Aviation
10 corporate flight department experts
These ten aviation leaders have run corporate flight departments, the in-house teams that operate business aircraft for their companies, in roles such as director of aviation. A reader can learn how companies run and oversee their in-house flight departments.
Professionals to explore
01—10Andy Wegman
LinkedInExperience: Global Head and Director of Aviation · BlackRock
Global Head and Director of Aviation at BlackRock since 2023, a role the profile lists at director level. Former Senior Manager of Flight Operations and Chief Pilot at T-Mobile (2018–2023), Captain at Fiserv (2016–2018) and Chief Pilot (Part-135) at Priester Aviation (2015–2016).
Brian Clark
LinkedInExperience: Director of Global Aviation · Johnson Controls, Inc.
Director of Global Aviation at Johnson Controls, Inc. since 2010, and former Senior Director of Aviation at Pfizer (2003–2008). The profile lists aviation work with the U.S. Coast Guard, jet airplane manufacturer Embraer, Pfizer Corporate Aviation, McKesson Corporate Aviation and Johnson Controls Corporate Aviation.
Carl Robst, Jr.
LinkedInExperience: Director Of Aviation · Flexpoint Ford
Former Director Of Aviation at Flexpoint Ford (2013–2016) and Training and Safety Officer Captain at BDT & Company, LLC (2016–2021). The profile describes bringing operations, maintenance and safety experience to a corporate flight department in Chicago whose team completed an IS-BAO Stage Three Audit in September 2018.
Craig Hirst
LinkedInExperience: Director of Aviation · Techtronic Industries - TTI
Vice President Flight Operations at Techtronic Industries - TTI since 2019, and former Director of Aviation there (2012–2019). Former Chief Pilot at Duke Energy Corporation (2000–2012). The profile describes 14,000 accident-free flight hours in worldwide flight operations and type ratings on several Bombardier and Dassault business jets.
Jerry Aiken
LinkedInExperience: Director of Aviation · Hunt Consolidated, Inc.
Director of Aviation at Frist Capital, LLC since 2024, where the profile describes serving as Director of Aviation for an established private flight department. Former Managing Director Aviation Services at Duke Energy Corporation (2022–2024), Director of Aviation at Hunt Consolidated, Inc. (2015–2020) and VP Flight Operations at NII Holdings, Inc. (2004–2014).
Jonathan Benzer
LinkedInExperience: Director of Aviation · Devon Energy
Director of Aviation at Micron Technology since 2026, and former Director of Aviation at Devon Energy (2015–2026) and Chief Pilot Dassault Falcon 2000 & 2000EX EASy at Devon Energy (2012–2015). The profile describes a focus on maximizing value through optimization of aviation assets while providing safe and reliable transportation.
Kevin Nichols
LinkedInExperience: Sr. Director Aviation · Conagra Brands
Former Sr. Director Aviation at Conagra Brands (2002–2020), where the profile describes overall responsibility for department management across multiple locations and aircraft, day-to-day operations of the company aircraft, and oversight of the department budget, Safety Management System (SMS), standards and fuel programs. Former Captain - CL601 & Hawker 800 at Union Pacific Railroad (1995–2000).
Kirk Mies
LinkedInExperience: Director of Corporate Aviation · AbbVie
Director of Corporate Aviation and Head of Aviation at AbbVie since 2013. The profile describes serving as Director of Aviation with a Fortune 100 company, managing a corporate flight department that provides worldwide corporate transport. Former Senior Captain Manager of Standards at Abbott (1997–2014).
Russell Hurd
LinkedInExperience: Director of Aviation · Zeeco, Inc.
Director of Aviation at Zeeco, Inc. since 2009, and former Director of Aviation at WilTel Communications (2000–2006) and Chief Pilot at Williams (1988–2000). The profile headline reads Corporate Aviation Director / Chief Pilot, and the Zeeco role is listed in General Management at director level.
William Brock Grimes
LinkedInExperience: Director of Aviation · Anadarko Petroleum Corporation
Former Director of Aviation at Anadarko Petroleum Corporation (1994–2019). The profile headline marks 25 years of service to Anadarko, and the summary describes the person as an international Gulfstream G550 Sr. Captain with a history of working in the oil and gas and energy industry.
Choose the right perspective
Match the person's department to the one you have in mind, since a single-aircraft operation for a few executives runs differently from a multi-aircraft department flying internationally. Also consider whether you need someone who managed the budget and reported to senior executives or someone closer to day-to-day flight operations, safety and training.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01How do you decide between owning aircraft in an in-house flight department and using charter, fractional or managed options?
- 02How do you build a safety management system and prepare a flight department for an IS-BAO audit?
- 03Which costs and service measures do you report to executives to show the flight department is worth its budget?
Reaching corporate flight department experts
How can I contact one of these corporate flight department experts?
Pick one of the 10 people on this page and choose "Book a paid call", or describe your project to find others. You offer a fee for a 15-minute call or a written answer, Instant Expert finds the person's work email and sends the invitation, and they decide whether to accept. The list covers 10 companies, including BlackRock; Johnson Controls, Inc. and Flexpoint Ford, based on profile data retrieved on October 4, 2026. Being listed here doesn't mean someone has agreed to take calls.
How much does it cost to reach corporate flight department experts?
You choose the offer, starting at $5 per person. It includes Instant Expert's 20% fee, so an offer that pays the person $100 costs you $125. You're charged only when the person books the call or sends the answer.
What if they don't reply?
You pay nothing. Instant Expert sends follow-up reminders, and if the person hasn't booked or answered within 7 days, the request expires and any hold on your card is released. You can invite several of the 10 people on this list at once and cap your total spend, so you pay only for the ones who accept.
About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot and may describe past or present roles. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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