UPDRAFTS
elected four new directors to three- year terms that begin Jul. 1, 2025:
Director, Small Commercial/ Private Operator Jan Becker (Swashplate, Yandina Creek, Queensland, Australia) is CEO of Swashplate, a boutique helicopter company. She began her career as a midwife and later also became an accomplished pilot and business owner at Becker Helicopters Pilot Academy. Becker previously served on the board for six years and in 2019 was elected board chair, the first woman to hold that position in more than 30 years (but not the last). “As an international
member of the VAI Board, I’m proud to bring a global perspective to our work,” says Becker. “The chal- lenges and opportunities in vertical aviation are shared across borders, and I’m committed to contributing fresh ideas and practical insights that reflect the diverse needs of operators worldwide.” Chris Baur, FRAeS (Hughes
Aerospace Corp., Houston, Texas) is president and CEO of the largest non-FAA provider of global instru- ment flight procedures for helicopters, airplanes, and electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft. A pioneer in the global Performance-Based Navigation (PBN) movement, Baur is an ATP-rated pilot with over 45 years of experience spanning military, law enforcement, Part 135, and Part 121 operations. He currently flies Robinson R66, Boeing 787, and TBM turboprop aircraft. “One of my top priorities is strength-
ening VAI’s advocacy,” Baur notes. “With an engaged membership, we must lever- age our collective expertise to shape policies that benefit both our members and the broader aviation industry.” In
14 POWER UP JUN 2025
addition to his role at Hughes Aerospace, Baur serves as the industry cochairman of the US Helicopter Safety Team.
Director, Medium Commercial/ Private Operator Brandi Rector (Semper Fly Helicopters, Norman, Oklahoma), a US Marine Corps veteran and avia- tion professional, brings over 17 years of experience in aviation operations, maintenance, flight training, and busi- ness management. As owner and CEO of Semper Fly Helicopters—a female veteran–owned FAA Part 141 helicop-
Kennedy Space Center. “I will represent the government
service position professionally and give back wherever I can. Having the unique perspective of both a mechanic and a pilot, I believe I can translate the importance of both roles to the future of vertical aviation,” Lee says. Mark Wegele (Salt River Project,
This is more than an election— it’s a reflection of who we are becoming as an industry. – Mike Hertzendorf
ter flight school—she is committed to advancing pilot development, safety, and training excellence in the rotor- craft industry. Rector plans to focus on education, workforce development, and veteran integration into the industry during her tenure on the VAI Board.
Director, Government Service Operator Stephen Lee (National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Kennedy Space Center, Florida) has more than 20 years of experience in vertical avia- tion, serving concurrently as a pilot and maintainer. His roles have included pilot in command, air mission commander, supervisory maintenance test pilot, functional check pilot, aircraft flight instructor, and airframe and powerplant mechanic with inspection authoriza- tion. He currently serves as chief of aviation maintenance at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s
Phoenix, Arizona) will be completing the remainder of Gottwig’s term as a director representing the government service operator sector. Wegele, who will serve from July 2025 to June 2026, has led the Flight Department at Salt River Project (SRP) since 2019, overseeing and expanding aviation operations that support the utility’s vital electric power and water services across Arizona. With over 20 years of diverse aviation experience, he has held key leadership
roles at SRP and Erickson Incorporated and on US government contracts with the Departments of State and Defense. Throughout his career, Wegele has man- aged complex aviation operations, led global maintenance teams, and driven innovation in high-stakes, compliance- focused environments. As a board member of VAI, he will be dedicated to representing and actively advocating for the interests of vertical aviation.
Representing a Diverse Industry The new board structure reflects VAI’s vision to be the membership associ- ation leading the global evolution and expansion of vertical flight. “This is more than an election—it’s a
reflection of who we are becoming as an industry,” Hertzendorf says. “Our gover- nance reforms empower a broader cross section of the industry to have a say in our future, ensuring we remain aligned with the needs of our members.”
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