CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States).

Captain Freeman, as subject matter expert, conducts interviews for the selection of flight crew, including simulator assessments primarily for start-up airlines. In addition he has been involved in crew selection whilst employed by Saudi Arabian Airlines (SVA).

Captain Freeman is a Guest Lecturer at LMU on their Aviation Management & Operations Degree course.

Captain Freeman has been in the aviation industry for 50 years. Before returning to the UK in 2003 he was a pilot with SVA, the largest airline in the Middle East for 22 years as a B747 Captain and later G-IV Captain. He was the line operations manager in the Flight Operations Quality Assurance (FOQA) department and held a senior position in the airline's new aircraft acquisition program from 1996-2000. He finished his line operations time as Deputy Chief Pilot of the B744 fleet.

Prior to working with SVA he was a B707 and B747 Captain with Singapore Airlines (SIA).



Capt. John Froehlich, Aviation Training Consultant and IS-BOA Accredited Auditor, Guildford, UK

He has extensive experience in Aviation Training, Standards and Management with over 30 years of experience working in the Middle East and Orient, including Saudi Arabia, Korea, Japan and China. He has worked and held management positions in Training and Standards with considerable experience in Quality and Safety management programs.

John has been deeply involved with the hiring and training of aircrew, instructors and check airman. This involvement included the development and delivery of "Train the Trainer" courses and skills enhancement programs.

His career includes Director of Operations at Boeing Training Services Korea, Manager Training 737/ Third Party training programs and Evaluator/trainer B747-200 and B737 NG at Alteon Training, Designated Check Airman (Korean Ministry of Transport), Type Rating Examiner (TRE) (Hong Kong), Training Center Instructor (CAAC Peoples Republic of China), Captain/Check Airman at Korean Air and Saudi Arabian Airlines, President, Chief Pilot of North Atlantic Airlines scheduled air taxi operations.

John Froehlich was Instructor/Check Pilot, Staff Evaluator at the United States Air Force in worldwide military operations. He was a Graduate of the SAC Central Flight Simulator Instructors Course and the USAF Survival and Jungle Survival Schools.

Most recently John audited at Niki Airlines, Vienna and China Airlines, Beijing



matthew (6K) Capt. Matt Glasser, at (a major fractional ownership provider!), Acworth, GA, USA

Matthew has twenty years and 10,000 accident and incident free hours flying professionally. He graduated from Daniel Webster College in Nashua, NH with a B.S. in Aviation Management. After graduation he was employed as a full-time flight instructor and a charter pilot in the busy Northeast Corridor. This "Corridor" encompasses the area from Washington, DC up the East Coast to Boston, MA. Flying here allowed Matthew to gain the necessary experience and build flight time, shortly thereafter he was hired at Business Express Airlines as a First Officer on a Saab 340.

After experiencing the Regional Airline "lifestyle", a new business prospect was on the horizon. Fractional Aircraft ownerships were in their infancy and hiring was rolling along quite steadily. During this time he has worked for Raytheon Travel Air, Flight Options and presently, NetJets Aviation.

Matthew holds an ATP Certificate with type ratings in the Beechjet, Hawker, Gulfstream IV and V series of aircraft. Presently, he is a Captain on the Gulfstream IV.

In addition to his full-time job, he volunteers for the FAASTeam of the Atlanta FSDO, actively flight instructs and has amassed over 2,000 hours of dual given. He is a member of Alpha Eta Rho (International Aviation Society), Quiet Birdmen (Somerville, NJ Hangar), Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association and National Association of Flight Instructors.

In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Jacqulyn, and their two boys. They reside in Acworth, GA.



Paula Kraft, CEO, Tastefully Yours Catering, Atlanta, GA, USA

Paula Kraft is founder and co-owner of Tastefully Yours, and has been in the food industry for over 38 years. She continues her education through the Culinary Institute of America and ComSource’s HACCP certified training programs. Always craving new information, she is constantly on the lookout for new and interesting topics to explore.

She has been catering solely to private aircraft for almost 30 years. With those many years came a vast amount of experience. In an effort to try and share that knowledge, she joined the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA). It wasn’t long after joining that she became the chair of the Caterers Working Group and the Caterer Representative on the NBAA’s Flight Attendant Committee. With this new forum, she helped create the Mentor program for Flight Attendants to join caterers in their kitchens to help bridge the understanding between caterer and flight attendants.

She remains active in her industry by being a member of several different organizations including International Catering Association, National Association for Catering Executives, Women in Aviation International, Women in Corporate Aviation, National Association of the Self Employed, and Catersource.



Carolina Lenz Anderson, Flight Instructor & Training Manager, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL

Carolina is Training Manager for the Flight Department at ERAU, Daytona Beach as well as Designated Flight Examiner. She is in charge of 25-30 instructors and students. For seven years she has been Check Airman for ERAU.

Carolina is also a flight test pilot for the Green Fleet program at ERAU. She is responsible for research to determine the viability of specific bio-fuels for replacing 100LL avgas to power general aviation aircraft engines. There is a need for alternative fuels, and ERAU as a top school, needs to stay on the front of that wave.

Anderson was born and raised in Bogota, Colombia, the daughter of an Avianca Airlines captain. She wanted to be a pilot. Her father agreed but not without university degree. She enrolled in a mechanical engineering program at the Los Andes University and earned her private pilot certificate. In 1998, she decided to earn some more pilot certificates from the Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. She decided to stay in the US, got a job teaching and earned her master's in Aviation. Anderson came for four months but eventually stayed for 12 years.

She and her husband own a Pitts airplane and they do competition aerobatics. They live on a grass strip and Carolina volunteers with the juniors at her local soaring club. She was a volunteer teacher at EAA's Women Soar, You Soar program.




Barbara Lisiewski, CEO, Best Jets Inc, Norfolk, VA, USA

Barbara has has been in the aviation industry for nearly 20 years with more than 16 years of aircraft sales experience in piston, turbine and jet aircraft sales transactions, as well as aquisitions and Fractional Ownership development. Aircraft sales brought her directly in contact with owners and potential owners, and therefore knows about their concerns and reasons for buying and owning an aircraft. Barbara's goal is to have the best aircraft sales team in the nation, those who share her passion to serve others both in the industry and in their communities.

She began her career in airport planning and business development. She was responsible for the expansion of the Newport News Williamsburg International Airport and the development of Concord Regional Airport in the Charlotte North Carolina area.

Barbara recently sold her Comanche 260B due to a vision issue. If she is able to solve the visions problem, she plans on getting a helicopter rating.



Michael Pazourek, Chief Operations Dispatcher, ABS Jets, Prague, Czech Republic

Prior to his current position he was senior Operations Dispatcher and Operations Dispatcher. Previously he had had experience as Dispatcher of Aeronautical Operations at Cargolux Mexico-Grupo Hercules and at Coord. General de Transporte Aerio Presidencial at Mexico City Airport as well as the International Airport of Prague, Czech Republic.

He holds a Masters Degree from the Czech Technical University in Air Traffic Control and Management. Other academic education and training was done at the Istanbul technical University, Turkey, Ecole Nationale Superieure de Techniques Avancees (ENSTA), France, Collegio Americo Fonseca Mexico D.F., Uniniversite de Technologie de Troyes, Frances.

Michel is fluent in Czech, English, French and Spanish.



Terry Lloyd, Director of Aviation, Kissimmee Gateway Airport, Orlando, FL, USA

Terry Lloyd has Twenty five years of supervisory experience in the airport management and aircraft dispatch fields. He joined Kissimmee Gateway Airport, an urban GA reliever to Orlando International, 11 years ago after finsihing an assignment at Patrick Air Force Base, Cocoa Beach, Florida.

Prior to becoming Director of Aviation at Kissimmee, he completed a 22-year career with the Air Force in the airport management field. He had numerous assignments throughout the United States, including Avon Park, FL, and served in the United Kingdom (3 yrs), Korea (4 yrs) and Honduras (1 yr). In 1994, Terry was named "Airport Manager of the Year" for the Air Force's Mobility Command, which provides all air cargo and air refueling tanker service to all branches of the American military, and operates more than 14 bases worldwide.

His specialities are International airport management under ICAO and general aviation airport management, as well as professional writing. He is pursuing a PhD. in Public Administration and intends to teach online courses in aviation and management in the future.

Terry Loyd, has an MBA from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He has been a member of the American Association of Airport Executives since 1993, and completed the association's Certified Member accreditation in 1996. Terry Lloyd originates from Philadelphia, PA.



Carol Martin, CEO, Sit 'n Stay Global, Bend, OR, USA

Carol is a former commercial flight attendant who transitioned to the corporate world and has managed to combine her love for animals and flying into one incredible career. When taking her initial corporate safety training at Alteon, she learned about an accident where the humans survived but the dog on board did not because he was not properly secured in the cabin. She could never let that go, and sat down with over 30 years of experience in aviation and re-wrote the safety manuals to apply to pet passengers from bracing positions to evacuation and ditching. Each Sit 'n Stay flight attendant travels with a pet oxygen mask, since virtually every aircraft accident involves fire and also has decompression to consider. They also carry pet flotation devices and pet seat restraints, and begin each flight with a thorough passenger briefing from a pet safety briefing card. They are all trained in pet first aid and pet CPR, so never have to just look at a passenger's beloved family member at 40,000 feet and wishing to know what to do…

Carol is an active advocate for the training of all corporate flight crews in pet safety protocols and the inclusion of pet oxygen masks on all private aircraft. She is also an active advocate in the fight to find a cure for Canine Cancer and spreads awareness and offers support on facebook through Buddy's "Be the Dog" Life.




Molly Martin (invited/awaiting confirmation), VP Marketing & Corporate Communications, Flightline Group / HondaJet SW, Tallahassee, FL, USA and and Adj.Professor Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL




Danny Mortensen, Lecturer Flight Dispatch, Airline Ground Schools, Union, KY, USA

Danny Mortensen recently retired as President of Airline Ground Schools in Cincinnati, Ohio after 27 years with the company. His previous experience also included 15 years in the training department of a major air carrier; 8 years as an air traffic controller; and 2 ½ years as a corporate pilot on a Cessna Citation jet with AMSOIL.

He began his aviation career at Arizona State University in 1967 where he obtained his private pilot certificate. Upon graduation with a degree in the Russian language in 1969, he entered the US Army as an infantry lieutenant and served on active duty for 2 years.

Danny has built several aircraft. His Mong racing biplane hangs in a museum in Tokyo, Japan having won the National Championship Air Races in Reno, Nevada in 1990 and 1991. Another world record-setting aircraft, the AMSOIL Rutan Racer, now hangs in the EAA Museum in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

He held several world aviation records in the 1980's and is currently involved with a full-scale composite two-place P51 project for an attempt on an absolute world speed record for a piston-engine aircraft.

Danny, in his spare time, co-hosted an aviation radio talk show in the Los Angeles market on KFOX-FM for several years, and was the Chief Instructor for a nationally-recognized Flight Instructor Refresher Course.

In 1990, he co-founded Aviation Business Services (aka CATS) to secure FAA approval as a national vendor for FAA computer testing. FAA approval was obtained in 1993. CATS was sold in 1996 at which time, Danny was hired as a consultant for LaserGrade to assist with their FAA approval for computer testing.

Danny is a former ATP-rated pilot and flight instructor. Airline Ground Schools has 59,000 grads and has been in business 43 years specializing in ATP/FE test preparation, and Aircraft Dispatcher training.

He currently flies a 1940 VKS-7 cabin Waco aircraft.


Beth Nelson,, Director of Sustainability, Airware, Atlanta, GA, USA

A true champion of sustainability, Beth Nelson has been advocating environmental responsibility for nearly a decade. Upon earning her master's degree from Arizona State University, Beth lobbied for Southwest Energy Efficiency Project at the Arizona State Legislature. Specializing in policy analysis, planning, evaluation, and program design for sustainability, Beth advised policy makers in multiple political arenas regarding opportunities to improve energy efficiency and increase adoption of renewable energy policies. Beth adamantly approaches sustainability from a three-tiered approach, taking into account environmental, social and economic impacts. Her efforts aided in the passage of landmark legislation to advance clean energy in Arizona, as a result, the state of Arizona moved up from a national ranking of 29th in energy efficiency policies in 2009 to 18th in 2010. The new legislative standards will save consumers and businesses in Arizona billions of dollars while creating jobs and protecting the environment. She has also engineered sustainability plans for cities and municipalities in the states of Arizona, Nevada, and Texas, saving residents millions of dollars and bringing economic activity to renewable resource rich areas of the country.

Beth has facilitated public involvement by organizing dozens of renewable energy workshops and conferences, laboring with builders and homeowners on increasing efficiency in both the construction and operation of buildings. Continuing to expand awareness, she has participated and spoken at conferences worldwide on sustainability and policy issues. Beth has lectured at academic institutions in the Southwest, imparting her knowledge of cultural and ecological awareness to hundreds of students and sought to inspire them on their own paths of environmental stewardship.

Taking her knowledge gained from the public sector and applying it to the private sector, Beth is the director of sustainability for Airware, an aviation catering packaging supply company based in Atlanta, Georgia. Using her knowledge of policy creation to the actuality of regulatory implementation, Beth is integrating sustainable business practices in the ever-changing political environment of aviation regulation.

Working in an industry that is atypical to conventional sustainability practices, there is a need to advance standards of sustainability in aviation. As the aviation industry presses on in uncertain economic and social environments, securing the sustainable future of flight services is paramount to success.

Fellow Nebraska native and sustainable thinker, Warren Buffet once said, "When making decisions, err on the side of the planet." Beth has taken this viewpoint and applied it to the implementation of new environmentally responsible business practices with a focus on offering eco-friendly products. In accordance with emerging regulations for aviation in both the operation of the aircraft and in the ancillary services necessary for success of the mission, Beth is taking the opportunity to shift historically unsustainable practices towards revolutionizing the industry, sustainably.


Michael Petridis, Partner, Axios Ventures, Dallas, TX, USA (confirmed)
Michael Petridis, MBA, is a Certified Merger & Acquisition Advisor, and started in the aerospace/defense industry over 20 years ago, with increasing levels of responsibility. Having been a founder of a venture in the private jet industry, as well as a founder of a financial consulting company, Michael is well-familiar with the capital markets, raising seed and start-up funds, and writing/executing business plans.

His efforts over the past four years have been global in nature, allowing many fruitful relationships with high net-worth individuals, and thus allowing for the potential of cross-border transactions.

A former fighter pilot in the USAF, where he flew F-15s and F/A-18s. Also a Senior Production Flight Test Pilot at Gulfstream Aerospace G100 and G200 jets before final delivery to customers.

Michael graduated from the Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University and also is a graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with a Master's Degree in Aeronautical Science.

He has also just published a book, "Fighter Pilot Follies," available online at major book stores.



Sheldon Palm, Flight Operation & CSR Manager, St. Maarten, Netherlands Antilles (confirmed)

Juan Richardson, Customer Support Agent, TLC-Aviation, St. Maarten, Netherlands Antilles (confirmed)



Dr. Patricia Ryan, President, Decision Services Internatonal, Melbourne, FL, USA

Patricia is a highly experienced aviation consultant for airports and airlines. Her company Decision Services International is an affiliate of Airport Council International (ACI). She may be one of the most admired consultants and executives in the airport commercial revenues sector with on-site experience as part of airport teams in small, medium and large-sized airports. She has also achieved recognition worldwide as a conference speaker.

She was the former Division Director, Commercial Operations, Miami-Dade Aviation Department, responsible for managing Miami International Airport's revenue-generating activities, including retail, food & beverage and duty free, the airport hotel, car rental and parking, and services such as luggage carts and wireless business opportunities. She was formerly with Reno Washoe Aviation Department as Director of Business Development and Properties and Richmond International Airport in a similar position.

Patricia is a past Associate Dean and professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, where she created and was responsible for the Embry-Riddle ACI Concession Analysis conference for 15 years. ACI (Airport Council International) has taken over the organization of that conference after she negotiated their association with Embry-Riddle to ensure commitment and involvement from ACI.

She was also active as past President of the Economic Committee of ACI-Latin America and Caribbean region for four years and served on that body's training committee. She has provided training courses to numerous airports around the world and recognizes the differences in cultures at each airport which requires adjustment to any concession plan.

Patricia's goal is "to help develop airport professionals and airports to be all they can be!"



Dr. Susan Sharp, Associate Professor, Aeronautical Science Dept, Embry Riddle Aeronautical Unversity, Daytona Beach, FL



Wendy Stanley, President, Systems Safety Pros LLC, Washington, DC, USA

Wendy Stanley has an extensive and diversified background in aviation, human resources and education. She is a former regional airline pilot and certified flight instructor, and she has lead and performed in various functions in human resources, training and in education. The solid experiences gained in Aviation and Corporate America have allowed her to apply her technical knowledge, operational expertise and people skills among many industries.

Wendy is experienced in strategic planning, project management, contract administration, audits, training and development, and emergency response planning. While working in consulting, she has supported projects conducted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which included rulemaking support, as well as organizational restructure and development.

She has developed training for Safety Management Systems (SMS) in compliance with the FAA and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). She has trained various companies and organizations to include the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on hazard identification techniques, safety risk assessments, safety assurance, safety promotion and policies, as well as the use of technology to support SMS goals.

Ms. Stanleye has also developed training in Emergency Response for both the Investigation Team as well as for station management at local airports. She has been instrumental in leading and managing the oversight of emergency response planning in a Part 121 regional airline. Ms. Stanley has conducted audits of local stations' emergency action plans and formulated corrective action plans to be in compliance with federal regulations.

In addition, Wendy is trained in the areas of Safety Management Systems (SMS), Systems Safety, Aircraft Accident Investigation, Human Factors, Industrial Safety Management and Transportation Security.

She holds a Master of Aeronautical Science, Aviation Safety of the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and a Bachelor of Science, Management, of the University of Phoenix.
She is certified and trained as Commercial Pilot -Airplane, Single and Multiengine Land; Instrument Rating; Ground Instructor Certificate -Advanced; Safety Management Systems - MITRE Aviation Institute; Safety Management Systems - ATC Vantage; OSHA Authorized Outreach Train-the-Trainer (General Industry); OSHA Disaster Site Worker Train-the-Trainer; FEMA Emergency Management Institute: National Incident Management Systems (NIMS 700), Incident Command Systems (ICS 100), and Emergency Planning (IS 235); Virginia - Fairfax County Citizens Corps: Community Emergency Response Team (CERT 1) program


Raymond Stebler, President Aviaintel Bermuda Ltd, West Orange, NJ, USA

Raymond Stebler is the founder of AviaIntel Bermuda Ltd., a firm focused on International HR Services for the aviation industry. He has over 13 years of aviation experience, spanning different functions and areas. While at Jet Aviation's European and USA operations he developed a broad expertise in the areas of IT Management and Business Development. As the Managing Director of Jet Professionals, Jet Aviation's staffing division he became an expert in staffing and crew services, especially in the area of international crew staffing and human resources. Especially questions of international operations with global crews are of specific interest.

Raymond has graduated from NYU Stern School of Business with an MBA and a Degree in Business and Economics from the University of Bern, Switzerland.

Prior to Jet Aviation, Stebler was a consultant for Ernst&Young in Auckland, New Zealand and Swisscom in Bern, Switzerland. Raymond holds an MBA from New York University, Stern School of Business and a degree (lic.rer.pol.) from the University of Bern, Switzerland.



wade (6K) Michelle Wade, Aviation Attorney, Jackson & Wade, Kansas City, MO, USA

Michelle M. Wade joined the law firm Jackson & Wade as a partner in 1996. She is experienced at negotiating complex aviation transactions, including aircraft financing and leasing transactions for international, national and local companies. Before joining Jackson & Wade, L.L.C. Ms. Wade practiced with the international law firm of Bryan Cave, LLP, where she represented lenders and borrowers in complex corporate and financial transactions involving a variety of collateral.

She has earned an international reputation for work involving domestic and cross-border acquisition, financing and leasing of transportation assets. Her many years of industry experience and her legal acumen are combined to assist clients in meeting regulatory, tax and commercial demands with workable solutions and in minimizing legal risk.

Her practice focuses on all aspects of aircraft operations to comply with FAA, IRS and other regulatory requirements and includes:
• Advising clients in the ownership and operation structuring of their private/corporate aircraft operations, including
    personal use issues,flying candidates for elected office and corporate aircraft use policies.
• Negotiating letters of intent and purchase/sale contracts for clients for new or previously owned aircraft and helicopters or
    undivided interests in aircraft or helicopters under fractional ownership programs.
• Drafting and negotiating dry leases, joint ownership, time-sharing, interchange and charter management agreements.
• Assisting clients with interior completions and refurbishments agreements, flight department structure, brokerage and
   marketing agreements.
• Counseling clients on federal and state tax issues relating to aviation, including federal excise tax issues, state sales and
    use tax matters and 1031 tax-deferred property exchanges.
• Assisting clients in Customs and import matters, U.S. registration of foreign-owned/operated aircraft, establishing an owner trust
   for registration, as well as foreign registration of aircraft and non-U.S. aircraft operations.
• Negotiating operating leases, leveraged leases and conventional secured financings.

Ms. Wade is admitted to practice law in the District of Columbia, Kansas and Missouri and counsels clients both coast to coast and internationally. She received her B.S. with distinction in accounting and business administration in 1985 from the University of Kansas and her J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1988.

Michelle is an active participant in aviation industry associations and speaks at various conferences and has written for The Kansas Banker, the Women Corporate Counsel Newsletter, Kansas CPA Newsletter, Aviation for Women and the American Bar Association RPTE eReport. She speaks on aviation issues at Women in Aviation International, the National Business Aviation Association and the International Aircraft Transactions Conference at EBACE. She has also provided materials for the NBAA Resourcing Options Workshop.



sandy (6K) Sandy Wirtz, Director Seminars, NBAA, Washington, DC, USA

Sandy Wirtz is responsible for the overall planning, coordination and implementation of the NBAA Seminar Program, which is designed to enhance and upgrade the management and operations expertise of corporate flight departments. She provides logistics, promotional support and housing coordination for all Association Seminars, including conferences, workshops and other informational meetings. In addition, Wirtz’s responsibilities include managing the Informational Sessions and coordinating housing for the NBAA Annual Meeting & Convention and EBACE, the premier business aviation gatherings in the United States and Europe, respectively. She first joined NBAA in January of 1996.

Sandy's past experience includes 12 years as director of marketing with Midcoast Aviation and three years as both director of marketing and manager, maintenance sales of JetCorp, both located in St. Louis, MO.

Sandy Wirtz holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Missouri.


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