MEET GUARDIAN JET, LLC
Guardian Jet was founded in February of 2002 dedicated to the principle of synergy as it applies to human resources. The whole is in fact greater than the sum of the parts. This philosophy is reflected in the Guardian Jet team and in the way we work with our Clients. Guardian Jet has recruited individuals that complement each other and are selected first on the basis of excellence and second on strengthening the fabric of the company. With a passion for aviation as a common thread, Guardian Jet's success continues to be driven by our focus on integrity, industry expertise, and consistently providing business value to our Clients.
Michael Dwyer, President
Prior to founding Guardian Jet in 2002, Mike Dwyer held Regional Sales Manager positions at Gulfstream Aerospace, Cessna Citation and Mooney Aircraft. Mike's education includes a B. A. in Business Management from the University of Rhode Island and a Masters Degree in Finance from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He has logged over 2,700 hours of flight time and holds an Airline Transport Pilot Rating and a CitationJet type rating. Mike is well known throughout corporate aviation industry for his expertise, professionalism, and integrity. He has authored many industry publications and is a leader in the areas of fleet planning and optimization, aircraft brokerage / acquisition, and aviation business consulting.
Donald Dwyer
Before joining Guardian Jet in 2010 Don Dwyer spent 22 years as an aviation sales professional and executive. A 17 year career with Hawker Beechcraft saw Don start as a Regional Sales Director, then hold increasingly more demanding roles until his final 3 years as Vice president, Global Sales. As VP, he was in charge of the sale of all new and resale commercial aircraft both domestically and internationally. Leading a global team of direct sales VPs, managers and salespeople, as well as dealer networks around the world, he was responsible for more than $2 billion in revenue. He also led the resale organization, managing between $200 million and $400 million in resale inventory. In addition to his management experience, Don is a 4,500-hour commercial pilot and sits on the board of Challenge Aspen, a world-renowned organization devoted to recreational therapy for all types of disabled persons.
Michael Mikolay, Executive Vice President and Director of Operations
Mike's career path has provided him with a strong background in aviation, business and technology. Notably, Mike holds an Airline Transport Pilot Rating, CFII, MEI and a Raytheon Premier I type rating. Mike graduated from Bowling Green State University with a BS in Aero Technologies and a minor in Computer Science. Additionally, he augmented his education with internships at Cessna Citation and Raytheon Aircraft. Prior to joining Guardian Jet as a founding member, Mike worked in Aircraft Sales at Piedmont Hawthorne Aviation in Winston-Salem North Carolina. In addition to Mike's operational responsibilities, he is a key member of the sales team and can be depended upon to create mutual satisfying agreements for our Guardian Jet Clients.
Stan Smith, Director of Technical Services
Stan has over 20 years of flight experience encompassing corporate, military and the airline industries. His qualifications include: ATP, CFII, MEI, FE, and served as an Instructor Pilot in the C-5 and C-12 (B200). He is also type rated in the CE-525, CE-550, CE-560XL, EMB-120, SA-227 and B-737. His expertise in corporate transition and pilot training includes 5 years of as the Director of Flight Operations for a Corporate Flight Department. Stan's in-depth knowledge of technology, regulatory issues, aircraft, pilot training and flight operations, make him an integral part of the Guardian Jet sales team and a resource to his Clients. He is the author of the Guardian Jet Operations manual and is the Director of the Flight Standards Program.
Edward Osgood, Executive Vice President
Ed's resume includes more than two decades in aerospace sales with Bell Helicopter, Learjet and Bombardier. Most recently, he served as Vice President of Sales for The Hinckley Company, which many people consider to be the Rolls-Royce of the yachting world. As an avid sailor and pilot who flew in Vietnam and maintains his commercial pilot's license, Ed has a love of both sea and air. Having worked with CEOs, successful entrepreneurs and their staff for most of his career, he believes astute Clients place a premium on trust.
Frederick Clarey
Fred began his business career with 11 years at IBM in sales and sales management, positions that uniquely prepared him for the sophistication of the Guardian Jet consulting and sales approach. Prior to joining Guardian, Fred enjoyed 17 years as a Regional Sales Director in the Southwest and California for Hawker Beechcraft Corporation. As one of the HBC's most successful sales professionals in that period, Fred emphasized the strategic needs of his clients as the cornerstone of their aviation solutions. Fred is an accomplished pilot holding an ATP certificate as well as his CFI MEI and has logged over 4,200 hours. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Arizona and a Masters in Business Administration from Pepperdine University. Fred heads up Guardian Jet's West Coast operations.
Ted Osgood, Aircraft Sales Director
Ted's expertise and specialization is in helicopter and jet sales. He joined Guardian Jet in 2007 having enjoyed success in high end automotive sales. As a former Guardian Jet intern, Ted already had roots in the aviation industry and is a private pilot. Ted places a high value on relationships with each of his Clients and is building a strong and loyal base.
Doc Dwyer, Sales/Account Executive
Mike "Doc" Dwyer was born into the aviation industry with his father and uncle being involved most of their life. After graduating from the University of Colorado with an Economics degree, Doc became a flight instructor, which he continues to pursue. Now joining the Guardian 20/20 team, Doc brings youth, excitement, and most importantly a vast knowledge of the business aviation industry to our existing 20/20 clients as well as the many flight departments who will soon hear about our revolutionary product.
Alena Shepard, Marketing Executive
Alena Shepard has been a valuable member of the Guardian Jet consulting team for 6 years. She earned her MBA with a Finance concentration from the University of New Haven. She is a graduate of Albertus Magnus College where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications with a concentration in Promotional Communications. Alena's involvement in fleet planning and optimization has led her to her current role as Finance and Marketing Director for 20/20. Alena is at the center of the financial calculations that are one of the cornerstones of 20/20. Alena delivers outstanding customer service with speed, accuracy and a refreshingly positive disposition.
Ben Schiraldi CPA, Treasurer
Ben Schiraldi has 25 years of accounting experience including 5 years of public accounting at Price Waterhouse Coopers. For the past 20 years Ben has managed his own practice focusing on medium sized businesses. Ben's specialty is advising business owners in financial statement preparation, tax advice and compliance and financial planning. Ben provides oversight to all of Guardian Jet's financial projections and reports prepared for our clients. His affiliations include AICPA and CSCPA and he is a participant in the NBAA tax seminars.
Cyndy S. Thiel
Cyndy S. Thiel, an experienced business aviation professional born and raised in the aviation environment, began recruiting in 1997 as the Manager of Permanent Placement at Jet Professionals. In 2001 Cyndy was recruited by Leading Edge Aviation Solutions as the Director of Permanent Placement. March of 2009, Cyndy founded her own business, C.T. Solutions, LLC, specializing in staffing and developmental consulting in the business aviation industry. C.T. Solutions expertise involves all personnel functions, including identification and selection, evaluation, reference checking, FAA accident/incident verifications, salary evaluation and succession planning. She has worked with such prestigious clients such as Harpo, Inc., The Mc-Graw Hill Companies and ExxonMobil Corporation. Cyndy has traveled all over the world and currently resides in Connecticut with her husband, a corporate pilot. Her two daughters have followed her into the aviation industry.
Lawrence Fletcher, Aviation Maintenance Safety Consultant
'Fletch' has over 40 years experience in military, commercial and business jet maintenance and flight. He served as a Commercial Airline Surveillance Evaluation auditor and has written FAA Part 145 Repair Station Inspection Procedures Manuals and FAR Part 121 General Ops and Mx Manuals. Fletch holds a Commercial Pilot Certificate with Multi-engine and Instrument ratings encompassing experience in military and commercial flight, maintenance and repair station management. He is certified as an IS-BAO and IATA Auditor and holds an FAA Airframe & Powerplant mechanic certificate with an Inspection Authorization. His status as an FAA trained Designated Airworthiness Representative provides a solid background for the detailed work of aircraft pre-purchase surveys, FAR Part 135 maintenance conformity, audits, imports, exports and factory production acceptance. Fletch served as flight crew in both the US Air Force and Army. He is a graduate of Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Maintenance Management and Avionics with Graduate work in Manufacturing Administration from Western Michigan University. He is also a graduate of the Army Mx Officer & Test Pilots School and is a retired Indiana National Guard Staff Officer.
Samantha Langen, Marketing Executive
Samantha Langen attained her Masters degree in International Business Management at Johnson & Wales University. Sam is new to the airplane industry, but is extremely excited to learn and ready to succeed. As a sales and marketing professional she plays a key role in promoting the business. With several years of customer service experience, she knows maintaining a good relationship with all clients is an essential part in the continued growth of the company. Sam is enthusiastic about her career at Guardian Jet and is ready to grow professionally by learning more about the trade.
Laurie Grieder, Paralegal and Marketing Professional
Laurie joined Guardian Jet in 2010 as our Paralegal and Marketing Professional with fifteen years experience working in the legal arena. She became passionate about the aviation industry while working as a member of Pratt & Whitney's legal pision where her responsibilities were focused on reviewing and editing jet engine sales and leasing contracts. She is a 1981 graduate of Dean College in Massachusetts and received a Paralegal Certificate in 2006. With her strong legal background, Laurie brings a valuable and relevant skill set to the Guardian Jet Team.
Lenny Huntley, Director of Client Information Management
Lenny has 15 years experience as a software designer and developer, helping to make corporations more efficient with the use of smart IT strategies and systems. He most recently worked for General Analysis as a software engineer managing manufacturing software for Pepsi-Co. Prior to that, Lenny was a systems engineer for Mercedes Benz, where he designed databases that helped the company adhere to corporate-wide standards. He also worked for United Parcel Service as a software development and mechanical design engineer. As a member of the 20/20 team, Lenny develops the information technology upon which 20/20 depends.
William Smith, Standards Captain
Bill Smith, with more than 20,000 hours of jet time in his logbook, is the senior Standards Captain in the Guardian Jet program. Prior to flying the F-104 as a squadron test pilot and NATO instructor, Bill trained jet technicians. After his career in the USAF, Bill was a Pan Am Clipper Captain before getting his Citation 500 and 560XL type ratings. Bill has an unmatched combination of technical understanding, military, airline and corporate experience. He is an encyclopedia of flying stories. You will be a better pilot after spending a day with him and getting a taste of his sense of humor, insight and candor.