Meet the APS Team Members
 Paul 'BJ' Ransbury - President, joined APS in December 1996 as a founder, the chief pilot and an executive manager. BJ is the company president with the primary duties of; industry relations, business growth management and large contract negotiations. As a former airline pilot and military flight instructor, he enjoys flying with clients to support APS flight operations. BJ moved to the USA from Canada in November 2000, now a US citizen, and lives in Queen Creek, Arizona with his wife, Tara, and three wonderful young boys. He enjoys spending his free time either at home or traveling with his family. His interests and passions include; cycling, golfing, technology, church activities and family.[ Biography | Pilot Qualifications | Management Team ] |
 Faye Hamilton - VP Business Operations, joined the company in January 2000 as a corporate sales manager, coordinator and airshow announcer. Faye is the VP of Business Operations with primary duties of; managing corporate contracts, ensuring smooth daily business operations, and scheduling of clients, pilots and aircraft. Faye became an owner in 2008 and has enjoyed a key role in APS growth. Her favorite moments are meeting the clients in person she has spent sometimes years corresponding with via email. Faye moved to the United States from a small town in Saskatchewan, Canada in November 2000, and lives in Queen Creek, Arizona. She and her husband, Ryan, both have an entrepreneurial spirit. She loves animals, flying and traveling with her husband when the opportunity arises as he also owns an aviation company and flies corporately.[ Management Team ] |
 Tara Ransbury - VP Finance & Strategy, joined the team in May 2005 as an owner and executive manager. Tara is directly involved with all aspects of corporate development, asset management and the integration of expansion strategies globally. As a former personal and corporate banker, combined with her finance degree and extensive entrepreneurial business experience, she is on the forefront of exciting business developments in the aviation industry unique to the APS domain of expertise. With a steadfast 'family first' priority and commitment to cultivating her four boys (that includes BJ above!), she maintains a precisely balanced commitment to life-success on a variety of fronts.[ Management Team ] |
 Clarke 'Otter' McNeace - VP Flight Operations & Standards, joined APS in May 2005 to further development company services and became an owner in 2008. As Vice President of Flight Operations and Training , his primary duties include delivering the daily flight schedule, ensuring the highest flight and ground safety standards, standardizing all instructor pilots, and developing client training programs. His passion and unique flight experience assures a learning environment that is fun and rewarding. Otter grew up in an aviation family flying tail draggers off grass strips. He went on to become a combat-decorated military pilot and airline captain and now enjoys being part of the outstanding team at APS. His other passions include his wife, three kids, camping, triathlons, and reading history.[ Biography | Pilot Qualifications | Management Team ] |
 Randall 'Random' Brooks - VP Training & Business Development, joined the company in 2012. Randall’s 12,000 hours of diverse flight experience includes corporate flight operations, flying as a team member on multiple formation aerobatic demonstration teams, production flight test, and providing instruction in single and multi-engined jets, flight simulators, numerous aerobatic aircraft and gliders.As the VP for Training and Business Development at APS, Mr. Brooks pursues advances in APS pilot training techniques and expanding the delivery of advanced flight training. Randall stays in touch with operational training needs as an active instructor pilot for APS. Randall has two sons and enjoys running, hiking, and aviation history.[ Biography | Pilot Qualifications | Management Team ] |
 Karl 'Schlimmer' Schlimm - Advanced Instructor Pilot & Safety Officer, joined APS in March 2012. His primary duties include ensuring safe conduct of all operations in compliance with international corporate aviation safety standards, training pilots in upset recovery procedures, and training new APS instructor pilots. He is currently a Lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force Reserves, was an F-16 fighter and instructor pilot and also has Part 135 charter flight experience. Prior to joining the reserves, Schlimmer was on the APS team from 2001 to 2003 as Director of Operations. He lives in Chandler with his wife Rene and talented 14 year old son Nick, an aspiring aviator. Schlimmer enjoys hiking, mountain biking and traveling with his family, and is also a writer.[ Pilot Qualifications ] |
 David 'Zog' Carroll - Advanced Instructor Pilot, joined APS in July 2012. His primary duties are training pilots in upset recovery procedures and conducting adventure flights in the Extra 300L. He recently retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force after a 25-year career. His military flight experience includes F-15E, A-10 and T-38 where he was both an instructor and a "schoolhouse" instructor. He lives in Scottsdale with his wife Jacki. In his spare time, Zog enjoys using his experience as an A&P mechanic and IA to restore his 1947 North American NAvion. |
 Frank 'Franky' Wagener – Advanced Instructor Pilot, joined APS in November of 2012. His primary tasks include teaching pilots in Emergency Maneuver Training and conducting Adventure Flights. He served a full 21-year career in the German Air Force flying fighter and fighter training aircraft. During this time in the Luftwaffe, his flying and instructing experience included the F-4 Phantom, T-38 Talon, and the BAE Hawk. Next to his enduring passion for flying and instructing, he also has a particular interest in Crew Resource Management application in commercial aviation. After being stationed and working over a decade throughout North America, the Wageners decided to settle in Phoenix, Arizona. Franky enjoys spending time with his family as well as golfing and cooking.
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 Bill 'Borneo' Gregory - Advanced Instructor Pilot, joined APS in March 2013. His primary duties include training pilots in upset recovery procedures. He is a retired USAF Lieutenant Colonel. Bill was an F-111 fighter and instructor pilot and a test pilot in the F-15/F-4/A-7 aircraft. From 1990–1999 he was a NASA Space Shuttle Pilot Astronaut and flew in space for 400 hours during STS-67. He lives in Gilbert with his wife Jamie and they share a son and three girls. BORNEO enjoys snow and waterskiing/wakeboarding has done over 20+ marathons and many triathlons including several IRONMAN events, including the World Championships in Hawaii in 1997. He was on Team USA for the World Championships in Duathlon in 2002. |
 Eric 'Gaard' Nedergaard - Advanced Instructor Pilot, joined the company in late 2011. Instructing part time at APS, Gaard is a Boeing 737 Captain at a major airline. Prior to the airline, he completed a career with the United States Air Force flying and instructing in a variety of high performance aircraft including the F-4 Phantom and F-15 Eagle. A perpetual student, Gaard has an undergraduate degree from the USAF Academy in Engineering Mechanics, Master’s degrees in business and history, and a doctorate in history from Arizona State. Outside of flying, Gaard spends quality time cycling, swimming, jogging, reading history and political science, traveling with his wife Jenny, and trying to create the perfect pizza.[ Pilot Qualifications ] |
 Philip A. 'O.P.' Oppenheimer - Advanced Instructor Pilot, began working with APS in March 2001. He is Chief Pilot and Director of Flight Operations for Advanced Training Systems International. He holds CFI, CFII, ATP ratings, is an FAA NVG Instructor with over 9000 hours of flight time, holds type ratings in the A-4 and the Beechjet 400A and has flown corporate positions in the KingAir 200 and Citation XL. He served a 20 year career in the US Air Force flying the A-10, A/OA-37, and the F-16, one tour as an F-16 squadron commander and over 130 combat hours during Operation Desert Storm. O.P. also works for Western Pilot Service, Inc. as a Single Engine Air Tanker (SEAT) pilot, instructor pilot and government safety liaison, flying on fires throughout the western United States. In his free time, he enjoys playing guitar and spending time with family. |
 Dave 'Dunto' Dunteman - Advanced Instructor Pilot, joined the APS team in February 2002 while on Active Duty with the Air Force where he served as an F-16 instructor pilot at Luke Air Force Base. He is a pilot with Southwest Airlines, yet maintains his passion with Fighters through his work at APS. His primary duties include Emergency Maneuver Training, aerobatic instruction, and academic briefings. He teaches gliding at the Tucson Soaring Club, is a Designated Pilot Examiner and volunteers in a fifth grade class teaching students aviation-related science and math. Dunto grew up in the Cincinnati and Chicago area and now lives in Phoenix with his wife, Nora. He has four children, all now embarking on their college educations and careers: Ron, Emma, Brad and Madeline. He enjoys traveling, hiking and biking excursions with his family.[ Pilot Qualifications ] |
 Steve 'Spare' Pear - Advanced Instructor Pilot,joined the APS team in May 2001 as a Aerobatic and Air Combat Instructor Pilot. As a former AT-38 and F-16 Instructor Pilot, he shares his experience with the clients at APS performing Flight of Your Life and Air Combat flights. Spare is also a Captain at Southwest Airlines. He lives in Glendale, AZ with his family and is currently training his 1 year old grandson to become a pilot. In his free time, Spare enjoys scuba diving, jet skiing and traveling throughout the world. He also enjoys socializing with friends and trying out new happy hour locations. |
 Robert Bashford - Director of Maintenance, joined Aviation Performance Solutions in September of 2010 as the Director of Maintenance. His 25 years of experience as an A&P technician, IA Inspector, Chief Inspector and repair station owner, have made him uniquely qualified to handle all aspects of Aircraft Maintenance. Also included in his daily responsibilities are aircraft procurement, preventive maintenance, corrective actions and quality control. He is also in charge of material handling, material control, aircraft safety and regulatory compliance. Robert is originally from Colorado and now calls Queen Creek, AZ home. When at home, Robert enjoys a western horseman lifestyle with his incredible wife Jamie and his 5 children ranging from the age of 22 to 8.[ Management Team ] |
 James Myers - Aircraft Maintenance, joined the team in August 2012. His everyday duties as aircraft maintenance technician include performing routine scheduled maintenance on the aircraft, monitoring and keeping them in top order for the pilots and customers. James grew up in the aviation industry. His parents, Jim and Bonnie, owned and operated a Part 135 charter business introducing him to the joys of aviation at a very young age. James moved to Arizona in 2006 and enjoys spending his free time bass fishing every chance he can get. He has had some success in the professional bass fishing arena, traveling all over Arizona and the Western U.S. |
 Nancy Caunt - Executive Assistant, joined APS in June 2012. Her many years of experience in company ownership and management of administration and sales all contribute to her ability to multi-task in her daily duties and assignments allowing the APS Owners to direct their time to company growth and expansion. Nancy has an added multi-cultural dimension to her experience that comes from years spent living and working in Mexico in international development and marketing. California born, Nancy grew up in Western Canada but her dislike of the cold brought her back to the warmer climates of Mexico and Arizona. Nancy now resides in Queen Creek, AZ, enjoys traveling, spending time with family, and her two furry children. She is also a"fair weather" flyer as a Private Pilot. |
 Cristina Ortega - Client Services Manager, began working with APS in October 2009 as a Client Services Specialist, and was promoted to Client Services Manager where her primary duties include; customer relations, operations office manager and administrative assistance. As a former airline customer service rep, administrative and human resources assistant, she continually looks for exciting new ways to deliver the best customer service for both internal and external customers while making the already original experience more enjoyable and most importantly, the safest. Cristina currently lives in San Tan Valley, Arizona with her fabulous husband, 3 girls and 3 boys. Her priorities are God first, family second and career third, allowing her to give her best in all areas of her life.[ Management Team ] |
 Chris Tucker - Client Services Specialist, joined the company in March 2002 as a part-time Client Services Specialist after a chance visit ignited a long smoldering passion for aviation and inspired him to begin flight training. In addition to the primary duties of preparing clients and aircraft for safe flight, you’ll often find Chris applying his full-time skills as a Telecommunications and Networking Engineer to the company technical systems and infrastructure, facilitating company growth. Now a Private Pilot and aircraft owner living in Gilbert, AZ, Chris enjoys spending time with his wife Colleen and four Children; Elise, Anthony, Connor and Madison and of course, flying whenever possible! |
 Brittany Daniels - Client Services Specialist, joined APS in October of 2012. Her primary duties include turning the planes and making sure they are safe and ready for the next flight, giving exceptional customer service, and tending to the instructor pilots miscellaneous needs. She moved to Arizona from a small town in Michigan in July 2000, and she now lives in Mesa with her son, Nathan. In her spare time, she likes to snowboard, take boating trips to the lake, and go camping in northern Arizona with her family or friends. On a typical day off from work you’ll find her spending time with her son and nephew, and enjoying all the little perks of watching them grow and learn. |
 Jenni Cizek- Client Services Specialist, joined the company in April 2013. Her primary duties include turning the planes for the next safe, enjoyable flight, providing excellent customer service to ensure the experience with APS is great and memorable. She also assists the Instructor Pilots with anything they may need for each customer's flight. Jenni was born and raised in Chandler, AZ. Although she is a true Arizona native, she loves to travel to California, for Jenni the beach is just hard to beat. She values spending time with her large extended family along with her fluffy Maltipoo "Bayb", who brings her love and joy daily. In her personal time, her many interests also include yoga, dancing, time outdoors, and spending time with friends. |
 Melinda Mills - Client Services Manager, joined APS in April of 2013 as Client Services Manager for the Arlington, Texas location. She welcomes the clients to APS, preparing them for their courses and providing them with study materials required, assists with flight preparations and video processing so the clients can take home the memories of their course along with their completion packets. She brings more than 15 years of aviation knowledge and experience from Operations, Training, and Maintenance as well as Program Development and Business analysis and can be found assisting the VP of Training and Development with various company projects. Melinda, although born in North Carolina, has lived in Dallas/Fort Worth most of her life. In her free time she enjoys traveling, riding motorcycles and playing with her grand kids. |
 François Jurres – VP Finance & Operations, the Netherlands, joined the team in September 2012 as a manager of APS Europe team. François is involved with all aspects of corporate developments, financial affairs and daily business operations. His many years of experience in managing an aviation company in the Netherlands and his background in organizational psychology contribute to his ability to analyze and understand external and internal situations. He lives in the south west of the Netherlands and enjoys spending his free time with his son. His interests and passions include mountain biking and reading books. François’ motto: live every day to its maximum! |
 Hendrikus 'Henk' Hoogervorst - Advanced Instructor Pilot, the Netherlands, joined the APS team in September 2012. His primary duty is training pilots in upset recovery procedures. He also acts as temporary Chief Flight Instructor for the operations conducted at the training facility in the Netherlands. Henk retired in 2011 as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Royal Netherlands Air Force after a career of 33 years. His military flight experience includes 3000 hours on helicopters and 3500 hours on the Fokker F-27 and Pilatus PC-7. As an instructor he totals 4000 hours. Henk lives in Roosendaal, the Netherlands with his wife Lisette and together they enjoy family life with their 2 children and grandchild, eating out and enjoying good food and going on vacation. |
