Industry Professionals
Frequent Flyer features conversations with leading aviation professionals that will illuminate pathways into the industry, inspire the next generation to consider careers in aviation, and discuss recent market developments from the perspective of industry leaders. These esteemed professionals have guided our founder, Joshua Kupietzky, in his pursuit of a career in aviation, and he has taken up the task of sharing these profiles for all aviation enthusiasts, whether they consider aviation as a potential career path or a niche interest. These leaders are asked about when they began aspiring to the highest positions in the aviation industry, how various market developments have affected their professional life, and which industry trends they view as being the most noteworthy.
Bernd Bauer, CEO of Edelweiss Air
Mr. Bauer is the Chief Executive Officer at Edelweiss Air. He has over 25 years of experience in the aviation industry working for Crossair, Swiss International Air Lines, and Edelweiss
Juan Carlos Zuazua Cosio, CEO of Viva Aerobus
Juan Carlos Zuazua Cosio is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Viva Aerobus. He has over 15 years of experience in the airline industry in roles ranging from Chief Commercial Officer to Public and Government Relations Manager with Viva Aerobus.
Subodh Karnik, CEO of ExpressJet Airlines
Mr. Karnik is Chief Executive Officer of ExpressJet Airlines and Chairman of the holding company ManaAir. He has over 40 years of experience in the aviation and travel industry working for Northwest Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Jet Airways, CommutAir, and ExpressJet Airlines.
Nicholas Panza, VP of the Americas - Air Tahiti Nui
Mr. Panza is currently Vice President of The Americas at Air Tahiti Nui. He has been in the aviation industry for over 40 years, working for Trans World Airlines (TWA), Korean Airlines, Air Pacific (now Fiji Airways), and Air Tahiti Nui.
Robert Carey, President of Wizz Air - Interview
Mr. Carey is the President at Wizz Air. He has been in the airline industry for over 20 years, working for American West, Delta Air Lines, easyJet, and Wizz Air. Previously he served as Chief Commercial Planning and Customer Officer with easyJet.
Rising Aviation HS - Interview with Principal Houston & Asst. Principal Fitzgerald
Interview with principal Mr. Donnie Houston and the assistant principal Mr. Brent Fitzgerald of Rising Aviation High School in Addison, Texas. Mr. Houston has served as a lead teacher, department head, assistant principal and executive director in schools all over the country. Mr. Fitzgerald has served over a decade in public education and has worked at both FAA Part 141 and FAA Part 61 flight training operations.
Interview with First Officer Carole Hopson
On Tuesday, October 12, I had the privilege to interview Carole Hopson. Ms. Hopson flies the Boeing 737 for United Airlines as a First Officer, based in Newark, NJ. After a twenty-year career as a journalist and executive, she pivoted to attend flight school and pursue her childhood passion of flying.
Bob Jordan (CEO of Southwest Airlines)
On Wednesday, October 6, I had the privilege to interview Bob Jordan. Mr. Jordan is the Executive Vice President and incoming CEO for Southwest Airlines. He has over 33 years of experience in the airline industry across 15 different roles with Southwest.
Shane Storz (Air Choice One)
On Wednesday September 15, I had the privilege to interview Shane Storz. Mr. Storz has been the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Air Choice One since 2012, and he has worked in the aviation industry for over 30 years as a pilot and executive for Air Choice One.
Interview with Brian Kondrad (Boutique Air)
On Thursday, September 9 I had the privilege to interview Brian Kondrad. Mr. Kondrad is the Vice President of Business Operations at Boutique Air and oversees customer service, reservations, and airline partnerships for the airline.
Trent Porter (Breeze Airways) Interview
On Wednesday, August 25, I had the privilege to interview Trent Porter. Mr. Porter is the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for the new U.S. startup Breeze Airways. He has worked in the aviation industry for over 16 years working for U.S. Airways, Allegiant Air, and Breeze Airways.
Dan Goz “Nonstop Dan” Interview
On Wednesday, August 11th, I had the privilege to interview Daniel Goz. Mr. Goz also known as “Nonstop Dan” has uploaded 500 videos since 2009 and has over 450,000 subscribers and 100 million upload views on YouTube, and over 100,000 followers on other social networks.
Gianfranco “Panda'' Beting - Interview
On Thursday, June 24th, I had the privilege to interview Gianfranco “Panda'' Beting. He created the name and brand design of the new U.S. startup Breeze Airways, and was also a co-founder and designer of Brazil’s Azul Linhas Aéreas.
Interview with First Officer Neshomar Anthony
On June 10th, I had the privilege of interviewing First Officer Neshomar Anthony. Mr. Anthony currently is an air ambulance pilot for EZ Air and previously flew for Winair. He currently flies the Learjet 31, 35, and 55.