AVIATION PERSONNEL INTERNATIONAL - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- CLIENT Services Manager
- API 's Client Services Manager
As a recruiter, Ben partners with clients-high-net-worth individuals or corporate flight departments-to identify, select and present the most suitable candidates for the position.
Ben Janaitis is API's Client Services Manager. In this important role, he collaborates with API's clients-high-net-worth individuals or corporate flight departments-through the entire hiring process.
At the beginning of a hiring engagement, Ben conducts an onsite workplace assessment in order to fully comprehend the client's hiring needs. Throughout the process, he remains partnered with the hiring team to identify, select and present the most suitable candidates for the position.
Previously, Ben worked for four years at Johnson & Johnson as an Aircraft Technician for the firm's Gulfstream G-650s and G-550s. He also spent seven years working for Dupont Specialty Products, headquartered in New Castle, Delaware. He served as both a flight technician and mechanic for the Fortune 250 firm's Gulfstream G-550 and Bombardier Challenger 300.
Ben's expertise and knowledge of business aviation is extensive, reaching back to his childhood. His father worked for a corporate flight department, and taught Ben to fly and maintain planes at a young age. Ben went on to earn his A&P license from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida. He also graduated magna cum laude from the University of Maine in Orono, Maine, where he received a bachelor of arts in social work.
Combining both his proficiency in social work and aviation, Ben uses a "people-first" approach when working with API's candidates and clients. "Anybody can match resumes to a checklist on a job posting," he says. "But at API, we create magic by considering the whole person. Someone with a life and individual experiences that shape their ambitions and aspirations. This is information gleaned from far beyond what we can read in a resume." It's clear that Ben's careful cultivation of relationships enables him to match the right people with the right opportunity, so that both client and candidate can thrive.
Ben is a former member of the NBAA Flight Attendant/Flight Technician Committee, and is hopeful to one day serve on the NBAA's Maintenance Committee. He holds many certificates, licenses and endorsements: among them FAA Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic, FAA Inspection Authorization, Satcom Direct Aero IT, NCATT Aircraft Electronics Technician, Flight Safety International (FSI) Gulfstream G-550 Master Technician, FSI Bombardier Challenger 300 Master Technician and endorsements in High Altitude, High Performance and Complex Aircraft piloting.
Job Titles:
- Services Manager
- Candidate Services Manager
Christine Wetherell serves as API's Candidate Services Manager. A lifelong pilot and seasoned business aviation leader, she is responsible for ensuring that API has a strong, diverse and current pool of candidates to address the needs of the company's corporate aviation and high-net-worth clients. In that role, she cultivates candidate relationships, advises on job openings and changes, and helps jobseekers enroll and maintain their profiles as API Registered Professionals.™
Additionally, Wetherell assists API's recruitment team to locate top industry talent, identifying the most qualified candidates for API's aviation-related positions, including leadership, maintenance, flight operations, in-flight services and scheduling/dispatch.
Wetherell has far-reaching regional and national aviation-related networks in many areas of the industry. Prior to joining API, she was the Director of Administration for the jointly owned Wings Insurance and FlyWise Aviation, based in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. At both firms, she led the day-to-day operations and HR functions, served as a team leader and managed all aviation events. Wetherell worked in client services for an aircraft management company, as a sales and marketing executive for an aircraft product company, and as a GM for a charter operator.
Wetherell learned to fly at a young age, and soloed on the day she graduated from high school. She then graduated from the FlightSafety International Academy Professional Pilot Program, and spent 10 years as a professional pilot. She was a flight instructor and flew for a variety of firms, including a Part 121 regional carrier, a Part 91 operation and a Part 135 charter operator.
A long-time member of the Minnesota Business Aviation Association (MBAA), Wetherell has served as its Executive Director and Board President. She is also a member of the National Business Aviation Association and Women in Corporate Aviation.
Christine works to cultivate candidate relationships, advises on job openings and changes, and helps jobseekers enroll and maintain their profiles.
Job Titles:
- Founder and past Chairman
"Jan Barden was a remarkable figure, and a tireless supporter of NBAA and the business aviation community," said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. "I'm not sure our industry has ever seen a person who has given more time to promoting and serving its interests-she was extraordinary at helping people to connect people to each other, and build a sense of community."
In 1971, she leveraged her 16 years as a professional aviation psychologist to found her own recruitment firm, Aviation Personnel International (API). Using her skills in psychological testing, Barden developed the company's proprietary candidate testing program, which has since evolved throughout the years, and remains a company staple 45 years later.
Job Titles:
- Leader
- VICE PRESIDENT
- Chairman of NBAA 's DE & I Working Group
Jennifer Pickerel is a decisive leader with exceptional communication skills, and a unique ability to build relationships, inspire confidence and unite teams. As Vice President of Aviation Personnel International, she works directly with API's clients, most of whom are aviation directors, reporting executives and corporate HR partners.
As a recruiter with 15 years of experience working in business aviation, Jennifer has a deep understanding of the workforce challenges facing the industry today. She draws on her subject matter knowledge and expertise to speak at an array of industry events, as well as to author industry media articles on employee attraction, retention and topics of diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I).
Passionate about equitable representation and inclusion, Jennifer serves as the Chair of NBAA's DE&I Working Group, Endeavor, and actively participates in industry leadership and advisory groups, including Bombardier's Safety Standdown Advisory Council and NBAA's Maintenance and Business Aviation Management committees.
She also is a member of the NBAA Maintenance Committee, International Aviation Womens Association, Minnesota Business Aviation Association, Pacific Northwest Business Aviation Association and Women in Corporate Aviation. Through her relationship with the Minnesota State University, Mankato, she works one-on-one with students to conduct resume reviews, mock interviews, and offer career and salary advice.
Since joining API in 2015, Jennifer has held progressive roles in all areas of the company, and was promoted to her current position in 2020. As VP, she is the "chief of staff" to the company's President & CEO, and serves as the primary point of contact for most of API's recruitment projects and staff needs.
Prior to API, Jennifer served in many key roles at MedAire, an International SOS company, including Client Services Manager and Senior Account Manager. During her 10-year tenure there, she gained significant leadership experience, developed key aviation industry relationships and honed her communication skills.
Jennifer is a distinguished graduate of the IWF Leadership Fellows Program and Northwestern University-Kellogg School of Management's DEI-focused executive education program. Her holistic approach to leadership reflects a commitment to excellence and innovation in the aviation personnel landscape. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Nebraska, in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Jennifer manages API's operational functions, takes the lead on many strategic initiatives and is the primary point of contact regarding most recruitment projects and staff needs.
Job Titles:
- ADMINISTRATIVE Manager
- API 's Administrative Manager, Logistics Coordinator
As Administrative Manager, Michaela Heacox works on various projects related to operations, technology, logistics and process improvement. She also works with client hiring managers to coordinate candidate presentations, and to ensure a smooth hiring process.
She also collaborates with API's recruiting team and candidates throughout the API Registered Professional™ application process, providing them with seamless technology, pre-employment, and communication support.
Michaela has significant experience as an executive administrator, having worked with API as well as Quick Business Resolutions, a virtual assistance company, since 2017. Prior to that, she worked in hotel management in Spokane, Washington.
Michaela earned her Associate in Applied Science - Accounting Assistant from Spokane Community College, and holds an Accounting Clerk certificate.
Michaela is API's administrative manager, logistics coordinator, and bookkeeper, with an eye for detail and a passion for bringing ideas to life.
Job Titles:
- Advisor
- Ceo
- President
- Member of the International Aviation Womens Association
Sheryl joined API in 2001, as Vice President of Business Development, and she assumed the critical role of President in 2003. She added CEO responsibilities to her position in 2013. API has grown exponentially under her leadership, while always remaining true to the company's founding principles of integrity, confidentiality and industry-leading client service.
Sheryl is a member of the International Aviation Womens Association (IAWA), Women in Corporate Aviation (WCA), Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) and National Business Aviation Association (NBAA). She is a former member of the NBAA's Board of Directors and former Chair of the NBAA Advisory Council. For six years, she served on the NBAA's Corporate Aviation Management Committee. Additionally, she's past president of the International Women's Forum of Northern California.
Sheryl is a trusted advisor on HR-related matters in business aviation. She's also well-regarded as a thought leader on aviation hiring trends and issues, such as the talent shortage.