VAI Briefs: Jul. 1 Sees New Board, Officers VAI is ushering in a new era of leadership and governance designed to reflect the full breadth of the global vertical aviation industry. Recently, the association announced sweeping updates to its board of directors—through both newly elected officers and the implementation of a new governance framework. These changes mark the first board elections under VAI’s restructured bylaws, which expand board membership to ensure balanced representation of vertical aviation operators of all sizes and mission types, including government and public-service organizations. Complementing this board structure is the announcement of the 2025–26 Executive Committee, which will provide strategic leadership for the association during the coming year. The Executive Committee and newly elected directors will assume their roles on Jul. 1, 2025. Executive Committee Rick Kenin, Chairman. Kenin currently serves as COO of Boston MedFlight, a nonprofit emergency and critical-care medical transport organization based in Bedford, Massachusetts. You can read more about his career and plans for VAI in “Rick Kenin: Taking VAI to New Heights.” Brian Jorgenson, Vice Chairman. Jorgenson is the COO and co-owner of Timberline Helicopters in Sandpoint, Idaho. Since founding the company in 2004 with a single Kaman K-Max, he and his wife, Ammy, have grown Timberline into a prominent utility operator with a diverse fleet that includes MD 500s and Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawks. With more than 19,000 flight hours, Jorgenson brings deep operational and business expertise to the board. David McColl, Treasurer. McColl is with LiveWire Aviation in Homosassa, Florida, which specializes in external-load operations. His aviation journey began at Bristow Academy in Florida, where he began flight training in 2009. McColl brings a safety-first perspective shaped by years of real-world utility aviation operations. Mark Schlaefli, Assistant Treasurer. Schlaefli, who will complete his term as 2024–25 VAI chair on Jun. 30, is the owner and operator of Dakota Rotors, a Part 135/133 operator in the Upper Midwest and Mountain West United States. Mark is assuming the role of assistant treasurer of the board to fill in for former board member Paul Gottwig, who has taken a position with a nongovernment service operator and thus could no longer represent that sector on the board. “These board officers represent the best of vertical aviation—leadership, vision, and a deep commitment to safety and innovation,” says Mike Hertzendorf, VAI COO. “They will be instrumental in executing VAI’s strategic priorities and ensuring our industry’s continued growth and resilience.” In keeping with its commitment to ensuring that the board echoes the composition of VAI’s operator members, the association’s operator members elected four new directors to three-year terms that begin Jul. 1, 2025: Director, Small Commercial/Private Operator Jan Becker (Swashplate, Yandina Creek, Queensland, Australia) is CEO of Swashplate, a boutique helicopter company. She began her career as a midwife and later also became an accomplished pilot and business owner at Becker Helicopters Pilot Academy. Becker previously served on the board for six years and in 2019 was elected board chair, the first woman to hold that position in more than 30 years (but not the last). “As an international member of the VAI Board, I’m proud to bring a global perspective to our work,” says Becker. “The challenges and opportunities in vertical aviation are shared across borders, and I’m committed to contributing fresh ideas and practical insights that reflect the diverse needs of operators worldwide.” Chris Baur, FRAeS (Hughes Aerospace Corp., Houston, Texas) is president and CEO of the largest non-FAA provider of global instrument flight procedures for helicopters, airplanes, and electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft. A pioneer in the global Performance-Based Navigation (PBN) movement, Baur is an ATP-rated pilot with over 45 years of experience spanning military, law enforcement, Part 135, and Part 121 operations. He currently flies Robinson R66, Boeing 787, and TBM turboprop aircraft. “One of my top priorities is strengthening VAI’s advocacy,” Baur notes. “With an engaged membership, we must leverage our collective expertise to shape policies that benefit both our members and the broader aviation industry.” In addition to his role at Hughes Aerospace, Baur serves as the industry cochairman of the US Helicopter Safety Team. Director, Medium Commercial/Private Operator Brandi Rector (Semper Fly Helicopters, Norman, Oklahoma), a US Marine Corps veteran and aviation professional, brings over 17 years of experience in aviation operations, maintenance, flight training, and business management. As owner and CEO of Semper Fly Helicopters—a female veteran–owned FAA Part 141 helicopter flight school—she is committed to advancing pilot development, safety, and training excellence in the rotorcraft industry. Rector plans to focus on education, workforce development, and veteran integration into the industry during her tenure on the VAI Board. Director, Government Service Operator Stephen Lee (National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Kennedy Space Center, Florida) has more than 20 years of experience in vertical aviation, serving concurrently as a pilot and maintainer. His roles have included pilot in command, air mission commander, supervisory maintenance test pilot, functional check pilot, aircraft flight instructor, and airframe and powerplant mechanic with inspection authorization. He currently serves as chief of aviation maintenance at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Kennedy Space Center. “I will represent the government service position professionally and give back wherever I can. Having the unique perspective of both a mechanic and a pilot, I believe I can translate the importance of both roles to the future of vertical aviation,” Lee says. Mark Wegele (Salt River Project, Phoenix, Arizona) will be completing the remainder of Gottwig’s term as a director representing the government service operator sector. Wegele, who will serve from July 2025 to June 2026, has led the Flight Department at Salt River Project (SRP) since 2019, overseeing and expanding aviation operations that support the utility’s vital electric power and water services across Arizona. With over 20 years of diverse aviation experience, he has held key leadership roles at SRP and Erickson Incorporated and on US government contracts with the Departments of State and Defense. Throughout his career, Wegele has managed complex aviation operations, led global maintenance teams, and driven innovation in high-stakes, compliance-focused environments. As a board member of VAI, he will be dedicated to representing and actively advocating for the interests of vertical aviation. Representing a Diverse Industry The new board structure reflects VAI’s vision to be the membership association leading the global evolution and expansion of vertical flight. “This is more than an election—it’s a reflection of who we are becoming as an industry,” Hertzendorf says. “Our governance reforms empower a broader cross section of the industry to have a say in our future, ensuring we remain aligned with the needs of our members.”
