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FABA Board Members and Committee Chairs
| Mike Quinn FABA President Mike Quinn served in the 82nd Airborne Division in the United States Army as a Petroleum Supply Specialist. He is actively the General Manager of Atlas Aviation's two locations at Peter O' Knight Airport in Tampa Florida and the Plant City Airport, Plant City Florida overseeing FBO, Flight School, and Commercial Maintenance operations. He has been a part of FABA for 15 years on the board for 3 years. Mike has worked with jet fuel since 1996 with 20 years of General Aviation experience. Mike is originally from Oklahoma and has been living in Florida since 2000. He also holds a Private Pilot Certificate.
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| José Cabrera FABA Vice President José J. Cabrera is the Director of Operations for the Naples Jet Center. With a passion for innovation and a dedication to excellence, José is a seasoned professional with a proven track record of success in the field of Aviation. He has a keen ability to identify market trends, anticipate customer needs, and develop innovative solutions that deliver tangible results. Throughout his career, José has built a reputation for building high-performing teams and fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation. He thrives in dynamic environments where he can inspire others to push the boundaries of what's possible and achieve ambitious goals together. José's relentless pursuit of excellence and commitment to driving meaningful change have earned him recognition as a trusted leader and strategic partner in the aviation industry. Whether he's launching a new venture, spearheading a major initiative, or mentoring the next generation of leaders, José is dedicated to making a positive impact and shaping the future of the Business and General Aviation industry. José, originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico, is a certified private pilot that enjoys flying with friends and family in his spare time; favorite airplane to fly is the Cirrus SR22T. Married to his wife Jennyffer and together expecting a soon to arrive baby boy, Matías Javier. |
| Doug Joest FABA Treasurer Doug serves as a Senior Consultant at Aviation Management Consulting Group (AMCG). He has approximately 35 years of aviation management experience, which includes management positions of FBO Treasurer and Chief Administrative Officer, Airport Authority Board Member, Airport CFO, and Airport Executive Director. In addition, he has substantial financial and accounting experience outside of the aviation industry. Doug is past president and board member of Aviation Indiana and a member of AAAE. He previously served on the Indiana Governor’s Blue Ribbon Transportation Infrastructure Panel and was the 2015 Executive in Residence at the Romain College of Business at the University of Southern Indiana. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Southern Indiana and is an instrument rated private pilot. Email Doug |
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| Brad Nojaim FABA Past President General Manager | Reliance Aviation Brad Nojaim currently serves as the President and Board Member of the Florida Aviation Business Association (FABA). He is the President and General Manager of Reliance Aviation Miami LLC, an FBO located at Miami Executive Airport, a position he has held since 2009. Prior to joining Reliance Aviation Miami LLC, he was the Real Estate Manager at AA Acquisitions, LLC at Opa Locka Airport. Mr. Nojaim began his career as a commercial real estate agent with ComReal Miami. Mr. Nojaim graduated from Florida International University with degrees in Finance, Management Information Systems, and Real Estate. He resides in Miami with his wife and two daughters.
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| Colleen Conklin FABA Director Education Committee Chair Director | Gaetz Aerospace Institute - ERAU Dr. Colleen Conklin is an Associate Professor of Aeronautical Science as well as the Executive Director of the Gaetz Aerospace Institute at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. As Executive Director of the Institute, Dr. Conklin is responsible for the overall management and administration of programming. This past year 150 Secondary Schools, 261 teachers, and over 8,000 students participated in Gaetz programming. In total, the program has reached more than 30,000 students, including 16,000+ dual-enrolled students, since our program started in 2004. The Institute provides rigorous aerospace-based STEM-related courses that prepare students for college and careers in emerging industries such as Flight, Unmanned Aerial Systems, Robotics, Global Navigation Systems, and Commercial Space Operations. Professor Conklin has over 29 years in public education as a classroom teacher from the inner-city streets of Washington Heights and the South Bronx to the rural fields of Bunnell, Florida. She holds a doctoral degree in Organizational Leadership with a minor in Brain-Based Learning. Outside of her role at Embry-Riddle, she is the Vice-Chair of the Flagler County School Board, where she was first elected in 2000 to today where she continues to serve the children and citizens of Flagler County. She is married to Christopher Conklin for the past 23 years and has two sons Patrick (22) and Ryan (20).
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| Brett Fay FABA Director Brett is the Vice President of General Aviation at Tampa International Airport and is responsible for directing the operations, maintenance, and business initiatives of the Aviation Authority’s three General Aviation airports which include Plant City, Peter O. Knight, and Tampa Executive Airport. Brett holds a B.S. in Aerospace Administration from Middle Tennessee State University and has worked in airport management for over 15 years. Brett has previously held positions at Lakeland Linder International Airport and Aspen Pitkin County Airport and is currently responsible for Advanced Air Mobility for the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority and Chairs their Advanced Aviation Technology Committee and serves on the Hillsborough County Community College Foundation Board of Directors. Brett is a Certified Member of the American Association of Airport Executives. |
 | Joe Taravella FABA Director Joe Taravella is a 3rd generation Fort Lauderdale native who graduated from the University of North Florida with a Bachelors Degree in Graphic Design. He has worked alongside various Fortune 50 companies developing marketing and sales funnels through A/B Testing and Conversion Rate Optimization strategies. Between 2017 and 2021, Joe worked in Charter Sales and Management with Jet 1 Charter in Naples, FL. He currently serves as one of Avfuel’s two Area Managers in the Southeastern US. |
| Brad Hall FABA Director
Brad Hall is President of Hot Lava Studios, a company specializing in marketing production for all things aviation - including websites, promotional and educational videos, still photography, graphics, and illustrations. Brad attended Michigan State University College of Engineering and worked for many years as President / CEO for a company that manufactured ergonomic light control products for homes as well as a line of corporate jets. Brad has lived in the Tampa area since 1989 where he has raised his three kids. Brad has a Private Pilot Certificate. |
| Theresa Collington FABA Director Theresa Collington is a Vice President at Tucker/Hall, one of Florida’s most prestigious public relations and public affairs firms. She helps companies deal with crises - everything from accidents to lawsuits. Known for leveraging digital strategies to solve complex business challenges, Theresa has successfully served top-tier clients in Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, Washington, and Florida. Theresa started her career at ABC News in New York. After that, she worked for Bay News 9 and CBS in Tampa and taught advanced interactive courses for the University of Florida and Poynter Institute. She received her bachelor’s degree from Rutgers, and her master’s from USF. Currently, Theresa is part of a team teaching Media Relations in Aircraft Accident Investigation for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. She leads Tucker/Hall’s Digital practice, and her specialties include Aviation and Transportation.
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| Angel Rodriguez FABA Student Board Member Angel Rodriguez is a Doctoral Student at Florida International University studying Biogeochemistry and Genetics with applications in deep-sea extremophiles.in the future he plans on applying these techniques in extraterrestrial applications to find signs of life in the cosmos. Angel attended the GAETZ Aerospace Institute at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, where he took part in several unmanned aerial security projects targeted at mass shooting prevention and active shooter neutralization. As student member of the FABA board, he plans on bridging the gap between employers and students entering the workforce across different disciplines; varying from environmental science applications in aviation to aerospace engineering. |
| Monica Sarduy FABA Director Monica Sarduy brings nearly 20 years of diverse sales and marketing expertise to the table. She has worked in a wide range of fields including Print Advertising Sales at the Miami Herald and WHERE Magazine, Guerilla & Event Marketing for Liquor & Tobacco Brands, and In-House Marketing Management for Healthcare, Government, Commercial Real Estate, and Nonprofits. Her vast experience helps her create and implement effective communications and marketing strategies at her current position as VP of Sales & Marketing for X-1FBO Software. In 2021, Monica became the first 2- year term President of the Women's Chamber of Commerce of Miami-Dade County where she currently still serves on the board. She also sits on the board for the Thelma Gibson Health Initiative, an active member of Women Aviation International and SFBAA. Outside of volunteering, Monica enjoys the outdoors where she can take a break from her devices. On a beautiful day, you can find her biking, gardening, diving, or camping. Email Monica |
| Kai Seymour FABA Director Director of Strategic Initiatives | Sheltair Aviation Kai, who serves as the Director of Strategic Initiatives and a member of the properties team at Sheltair, brings a wealth of experience and a deep-rooted connection to the aviation industry as a third-generation family member of Sheltair's founder and the son of Sheltair's current President. In his role at Sheltair, Kai Seymour has contributed significantly to the company's growth and outreach efforts. He has spearheaded new approaches for expanding Sheltair's reach, including hosting events such as the Tampa Entrepreneurs event at Sheltair TPA, which brought together over 750 attendees. Additionally, Kai plays a pivotal role in expanding Sheltair's sponsorships for events with luxury brands and high-end industries, further solidifying the company's presence in the aviation community and beyond. His innovative strategies and dedication to excellence have been instrumental in advancing Sheltair's mission and reputation as a leader in the aviation industry.
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Legislative Lobbyist |
| Richard L. Richards FABA General Council Aviation Law | Richards Legal Group Richard L. Richards, Esq. is an attorney partner with the Richards Legal Group and serves as Past-President and Board Member of FABA. Mr. Richards is an aviation law expert who is board certified by the Florida Bar in aviation law. The representative clients of the Richards Legal Group include FBO’s, aircraft owners, aircraft dealers, aircraft lessees, aircraft fuelers, and aircraft/engine repair stations in all aspects of aviation law including leases, sales contracts, liens, and lawsuits/FAA actions. Mr. Richards has over 26 years of experience in aviation law including private practice, vice president/general counsel for an airline, and airport counsel for an airport authority. Mr. Richards regularly lectures at aviation conferences and is an instructor of the aviation law board certification course for the Florida Bar. Mr. Richards is also very active in his community by being Scoutmaster of a local scout troop and serving on the boards of Kiwanis and his local church. |
| Eric D. Prutsman FABA Legislative Lobbyist Eric has three decades of experience in the political arena of Tallahassee, and has held positions in the executive and legislative branches of state government. After earning his law degree from Florida State University, he served as Assistant General Counsel for the Florida Department of State and the Florida Elections Commission. He later joined the Florida Senate as an attorney for the Committee on Commerce, where he was responsible for drafting major legislation in health care, workers’ compensation, corporations, and insurance. After many years of government service he entered the private sector to practice administrative and legislative law and has represented the Florida Aviation Business Association before the Florida Legislature and state agencies for the past eighteen years. |
Florida Aviation Business Association is a 501(c) non-profit organization. 13506 Summerport Village Pkwy., Suite 211, Windermere, FL 34786 |
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