I have over 15 years of experience in business aviation and a thorough understanding of this highly personal and professional field of aviation.  I began my career flying a Piper Navajo and carrying out many of the management duties. After earning a LR-Jet type rating with Joe Gibbs Racing, I welcomed an invitation to join my alma mater in the Auburn University flight department in 2006. Over the course of 12 years at Auburn I served as Captain on CJ2+, CJ3, and CJ4 aircraft while simultaneously carrying out various nonflying roles, including Safety Officer and leading the installation of an IS-BAO Safety Management System. In 2019, I accepted an opportunity to join Delta Air Lines as a Boeing 717 First Officer. The experience of learning 121 operations, earning a DC-9 type rating, and flying in some of the most challenging airport and airspace environments has broadened my experiences and helped me become a highly proficient and well-rounded pilot.  

As a business aviation professional, I have fine-tuned many skills including flight planning, making go/no-go decisions related to weather or maintenance, and communicating with high profile passengers and owners to find solutions to meet their needs.  My safety skills were honed as I led the installation of an IS-BAO Safety Management System at Auburn University as well as a complete revision of our Emergency Response Plan, culminating in a comprehensive ERP testing drill involving multiple University departments. I organized our first ever Safety Day and invited frequent passengers to join us in the hangar for demonstrations and discussions to increase passenger awareness and preparedness for various airborne emergency scenarios.  Early in my career during an internship with BellSouth Corporate Aviation, I first observed the required professionalism that executives of a Fortune 500 company expect.  Those experiences and others equipped me to later fly passengers including University Presidents, political figures, NFL and NCAA Head Coaches, and many other high profile individuals and athletes. This past year I have experienced the complex operations, standards, and procedures of a major 121 carrier and operated in some of the most fast-paced, complex airspace and airport environments including JFK, LGA, ORD, and ATL. Above all, my greatest skills are a passion for continued growth in my career while providing my employers and peers with the dependability, positive attitude, healthy work environment, and safety mindset they deserve as we move forward together towards success. 

Type Ratings

LR-Jet (2005)

C525 (2008)

DC-9 (2019)

Flight Times

Total: 5,645

Jet: 3,997

PIC: 3,286

Turbine Trip Capt: 797

Part 91: 5,044

Part 121: 601

Citation CJ3: 1,294

Citation CJ2: 870

Citation CJ4: 378

 I was born and raised in the Memphis, TN area. After graduating from Auburn University, I married my wife, Candy, in 2002. We have two children, Anna Grace (11) and James (8). We live in Auburn, AL with our 15 year old Cocker Spaniel, Sam. Candy and I are actively involved in our church, and are long term supporters of St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital in Memphis and BigHouse Foundation (Foster Family Support) in Opelika, AL.