My fascination with airplanes began in middle school through a wind tunnel lab and early flight simulator training in seventh grade. A discovery flight at age 17 confirmed aviation was more than just a passing phase. I completed my private pilot certification in August 2018 just before beginning studies at Embry-Riddle. Earned a Bachelor of Aeronautical Science with a minor in Applied Meteorology in 2023.

Flight experience has largely grown through flight instruction, banner towing, and aerial survey operations across the Northeast. Long Island training flights involved busy airport environments, steady cross-country work, and plenty of time mentoring students through different stages of training. I also spent one summer towing banners along the New York shoreline with long solo flights between Coney Island and eastern Long Island. Tailwheel flying in a 1946 Aeronca Champ and mountain flying in New Hampshire added a completely different pace and helped build stronger stick-and-rudder confidence. I currently serve as a Captain with Vantage Aviation, flying Cessna 206 aircraft on aerial survey missions. The role involves daily coordination with a sensor operator, hand-flying precise flight profiles over survey lines, repositioning aircraft between locations, and managing the operational details required to keep each mission moving safely. Responsibilities also include aircraft fueling and hangaring, marshaling, flight planning, and ensuring operations remain within company SOPs and applicable regulations. The position has provided continued experience operating independently while balancing aircraft performance, weather, fuel, mission requirements, and the needs of the crew.

Leadership developed alongside aviation through participation in Embry-Riddle’s Emergency Response Team, including EMT crew chief duties during 24-hour on-call rotations. Roles as logistics and Quality Assurance Officer included coordinating medical equipment purchases and reviewing patient care reports to maintain consistency across response teams.