WHAT DOES A CHIEF AVIATION OFFICER (CAO) PROVIDE?

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Casey J. Blake
Founder / CEO

LEARN MORE ABOUT ONE OF OUR CHIEF AVIATION OFFICERS

Aviation runs deep in the Blake family dating back to the early 1900’s, including a World War I fighter Ace, a grandfather who was a Lt. Colonel in the Air Force, and his father who received his pilots license at the age of 16 in the state of Indiana.

As a graduate of Purdue University School of Aviation Management, Casey has two decades of extensive leadership experience in nearly every facet of the private aviation industry, including fractional ownership, whole aircraft ownership, jet cards, chartering, acquisitions and brokerage.

Casey is a passionate and energetic executive leader with broad relationships that allow him to guide individuals and companies through the ins and outs of all things private aviation. His proven ability to drive results and align team members in pursuit of exceeding expectations has positioned him to overcome difficult and complex business situations.

Casey is passionate about his faith, his loving wife, their four children and all things aviation – all while enjoying the occasional round of golf.

Luke A. Mark, CPA
Accounting, Acquisition, & Sales Officer

Luke has been a student of aviation for a number of years now, after earning his pilot’s license in high school, he has consistently been fascinated with all things aviation. After graduating from Purdue University with a Bachelor of Science in both Accounting and Aviation Management, Luke began his career as a Sales Analyst with an alternative Aviation Fuels Company. There he led several different financial and tax accounting initiatives as well as internal control implementation efforts. Following that, Luke worked as a Senior Auditor for Deloitte, where he guided various teams through every phase of the audit. At Deloitte, he served clients of various sizes from smaller companies all the way to Fortune 500 companies, implementing next generation audit technology and platforms along the way.

However, Luke always wanted to return to aviation, specifically private aviation. He enjoys the various challenges private aviation comes with and providing the best possible information and data to current and prospective clients. Luke’s breadth of experience in accounting and aviation helps to accomplish that goal of providing a service like no other to our clients. Luke is also a licensed CPA in the state of Indiana.

Luke enjoys spending time with his beautiful wife and 2 dogs, typically running or walking around the neighborhood in addition to being an avid golfer.

Heather Huitt
Aviation Officer

Flight has intrigued Heather since she was a little girl growing up in a small Missouri farm town. As soon as the opportunity presented itself in college to get in the air, Heather pursued skydiving. She packed student parachutes to afford to skydive – logging over 700 jumps and obtaining a D-License and Jumpmaster rating.

As a graduate with a master’s degree in Aviation Safety, Heather began working in aviation law dealing with transactions of business jets as well as FAA enforcement and Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) research. She received her pilot’s license and became a commercial pilot with an instrument rating during this time.

Heather then had an opportunity to work directly with clients flying privately. She enjoyed interacting with and serving clients at the airport by providing a high level of service to ensure their whole trip was exceptional.

Outside of aviation, Heather loves to spend time with her three children and is active with her horses and dogs.

Leslie Blake
Personnel Officer

Leslie’s fascination with aviation started at a young age. Her father was in the Air Force Reserves and held a private pilot’s license. He would frequently take their family for rides high above Clinton county where she grew up. Whenever her family vacationed, these trips often included stops at aviation museums, Air Force bases, and countless air shows.

That love for aviation was further kindled when Leslie met Casey at Purdue University. By tethering her love for aviation to his passion and drive in the industry, aviation has shaped their marriage and futures. Their kids didn’t stand a chance. Each of them are now developing their own love for all things airplanes.

In her free time, Leslie enjoys cooking, reading, camping, and hiking. She is devoted in her faith and deeply loves serving others, including her husband and their four children.

Aviation Team

John deluca
G450 LEad Captain

John holds six jet type ratings, including two Gulfstream types. He is a graduate of Indiana State
University with a Bachelor of Science in Professional Aviation Flight Technology. When John is not flying, he loves to spend time with his wife, and family, and enjoys keeping physically fit.

Nathan Clark
G450 Captain

Nathan has experience as a Chief Pilot and Check Airman for both charter and corporate aviation and is a graduate of Embry-Riddle University. Nathan also loves to spend time with his wife, and family, participating in sports, and fishing in mountain streams.

Nate Mendenhall
Contract A/C Technician

Nate, as a technician contractor, adds an extensive background in aviation technology. When not on the job, he enjoys camping with his wife and family, encouraging their kids in 4-H events, and having fun in water sports.

Sam Collura
Captain

Sam’s college education took him in the direction of mechanical design and entrepreneurship until he discovered the joy of flying. Now, after twenty-five plus years as a flight instructor and charter pilot, he takes delight in providing excellent service as a captain in private aviation.