MICHAEL SANTIAGO, President and CEO
Michael Santiago is the president and CEO of Polaris Aviation Solutions. Michael recognized a demand for customized service and attention to detail within the private aviation industry. That is why Mr. Santiago created Polaris Aviation Solutions in December of 2007.
Michael Santiago has over 42 years of aviation experience. He began his career as a pilot in the United States Army. After serving in the Army, Michael went on to contribute his “know how” to the corporate and private aviation community. Michael Santiago served as the Flight Department Manager for a Fortune 500 company and is a graduate of the USC Accident Investigation School.
During his career, Michael accumulated over 18,000 hours of flight time and holds 22 aircraft type ratings. In addition, Michael Santiago has managed a wide range of aircraft with vast worldwide operational experience.
MIKE PENROSE, Director of Operations Part 91-135
Michael Penrose is the Director of Operations for our Part 91 operations and Part 135 certificate, as well as the manager of flight standards. He has over 11,000 hours in flight time and many aircraft type ratings, including B767, G-V, G550, CL64, DA50, DA900, and SA227. He has extensive experience serving in corporate and charter aviation, both domestic and international. In addition, Michael Penrose has served on various aviation boards, such as the Sun Valley Noise Committee and has earned several impressive awards; including the NBAA Corporate Business Flying Safety Award and the NBAA Pilot Safety Award. Prior to joining Polaris Aviation Solutions, Michael served as a Chief Pilot and Check Airman, and as the Manager for Flight Standards at a well known, large management and charter company. Michael Penrose has a degree from the University of Oregon.
WAYNE BARNES, Director of Operations Part 125 & Director of Safety
Wayne Barnes is the Director of Operations for our Part 125 Certificate, as well as our Director of Safety. Having worked for several Fortune 500 companies and with over 40 years experience in the aviation industry, Wayne is a valuable asset to Polaris Aviation Solutions and its clientele.
Wayne has over 20,000 hours of flight time and currently holds 12 aircraft type-ratings. His previous experience includes both commercial and corporate aviation and he has held such titles as Flight Department Manager, Director of Flight Standards, and Director of Operations. In addition, Wayne is an FAA airline transport pilot examiner, a Goldfield Flight Instructor, an Advanced and Instrumental Ground School instructor, and a graduate of the NTSB’s Accident Investigation School.
CHRIS BURNS, Director of Maintenance
Chris Burns is the Director of Maintenance for our Part 91-125-135 operations and certificates. Chris began his aviation career in the U.S. Navy where he was responsible for maintaining the electrical systems onboard carrier based fighter and reconnaissance aircraft. After serving in the Navy, Chris attended Spartan College of Technology in Oklahoma where he earned an associate’s degree in aviation maintenance technology and later obtained his airframe and power plant license from the FAA. Chris also served in the Oklahoma and New York Air National Guard maintaining autopilot systems on both attack as well as heavy lift aircraft. Chris later worked at an avionics repair station before joining the staff of a Fortune 500 corporate flight department in 1986. Chris spent the next 23 years of his career with this organization advancing from floor technician, to flight engineer, and then into management. Chris became the Director of Maintenance leading a professional staff of people at two sites providing a “best in class” air transportation service to company executives and their guests. Chris has served on several advisory boards including Gulfstream Aerospace and Penn College as well as Blue Mountain Academy. Chris is a graduate of the University of Virginia Darden School of Business leadership program and the NBAA CAM management program. He is also an FAA certified IA.
KENNY FULLER, Director of Training
Kenny Fuller is the Director of Training for our Part 91 and Part 135 training program, as well as a PAS International Captain. Kenny has over 29 years of experience in the aviation industry; he started his career as an A&P mechanic in the military, and later became a pilot in corporate aviation. Kenny has over 4800 hours of flight time and 5 type class ratings.
As the Director of Training, Kenny develops and maintains our custom training materials and courseware which ensures a safe and professional flight operation, as well as regulatory compliance. His military background coupled with his corporate experience has enabled him to excel in this position.
STEVE SKUPIEN, Chief Pilot
Steve Skupien is our chief pilot and is also an international captain for our Part 125 operations. Steve has 40 years experience in aviation, with 9 aircraft type-ratings, and over 20,000 flight hours. Steve started his aviation career in the military, and then moved on to commercial and corporate aviation. In addition, Steve is also an aerobatic pilot and has flown his own aircraft in several air shows.
During his career, Steve has been quite active within the aviation community. Steve is a member of the Aircraft Accident Investigations board and served for ten years on the International Airline Pilots Association (ALPA) Safety Board. Steve is also a graduate of Upset Training School.
JOANNE SANTIAGO, Director of Administration
JoAnne Santiago is the Director of Administration at Polaris Aviation Solutions. She started her career in the US Army, working in hospital administration. After several years, she moved on to a sales position for a regional photography studio, eventually becoming the Vice President of sales. She then went on to open and operate her own photography studio for several years.
After marriage and relocation to the North East region of the US, JoAnne worked as an assistant manager for a design consultant firm, and then later moved into corporate and private aviation, eventually becoming the managing flight attendant for an international operation. In addition, JoAnne is very active within her community. She has served on the board of directors for the National Ruritan Club, and has chaired various charity and fund raising events.
As the Director of Administration, JoAnne oversees all administrative functions within Polaris Aviation Solutions. Her primary duties include oversight of all HR functions, accounts payable/accounts receivable, sales, and marketing. In addition, she oversees all functions of customer relations and acts as a primary client liaison.
SHAWN RAKER, Manager of Business Development
Shawn Raker is the Manager of Business Development. Prior to joining Polaris Aviation Solutions, Shawn Raker was the Regional Sales Manager NYR for CAE SimuFlite. He began his professional career in the Alaska Air National Guard and later the United States Air Force Reserve. In 1990, Shawn Raker went to work for Delta, where he received type ratings in various aircraft, including DC-9, B 757 & B 767; earning over 12,000 hours in flight time. During his career at Delta, Shawn Raker held the following positions: Captain; Proficiency Check Pilot 767-400ER; VP of Business Development for Delta Connection Academy; Production Control Scheduler; Developer Instructional System Design; and Crew Resource Management Facilitator/Developer. After leaving Delta, Raker was the President & CEO of Flight Trainings Services International a global corporation for the advancement of training and services for the aviation industry.
A native of Bay Springs, MS, Raker holds a B.S. in Aeronautical Studies Management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
SEAN REDFERN, Client Responsible Officer
Sean Redfern is the Client Responsible Officer at Polaris Aviation Solutions and is responsible for the oversight of each client that joins the Polaris fleet. Before coming to Polaris in 2009, Sean worked for several large aircraft management and charter companies, in various roles. He has extensive experience in sales and customer service, and has held such positions as: afterhours charter sales; vendor relations; and Director of Client Services.
Sean is a native of England and was educated at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University where he earned a B.S. in Aviation Business Administration.
MARIA BOCHMAN, Charter Sales Manager
Maria has been Charter Sales Manager at Polaris Aviation since March 2009 and has served as the charter representative overseeing the development of the charter division. Her relationships within the aviation industry have helped Polaris Aviation Solutions set its footprint in the charter world.
Maria Bochman has seven years experience working in charter sales and has been instrumental in dramatically increasing her previous employers’ charter sales revenues. Before starting her career in charter sales, Maria worked as a flight coordinator. By working in the operations spectrum of private aviation, as well as charter, she has gained considerable knowledge and valuable insight into the world of general aviation. Prior to working in aviation, Maria worked as an executive assistant for a Fortune 10 company. Maria received her formal education at Berkeley Business School.
JANICE FERRETTI, Manager, Flight Coordination
Janice Ferretti is the Flight Coordination Manager at Polaris Aviation Solutions and has over 17 years experience in both corporate and private aviation. Janice brings to the table her extensive knowledge and professional expertise, while providing our clientele with World Class Service.
Janice has experience in private and charter aviation, international flight operations, domestic operations, and flight-following operations. She holds an FAA Dispatcher license and has earned several Aviation Safety Awards.