THE ALUMNI MAGAZINE OF EMBRY-RIDDLE AERONAUTICAL UNIVERSITY SPRING/SUMMER 2021

FLIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL Alumni help industry find new ways to adapt to global pandemic

Spring/Summer 2021 FROM THE PRESIDENT 8 Volume 17, No. 1 Lift, the alumni magazine of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, is published twice annually (spring/summer and fall/winter) by the division of Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement. made a full recovery, the pandemic Copyright © 2021 and struggling economy sidelined his Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University goal of becoming a pilot with the U.S. Florida/Arizona/Worldwide Army Air Corps. Rather than abandon 1 Aerospace Blvd. 26 Daytona Beach, FL 32114 his dream, Riddle focused on aviation All rights reserved. 6 maintenance, until a spot in the Army flight program opened. At 25, he Executive Director of Alumni Engagement Bill Thompson (’87) opened a flight school of his own that grew into an aviation business. Based PHILANTHROPY & ALUMNI on this early experience, he insisted his COMMUNICATIONS Executive Director of Communications pilots complete extensive maintenance Anthony Brown training, convinced it would make them Senior Director of Communications/Editor safer operators. His conviction paid Sara Withrow off when the company’s reputation for Assistant Director of Communications Melanie Stawicki Azam 20 12 safety led to its success in securing Assistant Director of Digital This issue of Lift celebrates CAM-24, one of the first U.S. Air Mail Engagement & Philanthropy Alan Marcos Pinto Cesar routes. The government contract IN OTHER WORDS GIVING TO EMBRY-RIDDLE Embry-Riddle alumni who are Alumni Digital Engagement Coordinator stabilized the fledgling company, Cynthia Puckett 5 Family Fuel 22 Giving to the translating resilience into action. allowing it to expand to cargo service, Sergio Sovero (’16) recounts his Bigger Picture photogrammetry and even aviation- CONTRIBUTORS From seizing new market journey to becoming a pilot, which Retired professors make based tourism. Mike Cavaliere, News Manager 12 opportunities for business took him from Peru to Florida planned gift to support student- Each of us, in our own way, carries Michaela Jarvis jet fractional ownership, to Daryl LaBello, Multimedia Producer Flight at athlete scholarships forward Riddle’s combination of daring WINGS OF LEGACY David Massey, Multimedia Producer retooling a critical supply and pragmatism. As you will see from Annelise O’Donnell the End of 6 Riding the First ALUMNI IN ACTION chain, to raising standards of the achievements featured in this issue, Ginger Pinholster, Associate Vice President excellence at the intersection our graduates continue to embody for News & Research Communications Wave of Feminism 24 By Air or by Sea creativity and productivity even in the the Tunnel Embry-Riddle hosted high- Drew Ferguson (‘01) is preparing EAGLE WRITERS CORPS of safety, quality and customer face of unexpected challenges. Alumni help industry profile fliers during 1929 students for aviation and Tristyn Bemis (‘20) service, Eagles move our These success stories are a source find new ways to adapt Women’s Air Derby maritime careers Kim Sheeter industry forward. of pride. We can’t say it too much: Sergio Sovero (’16) to global pandemic FLIGHT PATH GLOBAL Thank you for serving as ambassadors Jack Sprankle (’76) Although the past year brought of inspiration. Thank you, too, for the 8 Blasting Off 26 Fu eling Change delays and detours, our insight, generous financial support that funds Published by Casual Astronaut to Cure Cancer Aviation Management students experience and sheer love of scholarship, research and futures. Managing Editor help revise aviation fuel Colleen Ringer Billionaire charters humanity’s flight and exploration remained as Embry-Riddle graduates have always Creative Director CHECK OUT THE first all-civilian spaceflight regulations in Brazil motivating as ever. I like to believe we shown the industry what excellence Marc Oxborrow LIFT WEBSITE! share a little historical DNA as a part looks like, and your support will Art Director GLOBAL Felicia Penza Read Lift on your of Embry-Riddle. Resourcefulness is continue that tradition. 10 Team Eagle Chief Client Officer desktop, tablet or phone. 28 Eagle Odyssey the core of our legacy. And how we Alumni collaborate on aviation Paul Peterson lift.erau.edu Alumnus honored for creating advance, even when the route seems Onward. Upward. Beyond, modeling and simulation company 1980s Greek alumni group indirect, can bring unexpected gains. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity ALUMNI @WORK Embry-Riddle’s founder, John Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, Paul Riddle, faced setbacks that feel P. Barry Butler, Ph.D. age, national origin, disability, veteran’s 20 Online Detective familiar to us a century later. In 1918, President status or sexual orientation. Albane Flamant (’10) analyzes Nonprofit identification: 59-0936101. he caught influenza. Although he Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University online conversations to benefit Have you moved? Send address changes or unsubscribe requests to: brands and customers Embry-Riddle Office of Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement, 1 Aerospace Blvd., Daytona Beach, FL 32114 Email: [email protected] 2 Cha tter 4 F eedback 30 Alumni News 36 Class Notes Visit: alumni.erau.edu/update-my-info News and notes Embry-Riddle alumni A message from the Find out what your

PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER from the world of and friends offer executive director, fellow alumni are Embry-Riddle comments and opinions upcoming events and more up to now

ON THE COVER: Illustration by Daniel Hertzberg

LIFT SPRING/SUMMER 2021 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU 1 NEWS & NOTES FROM THE WORLD OF EMBRY-RIDDLE BY THE NUMBERS EMBRY-RIDDLE Expanding Innovation CHATTER Research Park adds Advanced Technology RESEARCH PARK and Manufacturing Center

22 Embry-Riddle’s Research Park will soon The Research Park brings business companies served gain another 10,000 square feet of leaders together with Embry-Riddle faculty ALTIMETER: production space to advance innovation and and students, promotes out-of-the- HIGH POINTS AT entrepreneurship in Central Florida. box thinking and drives technological Dubbed the Advanced Technology and advancement, says Embry-Riddle President EMBRY-RIDDLE $41.1m Manufacturing Center, the new facility will P. Barry Butler. “Our highly collaborative include 5,000 square feet of space for both business ecosystem encourages Worldwide Campus Chancellor raised from grants emerging and established businesses in need transformative ideas enriched by many John R. Watret was appointed and investors of a larger footprint for light assembly and different perspectives,” he adds. “By by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to Matthew Robinaugh, a senior in the Florida Virtual School Board aerospace engineering, confirms the production operations. WeatherFlow-Tempest providing an environment where academia, of Trustees. rotation direction of the motors and Inc., an existing Research Park innovator industry and entrepreneurship can share syncs the transmitter on a drone. 104 focused on weather observation, modeling their best ideas, entrepreneurs in Embry- Embry-Riddle Director of and forecasting technology, was first in Riddle’s Research Park are translating full-time jobs created Athletics John Phillips has line to claim all of the leasable space. The innovation into new products, services been named chair of the newly other half of the building will be devoted to and solutions.” formed Business of Small Research Park operations. — Ginger Pinholster College Athletics Advisory Board Air Taxi Innovators (BOSCA). The BOSCA board will $67,000 be tasked with giving back to the Students gather scalable data for average annual salary collegiate athletics profession and mentoring future leaders. Honeywell’s urban air mobility research Students Jenesis Tucker, Kyle Honeywell is partnering with Embry-Riddle student participants have the same major — Kingsberry and Chelsea Slater to design air taxis and help shape the urban they also come from the computer science 159 will receive paid internships, air mobility (UAM) industry — and students and unmanned aircraft systems programs, for student interns employed professional mentoring and are more than just along for the ride. They’re instance — Cross and Stoutenburgh share an grants of $2,000 as awardees of benefiting from hands-on research opportunities, academic focus in propulsion, and both say they the Patti Grace Smith Fellowship internships and employment offers. are fascinated with engines. competition, which was The project, which aims to characterize the “It was within the last few years that I realized $90m co-founded by alumnus Col. B. Embry-Riddle’s John Mica flight performance of future urban air vehicles by my passion for engines,” Stoutenburgh says. Alvin Drew Jr., USAF, Ret. (’95) to in total economic impact Engineering and Aerospace help “bring long-overdue diversity using scaled-down models, involved six Embry- “They’re a topic I could talk about all day.” in Florida, to date Innovation Complex to the U.S. aerospace industry.” Riddle juniors last year, and all were offered Cross, who is the team lead on the UAM (MicaPlex) is at full capacity.

Honeywell summer internships, according to project, says the research will help to determine MASSEY DAVID Three student teams scored in Johann Dorfling, assistant professor of aerospace characteristics of full-size air taxis — capable the top 4% in the biannual Simio engineering, who is the project mentor. Of the six of carrying four to six people — such as flight (Simulation Modeling framework who interned at Honeywell last summer, at least time, maximum range and stability. Cross points based on Intelligent Objects) three were offered full-time positions. This past out that one of the main intentions behind Competition, which tests students’ fall, four new juniors joined the project team, and UAM is finding cleaner alternatives to current understanding of simulation they have received internship offers for 2021. transportation modes, so the vehicles will be When Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus-15 vehicle For six months, Rojas and his team of student modeling, scheduling and “Being selected to work on the project powered by electricity. rocketed skyward on Feb. 20, bound for the researchers will send signals from a 3D-printed optimization while solving real- 3D world problems. really sets students up for success,” Dorfling The initial phase of the project involves International Space Station (ISS), its 8,000 pounds of antenna on the ISS to new satellite ground stations at says. “Having practical, hands-on project a hexacopter design. A small-scale model is Printing cargo included a 3D-printed electronics experiment the MicaPlex. The researchers will study the effects A team of 20 undergraduate experience really gets employers interested currently being flight-tested, and data related by Embry-Riddle students. on the 3D-printed material after exposing the antenna students, led by senior lead in our students. I often hear that, during to speed, flight path angle, power and vehicle in Space The Eagles are supporting a larger effort by and the shield to UV radiation, ionizing radiation and authors Andrew Fichou and Bryan interviews, many of the talking points are the altitude will be collected. This information, L3Harris Technologies that will help advance the atomic oxygen. Kitsu, had their design for a lunar extracurricular projects students worked on. according to a project abstract, will provide a Eagles and use of 3D printing, or “additive manufacturing,” for All of these activities will support the characterization rover published in the American This project provides the added benefit of foundation for optimum route planning and L3Harris space applications. of a broader set of additively manufactured materials Institute of Aeronautics and working with practicing engineers. It really validation of projected performance. “Our students are contributing to a much broader prepared by the L3Harris Technologies research Astronautics Journal. rounds out students’ résumés.” “What we aim to do with this research Technologies initiative by L3Harris, thanks to Embry-Riddle’s team, led by Senior Scientist Arthur Paolella, Ph.D. Both Brooklyn Cross and Brendan is gather scalable data — rotor RPM, power partnership with this leading aerospace company,” “This is a great opportunity for us because we can Aerospace physiology junior send 3D-printed Olivia Siu won a prestigious Stoutenburgh, two mechanical engineering consumption and movements in every direction,” devices to the says Eduardo Rojas-Nastrucci, Ph.D., faculty mentor study the degradation of 3D-printed materials caused Goldwater Scholarship. She is students involved in the project, say they Stoutenburgh says. “This information can be and assistant professor of electrical engineering and by different phenomena that only happen in outer one of 410 students chosen from came to engineering quite naturally. Both have used in the future to roughly describe the motion International computer science. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for space,” says Carlos Mejias, a Ph.D. student who worked throughout the United States for always loved taking things apart and putting of similar larger vehicles.” Space Station the students to learn from a real-world client as they on the radiation shielding and sensing components to

this honor. them back together. Although not all of the — Michaela Jarvis CROSS BROOKLYN prepare for their future careers in this field.” monitor the radiation levels. — Ginger Pinholster

2 LIFT SPRING/SUMMER 2021 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU LIFT SPRING/SUMMER 2021 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU 3 COMMENTS AND OPINIONS FROM EMBRY-RIDDLE ALUMNI AND FRIENDS IN OTHER WORDS Sidebar Head FEEDBACK University Sidebar body, sometimes copy is bold like a lead in, URLs are Medium, sidebar italic copy

THE ALUMNI MAGAZINE OF EMBRY-RIDDLE AERONAUTICAL UNIVERSITY FALL/WINTER 2020 looks like this Family Fuel BREAKING BARRIERS BY SERGIO SOVERO (’16) Alumni, like Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr. (’95), bring diverse backgrounds and a shared Embry-Riddle heritage to national leadership roles

PAGE 12 It seems like yesterday: My mother and her 17-year-old son unloading a rental car on move-in day in Daytona Beach, Florida. That day was also the first time I had ever visited Embry-Riddle. All of the admissions paperwork was accomplished online from my home in Lima, Peru. I knew it wouldn’t be easy. Learning a new language and flight training in a different country were all barriers I would have to After graduating with honors, Sergio overcome. Without a doubt, what pushed me the most to never Sovero (’16) became the youngest FROM THE EDITOR candidate eligible for a Delta Air Lines give up was the support of my parents. I simply couldn’t fail them. pilot position. ife is a relay of sorts. We’re perpetually creating programs they worked on “their baby.” This sense of They sacrificed many things to help me afford to go to Embry- and then handing our creations off to others to pride comes from the countless hours and sleepless Riddle, and I wanted to make them proud. build upon, hopefully to improve and ultimately nights they invested, the passion that motivated their I had a plan: My goal was to become a flight instructor at the hand off to someone else. In April, I celebrated drive to succeed, as well as the life moments, outside university as quickly as possible, in order to start building hours. The final verdict came a few hours later. When the manager my 10-year anniversary as the editor of Lift and of work, that they sacrificed along the way. Thanks to all of my flight instructors, I was able to take extra flight of pilot hiring approached the candidates with conditional job my final day as an employee at Embry-Riddle. In the field of communications, we don’t build lessons and advance through my flight courses at a rapid pace. offers, he looked at me and said: “Sergio, 23 years old? Sometimes LThe relay race seemed an appropriate metaphor rockets. Our lifework is created word by word, story I never went home to Peru during those four years. By the start I get asked about why I hire such young candidates. You not only for this occasion, as I race to complete my last edition by story. When building a magazine, we hand our of fall 2015 — two years after my first semester — I was hired as a have worked so hard until today, but you excelled on all of the of Lift. As I write this letter, I can see in my mind the creations off to editors, illustrators and designers to flight instructor after earning my CFI. interview scoring.” outstretched hand of the next Lift editor reaching add their touches and expertise to produce the highest Flight instructing was just the first of many steps. I knew that At that moment, my family came to my mind. My mom in energetically for my baton — in this case, my pen. quality, most engaging print product for our audiences. the airlines, particularly at the major level, looked for candidates Peru, 2,600 miles away, waiting for me to call her with the news. “I Life is full of relay races. Think of child-rearing. I didn’t birth Lift. But it’s definitely been my baby. who take the extra effort to stand out, either by volunteering or did it, Mom. I made it. Your only son made it!” were my first words As a parent, you raise a child through different life As a Christian, I believe God, the great Creator, mentoring. I knew Embry-Riddle had the tools to allow me to to her. Looking back, all the effort was worth it. Having a strong stages. Once they hit school age, you help them places people where they need to be at the right time accomplish those things; it was up to me to seek them out. support system behind me was key. Every check ride, every step advance through their studies from grammar school in their lives. We may not see the ultimate purpose of I became a flight supervisor for the flight department, and I accomplished throughout my flight training, I shared with them. to high school and then to college. In each stage, our efforts, but we trust that it’s fulfilled nonetheless. shortly thereafter, a quality assurance mentor and an assistant They were my “fuel” to keep going. they receive instruction, guidance and input from you, In a relay race, each runner sprints as fast as they can training manager. I graduated with honors at the age of 21 and Thank you, Embry-Riddle. All of you became my American but also from teachers, other family members and to win their individual stretch of the race, knowing that started flying for a regional airline. I flew the Embraer 175 jet for family during those years. Thank you for welcoming me, but most friends. Ultimately, they “graduate” from your care to their effort can make or break the team’s success. I’ve Republic Airways for two years, and then the Airbus A320 for importantly, thank you for laying out the path to success for my careers and spouses, and they oftentimes start their run my fastest, and now, it’s time for the handoff. My Spirit Airlines. professional career. Now, for me, it’s all about giving back and own human creations. But they remain in your heart, story isn’t over, but this stretch of the relay is. I believe It wasn’t long before Delta Air Lines reviewed my application sharing my story with young, aspiring aviators all over the world. forever your child. my purpose, here, has been fulfilled — at least for now. and offered me an interview. It was the interview of my dreams. I have a few words for them: I missed my family as much as you The space program is another example. Nearly I’m grateful to all of you — our readers — for I prepared tirelessly for it, over a month of sleepless nights. The will. Yet, remember, you are not alone. Your family’s happiness as every alumnus/na who works for NASA or the providing the inspiration for and substance behind day finally arrived: Nov. 21, 2019. I found myself standing outside they watch you succeed will be your primary motivation. You will commercial space industry with whom I’ve talked Lift, and for sharing your stories with me over the the Delta World Headquarters building in Atlanta. At 23, I was the encounter many obstacles along the way — learn from them and has credited those who came before them — our last decade. Just as you made lifelong friends and youngest candidate to be eligible for a Delta pilot position. None don’t let them sway you away from your dreams. space pioneers — for their projects’ successes. It’s colleagues as students and alumni of Embry-Riddle, of the interview candidates were doing much talking; we knew a collective effort of lifeworks woven together. This I’ve done the same. There’s something special we had a long and stressful day ahead. EDITOR’S NOTE: Sovero is a Delta Air Lines first officer. He earned a B.S. collective took humankind to the moon, built an about this place. Wrapped up in the shared passion After hours of intense testing, it was time for the human in Aeronautical Science in 2016. He is a member of Embry-Riddle’s International Space Station, and in February 2021, put for aerospace and aviation is a spirit of family and resources portion of the interview. I remembered the wordsCTA of HEAD Prescott Campus Aerospace Advisory Board and the Eagle Writers the aptly named Perseverance rover on Mars. The first teamwork that I dare say is unparalleled. one of my biggest mentors at Embry-Riddle, John Fit (’94):Cta “Above body copy, Corps,italics ,a boldgroup of volunteer writers for the Office of Philanthropy and all-civilian space flight, the next stretch for SpaceX In publications, when a story is over, we signify all, remain calm, cool and collected.” Alumni Engagement. in its relay to advance space travel, is set to launch it with a symbol we call an end bug. This tells the later this year — and Embry-Riddle alumnus Jared reader that the story is complete and won’t be Isaacman (’11) is the commander. [See page 8.] continuing to the next page. In Lift, we use the eagle SEND US YOUR STORY In Other Words gives you the opportunity to share your industry-related While generations of people have contributed logo as our end bug. Note to design: Let’s put an end or personal perspective with Lift readers. Email submissions/proposals to [email protected]. to the space program, each would proudly call the bug on this. — SARA WITHROW, EDITOR

4 LIFT SPRING/SUMMER 2021 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU LIFT SPRING/SUMMER 2021 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU 5 WINGS OF

LEGACY On Aug. 25, 1929, fliers in the Women’s Air Derby stopped at Lunken Field in Cincinnati, where they were guests of the Embry-Riddle Company.

e’ve been called powder-puff racers and lady birds, and perhaps even lady bugs, but no matter what they call us, you’ll note that the girls and women handle their ships just as competently as the male aviators.” That was Amelia Earhart’s message to “Wreporters and 15,000 spectators as she stepped out of her Lockheed Vega, landing at Lunken Field in Cincinnati on Aug. 25, 1929. Earhart was making a scheduled landing, not an unexpected stop as some of her competitors in the Women’s Air Derby had been forced to make, setting down in a cow pasture due to sand in the engine, heavy fog or, possibly, sabotage. At the last minute, Cincinnati was added to the competition’s 11 required check-in points, giving the women the opportunity for rest, repair and photo ops. From left, Ruth Elder, The fliers were guests of the Embry-Riddle Company. Gladys O’Donnell and With the backing of the Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce, Amelia Earhart were T. Higbee Embry and John Paul Riddle negotiated with among the 19 women the National Air Races to replace Indianapolis as the next- were both judges. (The next year, Huffman would break wicked sunburn, and Rasche soothed an upset stomach who took part in the to-last stopover before the eight-day derby culminated in the light airplane solo endurance record, flying over Lunken with bottles of milk. When the engine of her Travel Air Women’s Air Derby, the first official Cleveland. On Aug. 13, Ohio newspapers announced the for more than 26 hours.) died upon landing, she explained to reporters, “When the women-only race in fliers would spend four hours at Lunken Airport. Thanks to the company’s new public address system, tummy of my plane is sick, then my tummy is in trouble, the U.S. The Women’s Air Derby was the first official women- the crowds heard directly from Earhart, Barnes, Thea too.” The German pilot worked alongside Embry-Riddle only race in the U.S. It drew 19 participants flying from mechanics until the Wright J-5 Santa Monica, California, to Cleveland. Like their male The derby drew 19 participants flying from Santa engine was humming. counterparts competing in the National Air Races, the Phoebe Omlie, a certified pilots were required to have 100 hours of solo flight and a Monica, California, to Cleveland. The pilots were airplane mechanic and the first minimum of 25 hours of cross-country flying. Fourteen flew required to have 100 hours of solo flight time and female certified transport pilot, Riding heavy-class airplanes, and six flew lighter-class airplanes. won the light class, flying a They competed for prizes totaling $8,000. a minimum of 25 hours of cross-country flying. Monocoupe 90. Louise Thaden, Although some, like humorist Will Rogers, trivialized flying a Travel Air J-5, won the First the event, calling it the Powder-Puff Derby flown by Rasche, Blanche Noyes and the famous flying Ruths — the heavy class. At 25, Thaden became the first female “petticoat pilots,” it proved dangerous to several fliers Elder and Nichols. Elder shouted “Whoopee” upon pilot certified in Ohio. With just a year of experience, she and fatal to one. Marvel Crosson crashed and died in finding out she was the eighth to land and the crowd had already set altitude, endurance and speed records in the Arizona desert. Despite public outcry, the remaining roared. They also cheered lesser-known hopefuls Mary light planes. She was one of three derby competitors to Wave of fliers continued as a tribute to her. Pancho Barnes Haizlip, Jessie Miller, Opal Kunz, Mary von Mach, Gladys co-found the Ninety-Nines. In 1991, NASA astronaut Eileen wandered into Mexico and crashed. Ruth Nichols O’Donnell, Margaret Perry, Neva Paris and Vera Dawn Collins carried Thaden’s cloth flying helmet, autographed by crashed. Frances Noyes battled an in-flight fire. Earhart Walker. Bobbi Trout and Edith Foltz had been disqualified the other racers, into space to honor her. had electrical problems. Claire Fahey withdrew from the earlier in the race. Hosting the derby was a publicity coup for Embry- Feminism race when she believed someone deliberately damaged At the home of Riddle and his wife, Grace, the Riddle, which tapped into the excitement about the race her wing wires with acid. women dined on a buffet of “chicken a la strut, radiant- to announce its new air service to Cleveland. The company Embry-Riddle hosted Fourteen women made it to Cincinnati to take cooled iced tea and angel-wing cake,” according to a also recognized another potential market. A 1929 ad for advantage of Embry-Riddle’s ground support and local newspaper. Embry-Riddle Flight School promises, “Women will learn high-profile fliers during hospitality. The company provided mechanics and free gas During the stopover, they compared notes on engine to fly to keep pace with progress, to express their new and oil and kept the field clear of overexcited spectators performance and checked maps. Earhart tended to a freedom, and now for the sport of it.” 1929 Women’s Air Derby who wanted to get too close to the aircraft. Embry was the event’s official referee and in this capacity disqualified EDITOR’S NOTE: The information and quotations included in this story came from articles that were originally published in one contestant who lost her way to Cincinnati and skipped the Cincinnati Commercial Tribune from Aug. 13-26, 1929. Kim Sheeter is a member of the Eagle Writers Corps and an the required check-in. Riddle served as chief starter, and executive communications specialist at Embry-Riddle. She publishes the aviation/”prop culture” website wilderblue.com BY KIM SHEETER he and operations manager, Stanley C. “Jiggs” Huffman, and is at work on a biography of John Paul Riddle.

6 LIFT SPRING/SUMMER 2021 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU LIFT SPRING/SUMMER 2021 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU 7 FLIGHT PATH

ot on the heels of the first privately operated From Draken to Dragon crewed flight to the International Space Station, Thoroughly fevered over flying, Isaacman bought an launched by SpaceX in November 2020, Jared ex-military fighter jet while he was pursuing a bachelor’s Isaacman (’11) is deep into astronaut training. In degree in professional aeronautics at Embry-Riddle’s the fall of 2021, he will command a SpaceX Crew Worldwide Campus and began trying out aerobatics with Dragon capsule as it blasts into Earth’s orbit, to an some friends. But things escalated. apogee of 540 kilometers, on humanity’s first-ever “When you have one plane, you realize quickly all the all-civilian spaceflight. benefits of having two planes. You can do formation flying Isaacman’s chosen mission, called Inspiration4, and you can ‘fight’ each other. And once you have two, you is also a fundraising partnership with St. Jude’s imagine the things you can do with four. Next thing you Children’s Research Hospital. It’s the biggest in a series of know, we have five [Aero] L39s and two [Mikoyan-Gurevich] Hfundraising campaigns that the tech-maven-turned-billionaire MiG-17s in matching paint jobs,” Isaacman said in the Embry- has paired with major aerospace feats. Riddle webinar, describing the Black Diamond Jet Team’s fleet and his role as right-wing pilot. “The air show circuit is a rock Teenage Entrepreneur star lifestyle for sure.” Isaacman’s career success started early, when he was Running a seven-jet fleet is also very expensive, building websites on the side for business owners he met at Isaacman said, especially with the temperamental MiGs. “No his part-time job at CompUSA. One of those clients was a sponsorship dollars can ever offset all that. We were having the payment processing merchant, who offered Isaacman a full- time of our lives, but we knew we couldn’t do that forever.” time job in his information technology department. Isaacman’s parents conditionally OK’d his departure from high school: “My parents wanted to make sure I at least had a high school diploma, so I got a GED. That was the big requirement,” “Even in the basement days of my Isaacman said in an interview with CNBC. Isaacman got ideas on the job that inspired him to start his company, corporate responsibility has own payment processing company, initially called United Bank always been a big part.” — JARED ISAACMAN (’11) Card, with the goal of greatly simplifying the process for small businesses wanting to accept credit card payments. He hired Just a year after graduating from Embry-Riddle, he pivoted his dad, an experienced salesman, to be the outward face of the air show team to a commercial adversary support business the company until Isaacman himself was in his mid-20s — old by creating Draken International. His company specialized in enough to be taken seriously by their potential clients. air-to-air combat training, putting up many types of ex-military The company, now known as Shift4 Payments, has more aircraft to simulate air battles with U.S. Air Force pilots. After than 200,000 client businesses and processes more than eight years, Isaacman sold Draken to Blackstone Group in 2019. $200 billion in transactions annually. As CEO, Isaacman’s Isaacman is now preparing to command a mission 38% ownership stake made him a billionaire when the Shift4 even higher and faster than any fighter jet can go. Recent Payments’ initial public offering in 2020 valued the company advancements in the commercial space industry are finally at $6 billion. able to make the space-travel dreams of a select few come Blasting true. But Isaacman is once again using the opportunity to do Aviation + Philanthropy some additional good in the world. During his 20s, though, his work consumed him, and he “Even in the basement days of my company, corporate Off to Cure needed an outlet. He started taking flying lessons. True to responsibility has always been a big part. I’ve tried to support his adventurous nature, he decided to break the world record a handful of worthwhile causes,” he said in the webinar. for circumnavigating the globe in an airplane and turned his He hopes the Inspiration4 mission will help St. Jude’s attempt into his first large-scale fundraising effort. Hospital raise $200 million toward its efforts to fight Cancer It took two tries to break the record. “We learned a lot that childhood cancers. Isaacman, who is funding the SpaceX first time, as far as what countries you can fly over, which mission and contributing $100 million to St. Jude’s himself, ones don’t like each other and how to speed up the refueling offered up the other three seats on the Dragon Crew capsule Billionaire charters humanity’s turnaround time,” he said during an Aviation Outlook webinar to help publicize the fundraising effort. hosted by Embry-Riddle in March. The crew was carefully and intentionally selected: first all-civilian spaceflight “It gave me a huge appreciation for how easy it is to fly scientist and educator Sian Proctor won an entrepreneurship in the U.S., especially learning to fly. The concept of VFR competition; Hayley Arceneaux is a former St. Jude’s patient [visual flight rules] isn’t as much of a thing in other countries. and practicing physician assistant; and Chris Sembroski (’07) In Japan, for example, every airport is on a slot system. You is a dedicated St. Jude’s donor. Sembroski, who earned a BY ALAN MARCOS PINTO CESAR either make your slot time or you’re on the ground.” B.S. in Professional Aeronautics, coincidentally gives Embry- He succeeded in 2009, circling the globe in less than 62 Riddle alumni a 50% representation on the Inspiration4 crew. hours in a Cessna Citation CJ2. He beat the previous record “We named our mission to inspire others to see what’s by about 20 hours and helped raise $100,000 for the Make-A- possible here on Earth,” Isaacman said. “Sure, we can go to Wish Foundation. space, but we can also cure childhood cancer along the way.”

8 LIFT SPRING/SUMMER 2021 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU LIFT SPRING/SUMMER 2021 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU 9 From left, Vinayak ‘Vinnie’ Khera (’01), Mwangi ‘Moh’ Karuri (’16, ’19), Tom Styc (’79) and Florian Hafner, Ph.D. (’99, ’02) work on modeling and simulation projects for airports around the globe, from LaGuardia to Latvia. NEAR Lab Projects Worldwide “We try to be as forward-thinking as Supports One of Cignus’ biggest domestic projects we can, so commercial space operations is with the Port Authority of New York planning is definitely something we are University and New Jersey, which manages John looking to do more of in the future,” and Industry F. Kennedy International Airport, Newark Khera says. Liberty International Airport, LaGuardia The Next-Generation ERAU Applied Airport and Teterboro Airport. The The Eagle Advantage Research (NEAR) lab is a research company provides support with airside Roughly 50% of all Cignus employees and development facility operating and airspace modeling and simulation, are Eagles. under Embry-Riddle’s Center for master planning work, airport layout and “When we hire new people, we want Aerospace Resilience (CAR). It terminal facility planning. a specific skill set and a lot of it is geared supports the university, plus works “We are also helping them with toward understanding of air traffic, with industry and government expansion projects at JFK and LaGuardia simulation and modeling, and a specific entities on rapid prototyping, proof airports,” Khera says. aviation domain understanding. Basically, of concept, modeling and simulation, Internationally, Cignus has done everyone at Cignus needs to have a data science and solution-oriented airspace and transportation planning passion and love for airplanes,” Hafner applied research. It also supports work on airport projects in Turkey, Russia, says, “so Embry-Riddle is really the first the Federal Aviation Administration Latvia and United Arab Emirates. place we look.” (FAA) on projects, including the “We did a modeling and simulation He says he often calls Carlos Castro Next Generation Air Transportation project for Dubai International Airport, (’02, ’14), the NEAR lab project manager System (NextGen) research contract. and it expanded into a regional airspace who now teaches the airport modeling Carlos Castro (’02, ’14), the NEAR lab design for all of the UAE,” Khera says. and simulation class, when they are project manager, says applications Another major international project was looking for a new employee. developed by NEAR include: an airspace assessment and development/ One of their newest “finds” is Aviation

environmental impact analysis, along with Simulation and Modeling Consultant • The NEAR Flight Operations modeling and simulation work for the new Mwangi “Moh” Karuri (’16, ’19), who (NFO) tool, which supports Istanbul Airport. was hired in 2019. He works on various flight planning and air traffic “When we hire new people, we want a specific management research. skill set. ... Basically, everyone at Cignus needs • The Advanced Environment for ISR Simulation and Research to have a passion and love for airplanes. So (AEISR) simulation program, Embry-Riddle is really the first place we look.” which allows students to operate — FLORIAN HAFNER, PH.D. (’99, ’02) unmanned aircraft and payloads in virtual environments. TEAM Hafner says he sees their work transportation planning projects — the • The Flight-line Real-time inayak “Vinnie” Khera (’01) and Florian Hafner, Ph.D. (’99, as using technology and analytics most current being a terminal planning Information ERAU Notification ’02), first met more than 20 years ago as Embry-Riddle to improve operational and planning project for JFK. Display (FRIEND), which students working together at the university’s Next- dilemmas that later guide the engineering “Every simulation is different, and there uses electronic screens at the Generation ERAU Applied Research (NEAR) lab. behind projects. are so many dynamic variables to consider,” university’s flight line ramp to “I have known Florian from the day I walked into Embry- “In a way, it is putting math to Karuri says. “You get knowledge from a lot specify the weather conditions Riddle,” Khera says. “We were both on the varsity tennis operational problems,” Hafner says. “It of different areas, and then you can apply under which a student may conduct teamV and have been close friends from day one. Since we bridges the gap between the technical the knowledge to develop solutions.” flight activities, based on their level graduated, we always wanted to do something together.” and operational domains, so we learn to Director of Business and Corporate of training and proficiency. Now, Khera and Hafner are working together again at Cignus, be adept in both.” Development Tom Styc (’79), who was EAGLE their own consulting company, based in Leesburg, Virginia. With its proximity to Washington, D.C., hired four years ago, was Khera’s former • The ERAU Live Traffic Mobile Alumni collaborate on “I was at Embry-Riddle to become an aerospace engineer Cignus also is involved in government boss and mentor. He is a U.S. Air Force App, which provides students with because my parents were against me being a pilot,” Khera says. work, particularly with the Federal Aviation veteran with decades of experience situational awareness of current aviation modeling and “It turns out one class was all it took to change my path — it was Administration (FAA). Cignus is working working on FAA projects. airspace conditions and allows an airport planning class that focused on modeling and simulation.” with the FAA NextGen office on a project “In business development, it is all other people to follow along simulation company Khera and Hafner now work on modeling and simulation looking at the integration of unmanned about networking,” Styc says. “I planned during a flight. projects for airports and air navigation service providers around aircraft systems (UAS) into the National to retire, but Vinnie brought me back in.” the world. With clients in both the private and public sectors in Airspace System (NAS). It has also done Looking back, Khera and Hafner credit the U.S. and abroad, Cignus specializes in airport and airspace software engineering work for the FAA to Embry-Riddle and the NEAR lab for their BY MELANIE STAWICKI AZAM simulation and modeling, air traffic management, systems/ enable spaceport operators to look at the career trajectory. “Literally, one class and

software engineering and transportation planning. HORNICK JASON viability of future spaceport sites. lab paved my career path,” Khera says.

10 LIFT SPRING/SUMMER 2021 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU LIFT SPRING/SUMMER 2021 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU 11 FLIGHT AT THE END OF Alumni help industry find new ways to adapt THE TUNNEL to global pandemic

BY ALAN MARCOS PINTO CESAR, CYNTHIA PUCKETT AND TRISTYN BEMIS (’20)

12 LIFT SPRING/SUMMER 2021 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU LIFT SPRING/SUMMER 2021 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU 13 ew industries have been hit as hard by the global “Called the ‘Keep Trust in Air Travel’ initiative, it pandemic as commercial aviation. For more than switched from collecting flight data to health data, to a year, freefalling demand in passenger traffic, learn how to mitigate risk,” Zwegers says. “It’s the job losses and multibillion-dollar cash burns have same approach we have always taken to safety risk tested the mettle of an industry that has seen management, just with different data points.” its share of existential challenges. Much of that data collection dealt with cabin “This isn’t just a blip. This is a sustained airflow, plus cleaning and disinfection procedures. 9/11,” says Kelly George (’15), associate A study published by the International Air Transport professor at Embry-Riddle. “U.S. airlines were Association (IATA) in October 2020 determined, burning $10 billion in cash per month.” through analyses conducted by Airbus, Boeing and But the industry is proving itself tough. From Embraer, that the likelihood of COVID-19 transmission launchingF vaccination and hygiene programs that in an aircraft is very low when passengers also protect people and planes from viral threats, to wear masks. developing innovations in aircraft inventory and crew “We pooled our internal and external resources management, the industry is finding ways to adapt. to share knowledge of systems on the aircraft Not surprisingly, Embry-Riddle alumni have been on and knowledge of the virus to eliminate the risk the front lines, playing key roles to serve the industry of spread,” Zwegers says. “It was critical to help in its time of greatest need. airlines reduce their impact because many CAAs [civil Lift reached out to several alumni to get their take aviation authorities] were taking measures that were on the struggle, what they’ve learned and what we more politically driven than fact-driven.” can expect in the wake of COVID-19. Aircraft manufacturers also had to quickly review new cleaning and disinfection methods that had not WIDENING THE SAFETY NET been tested in aircraft before. Airbus rapidly tested When the pandemic hit, the scope of flight safety electrostatic fogging, ultraviolet light and many management widened quickly. The discipline that chemicals to see if these methods would reduce Founded by Glenn Gonzales (’11), historically focused on things like maintenance, pilot virus propagation and be safe for the aircraft. Zwegers Jet It offers a fatigue and passenger movement suddenly also expects that the increased demand for antibacterial day-use model had to address a deadly virus that may not show surfaces, as well as touchless features to operate and fractional symptoms for weeks. faucets, toilets and doors, will continue long term. ownership options David Zwegers (’98, ’10) says adapting to this new He adds that safety will expand to include the that resonated with travelers threat was straightforward. Zwegers served as regional entire travel experience, from home to destination. as the pandemic safety director at Airbus for seven years, leaving the “Safety in the air transport system itself requires took hold. company in March 2021 to become director of global a collaboration of all stakeholders. We all work safety strategy at The Boeing Company. together. We don’t compete on safety.”

Shareef Al Romaithi, Ph.D. (’05, ’06, ’14), receives a COVID-19 vaccine. As a captain for Etihad Airways, he was among the first to participate in the airline’s vaccination efforts.

14 LIFT SPRING/SUMMER 2021 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU LIFT SPRING/SUMMER 2021 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU 15 Operational Safety Goes Virtual

Elisabeth Matschnigg (’20) predicts the recent SHIFTING AGAINST THE HEADWINDS introduction of With passenger air travel down as COVID-19 took remote audits will hold, aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) impact future audit programs. organizations felt the ripple effect and promptly adjusted their business models. “The impact of COVID was unique,” says Ed Onwe (’12), vice president and general manager of VT San Antonio Aerospace, a global leader in aviation maintenance. “Significant portions of the world’s cargo with stress from prolonged periods at home, Embry-Riddle go in the belly of passenger airliners. So when passenger THE HUMAN ELEMENT this can reduce the fulfillment of your work. If Eagles rose to travel declines, the opportunity to move cargo declines. To When it comes to addressing safety in a you [as an organization] don’t address this on all the challenge correct that, there has to be an increase in cargo lift. That pandemic, aircraft are only part of the equation. levels, it can show in overall performance and of COVID-19, gave us an opportunity to shift our focus to [maintaining] The human element is vital. Keeping the the financial bottom line,” she says. “It’s always including, from left, Amyr Qureshi (’85, cargo airliners instead of passenger airliners, but the net industry aloft begins with protecting the health a balanced approach — obviously the company ’86) of Aventure effect is a decline of 20% to 30% in work volume.” of crews and passengers. going bankrupt helps no one. But if employees Aviation; Ed Onwe Amyr Qureshi (’85, ’86), senior vice president and Vaccines are a front-line solution, and airlines see your support, they will want to support you.” (’12) of VT San co-founder of Aventure Aviation, says this unique situation are eager to vaccinate workers. Shareef Al At IATA, Matschnigg highlights their internal Antonio Aerospace; and Marquita created an opportunity for parked passenger aircraft to be Romaithi, Ph.D. (’05, ’06, ’14), a captain for Etihad “Are You Okay?” initiative, which includes lisabeth Matschnigg (’20), assistant manager of Pfannenstiel (’04) ground operations audits at the International Air converted to cargo use. “The honeymoon period right now Airways, was among the first to participate in his surveys on mental well-being. “We had a of Delta Air Lines. Transport Association (IATA), says that although is more for the conversion facilities that are converting airline’s efforts to have all of its crew members restructure; we had to let people go. The survey infectious disease was not directly addressed passenger aircraft into freighters. They have a long backlog fully vaccinated — a measure taken to ensure the asks how [they] are coping with that, how has in prior auditing procedures and emergency of orders for converting these aircraft.” safety of its passengers and crews. [their] workload changed. This has been a big response plans, the industry and regulators were But the demand for cargo isn’t strong enough to make “I was very confident about taking the focus in organizations and has become more quick to meet the need for working guidelines in use of all the excess aircraft in the industry. Qureshi says vaccine,” says Al Romaithi, who is also head of important than ever.” rEesponse to COVID-19. some airlines are salvaging their own parked aircraft for corporate safety at Etihad. “As I work on the front Singapore Airlines embraced a similar “Despite the tough times, we were very innovative. spare parts or making drastic cuts to their fleets altogether, line, the vaccine gives me an additional peace of approach to help address the well-being and There’s this reputation that bureaucratic organizations which is having ripple effects on the aircraft parts sales mind to safely operate commercial flights.” professional needs of their employees. Rick have for being slow — and the same applies for side of his business. He credits his confidence in receiving the Wee (’15), senior executive of Cabin Crew regulators and governments. But they [the FAA, “Airlines are deciding to retire their aging airplanes vaccine to the cooperation between Etihad Safety, Security, Quality and Health at Singapore International Civil Aviation Organization and civil much sooner than planned, lessen their cost structures and Airways and the UAE government. Airlines, says they sought special permission aviation authorities] were very good at issuing guidance maximize their revenues,” Qureshi says. “This trend is bound “Strong collaborations between Etihad and from the nation’s civil aviation authority to early and adjusting policies to match reality very fast,” to continue for the next four to five years simply because of the UAE government ensured that all pilots use online programs to keep crew current on she says. the evolving market conditions leading to fleet optimizations.” and cabin crew were vaccinated in the shortest their 60-day operational and flight frequency IATA member airlines that were coming due Qureshi says the resulting glut of harvested and time possible. It is a great moment of pride,” requirements. In addition to investing in these for on-site operational safety audits during the early reconditioned parts on the market compelled them to run Al Romaithi says. “We are doing our part by measures, Singapore Airlines encouraged days of the pandemic, when travel restrictions were a strategic analysis of the industry looking forward. Their getting vaccinated, and the sooner we all get employees to volunteer locally, both to support severe, were given extensions while the IATA worked conclusions called for Aventure Aviation to scrap parts vaccinated, the sooner we will get through this. their country and develop new skills. with regulators to firm up the remote-audit option. inventory for older generation aircraft. “We are shifting We are all in this together.” “We provided crew to government Matschnigg expects that remote audits will likely toward building parts inventory for more efficient new- institutions that were in need of resources, in influence the future of audit programs even after the generation aircraft, as well as for some common 757, 767, A QUESTION OF BALANCE areas such as healthcare, transport and contact pandemic ends. 777 freighters that are surely destined to fly for years It’s that “all-in-this-together” approach that’s tracing. The Crew Ambassador Programme was “We’re getting very good at working remotely, and ahead on medium- to long-haul routes,” Qureshi says. helping companies and their employees weather a win-win situation, as the role and training of in many cases, it has brought our teams closer and Though parked aircraft are slowly being brought out of the storm. Elisabeth Matschnigg (’20), assistant the cabin crew enabled them to contribute to made us more efficient,” Matschnigg says. “It shows how storage to meet some rising demand, Qureshi predicts manager of ground operations audits at IATA, these establishments,” Wee says. versatile and adaptable we are, that when we have to be many operators will scrap older airframes and buy more says the way companies balance employee When the difficult reality of staff reductions quick to make sure operations continue safely, we find a efficient, new-generation aircraft. mental well-being with the bottom line is a became necessary in September 2020, the way to do it.” “Many airplanes will never be airborne again,” Qureshi critical factor in their adaptability. airline waived their exclusive employment says. “You can blame this on the pandemic, no doubt “If people are worrying about job security, restrictions on cabin crew and assisted them in about it.” the economic welfare of their company, dealing finding temporary work. They also introduced

16 LIFT SPRING/SUMMER 2021 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU LIFT SPRING/SUMMER 2021 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU 17 a COVID-19 Voluntary Release Scheme to offer their point: Glenn Gonzales (’11), CEO and founder of Jet cabin crew an option for early release or retirement It, a hybrid fractional provider. with payouts and benefits. As flights gradually “For private aviation, it’s actually been a bit of a continue to resume, their “seconded crew” are boon for us. The pandemic has definitely increased starting to return to work at the airline. awareness as people are looking for different means of travel,” Gonzales says. “The industry is evolving, EMBRACING RESILIENCY and I think it’s just accelerating the inevitable.” Delta Air Lines was able to avoid involuntary Gonzales launched his hybrid fractional ownership furloughs by leveraging its existing resiliency business in 2018. It offers a day-use model that allows strategy to secure employee buy-in, says Marquita for travel to multiple destinations in one day and Pfannenstiel (’04), manager of domestic inventory fractional ownership options of one-tenth (25 days) management at Delta. to one-half (130 days) of a HondaJet Elite. It’s called “We [were already] trying to make ourselves more a hybrid program because owners who are pilots resilient as an organization,” Pfannenstiel says. “We and have a type rating for the HondaJet can fly as wanted to withstand dramatic changes in demand co-pilots in the Red Jet Squadron. The Jet It fleet is and the economy. And we had been on that journey also available for charter flights. for a long time.” Jay Sterioff (’79, ’83), a senior captain who has “The entire world has had a setback. been with Delta for 31 years, also feels that the company’s approach was an important part of the But you are going to see a continual pandemic response. uptick and a huge demand for pilots “I believe Delta recognized the issues very quickly, and I think they responded intelligently and going forward. I think that you’re going thoughtfully and virtually immediately,” Sterioff says. to see an improving economy and see “It helped balance the issues that everyone was concerned about in the industry.” things that hopefully will allow us to That balance involved securing the cooperation of put this behind us.” — JAY STERIOFF (’79, ’83) Delta employees. According to company statements, more than 40,000 Delta employees took a voluntary “I noticed a gap in the market” Gonzales says. unpaid leave of absence and nearly 17,000 retired “I created a business model that met the market early or left the company with benefits packages. demand, and I was fortunate to have Harvard Pfannenstiel credits this proactive, cooperative [University] select Jet It for a case study and approach in difficult times as the defining factor in incorporate us into their academic curriculum.” Delta’s ability to recover, including the ability to avoid In executing their vision, Gonzales and Jet involuntary furloughs. It’s co-founder, Vishal Hiremath, have executed “We did the absolute best we could for people,” operations in three regions: the United States, Pfannenstiel says. Canada and the European Union. They are making While pay cuts, mass furloughs and retirements preparations to launch in India and Southeast Asia in have left newly certificated pilots with few current 2022. The company has gained global attention for its prospects in a pandemic-ravaged industry, Sterioff focus and innovation in travel. remains hopeful for the young pilots just getting While it may take some time, Gonzales expects their start. people’s innate need for connection to induce a “I would say to anybody who is pursuing [a pilot] rebound in business air travel. career that I think it’s a tremendous career,” Sterioff “At the end of the day, when closing a deal, there’s says. “I think it had a setback. The entire world has had that human element that does not go away,” Gonzales a setback. But you are going to see a continual uptick says. “There’s something about the essence of and a huge demand for pilots going forward. I think another person that you cannot feel online. You need that you’re going to see an improving economy and see to look them in the eye, in person, and shake their Glenn Gonzales (’11) is things that hopefully will allow us to put this behind us.” hand. That will never go away as far as I’m concerned; CEO and founder of Jet It, a hybrid fractional it’s a human behavior that does not change.” provider that has seen RIGHT PLACE, RIGHT TIME demand rise during the Not all sectors of the industry have struggled during EDITOR’S NOTE: Gonzales is a member of Embry-Riddle’s pandemic. the pandemic. A fortunate few were in the proverbial Worldwide Campus Business Administration Industry right place (or right sector) at the right time. Case in Advisory Board.

18 LIFT SPRING/SUMMER 2021 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU LIFT SPRING/SUMMER 2021 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU 19 ALUMNI @WORK

She should know. As part of Talkwalker’s marketing team, Flamant examines business trends and insights that are revealed through data collected by the Talkwalker platform. Online “We’re really 360,” she says. “We crawl over 150 million blogs, forums and social media through our own technology and partners, like Quora [a question-and-answer website]. We also connect to Detective traditional media — print, TV and radio.” She and her team transform this conversational intelligence into newsletters, presentations and white papers to inform Albane Flamant (’10) analyzes the digital strategies of companies around the world. That’s where Flamant’s bachelor’s degree in online conversations to benefit communication from Embry-Riddle comes into play. She also holds a master’s degree in journalism and brands and customers international affairs from the Institute of Political Studies in Paris.

Teed Up for Success BY SARA WITHROW While she acknowledges her Embry-Riddle degree helped lay the foundation for her work today, it lbane Flamant (’10) is an online detective wasn’t the communication program that brought of sorts. As the head of brand and Flamant to the Daytona Beach Campus. “I came to data storytelling at Talkwalker, a social Embry-Riddle mainly because of golf,” she says. “I listening company, she uses her wanted an international school, not too far north, so I company’s proprietary software system could play golf year-round. I really connected with the to look for clues hidden in the millions of coach [Maria Lopez] and the team.” conversations that people have each day on Flamant, who is from Belgium, earned kudos on the social media and other online platforms. links and in the classroom. Despite being a non-native For example, say a hypothetical English speaker, she earned a 4.0 her first semester, beverage company is getting comments was selected for Embry-Riddle’s Honors Program and on its social media pages that one of its bottled helped the women’s golf team earn a record-breaking waterA products has a metallic taste. Is it really a 3.82 GPA for the program, for three years running. product-quality problem or just a one-off complaint? Flamant’s performance on the golf course was Answering questions like these helps organizations equally impressive. She helped take the team to make informed marketing and business decisions four National Championship competitions and was that benefit their brands and ultimately their the Region and Conference Player of the Year and customers, Flamant explains. Conference Champion in 2009. Her individual lowest Over the last year, the pandemic has been a “game- 36-hole score of 70/72 is a school record that still changer” for businesses, and the social intelligence stands today. When Flamant was a student at Embry-Riddle, super important. And they had this system to make Top: Albane Flamant Flamant has gathered reveals clear winners and “She is one of the most decorated members social listening was largely nonexistent. The year sure that we had all the resources we needed. I got (’10) with Talkwalker losers. “It has caused a massive shift in consumer of our program in its 21 years,” says Women’s Golf before she graduated (2009), Talkwalker’s founders that from my golf coach; I got that from the athletic colleague Georges behavior and that shift is still happening today.” Coach Maria Lopez (’12). “Not only is she highly came up with the idea to launch the software as a department; I got that from Professor Steve Master Krombach. While COVID-19 negatively impacted many intelligent, diligent and a gifted golfer, accomplishing service platform. The technology was nascent at and the communication program. And any time I industries, technology was a segment that largely things no one had ever done before, she was also the the time. When Flamant joined Talkwalker in 2015, wanted more and wanted to go deeper into courses, Bottom: During her time at Embry-Riddle, soared through the crisis. “The tech industry — ultimate servant leader. Albane was always looking the company was still considered a startup. Today, it I had support, and that was really amazing.” Flamant helped the anything that’s online, including technology that’s where she could grow and make a difference.” boasts a staff of 400 and has nine offices worldwide. Flamant, who speaks four languages and has women’s golf team geared to working from home and e-commerce Flamant credits the foundational experience she lived in six countries in the last decade, says she’s reach four National platforms — is doing really well,” Flamant says. “It’s Tech Attraction gained as an international student and athlete at Embry- more of a “passive” user of social media herself. She Championship competitions. been interesting to see some of the partnerships that Flamant’s inquisitive nature ultimately led her to Riddle with her success. “I was really young when prefers connecting with like-minded colleagues in have started to emerge between brick-and-mortar Talkwalker. She says the technology side of social I arrived at Embry-Riddle. I was only 17. In so many Slack communities. But for businesses, farming web stores with e-commerce. We’ve seen growth for listening intrigued her. “I was very curious as to how ways, Embry-Riddle really shaped me as a person. conversations — and cultivating messages through anything linked to food delivery and subscription private companies were handling data and actually “There, it was about being three things: It was influencers — is important, she says. boxes. Online shopping options have really come to transforming it into something valuable. I’m quite not only being a player, a golf player in my case, “Brands need to keep their finger on the pulse of

the forefront [during COVID].” fascinated by the tool that they were able to develop.” PHOTOGRAPHY TOM MARK TOP: but also a student and a person. Academics were their industry.”

20 LIFT SPRING/SUMMER 2021 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU LIFT SPRING/SUMMER 2021 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU 21 GIVING TO EMBRY-RIDDLE rofessor Emeritus Jim Cunningham has “When we were looking over our future finances, seen a lot of change at Embry-Riddle’s we really wanted to give Embry-Riddle a gift,” Jim Daytona Beach Campus since he first came says. “We know the coaches and students and STEPPING UP to the university in 1969 as an instructor of wanted to focus our gift there.” humanities and communications. Alumnus and “My first salary was $6,900, and I had The Need for Student-Athlete Scholarships to teach a summer term,” he recalls. “On Steve Ridder’s “whole package” philosophy is the Philanthropy the campus, we had three buildings — A, B foundation of Embry-Riddle’s Athletics program, and C — and there was a doublewide trailer which equally emphasizes developing a student- Council member Giving to for the library connected to another for the athlete’s character, leadership and interpersonal skills, combines two loves student cafeteria.” as well as their athletic excellence. PJim and his wife, Cheryl (’96), who was an That ideology impressed Jim and Cheryl, who with planned gift the Bigger assistant professor of information systems in the often attended the Eagle soccer and basketball games College of Business for 18 years, became fast with their son Shamus. friends with Steve Ridder, the university’s longtime “We really began to see the bigger picture of how basketball coach and athletics director. At the time, athletics were so important to the students’ lives and BY MELANIE STAWICKI AZAM Picture Ridder was starting Embry-Riddle’s fledgling athletics to the university,” Cheryl says. program and advocating for student scholarships. They also saw the need for scholarships. “We were just drawn to Steve Ridder’s ‘student- During his tenure, Jim had served several years When Stephen Blanchette Jr. (’86) left his home in Brooklyn, New Retired professors make person-player’ philosophy,” Cheryl says. “We have as dean of academics and director of international York, to study aerospace engineering at Embry-Riddle’s Prescott, also taught many student athletes over the years, exchange programs. Arizona, campus in the early 1980s, he acknowledges it was a bit planned gift to support and we got to know them quite well; the quality of “Especially during the economic crisis in 2008, of a culture shock. those students was impressive.” the cost of a college education escalated, making “On a plane with about 12 people coming into Prescott for a student-athlete scholarships That is why the couple, who both retired in 2014, the need for economic support acute for both landing, I don’t think I saw any buildings more than three stories recently decided to make a planned gift to create both American and international students,” Cheryl says. high,” Blanchette says. “Then we had torrential rains the first year term and endowed scholarships at Embry-Riddle, She also served as the university’s Faculty Athletic that flooded some buildings, knocked out the power and made it benefiting men’s and women’s soccer and basketball Representative (FAR) for over six years. muddy all over campus.” BY MELANIE STAWICKI AZAM student athletes at the Daytona Beach Campus. Now the director of software systems and acquisition at The “We really began to see the Aerospace Corporation, Blanchette ended up changing his major to computer science. But he says he never regretted his choice to attend bigger picture of how athletics Embry-Riddle, and his experiences there ultimately led to his success were so important to the in a career that merges his interests in computers and aerospace. “It really has been a combining of both of my loves,” he says. students’ lives and to the To help students like him, Blanchette recently made a planned university.” — CHERYL CUNNINGHAM (’96) gift to the university to continue funding the Blanchette Scholarship for Excellence in Computing Sciences, which already has benefited Jim continues to serve in the Eagles Athletic Embry-Riddle Prescott students majoring in computer science Association as chair of the Steve and Vicky Ridder since 2005. Scholarship Committee, and he is also co-chair of the “I went through about every dollar I had to get my education, Daytona Beach Campus Faculty Emeritus Committee. so I know it is not easy,” he says. Sports, particularly sailing, have been an important Blanchette also gives back to Embry-Riddle as an inaugural member part of Jim and Cheryl’s lives. Jim helped start the of the College of Security and Intelligence Philanthropy Council. campus’ sailing club, and the couple has sailed “I was happy to be able to step up,” he says. “It really fits in together competitively and internationally. with my overall philosophy of giving back to the university. I owe a “Embry-Riddle is just one of those great schools. lot of my success to what I learned there.” It’s been very good to us,” Jim says. “Some of my In recognition of that success, on Feb. 1, 2021, Blanchette best friends are the faculty members I’ve worked with received the Robert H. Herndon Black Image Award, which honors and the students I’ve taught.” the legacy of its namesake, a pioneering Black engineer at The Cheryl agrees, saying they are happy to give back Aerospace Corporation. The award recognizes employees for their to the place that has been such an important part of outstanding work in support of the corporation’s mission, laudable their lives. humanitarian efforts and distinguished personal achievement. “Our hearts continue to be with Embry-Riddle,” Blanchette jokes that he has come a long way from his first she says. computer programming experience, using punch cards. But he Jim and Cheryl (’96) also remembers being the student who had to apply for a bunch of Cunningham recently made a financial aid and loans to pay for his education. planned gift to Embry-Riddle that creates scholarships for MAKE A DIFFERENCE “I wanted to help those students who came after me,” men’s and women’s soccer and For more about how you can make a Blanchette says. “I would like to see students continue to have the basketball student athletes. difference through a planned gift, go to: opportunities to have an education and contribute to the field, get

DARYL LABELLO DARYL giftplanning.erau.edu their degree and plant the idea that it is important to give back.”

22 LIFT SPRING/SUMMER 2021 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU LIFT SPRING/SUMMER 2021 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU 23 PHASTAR aims to improve the quality of education ALUMNI IN and provide public services in northeast Ohio. As ACTION president and CEO, one of Ferguson’s biggest accomplishments to date was creating Davis Aerospace and Maritime (A&M) High School. Established in July 2017, in conjunction with the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, Davis A&M hile tutoring and mentoring students in the opened with 50 ninth-graders that year. Four years Cleveland Metropolitan School District, Drew later, the school has nearly 300 students in grades 9 Ferguson (’01) saw firsthand the challenges through 12. By Air or facing inner-city kids. From food insecurity to “PHASTAR exists purely to support the school and inadequate housing, many of the students its programs,” Ferguson explains. The school provides were impoverished, he says. But their students an aerospace and maritime environment that Wgreatest need wasn’t necessarily physical. “The prepares them for college, careers and citizenship. by Sea students had an expectation of failure,” Ferguson “Davis A&M is currently the only high school in the says. “They had lost the ability to dream and aspire country specializing in both aerospace and maritime,” Drew Ferguson (’01) to greater things. These kids had been told that their Ferguson says. Students have opportunities to fly planes hopes and dreams were a waste of time.” and assist in water rescue missions. The curriculum is preparing students Ferguson could relate. Because of a childhood and programs provide life experiences and training injury, he was told he couldn’t achieve his dream of opportunities for students to achieve self-sufficiency for aviation and becoming a pilot. But he persevered. Today, he is and can assist in breaking the poverty cycle, he says. a pilot (fixed and rotor wing), an instructor pilot, a maritime careers teacher and a leader in his community. He’s also a Piloting a Nonprofit U.S. Coast Guard licensed boat captain. Earning a B.S. in Aeronautical Science from Embry- The Bond that Breaks the Barriers Compelled by what he witnessed in the Riddle, Ferguson says he’s always had “a fascination With the goal of making flying fun and affordable, Drew Ferguson classroom, Ferguson founded the Public Health with flying, space and astronauts.” Embry-Riddle was PHASTAR also operates the Discover Aviation (’01) created Davis and Safety Technical Aviation Resources (PHASTAR) the perfect place to feed his infatuation with aviation. Center (DAC) and a flying club. DAC provides its Aerospace and Maritime High School BY JACK SPRANKLE (’76) Corporation in 2010. A nonprofit organization, “I chose Embry-Riddle for a variety of reasons, but own flight instructors and aircraft, including several in Cleveland, which especially due to its all-inclusive aviation atmosphere,” flight simulators. The flying club offers training in is the only high Ferguson says. conjunction with the Federal Aviation Administration’s school in the country Helicopters became his aircraft of choice. He Wings program, and DAC manages its own FAA- that specializes in attained his helicopter Certified Flight Instructor – approved, in-house safety management system. both aerospace and maritime education. Instrument and instructed before being hired to fly Several Davis A&M students participate in the critical-care transport helicopters for Cleveland’s flying club after school and on weekends, and MetroHealth Life Flight Services. He later became Ferguson personally helps ferry them from the lead pilot and director of aviation for Metro Life school to the flight line. Many of the students Flight. With his interest in emergency and disaster come from communities of color, which are vastly management, he earned a master’s degree in public underrepresented in aviation. This makes the flying health along the way. club a win both for students and the industry, Ferguson has flown a variety of helicopters and Ferguson says. “It has been beneficial for the obtained his airline transport pilot certificate in a children and those at the airport to interact. Aviation Sikorsky S-76. The skills he attained as a pilot have is the bond that breaks the barriers. I want to translated well into his role as CEO of a nonprofit change the perspectives of others in aviation and organization. “As a pilot, you need to have situational the environment towards these kids so that it’s awareness, always having a plan A, B and C, because more welcoming to a kid who grows up in a poor situations change. Crew resource management environment and sees aviation as being out of reach.” and aviation safety management are also essential. PHASTAR recently solidified a partnership with These all transfer over to the daily operations with United Airlines, whereby the airline will provide PHASTAR,” Ferguson says. leadership support, paid internships for 20 to 30 students, manufacturing opportunities and flight Learning through Service training costs for 12 students each school year, Intent on also serving the community, Ferguson Ferguson says. Flight students will earn their private fashioned the maritime programs at Davis A&M pilot’s certificate and may continue in United’s Aviate as a hands-on partnership with Cleveland’s program, which helps increase diversity among maritime industry. The students learn and work on applicants for the airline’s pilot openings. PHASTAR Marine Safety vessels, which operate Ferguson has lofty future goals for PHASTAR, on the Cuyahoga River and along the lakefront. The including building a new high school campus at the PHASTAR vessels provide commercial vessel escorts airport, expanding the maritime program and starting and safety audits, water debris removal and safety an A&P certificate program. “I would like to see more patrols. The students’ maritime experiences allow changes in the industry to reach out, engage, recruit them to build sea time (much like flight time, logged and invest in students,” Ferguson says. “My drive as days versus hours) to qualify as a crew member on comes from the kids’ success and changing their

RAYMUNDO GARZA RAYMUNDO commercial vessels, he says. outlook on their futures.”

24 LIFT SPRING/SUMMER 2021 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU LIFT SPRING/SUMMER 2021 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU 25 GLOBAL

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) working for one of the big three airlines in Brazil standard calls for flights to have 5% of contingency and to give them an international perspective on the fuel, and this is the practice in most other areas of aviation industry — on the management side of it.” the world. Regulators in Brazil had considered this The 15-month program, which expands standard but did not decide to make a change until Embry-Riddle’s international outreach, is offered presented with the Embry-Riddle students’ research. in partnership with Confederação Nacional do Based on the students’ work, the Associação Transporte (CNT), Serviço Social do Transporte e Brasileira das Empresas Aéreas (ABEAR) proposed Serviço Nacional de Aprendizagem do Transporte the changes to the Agência Nacional de Aviação (SEST SENAT), Instituto de Transporte e Logística Civil (ANAC), which reviewed and supported the (ITL) and ABEAR. The students’ tuition is fully funded changes in February 2020. A new law went into by CNT and SEST SENAT, according to Treptow. effect on April 1, 2020. “Candidates undergo a selection process by the The students’ research was published in the three major airlines in Brazil, and anyone who works for International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics and one of those airlines is eligible to apply,” Treptow says. Aerospace (IJAAA), the peer-reviewed journal of An interview and competitive selection process follow. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Worldwide Last year, 135 people applied for the program and College of Aeronautics. 30 were selected, Treptow says. “This was the first time we were able to bring “That was huge — and with COVID going on. We a published paper into the discussion, with the expect that this year the number of applications will Embry-Riddle stamp on it. Embry-Riddle carries a lot be even higher,” he says. “That’s another metric we of weight, and it’s accepted that we have done our can use to prove the success of the program in Brazil.” due diligence in the research,” says Oliveira, flight standards senior coordinator for LATAM Airlines Brazil. “As we considered our capstone project, we “This was the first time we were able understood that the industry had given us this great to bring a published paper into the opportunity,” says Youssef, flight dispatch manager From left, Fabiano Gomes (’20), for Azul Airlines. “We realized we were in a position discussion, with the Embry-Riddle Diogo Youssef (’20), Luciano Oliveira (’20) and Joao Centeno (’20) to give something back to the industry.” stamp on it.” — LUCIANO OLIVEIRA (’20) centered their capstone research on The students gathered data from airlines around lowering Brazil’s contingency fuel the world and, more specifically, Brazil. They ran requirements from 10% to 5%. simulations to determine how much fuel was used Leila Halawi, associate professor and program and how much would be left if the contingency fuel chair for the Master of Science in Aviation and requirement were changed from 10% to 5%. Aerospace Sustainability, worked with Aviation Massoud Bazargan, professor of operations Management students in 2018, 2019 and 2020, tudents of the Embry-Riddle Aviation research and operations management at the leading them through their capstone projects. Management program in Brazil, offered through O’Maley College of Business, led the students “This certificate program is comparable to a Fueling the Worldwide Campus, are putting their through the process of running the simulations. master’s degree. It’s not a traditional program. capstone projects to work — to bring about “Dr. Bazargan is one of those professors The capstone project is reviewed by a committee positive change for the aviation industry in Brazil. you don’t forget — the professor of professors,” comprised of executives from the airline industry, The 2019 student cohort used their research Youssef says. “He explained the simulations, and executives from the national transportation system Change findings to convince regulators in Brazil to change we created a mathematical model and simulated and executives from the civil aviation industry in fuel requirements for airliners, resulting in cost over 1 million flights. We simulated five times more Brazil,” Halawi says. “The students in the program Aviation Management savings for Brazilian airlines in the millions of flights than in the real world, and we didn’t find any are elite, and it is so humbling for me to work with dollars. The 2020 cohort is on the verge of aircraft landing in emergency conditions.” them. I feel a bit of privilege to be able to work with students help accomplishing something similar. such high-caliber professionals.” SThe 2019 Aviation Management cohort consisted of An International Perspective Four other students of the 2020 cohort are going revise aviation fuel 30 students. Diogo Youssef (’20), Fabiano Gomes (’20), on the Aviation Industry in a similar direction. Aldo Bien (’21), Daniel Ribas Joao Centeno (’20) and Luciano Oliveira (’20) were the The Aviation Management program in Brazil began in (’21), Paulo Pacheco (’21) and Rodrigo Cardoso regulations in Brazil four students who together developed their capstone 2016 as a professional and international certification. (’21) are working to bring change to Brazil’s aviation research centered on lowering Brazil’s contingency fuel It is currently educating its fifth cohort of students regulations with their capstone research findings requirements from 10% to the international standard of with a sixth cohort expected to begin in September. in a paper titled, “In-Flight Fuel Management and 5% for airliners. “This kind of result proves the success of the Committing to the Destination.” Contingency fuel regulations require that a certain program for Embry-Riddle,” says Israel Treptow, “The 2020 project was presented before ANAC BY CYNTHIA PUCKETT amount of fuel be carried for unforeseen occurrences, executive director of the Central and South America in March, and the students also argued for a major such as the pilot’s need to deviate from original routes Worldwide Campus. “The main idea behind the change in legislation,” Halawi says. “It is still in the that would necessitate an increase in fuel consumption. program is to select aviation professionals who are negotiation phase.”

26 LIFT SPRING/SUMMER 2021 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU LIFT SPRING/SUMMER 2021 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU 27 Left: In the 1980s, Jordan Antoniadis (back row, DAYTONA BEACH second from left) and friends formed intramural soccer and volleyball teams. Below, from left: Stelios GLOBAL Damigos, George Xenellis, Jordan Antoniadis, Dimitris Giovanakis (standing), Kostantinos Zepos, Panagiotis Spyratos and Chris Tzanakos get together at a seaside cafeteria in Greece.

‘It Was a Big Family’ Tzanakos says the students were grateful for the In the 1980s, Embry-Riddle had a center in Greece support. “You relied on a check mailed from Greece and, that offered classes and allowed students to transfer sometimes, people had no money for a week or more,” to its Daytona Beach Campus, Tzanakos says. As a he recalls. “So we all looked out for each other. It is the result, there were a large number of Greek students bond that you share because you are in another country at Embry-Riddle then. They formed intramural soccer by yourself.” and volleyball teams and a club for Greek students called the Icarus Club. The Great Connector He says the Greek students even had a designated Antoniadis, who also went by the nickname “Danny,” EAGLE “Greek table” in the university’s cafeteria. was legendary for getting everyone together when they “There was actually a Greek flag on the table visited Greece, Tzanakos says. He would arrange local some days,” Tzanakos says. “There were a lot of events and feasts at local tavernas. friendships and sports. It was a big family.” “Someone would exchange a message, and he would Epitropoulos says the local Greek American coordinate and get everyone together,” Tzanakos says. community looked out for the students, treating them “It would always be a big dinner, then you’d end up at 2 to meals and giving them work at their businesses. o’clock in the morning drinking coffee somewhere with “Most of the Greek students all lived around other people calling in on speaker phone or FaceTime.” ODYSSEY Beach Street together,” she says. “All of the Greek- John Tsapos (’86, ’88), who is managing director owned businesses and Saint Demetrios Greek at BNY Mellon Asset Management in New York, says Alumnus honored for creating 1980s Greek alumni group Orthodox Church really embraced the Greek students. Antoniadis was the one who connected the Greek BY MELANIE STAWICKI AZAM That is how the community was — you take care of alumni group. More than just a host, he was also a your own in Greek culture.” confidant and always made time for friends. “Personally, every time I flew into Athens, he ordan Antoniadis (’86) wasn’t content to just Roussos says he started the ERAU Greek Alumni always came to the airport to meet me,” Tsapos says. sit around and wonder what ever happened group on Facebook, but he was able to locate only “Before anything, we would go have a coffee and talk to the many fellow Greek students who a handful of people. Luckily, one was Jordan, who about everything.” were his good friends when he was a helped him track down most of the group. Michel Aletraris (’87, ’89), product line manager at student at Embry-Riddle in the 1980s. “This was mainly due to his good contacts that Delta Air Lines in Georgia, agreed, adding, “If you look So, he decided to find them. In 2009, he maintained over the years with most of us,” up the word hospitality, filoksenia, it had a picture of through the Facebook page “Greek ERAU Roussos says. Jordan. He was a true filos/friend.” 80s Alumni,” he located and reunited with Tzanakos and Roussos recently held a Zoom Some of the 1980s Greek alumni reunited in 2011 more than 60 fellow alumni and friends living session to remember Antoniadis and raised more and visited Embry-Riddle’s growing campus, Tzanakos in Greece, the U.S. and around the world. than $2,000 for Antoniadis’ wife and two children says. Epitropoulos made a video tribute to Antoniadis Once he made the connection, Antoniadis through a GoFundMe page. with old photos of the group from their student years Jpresented them with a bright orange, self-made “It was always a blessing to have him around and and reunions. “ERAU Lost & Found” shirt. Through the Facebook organizing things,” says Tzanakos, who now lives and “Without Danny and his efforts, we couldn’t have page, the old friends were able to share photos, works in Maryland but visits Greece regularly. had these wonderful nights we shared here in Greece,” reminisce and plan reunions. Sophia Epitropoulos credits Antoniadis with says Katerina Deligiorgi (’87), an operational manager for “Jordan was the one who brought the group fostering “a brother- and sisterhood of Greek Embry- KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, who lives in Athens. “He is back together,” says Christodoulos “Chris” Tzanakos Riddle students and close friends who maintained the one to find all of us again.” (’87, ’86), director of quality assurance for Teledyne that connection for life.” She did not attend Embry- Tzanakos says he will try to honor his late friend’s Energy Systems. “And he personally made a point to Riddle, but she lived in Daytona Beach and became memory by keeping the Embry-Riddle 80s Greek alumni see everyone who came back to Greece.” good friends with the group of Embry-Riddle Greek group going, so the lifelong friendships, reunions and Sadly, Antoniadis died on Feb. 3, 2021, at the age students. She recalls that Antoniadis started his good times will continue. of 59. But Tzanakos and other Greek Embry-Riddle efforts soon after he called her one day, trying to “He definitely started something that will live alumni and friends are trying to continue his efforts. find someone. forever,” Tzanakos says. Tzanakos and Dimitris Roussos (’86), an air traffic “I lived in Daytona Beach and helped him,” she safety electronics engineer for the Hellenic Civil recalled. “Then, the Facebook page was created, ATHENS Aviation Authority at Corfu Airport in Greece, now and it was really funny how it evolved. It took a year CONNECT manage the Facebook page, which recently changed and a half to get most of the folks. He started trying To join the Greek alumni Facebook group, search its name to “Greek ERAU ‘Jordan Antoniadis’ to find people, and he was really on a mission. He “Greek ERAU ‘Jordan Antoniadis’ Alumni” on Alumni” to honor the late Antoniadis. loved having that connection.” Facebook.

28 LIFT SPRING/SUMMER 2021 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU LIFT SPRING/SUMMER 2021 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU 29 ALUMNI “I recently met Amber [Evans], the director of the Camp A.dapt.a.bil.i.tynoun LeJeune campus, at one of the NEWS online networking events last The quality of being able to week. The following day, we adjust to new conditions. got to meet in person, where I got to share my aviation and — OXFORD LANGUAGES college experiences with her. What a great opportunity!” MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Embry- — ERIC CLARK (’19) 2020 VIRTUAL Riddle — like the aviation industry — adapted its programs s I write this letter, we have endured a full year of challenge, loss and HOMECOMING to ensure the greatest level of health and safety for its sometimes heartbreak — but we’ve also responded with flexibility, creativity and resilience. As Eagles, we masked up, kept a wingspan apart WEEK students, faculty and staff. The alumni engagement office and against the odds, completed another full academic year. This issue (OCT. 4-10) paused in-person activities and offered virtual/Zoom highlights many of the ways we adapted to and persevered through our new normal. gatherings, instead — including its first weeklong, truly With many of our annual events cancelled, we were grateful to have Attendees global Homecoming celebration. Likewise, the university had the opportunity to meet and get to know many of you virtually. As hosted virtual and hybrid commencement ceremonies. alumni, you networked, shared and met new friends and faces around 980 the globe in all 50 states and in many countries. With over 200 online These numbers tell the story. events, webinars and e-gatherings, including our first-ever virtual homecoming, weA were truly “One Eagle Community,” supporting each other. Thank you for your ongoing support. Events But even with all this great activity, I still missed the sights, smells and sounds of air shows; the cheers and applause at graduations and sporting events; the tears 25 VIRTUAL COMMENCEMENTS VIRTUAL ALUMNI at commissioning; the nervous excitement at career fairs; and just seeing real, (DAYTONA, PRESCOTT AND WORLDWIDE/ONLINE) in-person smiles. E-GATHERINGS As I reflect on the lack of sensory feedback from our activities, I still feel grateful States SPRING, SUMMER, FALL 2020 (MARCH 2020 TO MARCH 2021) for all that we have been able to do to stay connected. Represented Eagles, I hope you can join me in approaching the upcoming year with a bright Virtual Ph.D.s Undergraduate Master’s new outlook; while some uncertainty remains, we can now see a light ahead. Let’s 46 Ceremonies Conferred Degrees Degrees Attendees stay connected and enjoy the sights and sounds — and most importantly, the smiles — as we connect in the next year. 6 26 3,575 1,249 2,329 In closing, I must thank Sara Withrow, editor of Lift magazine, for the last Countries 10 years and 22 issues. While this issue will be her last (we will miss her!), I’m Represented SPRING 2021 thankful for Sara’s many contributions over the decade. As I look at some of Events the headlines from past Lift covers, I feel that she embodies many of our core 48 Virtual Ph.D.s Undergraduate Master’s values represented in those titles. Whether it was “Breaking Barriers,” or “Igniting Ceremonies Conferred Degrees Degrees Innovation” or “Engineering Success,” Sara always kept her “Eyes on the Sky,” 115 demonstrating a “Passion, Pride and Expectation” for the future. 5 9 2,530 655 Godspeed, Sara! Thank you for lifting up our alumni, each and every issue. “The get-togethers provided a chance Most Popular by Attendance Forever an Eagle, to be socially NO. 1 “After my state shut down, then in-office Bill Thompson (’87) engaged with Virtual Lift Off for fall 2020 Executive Director others from the work schedules made the shift to work- graduating students (109) from-home status, I felt more isolated than same foundation of education. A ever. Our alumni engagement team does NO. 2 chance to discuss an outstanding job offering opportunities E-Gathering for Eagles in to become and stay connected with fellow the Eastern Time Zone (43) Join the Eagle Network: memories from facebook.com/ERAUAlumni alumni.erau.edu/join our youth.” Eagles through podcasts, webinars and online formatted events, including virtual NO. 3 twitter.com/ERAU_Alumni instagram.com/erau_alumni/ Current State of Aviation — BARRY COHEN Homecoming — nicely done! Go Eagles!”

MIKE LEDFORD in South America (38) (’79, ’80) — TINA ROGONIA (’08) alumni.erau.edu/LinkedIn alumni.erau.edu/podcast

30 LIFT SPRING/SUMMER 2021 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU LIFT SPRING/SUMMER 2021 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU 31

National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), among CAREER CORNER other clubs. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Air Traffic Management in 2014. She says she found a “family” at Embry-Riddle Get your career in gear with professional that encouraged her in her pursuits. “I was able to grow not only as a student but as a professional and a education at Embry-Riddle good citizen.” Upon completing an internship with Fort Hill Group, a human performance consulting company, As a global leader in aerospace and earning a master’s degree in human factors education and training, Embry-Riddle in 2016, King decided to undertake the ultimate can help you meet your career academic challenge: earning a Ph.D. goals through continuing education. She focused her doctoral research on a major problem facing the general aviation industry: private Our wealth of expertise in aviation, pilots crashing due to weather-related incidents. A business and risk management, 2016 report published in Physical Geography found combined with flexible learning that private pilots account for the majority of fatal general aviation accidents related to weather. With options and year-round scheduling, a grant from the Federal Aviation Administration and makes Embry-Riddle a perfect fit for Jayde King (’14, ’16, ’20), left, is the first Gaetz Aerospace Institute guidance from professor and program coordinator any professional or organization. graduate to complete a Ph.D. at Elizabeth Blickensderfer, King developed an app to Embry-Riddle. help pilots more easily and effectively access, interpret Find short courses, certificate programs and custom and respond to weather information in real time. options for your organization at proed.erau.edu. Making a Difference for Industry Before even finishing her program, King accepted her position with the AFRL. A recruiter for the lab offered her a job — on the spot — at a NSBE STEM conference she attended. EAGLE REUNION 2021 King joined the AFRL as a research psychologist Save the dates for the largest in July 2020 and works specifically in the Warfighter Interactions and Readiness Division of the 711th alumni meetups of the year Trajectory Human Performance Wing at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio. Her role focuses on From high school to Ph.D., making the relationship between humans and artificial intelligence more seamless and less robotic. triple alumna pursues her Transitioning from a student to a working professional can be challenging, not to mention doing As a graduate student, Jayde King so during a global pandemic. King leans on the lessons passion at Embry-Riddle (’14, ’16, ’20) observed a classmate’s experience as he flew through various she learned at Embry-Riddle that she still uses today. simulated weather conditions. “Just a couple of months ago I was a student, but now my decisions actually have impact,” she says. With few women of color pursuing STEM-related BY ANNELISE O’DONNELL Raised in close proximity to space shuttle launches, careers, King believes that representation and Homecoming Homecoming King says she dreamt of being an astronaut from a giving back through mentorship are key solutions to Weekend Weekend in ayde King (’14, ’16, ’20) started her journey young age. Science, technology, engineering and diversifying the industry. She also credits the Gaetz in Prescott Daytona Beach as an Eagle as a high school student mathematics (STEM) came naturally to her. Her mother Institute program with playing an important role in PRESCOTT, ARIZONA DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA enrolled in Embry-Riddle’s Gaetz Aerospace is a crime scene investigator, and her father is a math attracting people of color and women to these fields. Institute. The institute links Embry-Riddle to teacher. Her love for aviation grew when she joined the “It gives them the knowledge they need to Sept. 30 - Oct. 2 Oct. 8 - 9 secondary schools, giving students a jump- Boynton Aerospace Science Academy (BASA), an arm prepare for this career, exposure to mentors at a start on their college education through a of Embry-Riddle’s Gaetz Aerospace Institute at Boynton young age and the opportunity to see students like concurrent enrollment program. Beach Community High School in South Florida. them working through that coursework,” she says. For King that jump-start was like a rocket, “We were able to complete 10 free flight hours Looking back on her accomplishment, King says Visit alumni.erau.edu/homecoming for all the details! launching her on an upward trajectory that through the program,” King says. “We got to fly, take it’s not her new title of “doctor” that she values culminated in three degrees and earned aviation maintenance classes — all of that really fed the most, but the collective experience she had at her the distinction of being the first Gaetz Institute into my decision to go to Riddle and promoted my Embry-Riddle and how she can use it to conquer any Jgraduate to complete a Ph.D. at Embry-Riddle. Today, love for aviation.” challenge that comes her way. she is a human factors research psychologist at the “What changed wasn’t the title — what changed Visit the alumni website for dates Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). Embry-Riddle Family was everything I did and learned,” she says. EVENTS ON and information on upcoming events: “I love seeing humans and technology working At Embry-Riddle, King was an active participant in “Research is supposed to increase knowledge and alumni.erau.edu/events. together,” she says. “That’s my favorite part of and out of the classroom. She served in the Student better people’s lives. Now I have the credentials to THE RADAR

human factors.” Government Association and was a member of the LABELLO DARYL do it, which is really empowering.”

32 LIFT SPRING/SUMMER 2021 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU LIFT SPRING/SUMMER 2021 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU 33 Barry Hyde, Ph.D. (’07) Distinguished Alumni Award “My Embry-Riddle degree really opened the mbry-Riddle donor and Legacy Society door for me to be able to work for the FAA. It member Warren Childers (’75) remembers allowed me to pursue my passion for aviation MNU S MN A MNU S what it was like to struggle in college. HE D AL U HE D AL U HE D AL U

EU R ALU MNUS and help make sure what happened to me

UI S UI S UI S “When I was a student at Embry-Riddle, I PR EN doesn’t happen to another pilot.” OUNG ALU MNUS Phillip Rosnik Lisa M. Anderson DIS TING Moriba Jah DIS TING DIS TING Dr. Barry Hyde & Bravo Y Narendran Muraleedharan EN TRE Matthew Savoca VOLUN TE ER AL UM NU S Jean Olivier Mbog VOLUN TE ER AL UM NU S What Is the didn’t have a lot of money at the time, and I got grants and loans,” he says. “I know what it’s like Lisa Anderson Spencer (’99, ’03) to need a little financial help to get through.” Distinguished Alumni Award Embry-Riddle That’s one of the reasons he and his wife, “This award was so unexpected and humbling; Kristine, joined the Legacy Society by making a I’m honored and filled with gratitude. This award planned gift to fund scholarships for students. SEVEN ALUMNI demonstrates ERAU’s confidence in me — as a Legacy Society The Legacy Society was founded in 1998 to valued alumna. I feel a degree of responsibility Eexpress appreciation and recognition for those vision- to be the best me I can be, as I represent the faith ary individuals, like the Childers, who inform the that ERAU has in me, as well.” and How Can university, confidentially and in writing, that they have HONORED WITH made a provision for a future gift through a bequest Moriba Jah, Ph.D. (’99) in a will or by naming Embry-Riddle a beneficiary in a Distinguished Alumni Award I Join? trust, life insurance policy or retirement plan. “I am extremely honored and pleasantly Planned gifts such as charitable gift annuities or surprised that the university felt that I charitable remainder trusts also qualify as future gifts, 2021 EAGLE was someone who would earn this sort and they can provide lifetime income to donors or of distinction. It is welcomed and a very other beneficiaries. Planned gifts may be either unre- moving gesture.” stricted or designated for a particular Embry-Riddle department or program. They also may be named for one or more individuals. ALUMNI AWARD Matt Savoca (’94) Entrepreneur Alumni Award Legacy Society Member Benefits “I graduated with the confidence to know I • Invitations to exclusive university could take on life’s challenges. There are many and educational events BY MELANIE STAWICKI AZAM AND great minds and many great entrepreneurs • Invitation to annual Legacy Society dinner that have graduated from ERAU, and to be ALAN MARCOS PINTO CESAR • A lifetime subscription to Lift, the university’s selected for this award is truly an honor.” magazine for alumni and friends arry Hyde, D.B.A. (’07) miraculously • Legacy Society lapel pin survived a 1998 plane crash, but he Narendran Muraleedharan (’16, ’17) permanently lost his vision and ability Young Alumni Award By becoming a member of the Legacy Society, to fly a plane again. “I am honored that I am chosen for an alumni you help secure the university’s place as a world BThe former pilot and flight instructor award from my university where a very large leader in aeronautical education and applied research. embarked on a new career path, studying number of amazing and successful professionals We invite you to create your own legacy by come from. I loved my experience at Embry- aviation safety at Embry-Riddle. He went on to helping those who follow to realize their dreams. If Riddle, from the classes to the independent earn his doctorate and is now an aviation safety you have already named Embry-Riddle in your will studies with professors to the research projects.” analyst for the Federal Aviation Administration. or other aspect of your estate plan, thank you, and Barry is one of seven alumni being honored please call or email us so we can document your with a 2021 Eagle Alumni Award for their Jean Olivier Mbog (’13) gift. We want to be sure that we fulfill your wishes. achievements. The other recipients, who will be Volunteer Alumni Award Warren Childers (’75), pictured, and his wife, To inquire further about joining the Legacy recognized in a virtual program, include Phil Rosnik “I’m in love with all aviation, aerospace dreamers, Kristine, joined Embry-Riddle’s Legacy Society Society, contact Travis Grantham, Executive Director aircraft and everything that goes into them. Give by supporting student scholarships with a (’86), Matt Savoca (’94), Moriba Jah, Ph.D. (’99), planned gift. of Gift Planning and Special Gifts, at 386-226-7568 Lisa Anderson Spencer (’99, ’03), Jean Olivier me a chance to upskill, and I’m as happy as I can or [email protected]. be. My life and my career are an endless learning Mbog (’13) and Narendran Muraleedharan (’16, ’17). journey, and I’m loving every minute of it. Let’s Hyde, Spencer and Jah will receive the together pay it forward to the next generation!” Distinguished Alumni Award. Savoca was chosen for the Entrepreneur Alumni Award, while Muraleedharan was selected for the Phil Rosnik (’86) A Special You can give up to a maximum of $100,000 per year from your IRA directly to Young Alumni Award, and Mbog and Rosnik Volunteer Alumni Award Embry-Riddle without having to pay income taxes on the money. This popular “Receiving an award as recognition for my received Volunteer Alumni Awards. Opportunity for gift option is commonly called the IRA charitable rollover, but you may also see efforts is certainly an honor and always “I never dreamt of receiving this award it referred to as a qualified charitable distribution, or QCD for short. If you are when I came to Embry-Riddle,” Hyde says. appreciated. However, the real reward for me Those 70½ Years is observing the actual positive impact that interested in learning more about this popular gift option, please contact Travis “There were many factors that came forward in Embry-Riddle and the student population Old and Older Grantham at 386-226-7568 or [email protected]. my life that allowed me to do it.” experience from my efforts.”

34 LIFT SPRING/SUMMER 2021 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU LIFT SPRING/SUMMER 2021 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU 35 CLASS Carl Sorg (’79) is the director of Nigel Patterson (’85) was named Oliver E. Lewis Jr. (’87) was appointed aviation at the Johnson & Johnson vice president of sales and contracts executive vice president, head of Family of Companies in West Trenton, at Certified Aviation Services LLC. commercial banking at Columbia Bank. NOTES New Jersey. Patterson has more than 32 years of experience in his field. Guillermo Rojas (’87) is a tanker broker at Tank Oil Shipping USA. 1980s Stephen Blanchette Jr. (’86) was honored Feb. 1, 2021, as a Col. David Emery (’88) retired from Send us your news! Email your life events Tim Glover (’80) retired from United recipient of the 40th annual Robert the U.S. Air Force Reserve in 2018 Stacy Emmett Laura M. to [email protected]. For guidelines, visit Airlines in August 2020. H. Herndon Black Image Award. after more than 37 years of service, Shahryar Shaghaghi Grabb Smith-Velazquez William Palmer The award honors the legacy of including in the California Air alumni.erau.edu/notes_guidelines. Chris Ison (’82, ’89) retired on Herndon, a pioneering Black engineer National Guard and U.S. Air Force. Dec. 31, 2020, as vice president of at The Aerospace Corporation, Emery continues to fly for United project management at OGARAJETS by recognizing employees for Airlines as a captain on the B757. in Atlanta. their outstanding work in support of the corporation’s mission, Frank Sapio (’88) was appointed head Mary Patti Shotwell (’82) is an laudable humanitarian efforts and of claims for Alliance Global Corporate insurance broker at Patsho Insurance/ distinguished personal achievements. & Specialty in North America. Career News The Assurance Group. Blanchette is the director of software systems and acquisition at The Martin S. Konigsdorffer (’89) Capt. Michael B. John Parrish (’83) retired in 2019 Aerospace Corporation and a member graduated from the U.S. Army War John M. Bookas Sigman Jeff Kotson Danette Sawin 1960s Wayne Cornutt (’79) retired as an after a 36-year aviation career in of the College of Security and College in July 2020. He earned a aircraft mechanic at Delta Air Lines which he held executive positions Intelligence Philanthropy Council at master’s degree in strategic studies Raul Mendez (’69) received the FAA after 40 years as an A/C mechanic. with Lockheed Martin for 22 years, Embry-Riddle’s Prescott Campus. and received a diploma of graduation Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award. Northrop Grumman for six years and from the Army War College as a followed by Space Launch Systems Commercial Crew Transportation Shahryar Shaghaghi (’97) was The award recognizes 50 years of William Palmer (’79) recently retired GE Aviation for eight years. Maj. Gen. Timothy E. Gowen (’86) distinguished graduate. Artemis, while at the Michoud project and an Honor Award for her recently named chief technology exemplary aviation flight experience, from Delta Air Lines as a senior A350 is the 30th Adjutant General of Assembly Facility in New Orleans. review of NASA’s mobile launchers. officer at Quantum Xchange, a distinguished professionalism and captain/check airman, completing 36 Kenneth M. Dufour (’85, ’89), who Maryland, responsible for the daily Michael Macias (’89) recently developer of advanced encryption steadfast commitment to aviation years with Northwest Airlines and is an Embry-Riddle Board of Trustee operations of the Maryland Military transitioned from B747 first officer Caroline Vandedrinck (’91) was Arlando Teller (’95) was appointed technology and products. A member safety. He is still current and qualified Delta Air Lines. member and founder and president/ Department, which includes the to B767 at Atlas Air. His daughter is appointed senior vice president of assistant secretary for Tribal of the university’s College of in the B737 and B767 and flies a 767VIP CEO of Aviation Management Maryland Army National Guard, a student at Embry-Riddle’s Prescott sales for SR Technics. Headquartered Affairs at the U.S. Department of Engineering Industry Advisory Board, part time in Malaysia. Samuel “Scott” Tomlinson III (’79) Consulting Inc., was honored with Maryland Air National Guard, Campus. He writes, “My baby girl in Switzerland, SR Technics is an Transportation. First elected in 2018, Shaghaghi has 30-plus years of received the FAA Wright Brothers the FAA Wright Brothers Master Maryland Emergency Management is about to join me in becoming an international MRO service provider for Teller was a representative in the experience in information technology Master Pilot Award. The award Pilot Award. The award recognizes Agency and Maryland Defense Force. ERAU alumni, Class of 2021.” the civil aviation sector. Arizona State Legislature. He recently and risk management consulting. 1970s recognizes 50 years of exemplary 50 years of exemplary aviation resigned his seat to accept the aviation flight experience, distinguished flight experience, distinguished James Hurley (’87) has joined Richard S. Walsh (’89, ’91) was Daren Griffin (’94) was named the federal appointment. Stacy Emmett Grabb (’98) was John Alger (’73) retired in 2018 after professionalism and steadfast professionalism and steadfast Talon Air’s executive team as appointed to CEO of CorVent Medical, new president and CEO of the Reno- appointed the role of Designated a long career and moved to Ormond commitment to aviation safety. commitment to aviation safety. executive vice president. a privately held portfolio company Tahoe Airport Authority, operator of Allen Cassino (’96) is a pilot for Pilot Examiner, based out of Portland, Beach, Florida, in 2019. of Coridea LLC, which is developing Reno-Tahoe International Airport in Alaska Airlines. In December, he Oregon, by the FAA. ventilators for critical care. Reno, Nevada. shared this message: “Christmas James Black (’75) is the founder flying. You’ve got to stay warm. of Blackbird Bikes and inventor of Retired Lt. Gen. VeraLinn Happy holidays to all of you that are 2000s the EZ Quadribent. 1990s Jamieson (’94) joins the Beacon on the road.” Global Strategies (BGS) Advisory Ellis Chernoff (’76) retired in 2013. Mark Ingemi (’91) is a Boeing 777 Board. BGS is a leading strategic Robert M. Ruiz (’96) was named Philip Alldridge (’00) was named a Prior to retirement, he was an air captain for FedEx, based in Memphis, advisory firm focusing on global public director at the Office of General Lockheed Martin Fellow. safety representative for the Air Line Tennessee. policy, government procurement and Aviation Safety Assurance in the Flight Pilots Association. geopolitical risk analysis. She was Standards Service, FAA. Yon Price (’00) was named to the Susie Latvala (’91) recently also chosen to serve on the advisory Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame’s John M. Bookas (’77), who is a Raul Mendez Ellis Chernoff Wayne Cornutt Chris Ison Stephen Blanchette Jr. celebrated 25 years at FedEx. In board of Primer, a San Francisco- Capt. Carlos Zendejas (’96) has 2021 Silver Anniversary Team. Price member of the Philanthropy Council for December, she transitioned to 777 based machine intelligence company. been elected by Horizon Air’s Board played basketball as a student at the Daytona Beach Campus College of captain and now lives in Port Angeles, A retired three-star general, Jamieson of Directors to be the company’s new Embry-Riddle and helped the Daytona Aviation, recently retired. Washington, with her husband, Jeff. served as former deputy chief of staff vice president of flight operations, Beach Campus Eagles win the 2000 Previously, she spent four years in for Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance overseeing Horizon’s 700 pilots and its NAIA II National Title. He is one of Capt. Michael B. Sigman (’78) has Hong Kong and flew the 767. She also and Reconnaissance. flight operations support team. 18 men honored on the 2021 Silver retired after a 39-plus year career with flew the MD11 for 20 years. Anniversary Team. Metro Airlines/Eastern Metro Express Dimitra Tsamis (’94, ’00) is a senior Jeff Hayman (’97) was named chief Airlines/American Eagle Airlines/ George R. Macri (’91,’94) recently analyst with NASA’s Office of Inspector information officer at Rappahannock Laura M. Smith-Velazquez (’00, ’06), American Airlines. retired from The Boeing Company General and recently celebrated 25 Community College in Virginia. a senior systems engineer-cognitive after more than 10 years. He was a years of federal service. This year Hayman is a Certified Information scientist in research and technology Wayne Turner (’78) recently retired quality engineer working on NASA she was recognized with a Superior Systems Security Professional and development at Collins Aerospace, Mark Ingemi Susie Latvala Dimitra Tsamis Arlando Teller Robert M. Ruiz as a captain for Delta Air Lines. space programs, starting with Ares and Service Award for her work on the former U.S. Army Master Aviator. was part of the NASA/FAA Airplane

36 LIFT SPRING/SUMMER 2021 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU LIFT SPRING/SUMMER 2021 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU 37 construction of Chaparral, a hybrid- electric autonomous aircraft.

John Adams (’14) has started a new role in business development, strategy and capture for Lockheed Martin Space in California. Ensign Dylan Horan, Ensign Michael Henriquez, Ensign Vinicius Sousa, Reinaldo Cherem, Greg Ciochon, Ensign Dustin Perry, Ensign Rahim Ankit Jain (’14) is the founder and Ariana Entezari and Tony Baca Agha and Ensign Lukas Delong Derek Mercer CEO of Pathloom, which was selected as a finalist for the Walmart-owned Moosejaw Outdoor Acceleration first officer; Ariana Entezari (’09), first Joey Santella (’19) is a UAS pilot Meghan Burleigh Stacy Sheard Darshan Divakaran Nathan Kroeker Randy O’Dell Brad Brandt program, aimed at supporting small officer; and Tony Baca (’20), captain. II at Duke Energy Corporation in businesses in the outdoor industry. Charlotte, North Carolina. Pathloom is an all-in-one app for Chase D. Rinehart (’17) is currently Marriages/ planning camping, hiking and other a captain at Horizon Air, flying the Ensign Vinicius Sousa (’19) recently outdoor recreation trips. Jordan Bombardier Dash 8-Q400. graduated U.S. Navy Officer Candidate Engagements Rivers (’14) leads the company’s School in Newport, Rhode Island — product and engineering effort. Ernest Harrison (’18) is an installation with five other Embry-Riddle graduates transportation officer at Vandenberg Air in his class: Ensign Dylan Horan 2010s Robert Meade (’15) retired as a Force Base in California. (’20); Ensign Michael Henriquez master sergeant (E-7) in a ceremony (’18, ’20); Ensign Dustin Perry Danielle Erlichman (’12, ’15) and at Geilenkirchen NATO Air Base, in Daniel Dias Landroni (’18) was (’20); Ensign Rahim Agha (’20); and Andrew Voss (’12) were married Geilenkirchen, Germany, following promoted to revenue management Ensign Lukas Delong (’20). Sousa on Oct. 2, 2020, in New Hampshire. Jason Tepool Terik Weekes Ankit Jain Robert Meade Chase D. Rinehart more than 22 years of active service in manager for LATAM Airlines in writes: “Five of us are aviators and will They are both A320 First Officers for the U.S. Air Force. Santiago, Chile. be going to Pensacola to start Flight JetBlue Airways. School and one of us will be going State Awareness Research Team that examination engineer for General their disciplines within the American Salvatore De Rosa Troconis (’11) Courtney Mills (’15) is an Matthew Rodriguez (’18, ’20) is to Virginia to start Surface Warfare was awarded the 2020 NASA Langley Electric, was chosen as a 2020 Geophysical Union, the world’s largest recently marked four years as a first experimental flight test engineer the airport operations manager at Officer School.” Achievement Award. She was also Fellow of the American Society for Earth and space science society. officer at Air Macau. with Stratolaunch. Bellingham International Airport in recently awarded the American Indian Nondestructive Testing. Bellingham, Washington. Other Science and Engineering Society Luis Carlos Carmona (’09, ’15), Ernest Olivares (’11, ’16) is a Jessica Naor (’15), who is chief 2020s Technical Excellence Award. She Jeff Kotson (’04) retired from the U.S. who is captain of the A320 fleet at project engineer senior staff at operating officer of GrandView Aviation, Danielle Rosales (’18) was Marc Cervantes (’13, ’15) writes: works in Collins’ Advanced Avionics Coast Guard in 2011 and is the director LATAM Peru, shared this career news: Lockheed Martin. was elected to The Air Charter Safety selected for the inaugural class of the Amre Chapele (’20) completed his “I am currently flying with Chris Technology department, developing of safety and risk management for Life “Dec. 21 marked my second year as a Foundation’s Board of Governors. International Astronautical Federation degree in December. He writes: “Thanks Chung (’87). We’re both at Delta supersonic flight technology. Flight Network in Aurora, Oregon. captain for the Airbus fleet in LATAM Randy O’Dell (’12) recently retired Launchpad Mentorship Programme. to the staff of Embry-Riddle for the Air Lines flying the A320 out of Additionally, Smith-Velazquez received Peru. I flew for almost seven years as as an accessories flight chief from Chris Anzideo (’16) was a regional She is the communications manager constant words of encouragement and NYC and just finished up a trip.” a Patent Recognition Award from the Allison Odyssey (’04) is chief an FO in the long-haul fleet, flying the the U.S. Air Force. pilot before joining the Delaware at Space Tango. professionalism. We made history, Class Society of Women Engineers. operating officer for Zero Gravity 767-300, and upgraded as captain in Air National Guard as a pilot. He of 2020. Cheers and congratulations.” Petr Stepan (’14) and Hannah Corporation, a privately held space 2016 in the Airbus fleet.” Emma Roberts (’13) was chosen recently graduated from the Air Force’s Rico Brogna (’19), a former Major Burright Stepan (’16) recently Vishal S. Amin (’01) has become entertainment and tourism company. to be vice chair of the National undergraduate pilot training Next League Baseball player, was named Megan McDede (’20) is a commanded a SkyWest Airlines the first Indian American diplomat Air Transportation Association’s program, which was an experiment into the A’s Single-A manager. manufacturing engineer at the Ford flight into Prescott Regional Airport serving as the senior FAA regional Danette Sawin (‘04, ‘07) was 2010s new Air Ambulance Subcommittee. the next generation of pilot training. He’s Motor Company in Dearborn, Michigan. in Prescott, Arizona. The couple were representative for South Asia. Based promoted to mission director over the Roberts is the senior director of now back at his unit flying the C-130. Jesus Kelly (’19) is an aerospace both students at the Prescott Campus. out of the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, 787 Operations Control Center at The Jonathan Bourdeau (’10) currently safety, training and compliance maintenance duty officer in the U.S. Navy. Derek Mercer (’20) is an he will be the top FAA authority in Boeing Company. This marks her 32nd works as a senior scientist at for REVA Inc., an international Stacey Jackson (’16, ’20) recently avionics/electrical technician at Victor Griffin (’16) recently flew South Asia on U.S. civil aviation, anniversary with Boeing. Wood Environment & Infrastructure air ambulance and medical flight received The Northern Lights Aero Becca Lasky (’19) is an industrial Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation with fellow alumnus Nicolas policies, practices and procedures. Solutions Inc. transport services company. She Foundation’s annual Elsie Award, engineer at Bombardier. at Savannah, Georgia. Belhomme (’89) on a French Bee King Thompson (’05) was named joined REVA after nine years with honoring Canadian women who have SAS flight. French Bee is a low- Raymond Hanson (’02, ’07) senior sales and customer support Stacy Sheard (’10, ’14), a corporate Spirit Airlines working in-flight made outstanding contributions to Nashad Mackey (’19) will serve as cost, long-haul airline based at received the 2020 National Air Traffic manager for MRO activity at the helicopter captain, began her one- operations and safety. aviation and aerospace. a graduate assistant coach for Embry- Paris Orly Airport. Controllers Association’s Archie Middle River Aerostructure Systems year term as chair of Helicopter Riddle’s men’s basketball team at the League Medal of Safety Award on business of ST Engineering. Association International (HAI) on Jason Tepool (’13) was named Misfir Ahmed (’17) is a first officer Daytona Beach Campus. Mackey spent 1st Lt. Daniel Joblin (’17), May 26, 2021, for the Eastern Region. July 1, 2020. chair of the National Air working for the National Airline of two seasons as a student playing for Family News 1st Lt. Daniel Pierce (’17) Hanson and fellow controller Mark Meghan Burleigh (’08, ’13, ’18) Transportation Association’s Maldives, flying the Bombardier Dash the men’s basketball team from 2017- and Capt. Colin Reid (’07) Dzindzio helped a pilot in distress was recently chosen for the Basu Darshan Divakaran (’11) recently Aircraft Maintenance and Systems 8 aircraft. 2019 and leading Embry-Riddle in its recently deployed to Kandahar, on the cloudy night of May 20, 2020 United States Early Career Award for joined the U.S. Air Force Research Technology Committee. He is a first two official seasons in NCAA II 2000s Afghanistan, in support of — all while juggling other traffic, Research in Sun-Earth Systems Science. Laboratory as a senior operations business development executive Reinaldo Cherem (’17), a first officer and Sunshine State Conference. Operation Freedom Sentinel. including Air Force 2, according to an Currently a post-doctoral researcher research analyst with AFWERX. for The Boeing Company. for Atlas Air, shared that, on a recent Scott Forte (’09, ’11), who is a pilot, FAA news release. at the University of Michigan, Burleigh flight from San Francisco to Tokyo, the Luka Majstorovic (’19, ’20) will real estate agent and entrepreneur, Noah Segovia (’20), Chase was recognized in the space physics Nathan Kroeker (’11) is the Terik Weekes (’13) works for Atlas Air crew realized they had all begin his professional basketball and his wife, Lauren, welcomed a Owen (’20) and Kurt Estorez (’09) Claude Going Jr. (’03, ’06), and aeronomy section and was one of proprietor of River Hawk Farm in Elroy Air, a cargo drone startup in graduated from Embry-Riddle. The flight career this fall after signing with Club son, Silas Giovanni Forte, on July worked the Cameron Peak Fire in who is a senior nondestructive just 85 scientists globally representing Roseburg, Oregon. San Francisco. He leads design and included Cherem; Greg Ciochon (’14), Baloncesto Marbella in Spain. 23, 2020. Colorado together.

38 LIFT SPRING/SUMMER 2021 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU LIFT SPRING/SUMMER 2021 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU 39 TALKING In Memoriam TAILWINDS 1940s 1980s 2000s

Henry P. Shook (’44) Donald Lee Doggett (’81) SMSgt. Ronald J. Rousch (’00) Dec. 19, 2020 Feb. 17, 2021 Aug. 17, 2020

Robert Joseph Sturdevant (’81) Lt. Col. William Hollis 1950s Nov. 27, 2020 Poe II (’05) Walter Jones Oct. 19, 2020 McFadden Jr. Loyce E. Finch (’55) John R. Bennett (’83) • Jan. 20, 2021 Dec. 7, 2020 Nov. 14, 2020 2010s Mark Fellner (’83) Trustee Emeritus Walter Jones McFadden Jr., 96, 1960s Jan. 12, 2021 Jordan Michael Wright (’11) served on the university’s board of trustees from Aug. 31, 2020 1971 to 1976. A service pilot in the U.S. Army Air Ted Garrett (’63) Jordan Antoniadis (’86) Corps, McFadden started two companies: Southern Nov. 4, 2020 Feb. 3, 2021 William “Bill” Engel Bell (’12) Air Surveys Inc. and Mapco Inc., both based in Oct. 26, 2020 Temporary Quarters Florida and both of which conducted the aviation George F. Brooks (’68) Randy Hudon (’86) portion of aerial survey contracts for projects Nov. 16, 2020 Oct. 29, 2020 Ellen Marie Burrell (’12, ’13) Readers identify this apartment building turned Embry-Riddle dormitory, throughout the U.S. and the Bahamas. In 1972, Aug. 1, 2020 circa 1967-68, that was published in the fall/winter 2020 edition of Lift. he sold both companies, then started another Currie King Stafford (’69) Brig. Gen. Charles “Chuck” company, Airborne Data Inc., which specialized in Jan. 3, 2021 E. Yeager (HonDoc ’87) Dec. 7, 2020 ‘We Made Our Mark There’ Apollo 11 moon landing (boy did The “institute” was growing forest management photogrammetric programs OTHER The only off-campus dormitory that I we make a racket). We all studied quickly with a new “quadrangle” and was sold in 2004. A World War II veteran 1970s Michael M. Costain (’88) know of was the one I lived in and the hard and partied with the same campus being built near old runway who flew North American P51Ds, he received the Alexander Bello-Ortiz Jan. 26, 2021 Embry-Riddle student one pictured in Lift. It was located at enthusiasm. After all, this was the 6R. We continued to take classes in Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award in 2014 from Richard Kemp “Spike” Sept. 7, 2020 886 S. Nova Rd., Daytona Beach. It’s Woodstock festival era. the two-story wood headquarters the Federal Aviation Administration, honoring his Spicer (’72, ’80) Richard R. Fontaine (’88) currently called Palm Cove apartments The building may no longer building near the airport terminal and 50-plus years of flight expertise. July 20, 2020 Jan. 8, 2021 Tracy Forrest and still stands today. I believe these house Embry-Riddle students, but would take a shuttle or catch a ride McFadden’s passion was in the area of Longtime donor and friend apartments were there for quite some we certainly made our mark there. with a classmate to the “dorm.” photogrammetry, and he made a gift to the Charles A. Augur (’73) Oct. 12, 2020 time, and they were not new when I Great memories and the wonderful Thanks for the memory. It is university to set up the Merton M. Minter Jr. Feb. 5, 2021 1990s stayed there. relationships I made will remain with fascinating to think that Embry-Riddle Memorial Lecture Series on the topic, in honor of Millie Hughes-Fulford Robert Charles Gasko (’73) Dennis U. Wenzlick (’90) I was one of the lucky students me forever. went from a 1,500-student institute Minter, who was his good friend. Former Embry-Riddle March 10, 2021 July 16, 2020 who lived in the dormitory just south to tens of thousands of students at “I had the honor of meeting Walter McFadden, Board of Trustee member Feb. 2, 2021 of Bellevue Road. The dormitory Joseph Fabulich (’71) multiple campuses today. who remained a supporter and good friend of the Lt. Col. John Delbert Maj. Darrel W. Manning (’91) housed approximately 200 Embry- B.S. Aeronautical Engineering university,” says Embry-Riddle President P. Barry McCurdy (’73) Sept. 8, 2020 Lt. Col. Wayne Thomas Munson Riddle students during my time there, Tom Isenburg (’70) Butler. “A lifelong passion for flight took him from March 14, 2021 Former executive director of 1969-1970. Swimming Pool for B.S. Aviation Management the U.S. Army Air Corps to successful aviation Sean Patrick McLaughlin (’91) Embry-Riddle Alumni Relations Mr. Hofstater, the administrative Frogs and Snakes entrepreneurship. His conviction that aviation could Retired Maj. Raymond Sept. 27, 2020 Feb. 6, 2021 assistant of the school, tried his best I attended Embry-Riddle from the fall of A Different Kind of Hallmark deliver critical data led him to launch his third Dwight King (’74) to keep a watchful eye on us. Several 1967 to graduation in 1970. Our “co-ed I went to ERAU from 1970-74 and successful business, focused on photogrammetry, Dec. 31, 2020 John Hays Phillips (’92) Bert L. Reames female students lived in that area dorm” was the old motel [apartments] lived, existed in Dorm I. That is even after he retired. We are proud to have Dec. 2, 2020 Former Daytona Beach Juan A. Cruz (’75) as well. Each apartment had two with a center pool, which did a great another story in itself. The picture on benefited from his vision as a trustee, which was Campus Board of Visitors Aug. 11, 2020 CW5 Lee Michael Tutin (’93, ’97) bedrooms, a kitchen, a combination job caring for frogs and snakes in the the back cover of Lift is a sight ... a always forward-looking and expansive.” Feb. 17, 2021 Jan. 7, 2021 living/dining room and an attached early days, but got cleaned up in 1968 memory that I will not forget. Used as Maj. Frank T. Stookey (’75) patio/balcony. for our use. Besides, we had the beach. a dorm, mostly all the residents were Nov. 9, 2020 Capt. Byron L. Cobb (’95) I have many wonderful memories The seniors got the upper floor and veterans, or at least had a vehicle to Sept. 17, 2020 of my stay there, and the most the rest of us got the lower floor. Most go to school. There were many wild Daniel J. Cullum (’78) obvious was the diversity of students of the rooms could accommodate two parties that were the hallmark of July 12, 2020 Marc I. Cohen (’95) from around the world. Living with to four students, with a kitchen and those walls. Almost every weekend, Oct. 29, 2020 them was an education in itself. Many bath. The kitchen turned out to be a sometimes mid-week, if you could residents were teammates of mine good thing because we were a long get there, you could find something Ralph F. Sahagun (’99) July 20, 2020 on the school’s soccer team, and way from any restaurants, and for of interest. Or just a crazy time. I think some of the girls were cheerleaders that matter, the campus too. I must this dorm was closed in 1972, and for the team. When historical events admit, sharing a “home” with pilots, the residents were left to their occurred, we congregated outside in mechanics, engineers, managers and own devices. the front or the back of residences. historians made for great friendships. HELP US MEMORIALIZE EMBRY-RIDDLE EAGLES One outstanding moment, especially I got married in 1968 and was the first Ken Richard (’74) Notify the Office of Alumni Engagement at [email protected] if you are aware of any classmates

for Embry-Riddle students, was the to leave our place. B.S. Airway Science ARCHIVE THE EMBRY-RIDDLE OF COURTESY PHOTO who have died. For obituaries and up-to-date death notices, visit alumni.erau.edu/passings.

40 LIFT SPRING/SUMMER 2021 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU LIFT SPRING/SUMMER 2021 ALUMNI.ERAU.EDU 41 NON-PROFIT ORG. US. POSTAGE OFFICE OF ALUMNI ENGAGEMENT PAID STEVENS POINT WI PERMIT NO. 272

TAILWINDS

Game Time

Do you remember how many quarters you sank into these pool tables and arcade games underneath the “Queen of the Skies”? Can you identify the pool sharks? Share memories of your leisure time at Embry-Riddle and help us fill the gaps in our institutional knowledge: Tell us what you remember of the old John Paul Riddle Student Center, what is out of frame and what year you think this photo was taken. Bonus points if you recognize anyone (especially the pool sharks) or know who took the photo. We’ll share the details in the next edition of Lift.

Photo courtesy of the Embry-Riddle Archive

Photo courtesy of the Embry-Riddle Archives