GLOBALACES - Key Persons
James has 38 years of experience in the aviation industry. He is the current Executive Director of Aircraft Certification for Global Aircraft Certification Experts (ACES). His responsibilities include governmental regulatory affairs and policy, and the development of domestic and international validation services.
Before joining Global ACES, James was the Senior Manager of International Certification for Textron Aviation (owners of the Beechcraft, Hawker and Cessna products) for 14 years. He was responsible for creating and streamlining organizational processes to expedite the validation and type acceptance for 80+ Type Certificated (TC) aircraft and 1,200 Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs).
James is prominent within the Global Civil Aviation community. He has longstanding relationships with the directors of the Civil Aviation Authorities around the world. He has been instrumental in helping to lead and facilitate global industry participation in the Certification Management Team (ANAC Brazil, TCCA Canada, EASA Europe, and the FAA United States). James continues to serve as the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) Advisor to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) where he is a member Working Group 2 and the co-lead with the FAA and Transport Canada on the job card Reduction of Duplicative Certification Activity.
James is a current pilot with a Commercial Pilot Certificate, Multi Engine Certificate, and is Instrument Rated.
John is the Vice President of Engineering Services for Global Aircraft Certification Experts (ACES) based in Wichita, Kansas. Global ACES offers aircraft type certificate (TC) and supplemental type certificate (STC) holders validation services, providing the proven expertise and experience needed to expedite their products into both the domestic and international market.
During his 10+ years of working TC and STC validations on the Beechcraft, Hawker and Cessna models, currently owned by Textron Aviation, John managed and conducted the validation processes in his role as the Regional Airworthiness Director - Americas region ensuring compliance with exporting requirements while meeting company contracted delivery schedules. Supporting over 80+ Type Certificated (TC) aircraft and 1,200 Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs) in his role at Textron Aviation, John's experience and expertise is unparalleled in the aviation industry, benefitting Global ACES clientele.
Prior to his role as Regional Airworthiness Director, John served as the Engineering Certification Project Lead for the Hawker model H200 (Premier 2) where he was responsible for the planning and execution of all certification activities and deliverables. John also had the opportunity to work standard certification activities for the Hawker Model 4000, authoring and approving of certification deliverables in coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Aircraft Certification Office Branch and the FAA Aircraft Evaluation Group (AEG).
John began his career in the aviation industry over four decades ago and has had the opportunity to work at Piper, Boeing, and Northrop Grumman where he gained expertise and experience in the areas of flight test support, design engineering, program management and process improvement. John holds a Bachelor of Business Administration, Business Management from Friends University in Wichita, Kansas and has held a Private Pilot's license since 2003.
Job Titles:
- COO
- Founder and Owner of MedSurg Associates
As COO, Keith is responsible for the full scope of business development within Global ACES. He authors and executes marketing plans and strategies, managing them to successful completion. He provides guidance and oversight of major initiatives and corporate goals, as well as negotiates with C-Level Executives, Purchasing Directors, and Supply Chain Management to establish product and service acceptance and pricing. Keith is vigilant in communicating with team members on company goals and priorities to meet our targets.
Keith is the founder and owner of MedSurg Associates, LLC, an independent sales organization and distributorship of orthopedic and spinal implants and medical devices. He has operated his own company since 1995 and has extensive experience in Business Development, Management, and Operations.
Keith holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Southern Colorado, with MBA course work from Pepperdine University and Regis University.
Laura serves as the CEO of Global Aircraft Certification Experts (ACES) based in Wichita, Kansas. The company was founded by Laura in 2017 with the goal of offering aircraft type certificate (TC) and supplemental type certificate (STC) holders validation services, providing the expertise and experience needed to get their products into the international market in the shortest time possible.
Laura's desire to create Global ACES started during her 14+ years of working TC and STC validations on the Beechcraft, Hawker and Cessna models, currently owned by Textron Aviation, Inc. Laura managed and conducted the validation processes in her role as the Director of Airworthiness for the Asia Pacific region ensuring compliance with exporting requirements while meeting company contracted delivery schedules. Having the opportunity to work validations in support over 80+ type certificated aircraft and 1500+ STCs, Laura saw a growing need for companies to be able to access such expertise to enhance speed to market with their products. That need drove Laura to begin the company, bringing together a team of experts that leverage experience and expertise with validations, and relationships with aviation authorities around the world to benefit aircraft, engine, propeller, and modification clients.
Prior to her role with Textron Aviation, Inc., Laura held a position at Boeing where she was introduced to aircraft certification and was responsible for managing the company's designee appointment process and training for authorized representatives under the FAA Designated Alteration Station (DAS/ODA) supporting the development of STCs for Boeing's military division.
Laura began her career in the aviation industry working in flight test at NASA Dryden, Edwards Air Force Base over 30 years ago as a software programmer and telemetry data analyst supporting experimental flight tests of the X-29 through X-36 programs.