The Cross-Check

In the world of aviation, much attention is paid to the mechanics of flying and the thrill of takeoff, but few recognize the vital, often unseen work that occurs during crises. In this episode of The Cross Check, host Rob Hoffman and guest Sarah Kiehl, founder of SK Executive Transport Solutions, delve into the critical intersection of aviation and crisis response. Sarah's expertise in medical eva...

Eliane Cotran knows a thing or two about climbing the business aviation ladder and has made it her mission to be an inspiration for women to follow her path. As a prominent figure in the aviation industry. Eliane shares her inspiring journey from engineering to becoming the Vice President of Commercial at Azora. She discusses the challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated field, the importanc...

Company culture is built on teamwork and determination and maybe that's why college sports hall of famer, Jack Lambert, founder of Flyhouse gets it better than most. Jack joins hosts Rob Hoffman and Ian Lumpp on The Cross-Check to share his journey into aviation, the innovative approach Flyhouse takes in redefining luxury and service in the jet brokerage industry, and the importance of partnership...

Discover how Miguel Gallardo's passion for aviation, resilience, and innovative mindset have propelled his career from humble beginnings on the ramp to leading a fintech revolution in business aviation. As Director of Business Development at V1 Business Aviation Fintech, Miguel gives us an in-depth look at their innovative solutions for aviation finance along with the future of UAVs and technologi...

Airline pilot and author J.J. Madison has seen it all and has been taking plenty of notes along the way. J. J. shares insightful and amusing insights in his new book 'Yikes! 100 Smart Pilots and the Dumb Things They Did Yet Live to Tell About Them,' which analyzes NASA ASRS reports to highlight common cognitive errors and overconfidence in aviation. He also discusses the Victor Kilo Fund, which pr...

Sometimes you have to be your own mentor. Conventional wisdom doesn't always apply and following your heart can sometimes lead to great things. Halsey Schider, helicopter pilot, podcast host and founder of the aviation marketplace, Sellacopter shares his journey from zero to hero to zero again. And why his decision to walk away from it all, was the best move he ever made. Halsey's journey into avi...

Greg Reverdiau, co-founder of Pilot Institute shares his journey from a young aviation enthusiast to a successful entrepreneur in aviation education. The conversation explores Greg's innovative approach to making aviation training more accessible and engaging through online platforms and technology, including virtual reality. He discusses the impact of drone technology on various industries includ...

Business aviation is experiencing workforce turbulence. And our guests Jenny Showalter and Carrie Wicht join The Cross-Check to help navigate the way as they delve into the challenges and opportunities within the industry, particularly focusing on career transitions, the importance of networking, and the emotional aspects of job loss. They share personal stories and insights on how mentorship and...

Is there a disconnect between your flight department, payroll and tax reporting? Sometimes it takes a unicorn like Ryan DeMoor to create system to tie it all together. Ryan shares his journey from being a commercial pilot to transitioning into the aviation tax and finance sector. He discusses the impact of 9/11 on his career, the importance of bridging the gap between finance and aviation, and the...

Joe Peebles shares his journey as an entrepreneur in aviation maintenance, discussing the challenges and growth of his business, JP Aeronautics. He reflects on the lessons learned from past failures, the importance of strategic hiring, and the role of mentorship in leadership development. Joe also highlights his commitment to supporting veterans through his nonprofit, Higher Vets, which aims to as...

Joseph Tar Schmidt is a first officer for a major US airline, but how he got there is noteworthy. As president of the Professional Pilots of Tomorrow and a recipient and now President of the Captain Jason Dahl Scholarship Fund, Joseph has dedicated his career to pulling up others. Joseph shares his journey into aviation, the importance of mentorship, and the impact of the scholarship fund in suppo...

Michelle "MACE" Curran, a former US Air Force fighter pilot and lead solo for the Thunderbirds, shares her inspiring journey from a small town in Wisconsin to the skies as a fighter pilot. She discusses the challenges she faced during pilot training, her experiences in combat squadrons, and the evolution of her identity as 'MACE' and how her journey can serve as an inspiration to us all. Michelle...

It's Opposite Day at The Cross-Check as our first guest, Neil Capano takes over the hosting duties to celebrate the 15th episode of the show. The conversation explores the surprises and engagement from their audience, the impact of their guests, and the valuable insights gained throughout their journey. They discuss their dream guests, the advice they've received, along with some lighthearted disa...

Amy Grubb, organizational development specialist at the FBI joins the Cross-Check to share her journey from psychology to the FBI, the culture of integrity within the Bureau, and the challenges of changing organizational culture post-9/11. Amy shares insights on the importance of communication skills in high-pressure environments like aviation, the significance of listening in crew resource manage...

In this episode of The Cross Check, hosts Rob Hoffman and Ian Lumpp welcome Lauren Baum, a seasoned cabin attendant, blogger and consultant at Cabin in the Sky. Lauren shares her journey from a background in hospitality to becoming a mentor and resource for aspiring cabin attendants. The conversation explores the differences between 135 and 91 operations, the essential qualities of a great cabin a...

On this episode of The Cross-Check, we sit down with Sameer Romani, a seasoned bizav veteran with only five years of industry experience underneath his belt. A commercial rated pilot who went from teaching systems at Mesa Airlines to dabbling in venture capital and launching his own startup, EssenceJet, Sameer’s story is anything but linear. Sameer talks about the highs and lows of entrepreneurshi...

In this episode of The Cross-Check, we sit down with David Buritica, Director of Global Sales Program at Signature Aviation, to explore the evolving role of FBOs in today’s business aviation landscape. David shares his personal journey into the industry and breaks down why FBOs aren’t just fuel stops -- they’re often the first and last impression a customer gets. From redefining customer experienc...

Antonio Ferrara, the Director of Quality Control and Aircraft Appearance at Talon Air joins The Cross-Check to share his lifelong journey in aviation, the importance of mentorship, and his commitment to advocating for autism inclusion in the workforce. He discusses his experiences with mentors, his role as a mentor to others, and the founding of Aviators for Autism, an organization aimed at bridgi...

With a family background in commercial aviation, JK Kenworthy was groomed from an early age to follow a path to the skies. But pilot training is what has truly kept him grounded in his current role as Sales Director for the Americas at CAE. JK joins Ian Lumpp and Rob Hoffman on The Cross-Check to share his thoughts on the current challenges in pilot training along with the innovations shaping the...

In this episode of The Cross-Check, we interview Cat Wren, VP at ENG Organ Recovery, who shares her journey from being a college basketball captain to bizav leader. Cat discusses her passion for aviation, the challenges she faced in a male-dominated industry, and her commitment to servant leadership. She highlights the importance of mentorship, especially for women in aviation, and shares insights...

In the latest episode of The Cross-Check, Rob Hoffman and Ian Lumpp sit down with Michael Barber, Regional VP of Sales & Acquisitions at Leviate Air Group, to talk about why entrance into private aviation isn’t just about luxury, it’s about leverage. We dig into: ▶️ Why a business jet is ultimately a time-saving tool ▶️ The emotional and strategic layers behind aircraft acquisitions ▶️ How Michael...

Joe Peebles, CEO of Higher Vets, joins Rob and Ian on The Cross-Check to share his journey from military service to business aviation, opening up about the real challenges veterans face as they step into civilian careers, and how Higher Vets is working to bridge that gap. He dives into the leadership lessons he's carried from the armed forces, the untapped potential veterans bring to the industry,...

Portia Jensen-Corsetti, VP of Sales at Portside joins The Cross-Check for a deep dive into the challenges faced by flight departments in business aviation, the importance of integrating modern software solutions, and the role of technology in enhancing operational efficiency. Portia shares insights on the transition from legacy systems, success stories from clients, and the future of aviation tech...

The Cross-Check welcomes Andrew Schmertz, CEO and co-founder of Hopscotch Air to the show. Hopscotch is an air taxi service that bucks the Part 135 trend relying solely on single engine land, piston aircraft. Andrew shares his unique journey from a media career to aviation entrepreneurship, discussing the challenges and successes of Hopscotch Air in the competitive landscape of regional air mobili...

In this episode, Jennifer Pickerel, president of Aviation Personnel International (API), discusses the critical role of organizational culture and leadership in business aviation recruitment. She emphasizes the importance of understanding client needs, the recruitment process, and common mistakes made by hiring managers. Additionally, she provides valuable advice for job seekers and offers a new a...