My life has been a focus in aviation and at present, I am aggressively building my flight experience.  I grew up in Iowa, with my grandfather flying us off his grass strip in the cornfields.  I joined the US Navy at 18 and served working on aircraft as a mechanic and technician.  After five years, I transitioned to a flying position as an aircrewman, specializing in the avionics, electrical, and weapon systems.  After another 15 years of flying, I retired and took an immediate position working on the modified King Air in a forward deployed location conducting surveillance and intelligence work.  From that, I accepted my current job as a field engineer technician with a special projects group that works on the Navy P-8 aircraft.  In my private world, I bought my first aircraft before I had my license.  I am very particular about my aircraft care and under the guidance of an IA; I did my own upgrades and maintenance.  I acquired and upgraded my current aircraft, which I now use for cross-country excursions and time building in environments from a busy Class Bravo to mountain and island flying.  I enjoy exploring the country and meeting all the amazing people along the way.

                I have been fortunate enough to gather a wonderful cadre of friends and mentors in the world of aviation.  My journey has taken me from a turbine Otter in Alaska, multiple deployments around the world, and even off-airport tailwheel instruction in the deserts of Arizona. Undergoing some training in the world of Part 135, I have gained valuable insight into the business side of aviation.  From bush pilots to airline captains to aviation executives, there are some amazing people helping me along the way.  And in return, I try however I can, to give back to the aviation community in my journey. 

                Along with aviation, I have a passion for people.  I loved serving with some of the finest in the military.  In my travels, I have enjoyed folks from all over this country and the world.  In my career, I truly delight in the interaction with customers, vendors, and other professionals.  For me it is a natural progression to be a professional pilot; combining my love for aviation and the people, it serves.

                 I am open to all possibilities and look forward to growing within your company.  I work very well in a team as well as I am perfectly comfortable taking the self-lead in solo operations.  I have an excellent sense of customer service with a safety and reliability-oriented focus.  I am good-natured, enjoy learning, delight in professional proficiency, and hopefully I am able to help others in the process.  Thank you for your time in reviewing this and I hope to talk with you soon.

Education

University of Washinton
Bachelor of Arts October 26, 1998 - May 24, 2002
Harlan Community High School
Diploma September 18, 1989 - May 28, 1993

Work Experience

Field Engineering Technician
Vista Technology Services, Inc November 20, 2017 - • Maintenance of Navy P-8A Poseidon special projects airborne acoustic systems and associated test equipment. • Train military technicians in the use and testing of the projects’ systems. • Assist the US Navy in gathering acoustic data on maritime vessels. • Provide customer relations between program office and product vendors. Liaise with technicians and project leads from other programs.
Primary Mission Systems Technician
OG Systems September 30, 2017 - Present • Forward deployed technician on modified King Air aircraft in a combat theater of operations. • Conducted ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) and C4I (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence) operations.
In-Flight Technician
US Navy - June 12, 2017 • Preflight, in-flight operations, and in-flight repair of avionics, electrical, and weapon systems onboard the Navy P-3C Orion. Conduct Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance (ISR), Anti-Submarine, and Anti-ship operations. • Preform in-flight emergency procedures. • Control classified aircraft system media and software. • Perform inspections, scheduled and unscheduled maintenance of aircraft systems. • Lead, instruct and evaluate Aircrewmen in the qualifications as an in-flight technician. • Conduct quality insurance inspections of maintenance performed on aircraft. • Eight deployments to various theaters of operation around the world. • Five years as aviation maintenance technician. • Fifteen years and more than 3,000 hours of flight time as an Aircrewman.

Aircraft Experience

PA-28
  • Time in Type: 900 hrs
  • Training Type: Initial, Commercial, time building, Instrument Proficiency
C-172
  • Time in Type: 45 hrs
  • Training Type: Instrument
Baron 58, C-310, DA-42
  • Time in Type: 51 hrs
  • Training Type: Multi-Engine Commercial Instrument
DHC-3
  • Time in Type: 11 hrs
  • Training Type: Turbo Prop, off-airport
PA-18
  • Time in Type: 6 hrs
  • Training Type: Tail wheel