Safety Symposium Speakers

Richard oversees the safety programs for NetJets, Inc. Previously, he held positions as Executive Vice President, Safety – FlightSafety International (2020-2024), Vice President, Safety – NetJets Aviation (2004-2020) and various training and standards roles before that. He holds an Airline Transport Pilot with multiple type ratings. 

Amanda Ferraro, CEO of Aviation Safety Solutions, LLC, is a highly regarded aviation leader with over 25 years of experience, guiding safety initiatives for nearly 250 global operators. A Certified Aviation Manager and IS-BAO lead auditor, she is recognized for her expertise in SMS integration, FAA/ICAO compliance, and UAS safety, as well as for her leadership in shaping FAA Part 5 regulations. A survivor of a life-altering accident, Ferraro’s passion for transforming aviation safety has earned her industry acclaim, including NBAA’s 40 Under 40 award.

Bob is a native of Traverse City, Michigan and graduated with a BS in Air Commerce from the top-ranked Florida Institute of Technology. He has over 40 years of management experience in aviation. He is an ATP pilot with over 9000 hrs, and is type rated in A320, MD80 and several corporate aircraft.  He has been a Director of Operations for 125, 135, and 91 flight operations. He has held Executive level positions for a 121 startup, 125 Corporate Shuttle operations and an FAA A502 certificate merger project of over 100 aircraft.  He has served on the ACS board for 8 years with 2 years as Chairman.

Adam joined NetJets in 2024 as the Manager of the FOQA Gatekeeper group. He leads proactive safety initiatives across the Safety Office. Adam’s prior experience includes working for the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) as a Senior Aviation Accident Investigator where he served in the role for 10 years leading over 400 investigations. Prior to the NTSB, Adam worked for the FAA as a Human Factors Analyst in the Aeronautical Information Management Office. His career started in flying, working as a flight instructor and regional airline pilot based at Washington Reagan (KDCA) flying the CRJ-200. He holds an undergraduate degree from the University of North Dakota and a master’s degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

Captain (ret) Saboe retired in 2025 from a 29-year career in the U.S. Coast Guard. He spent more than 20 years flying search and rescue helicopter missions on the West, East, and Gulf coasts including a deployment to the Arabian Gulf in 2003 with the U.S. Navy and as a first responder in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 while stationed in New Orleans where he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for helping rescue 143 people. In addition to pilot duties he also served as an aeronautical engineer overseeing field and depot level aircraft maintenance. Following aviation command on the Oregon coast he served as chief of staff in Seattle and concluded his career at the U.S. Northern Command & NORAD in Colorado.    

Kimberly Pyle applies her expertise in aviation safety, data-driven innovation, and strategic leadership to solving complex problems in high-risk environments as a Senior Advisor with Oliver Wyman. Kim is honored to serve as an Advisory Member for the Boeing Center for Aviation and Aerospace Safety at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and a Director on the Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Foundation Board. Formerly Executive Director at the FAA’s Office of Accident Investigation and Prevention, Kimberly led award winning initiatives to modernize safety data systems and advance voluntary collaborative safety programs with industry.Kim lives in the Washington, DC area and enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband, daughter, and dog, Alexander. She received her Masters from American University’s Key School of Public Affairs.

Gina Shealy joined Fireside Partners in 2025 as Emergency Operations Manager, bringing more than 20 years of experience in emergency management, family assistance, and regulatory compliance. She leads emergency operations and preparedness initiatives with a strong commitment to human-centered crisis care and has launched dozens of domestic and international disaster responses worldwide. Gina spent over two decades in emergency response roles at Southwest Airlines and AirTran Airways, most recently as Manager of Emergency Response, where she spearheaded compliance with the Aviation Disaster Family Assistance Act, led federally mandated drills, and strengthened emergency preparedness. Her career spans natural disasters, mass violence incidents, and aviation emergencies, reflecting deep expertise in program development, training, and operations.

Suzette Rash is the Manager of the Safety Management Branch (AFS-940) within the Office of Safety Standards, Flight Standards Service. In this role, she provides policy and guidance for Flight Standards external Safety Management Systems (SMS), the Compliance Program, and Voluntary Programs, including FOQA, VDRP, and ASAP. She leads SMS concept development in alignment with AVS SMS doctrine, oversees standardized training requirements, and supports the FAA’s Integrated Oversight Philosophy (IOP), while collaborating with domestic and international SMS working groups.

Previously, Suzette served as Program Office Manager for the SMS Program Office and as a Team Lead in the Certification and Evaluation Program Office, where she provided expert guidance on certification processes and conducted national Certificate Holder Evaluations. She also held roles in CEPO, the Flight Technologies and Procedures Division, and as an Assistant Manager and General Aviation Safety Inspector in the Dulles FSDO. With over 30 years of aviation experience across general aviation, air carrier operations, and the FAA, Suzette holds a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and is an Air Transport Pilot and Certified Flight Instructor (CFI, CFII, MEII).

Jim McKenna is an Aviation Safety Inspector with the FAA’s Safety Management Branch, specializing in SMS policy development and safety oversight. He brings over 39 years of aviation experience and holds a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Jim is also a Certified Airframe and Powerplant Technician.

With a dynamic aviation career spanning military and civilian operations, Tyler brings a well-rounded perspective to aviation safety. He began his career as an Air Traffic Controller, gaining critical insight into the National Airspace System, before earning a commission as a United States Marine Corps officer. As a Marine Corps Naval Aviator, he completed 10 years of service in leadership and instructor roles encompassing safety, standardization, training, and operations.

Following military service, Tyler transitioned to the commercial sector as a regional airline pilot. He later joined Flexjet, where he has spent six years developing and managing the Flight Data Monitoring (FDM) Program. He currently serves as the Director of Flight Safety, focusing on proactive, data-driven risk identification, operational resilience, and continuous safety improvement.