Story ID: 003
People in Aviation —September 2026
By: Jessica Reed
Caption: Michel Denis was named CEO of Daher,  Steve Varsano president of Flexjet, and Robert Sumwalt was the next Wright Trophy recipient
Word Count: 1393
Michel Denis was named CEO of Daher, effective July 1. He joined the company from Manitou Group, where he had served as CEO for more than 12 years. Before that, he worked for Fraikin Group, where he also rose to the position of CEO.
Following Flexjet’s acquisition of London-based business aircraft brokerage The Jet Business, Steve Varsano—industry leader and founder of The Jet Business—was named president of Flexjet, focusing on international product innovation and global expansion.
AIN Media Group appointed highly experienced aerospace and air transport journalist Howard Hardee as editor of its Leeham News and Analysis (LNA) platform. He started the new role on July 1 with overall responsibility for LNA’s in-depth and independent coverage of the aerospace and airline sectors. Hardee is taking the reins at LNA from its co-founder and editor, Scott Hamilton, who is transitioning toward retirement in 2027 and will contribute articles in his new role as editor-at-large. Co-founder Bjorn Fehrm—a highly experienced aerospace engineer by background—is continuing in his role as aeronautical and economic analyst, covering technical topics. Since August 2022, Hardee has worked as Americas aviation reporter for FlightGlobal, covering airlines and future technology. With 15 years of experience in journalism, he has previously covered a variety of topics, including science and politics, having started his career with his hometown newspaper in Chico, California.
Aero Asset hired Céline Marchal as v-p of sales for the Asia-Pacific region. Marchal, based in Singapore, has 25 years of experience in the helicopter industry.
Bismarck Aero Center has hired three certified flight instructors for its flight school team. Kylee Fameree recently worked at Jet Air in Green Bay, Wisconsin; an EAA Young Eagles pilot, she ran her own flight school at Waupaca Airport in Wisconsin. Aaron Wehrman also ran his own flight school in Waupaca and has experience as an aircraft maintenance assistant. Larry Taborsky was previously a pilot for Bismarck Aero Center and has recorded more than 15,000 hours of flight time, including flying for the U.S. Navy.
Andrew Giacini was selected as staff director for the U.S. Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s aviation subcommittee. Most recently, Giacini worked on the transportation, housing, and urban development subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee, and he has also served as special assistant to Todd Inman, board member of the NTSB.
Zach Ungerleider joined Mente Group as director of technical services. Ungerleider has an FAA A&P certificate and a private pilot certificate and was previously director of maintenance for several Cessna Citations. His 15-plus years of experience in aviation include managing ProAdvantage Programs, maintenance, and aftermarket modifications at Textron Aviation and overseeing the maintenance service plan portfolio for HTF7000, TFE731, and CFE738 engines at Honeywell Aerospace.
Vertical Aviation International (VAI) announced five new hires and five promotions as part of its five-year strategic plan. Raffaele Vitelli, who has 20-plus years of association experience in program growth and non-dues revenue development, was named v-p of business development. VAI appointed Jim McClay senior director of regulatory affairs. McClay most recently was at AOPA. Katia Veraza was promoted to director of state government affairs and regional relations after almost four years at the association. Promoted to technical director is VAI veteran Jay Clark, who will lead the association’s data project. Tanya Kirchner moved into the role of senior director of conventions, in which she will lead events including Verticon, Air Tour Safety Conference, and Aerial Work Safety Conference. Nine-year VAI veteran Emily Monahan was chosen for the position of assistant director of exhibits and experience. Meanwhile, Alyssa Vasquez was promoted from the conventions department to executive assistant to the chief of staff. VAI hired Shawnna Kerns as creative director; she will manage marketing for events and membership and oversee social media outreach. Joining the safety and data operations team is Safae Assli. Additionally, Ubaid Tariq is now VAI’s database administration manager.
Jeff Messmer was promoted to manager of technical sales at West Star Aviation, supporting operations at the regional airport in Perryville, Missouri. Messmer, who began his aviation career as an aircraft structural technician in the U.S. Army, has worked at West Star for almost 15 years.
DAS Aviation promoted Josh Collins to general manager of its Cedar Hill facility. He has been with the company since DAS Aviation acquired FAA-certified Part 145 repair station and aerospace engineering firm AQRD (Aerospace Quality Research and Development) towards the end of last year. Collins’ previous experience includes roles such as chief inspector, quality manager, production manager, accountable manager, operations manager, and director of operations. 
Business aircraft brokerage Integrity Jets appointed Breno Correa as managing partner. Correa joined the firm after 20 years with Embraer, most recently serving as senior v-p of asset management, where he led the company’s global preowned aircraft sales organization.
Guardian Jet promoted three of its employees to sales directors. Previously director of operations, Connecticut-based Dan Gardner now focuses on midsize and large jet sales and acquisitions across New England. Zach Conover, based in Chicago, joined Guardian Jet as a consultant in 2022 and is now focused on owners and operators in the Midwest. William Smith, also based in Connecticut, joined the company in 2021 and now works with clients in the mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions. Conover and Smith are both part of Guardian Jet’s light jet and turboprop division.
James McNeill, formerly regional v-p of real estate for Sheltair, has joined Infinity Aviation Group as regional v-p of operations, overseeing the company’s expanding network of FBOs. In his 35-plus years in aviation, McNeill has also worked at Signature Flight Support and at Landmark Aviation.
Butler National Corp. CEO Christopher Reedy retired due to health concerns but continues to serve in an advisory capacity. CFO Adam Sefchick has stepped in as interim CEO, and the board of directors has started the search process for Butler’s next CEO.
Jeremy Foster, previously charter coordinator at Cutter Aviation, was promoted to shared ownership sales manager. He joined the company as a customer service representative several years ago.
Georgia-based Richard Roth, flight surgeon for flight operations at Gulfstream Aerospace, received his EASA aviation medical examiner (AME) credential, making him one of only a few U.S.-based AME physicians who are also credentialed as EASA AMEs. Roth’s experience includes more than two decades as a senior FAA AME.
Abu Dhabi-based private jet operator RoyalJet promoted Ashok Kumar to v-p for resources and transformation. Kumar’s previous position at the company was v-p of finance and corporate services, and earlier in his career, he was a financial business support manager for Gulf Air.
Tim McClung has retired after more than 30 years in aviation, most recently serving as aviation director for the Iowa Department of Transportation. McClung was the director of the central region for the National Association of State Aviation Officials.
Awards and Honors
The National Aeronautic Association named Robert Sumwalt the 2026 recipient of the Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy. Former chairman of the NTSB, Sumwalt spent 24 years as an airline pilot and is now executive director of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Boeing Center for Aviation and Aerospace Safety.
Sam Graves, chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, was chosen for the Air Traffic Control Association’s Glen A. Gilbert Memorial Award. He will be presented with the award at an event in September at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. The award is given to those in aviation who show a lifelong commitment to safety in the industry and whose achievements go beyond a single aviation discipline. Graves, who plans to retire after the end of this term, has made important efforts to advance policies that strengthen the aviation system and support workforce development. 
Julie McCallister, a recent graduate of the Colorado Northwestern Community College (CNCC) aviation program, was recognized for her achievements as part of the college’s National Intercollegiate Flight Association (NIFA) team. McCallister, a first-generation college student, earned her associate’s degree in applied science in aviation flight, along with several certifications. She plans to become a certified flight instructor at CNCC and is continuing work on her multi-engine rating.