AERIAL ENGAGEMENT - Key Persons
Fairfax O'Riley brought a career in aviation analysis and instruction, along with experience as an electrical engineer and software architect to create Aerial Engagement. He draws on a background in military and airline flight operations, instruction, and systems. Fairfax is a Certificated Flight Instructor with over 10,800 hours in a wide variety of airframes, including airplanes, gliders, helicopters, and drones. He has an MBA from Duke University and did his undergraduate work at the University of Santa Clara and Columbia University. He has worked extensively overseas, having been to over 130 countries.
Job Titles:
- Director of Flight Operations
Frank Gomez is the Director of Flight Operations for Aerial Engagement. As an FAA Certificated Flight Instructor, Frank is passionate about promoting aviation education and has prepared and recommended applicants for glider ratings at Arizona Soaring, California Soaring Academy, and Hood River (Oregon) Soaring. He has been a leader as an engineer in the aerospace and defense industry with the likes of Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and Sirius MicroTech. Frank was graduated from Arizona State University with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering.
Mark Lambert, Aerial Engagement's Director of Development, has 35 years of experience in sales and marketing. He sold securities for the national brokerage firm AG Edwards, was vice-president of marketing for a regional bank in Michigan and was Director of Michigan Group Sales for the Auto Club Group (AAA). He has a bachelor's in business management and organizational development from Spring Arbor University and was graduated from the Bank Administration Institute's Graduate School of Banking. Mark is a pilot with a sincere appetite for new flight training experiences.
Job Titles:
- Flight Instructor Benefits
Tarah Schwartz is the Chief Administrator. She is responsible for scheduling time on the Aerial Engagement simulators and managing the business activities associated with that. She also handles the organization's outreach to schools and participates in career fairs. An accomplished writer, she is the author of nine books and dozens of blog posts. She is a certificated pilot, graduate of Arizona State University, and holds memberships in Women in Aviation International and the Soaring Society of America.