Austin, Texas Metropolitan Area
I am an aviation executive, G550 Captain, and Head of Aviation Advisory Services with 20+ years of experience leading high-performance corporate and private flight operations. I currently serve at Clay Lacy Aviation, where I partner with principals, executives, and organizations to elevate aviation as a driver of human performance and organizational resilience through operational leadership, safety culture, and research-informed advisory work. In this role, my work integrates operational leadership, strategic advisory, and evidence-based coaching to support clarity, energy, and performance in high-pressure leadership environments. My leadership integrates operational excellence with a strong safety culture and tangible business impact. I have led initiatives across fleet modernization, long-range aircraft strategy, hangar development, and Safety Management System (SMS) implementation—while expanding access to corporate aviation in ways that support executive well-being, collaboration, and organizational effectiveness. In 2025, my peer-reviewed research was published in the Journal of Air Transport Management, examining business travel stress and the moderating role of corporate aircraft utilization on employee well-being, engagement, and retention from a stakeholder perspective. This work reframes aviation ROI beyond time savings, grounding it in organizational psychology and human performance. Much of my work begins with what I call the Tangibility Paradox™: cost is always visible, value is real but unquantified, and legitimacy is earned or eroded in the gap between them. To close that gap, I developed ROBAI™ (Return on Business Aviation Intangibles) — a framework that makes the real but often-unquantified value of corporate aviation tangible to the boards, investors, and executives whose judgment it depends on. ROBAI now anchors the advisory practice I lead at Clay Lacy Aviation. ROBAI and EMSF™ are developed and owned through IMPACT Transformative Leadership & Solutions LLC, the firm I founded in 2023. My current research and advisory interests extend this work into executive mobility, person–environment fit, and the design of travel and operating models that sustain performance in high-demand roles—both within and beyond aviation. I am passionate about building aviation functions that are safe, efficient, and sustainable, while aligned with enterprise mission, values, and long-term strategic goals.
• Lead the development and growth of Clay Lacy’s aviation advisory practice, combining operational excellence, organizational psychology, and evidence-based strategic aviation insights. • Advise principals, executives, and corporate flight departments on fleet strategy, organizational structure, safety culture, leadership, and ROI of aviation assets. • Serve as G550 Captain supporting a high-demand international travel profile with a focus on safety, standardization, and exceptional service. • Develop and apply the proprietary ROBAI™ (Return on Business Aviation Intangibles) framework and supporting tools that translate corporate aviation’s strategic value into terms the C-suite and board can act on. • Deliver keynotes, workshops, and executive briefings for industry stakeholders.
Founder of the advisory and research entity that holds the ROBAI™ (Return on Business Aviation Intangibles) and EMSF™ frameworks. Develops intellectual property, methodology, and tools that translate the strategic value of corporate aviation into terms boards, investors, and executives can act on — licensed and applied through advisory engagements.
Promoted to Sr. Director following a period of significant transformation and growth within Dell’s corporate aviation function. Report directly to the CFO and oversee global flight operations, fleet strategy, (long-range) aircraft planning, hangar development, and safety systems—all while continuing to serve as Chief Pilot. Lead the company’s global corporate aviation function, overseeing all aspects of flight operations, maintenance, scheduling, safety, and hangar development. Built and lead a high-performance team delivering operational excellence, mission readiness, and strategic alignment with company goals. Key Responsibilities & Achievements: • Report directly to the CFO, advising on corporate aviation strategy, capital planning, and fleet optimization. • Align aviation operations with enterprise-level goals, including executive effectiveness, employee well-being, and measurable ROI on travel investments. • Developed and implemented a multi-year fleet replacement strategy, including justification for long-range aircraft and future hangar sizing. • Spearheaded the renewal and expansion of hangar facilities, combining operating bases and supporting long-term infrastructure growth. • Implemented Safety Management System (SMS) principles aligned with FAA Part 5, enhancing safety culture and standardization. • Expanded access to corporate aircraft through data-informed policy changes—driving increased utilization, group travel, and employee impact. • Led internal research on business aviation’s role in engagement, well-being, and retention; current research under academic journal review. • Partnered cross-functionally with Finance, Legal, Security, HR, and Facilities to ensure integrated support for executive travel and operations.
Led Dell Technologies’ aviation function during the post-merger integration phase with EMC, overseeing global operations, fleet strategy, safety culture, and asset management. Served as Chief Pilot during this period and retained that title following promotion to Sr. Director. Key Highlights: • Directed aviation planning during the Dell–EMC merger, integrating teams and aligning operational strategy • Managed annual operating budgets, capital planning, and asset lifecycle strategy for a multi-aircraft fleet • Oversaw vendor contracts, maintenance agreements, and hangar leases • Collaborated with C-suite, Legal, Security, and Finance to enhance risk governance and operational transparency • Built a high-performance team culture and improved cross-functional collaboration Chief Pilot Responsibilities (2016 – Present): • Manage all flight operations, safety programs, crew training, and pilot standardization • Developed SOPs and FOQA programs; maintain regulatory and operational compliance • Fly as captain on G280, GIV, Challenger 300, and Phenom 300 supporting executive missions • Lead hiring, mentorship, and crew development across the flight department
Type-rated and current on multiple business jets, supporting executive missions across the U.S., Europe, Middle East, and Asia. Blend operational expertise with executive leadership, contributing to safety culture, standardization, and mission continuity from both the flight deck and senior leadership level. • ~7,500 hours total flight time • Type ratings: GIV, G280, Challenger 300, EMB505, Hawker 800 • Experience in both short-notice domestic trips and complex international operations • Directly supported C-suite and board-level travel across multiple continents • Maintain safety-first mindset and standardization across diverse operations • Actively fly as G280 captain while leading Dell Technologies’ global aviation function