People in Aviation—April 2026

Avfuel has announced several executive promotions and the formation of a new senior leadership team to collectively oversee its companywide operations. After working his way through positions of increasing responsibility, C.R. Sincock—son of company owner, chairman, and CEO Craig Sincock—has been promoted to president as the Michigan-based fuel distributor solidifies its succession plan. A member of the executive team for nearly two decades, the younger Sincock has played an integral role in forming Avfuel’s strategies. In addition, Joel Hirst, who has been with Avfuel for more than three decades, has been promoted from senior v-p of sales to executive v-p, overseeing critical business functions and operational effectiveness. Marci Ammerman, most recently v-p of marketing, with nearly 40 years at Avfuel, was named senior v-p of marketing and strategic planning, while Jonathan Boyle, v-p of sales for the contract fuel group, was tapped to also head up bulk fuel sales. He will work closely with the company’s FBO, airport, and operator customers to deliver reliable fueling solutions and long-term value throughout its global network. Hirst, Ammerman, and Boyle will be joined by Mike Zultowski, senior v-p of finance and operations; Ron Cagle, v-p of credit; and Craig LaVigne, v-p of finance; to form the senior leadership team that will support both Avfuel’s day-to-day operations and its long-range priorities.

Luxaviation One, part of the Luxembourg-headquartered Luxaviation Group, is continuing to expand its presence in North America with the appointment of a U.S. managing director. The newly-created position will be held by Helen Hollis, building on her experience of more than 15 years in the air charter industry.

Vertical Aerospace hired Ollie Roberts as chief people officer. Roberts was previously chief human resources officer and chief transformation officer at BMI Group. Juan Carlos Sacristan was appointed chief data and information officer at Vertical, bringing experience from senior leadership roles at Abcam, Adidas, Nike, and GE Gas Engines. Vertical also named Richard Moore v-p of powertrain. Moore brings 35-plus years of industry experience, including a term as chief engineer at Jaguar Land Rover.

Josh Baird, chief operating officer at JetNet, has now also taken on the role of president of the company. Baird will continue to report to CEO Derek Swaim. Baird “has been instrumental in helping JetNet translate strategy into execution,” Swaim said.

West Star Aviation promoted Dwayne Chandler to director of avionics business development. Chandler’s experience in business aviation and avionics spans more than three decades. William Morris, previously general counsel and chief compliance officer at Wencor Group, has joined West Star Aviation as general counsel. He brings more than two decades of legal experience in the aviation industry, including serving as lead counsel for aviation transactions at FedEx. West Star also appointed Spencer Schwartz as a member of its board of directors and chair of the audit committee. Schwartz’s most recent role was executive v-p and CFO for Atlas Air Worldwide.

Lee Timbrell was named chief commercial officer of Dunlop Aircraft Tyres. Most recently, Timbrell held the position of senior director of aftermarket services at Safran Actuation Systems, formerly Collins Aerospace Actuation.

Jet Access hired David Deitch as executive v-p of sales. Deitch’s four-plus decades of experience in the aviation industry include 23 years working at Jet Aviation.

Greg Cox joined Million Air as executive v-p of business development. Most recently, Cox launched and led the business aviation segment at AEG Fuels.

The Native American Aviation Association (NAAA) appointed Shon Dempsey and Amber Williams to its board of directors. Shon Dempsey (Chickasaw Nation) is currently assistant airport manager at Frederick Municipal Airport in Maryland and is an accredited airport executive via AAAE. Amber Williams, a citizen of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, leads Circa81 Design, a Native American woman-led AEC firm focused on solutions across infrastructure, emerging technologies, and professional services.

The Global Aircraft Dealers Association (GLADA) named three new members to its board of directors. Chris Mace, London-based board member of the Air Charter Association, owns the company MaceAero and has more than three decades of experience in the industry. Founder of consulting firm Stratus Business Development, Rick Bartle also brings more than three decades of experience in aviation leadership, FBO management, airport operations, and flight operations. The third new member of GLADA’s board of directors is Preston Holland, founder and president of Prestige Aircraft Finance as well as co-host of “The VIP Seat Podcast.”

Mike Ford, previously v-p of engineering at Skymark Refuelers, was hired as v-p of engineering at Garsite. His 35-plus years of experience in aviation fueling and engineering include an earlier term at Garsite, as project engineer and then as engineering manager.

Jost Lammers, CEO of Munich Airport since 2020, was named chair of the Airports Council International (ACI) World Governing Board. The previous chair, Candace McGraw, was ACI World’s first female chair and previously served as CEO of Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport.

Brian Wynne, formerly president and CEO of AUVSI, was tapped as executive director for the National Association of Flight Instructors and president of the association’s board of directors. Wynne has been a part of several FAA aviation rulemaking committees in addition to the administrator’s management advisory council.

The head of the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (HCAA), Giorgos Saounatsos, resigned following a January 4 air traffic control service outage. The Ministry of Transport accepted Saounatsos’ resignation and announced that deputy commander of air navigation Giorgos Vagenas “is temporarily assuming the duties of commander, while the process and the procedures for the appointment of a new commander will be initiated immediately.”

Kristen Suarez was promoted to COO of BWI Aviation Insurance after nine years with the company. BWI also named Ryan Ammerman sales manager; he brings extensive experience in aircraft owner and operator support and served as an aviation insurance advisor.

Navy veteran Jeff Rosenberg joined AOne Parts & Logistics as a buyer/trader. His experience in both the military and private sectors includes a background in customer support and procurement procedures.

Upset Prevention and Recovery Training Association International (UPRTA) named several industry experts to two-year terms for leadership roles during the annual UPRT Safety Summit for Pilots Worldwide. Paul “BJ” Ransbury, CEO of Aviation Performance Solutions, was named president of UPRTA. David Carbaugh, who worked at Boeing for almost 30 years, takes on the role of executive v-p of operations for the association. Stuart “Kipp” Lau, a veteran airline captain with 40-plus years of flight experience and an AIN aviation safety contributor, is executive v-p/industry liaison. Named executive v-p of regulatory and administration, Maryanne DeMarco leads organizational governance, strategic coordination, and stakeholder engagement across global UPRT initiatives.

Danny Gizzi, Kyle Canna, and Cameron Jones were appointed to the board of directors for AircraftExchange. Gizzi, named secretary of the board, is the founder and CEO of Aircraft Executives. Canna, v-p of sales for Guardian Jet, and Jones, founder and principal of Jones Aviation Group, are the newest members at large. Continuing as chair of the board of directors for AircraftExchange is JetAviva CEO Emily Deaton, while Randall Mize, president of Leviate Air Group, remains vice chair.

Skyborne Airline Academy promoted Vicky Harriss to group head of strategic planning. Harriss has been with the company for five years in senior operational roles. William Hulse, promoted to group head of sales, will lead the academy’s global retail sales strategy. Skyborne also promoted Abigail Hintzen, a member of the team since 2022, to group head of HR.

ENG Aviation promoted Tony Angelini from first officer to captain. He has contributed significantly to organ recovery and air transport logistics missions across the U.S. at the aircraft charter management company.

Thierry Gonzalez Lopez joined RealClean Aircraft Detailing as national accounts director. His 18-plus years of experience include working to strengthen operations, building partnerships with clients, and improving service standards.

Awards & Honors

Elliott Aviation celebrated its 90th anniversary and launched the Founder’s Award to acknowledge the company milestone. The first recipient of the Founder’s Award is Paul Schmidt, who has worked for Elliott Aviation for 27 years. Schmidt’s experience in the avionics arena includes contributing to more than 100 Garmin installations, one-fifth of the total completed by Elliott Aviation. According to Elliott Aviation, “Paul is widely respected for his professionalism, humility, and unwavering commitment to doing things the right way. He is the teammate others rely on when precision matters, timelines are tight, and customers are counting on Elliott Aviation to deliver. His consistent demonstration of trust, honor, and integrity makes him a role model within the organization and across the aviation community.”

The 23rd Living Legends of Aviation ceremony, held recently at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, recognized several business and general aviation leaders as honorees and inductees of the organization’s annual awards. Pilots, actors, and Living Legends John Travolta and Morgan Freeman helped to host the event. Among this year’s new inductees were Dan Drohan, founder and CEO of charter/management firm Solairus Aviation; Doug King, CEO of Epic Aircraft; musician Aaron Tippin, who with his family operates a flight school, vintage aircraft rides, maintenance, and restoration business; Gulfstream Aerospace president Mark Burns; Lee Lauderback, president and CEO of Stallion 51 and Unusual Attitude Training; and retired U.S. Air Force colonel and NASA astronaut Eileen Collins. The Living Legends honorees included musician and helicopter pilot Randy Waldman, who received the Elling Halvorson Vertical Flight Hall of Fame Award; pilot, aircraft builder, and social media influencer Xyla Foxlin, the Barron Hilton Aviation Inspiration Award; Steuart Walton and Philipp Steinbach, co-founders of Game Aerospace, the Eren Ozmen Aviation Entrepreneur of the Year Award; Patrick Waddick, Cirrus Aircraft president of innovation and operations, the Dr. Sam B. Williams Technology Award; George A. Antoniadis, fractional provider PlaneSense founder, president, and CEO, the Kenn Ricci Lifetime Aviation Entrepreneur Award; and Signature Aviation CEO Tony Lefebvre, the Lifetime Aviation Industry Leader Award.

Final Flight

Byron M. “Skip” Reed, 80, a longtime pilot and business aviation professional, passed away on December 20. Reed served on the NBAA board of directors for 13 years and spent 40 years working for Zachry Construction, including a term as its chief pilot, and retired in 2010.