To say aviation has been my life would be an understatement.

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My family’s connection to aviation began with my grandfather, who worked on T-6 Texans and F4U Corsairs in eastern North Carolina following World War II. My father continued that legacy at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, beginning his 38-year career as an apprentice and advancing to quality assurance manager.

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I was born into aviation. The skies of my childhood were filled daily with military jets and helicopters, and I took my first airplane ride at five years old. As a teenager, I was introduced to civilian aviation while building advertising banners for an aerial-towing company that operated a Cessna 180.

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I joined the United States Navy as an enlisted aircrewman and aviation hydraulics mechanic. After attending a series of technical and aircrew schools, I received my first duty assignment at Naval Station Mayport, Florida, where I served with a UC-12 unit. My next assignment took me to Guantánamo Bay, where I supported C-12 operations and had the opportunity to serve as an aircrewman aboard the UH-1N. It was there that my passion for vertical flight truly began.

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Following my honorable discharge from the Navy, I continued expanding my aviation experience and professional qualifications. I earned my private pilot airplane certificate, Airframe and Powerplant mechanic certificate, Inspection Authorization, commercial and instrument helicopter ratings, and helicopter flight and instrument instructor certificates.

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Throughout my career, I have worked in utility operations, aerial firefighting, law enforcement aviation, air ambulance services, and other specialized aviation missions. I am also a Florida state-certified wildland firefighter and was trained as a rotorcraft fire pilot by the Florida Forest Service.

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With more than 34 years of aviation industry experience, I currently serve as Director of Flight Operations and Director of Maintenance for an organization conducting FAR Part 135 air ambulance operations and FAR Part 133 external-load operations, including aerial fire-suppression services.

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The Story Behind SEAR

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SEAR grew from a lifetime in aviation, decades of specialized operational experience, and a commitment to serving aircraft operators and public agencies with professional, reliable, and convenient aviation support.

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The company is grounded in safety, integrity, discipline, service, accountability, and long-term relationships. It reflects the belief that specialized aviation knowledge and hands-on operational experience should be made more accessible to the people and organizations that depend upon them.

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The name SEAR carries several layers of meaning.  First, it is an acronym for South East Aviation Resources, reflecting both the region served and the broad range of aviation experience and support the company was created to provide.

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The word “sear” also symbolizes extreme heat and has a direct connection to fire, reflecting experience in aerial firefighting, wildfire suppression, external-load operations, and Bambi Bucket training.

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The name was also directly inspired by SERE - Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape - training, one of the most intense and influential courses I attended during my military service in Brunswick, Maine. I have been through that training, and the experience left a lasting impression on me. It demanded discipline, endurance, adaptability, sound judgment, and the ability to continue performing under extreme physical and mental pressure.

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Those principles have remained with me throughout my military and civilian aviation career. They continue to influence the way SEAR approaches safety, training, service, leadership, and every mission it supports.

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SEAR represents three generations of aviation history, more than 34 years of real-world industry experience, the discipline developed through military service, and a deep connection to aerial firefighting and specialized aviation operations.

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It is the culmination of where I came from, what I have learned, and what I hope to contribute to the aviation community.

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