Chuck Surack
Owner
You may recognize Chuck Surack as the Founder of Sweetwater Sound, as the owner of luxury car dealership SweetCars, or as a community leader, serving on the boards of many local non-profit organizations.
What you might not know is that Chuck is a helicopter pilot and aircraft enthusiast. Inspired by his aviator father, Chuck has loved flying since childhood, even keeping his Boy Scouts Aviation merit badge to this day. His first flying experiences were in his dad’s Aeronca Chief based right here at Smith Field. Chuck would go on to own many other airplanes and helicopters, such as the Cessna 414, Cessna Citations, and the Eurocopter EC130, just to name a few. He loves flying and can often be found at the helm of a helicopter. He and his wife, Lisa, have two sons and a daughter.
Tim Edmonds
Vice President of Aviation
Tim started his journey in aviation over 36 years ago with an impressive array of flight experience ranging from service in the military to corporate flights. He also has thousands of hours of international, mountain, and overwater flights in helicopters and airplanes.
Tim graduated with a bachelors’s degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and is a graduate of the FAA ATC Academy.
Joel Pierce
General Manager & Director of Operations
With well over 20 years of flight experience, Joel’s passion for flight knows no bounds. In 2002 Joel earned his private pilot certificate, later attending the International Air Land Emergency Resource Team (ALERT) Academy where he obtained his instrument rating along with his commercial and flight instructor certificates.
At over 5,000 hours of flight instruction, Joel now leads the staff at Sweet Aviation and passionately assists the aviation enthusiasts of Fort Wayne with reaching their dreams of flight. He is type rated in Sweet Aviation’s Cirrus Vision Jet, certified to fly client’s T-28, as well as highly skilled in aerobatic maneuvers in the Super Decathlon.
Scotty Hepler
FBO Manager
Scotty became a private pilot in 1986 followed by a 22-year long career in the Air National Guard as an air traffic controller, but his commitment to community doesn’t stop there. Scotty also spent two decades as a volunteer firefighter and EMT.
Michael Neese
Operations Manager & Asst. Chief Helicopter Instructor
Originally from Cloverdale, Indiana, Michael graduated from Manchester University, later working in Indianapolis in international logistics.
That all changed for Michael after a helicopter tour around the San Francisco Bay Area. After that, he felt destiny pull him in the direction of aviation which led him to training at Sweet Aviation. He has since obtained his fixed-wing private pilot certificate and helicopter CFI rating.
When Michael has his feet on the ground, he operates a non-profit sports foundation as well as several other community focused ventures in Fort Wayne.
Kyle MacWilliams
Aircraft Maintenance Director
Charter
Lorin Kaney
Assistant Chief Pilot
Lorin began his journey in aviation in 2003 at the ALERT Academy in Texas, eventually obtaining his private pilot license, instrument rating, A&P license, and CFI/CFII.
Born in Northwest Indiana, Lorin moved to Fort Wayne with his wife and what he enjoys most about Sweet Aviation is the opportunity to share in the joy of flight with his students as well as guide them to becoming safe and proficient pilots.
Katelyn Foutz
Charter Pilot
Katelyn comes from a long line of flying enthusiasts. Her family were members of the Yankee Air Force and for a time were associated with the Yankee Air Museum in Belleville, Michigan. In addition, her grandfather worked in a B-24 bomber plant during WW2 and her father served in the Air Force where he worked on F-16s.
Katelyn attained her private pilot certificate from Purdue University and completed the remainder of her training at LIFT Academy. She recently attained her certificate to become an Advanced Ground Instructor as well. In addition, Katelyn also graduated from Ivy Tech Indianapolis with an associate’s degree in general studies and a technical certificate in business administration too.
When not at work Katelyn enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband Joshua and their children hiking through local and state parks.
Joe Kobiela
Charter Pilot
Joe logged his first pilot in command time in 1979, since then he has flown 14,000 hours as a private, charter, and instructor. After retiring from Dana Corporation with 31 years of seniority he is finally working his dream job as a charter pilot at Sweet Aviation. He loves to help his passengers have a safe and stress-free trip every time.
In addition to being a charter pilot, Joe is also a single and multi-engine engine airline transport pilot, single and multi-engine instrument flight instructor, King Air 350 type rating.
Joe lives in Auburn with his wife of nearly 40 years Pat, their Golden Retriever, and a cat, and has two grown daughters. In his spare time he loves to run, lift weights, read military history, and of course fly.
Brayden Maffei
Charter Pilot
Michael Morel
Charter Pilot
Daniel Porter
Charter Pilot
Terry Stuthridge
Charter Pilot
Jorge Valderrama
Charter Pilot
Jorge Valderrama has more than 28 years of experience in the aviation industry. Originally from Lima, Peru, he has trained and flown with pilots from all over the world. He started his career at Indiana State University, holding multiple degrees in aviation, aerospace administration, and a Master’s degree in occupational health and safety. His extensive industry experience includes multiple international flight schools, regional airlines, and charter companies. Jorge has almost 4,000 hours of flight time, including multiple jet aircraft type ratings. He prides himself on making safety his first priority, and in providing excellent customer service. Jorge resides in Bloomington with his wife Lindsay and stepson Riley. When not flying, he enjoys working on his car, going to the gym, and traveling with his wife to explore new places and foods.
Tyson Whitner
Charter Pilot
A Fort Wayne native, Tyson first got his taste of flying at Smith Field with the Young Eagles. He followed that passion through high school, participating in programs that led him towards his A&P license. He later graduated from Indiana State University with a degree in Professional Flight Technology while playing football for the Sycamores.
Tyson also has his private, instrument, commercial, and CFI/CFII certificates and is eager to share his passion for flying with the Fort Wayne community.
Dennis Whitacre
Charter Pilot
Dennis grew up watching planes depart at Fort Wayne’s Baer Field, which is now Fort Wayne International Airport. He made up his mind early on he would become a pilot. He earned his Associate of Applied Science Degree in Air Traffic Control and then went on to earn his Airline Transport Pilot license and become typed in multiple aircraft.
Dennis isn’t the only pilot in his family. His son flies for the U.S. Military, and his cousin has flown for many years. When not flying charter, Dennis likes to paint, sing in a choir, and participate in his church.
Clayton Omelian
Director of Maintenance (Charter)
I’ve been married for 13 years with five kids. My path to aviation began more than a decade ago in efforts to provide a better life and future for my family. After spending the first couple of years in general aviation for a small private company, I moved on to the airlines where I would spend the next seven years with SkyWest Airlines. I began as a mechanic, then spent about four years in avionics, and finished my SkyWest career as a night shift maintenance supervisor. Eventually, I returned to the general aviation world to leave the first shift life, spend more time with the family, and work closer to home. Since then, I have earned my Inspection Authorization which opened the door to better opportunities leading me to Sweet Aviation. I am excited to see where my career leads within the company.
Nicolas McCullough
Certified Aircraft Mechanic
Rachel Cheng
Charter Specialist Supervisor
Originally from Fort Wayne, Rachel joined the Sweet Aviation family in 2015 and has over fifteen years of customer service experience. She is a graduate of Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne with a bachelor’s in psychology and is looking forward to becoming a pilot herself soon.
Brenda Hernandez
Charter Specialist
Cathy Taylor
Charter Specialist
Cathy Taylor knows how to book travel from airlines, cruise lines, hotels, rental cars, and more, but it was her love for the aviation side of things that won her over. After a 13-year career with United Airlines, the company shut down its satellite offices, forcing her to make a choice. Did she move back to the big city or put down roots with her growing family in northern Indiana? She chose the latter, which opened up to her the world of Part 135 charter. With Sweet Aviation, Cathy manages charter sales, flight planning, and flight following, which involves making sure each passenger’s plane arrives on time. Her love for aviation has also inspired her son, who is pursuing his own flight dreams in El Paso, Texas.
Instructors
James Cutright
Flight Training Manager
For most of his life, James’ interest in flight had been mainly academic, as he served as a long-time physics and astronomy instructor in the Fort Wayne area. That changed in 2019, when he celebrated finally paying off his student loans with a quick discovery flight. That sparked a desire in him to master learning to fly. After his first solo flight, he knew he’d found his new career path. As a certified flight instructor for Sweet Aviation, he’s able to share his passion for aviation with others as well as the science behind it!
Ryan Anderson
Lead Flight Instructor
After bouncing around between majors in college, Ryan happened upon aviation by accident on his commute through his grandparents’ small town in Northwest Indiana. One discovery flight is all it took for him to radically switch tracks to pursue flying. This is where he, “Caught the bug!”
This passion for flying only deepened upon enlisting in the Air National Guard at Fort Wayne’s 122nd Fighter Wing, home of the Blacksnakes. During his enlistment in the reserves, Ryan worked on his Private, Instrument, Commercial, and CFI licenses, all while holding a full-time job. Currently, Ryan is working to achieve bachelor’s degree from Liberty University’s aviation program.
Outside of flying, Ryan is a husband to a great wife, dog dad, major foodie and coffee fiend, musician, and thrill seeker of all things. Ryan believes you should love what you do even on the hard days.
Zach Deaton
Lead Flight Instructor
Zach comes from a long line of pilots. His father, grandfather, and grandmother are all private pilots. Having grown up in Sylvania, Ohio Zach would attend Bowling Green State University where he would major in Business and Marketing Education. In addition, Zach would serve in the Ohio Army National Guard where he was a tank commander. Zach attained his private pilot license at Suburban Aviation in Lambertville, Michigan, Instrument Rating and Commercial Pilot License at ATP in Nashville, Tennessee, and CFI, CFII, and MEI Licenses at Midwest Corporate Air in Bellefontaine ,Ohio.
Josh Bender
Certified Flight Instructor
Josh is from the Nashville area and recently moved to Fort Wayne to be closer to his family. Josh felt “destined” for a career in flight, being born while his dad was in flight training. Now, it’s come full circle, with Josh helping new aspiring pilots ignite their passion for aviation and fulfill their flight dreams at Sweet Aviation.
Taylor Brennan
Certified Flight Instructor
Taylor grew up living in Arizona and after finishing a Bachelor’s degree in psychology, she worked in education and other behavioral health related positions. Her interest in aviation was sparked with a discovery flight in a helicopter in 2019 and after moving to Fort Wayne in 2021, she began working at Sweet Aviation as a customer service representative to help others gather the resources needed to achieve their aviation goals.
In 2023, she pursued her flight training at ATP Flight School in Indianapolis and wrapped up CFI/CFII in Mississippi. She is so excited to continue to help students achieve their dreams and share the passion for flying within the Fort Wayne community. Aside from aviation, Taylor loves composing music, trying new cuisine, and going on fun adventures wither husband and family.
Cayden Faley
Certified Flight Instructor
Cayden Faley’s flight journey began with a discovery flight in 2020, sparking an immediate desire to pursue a career in aviation. He jumped right into flight training with Sweet Aviation and began his education at Purdue University in West Lafayette, where he later graduated with a degree in professional flight. As an instructor, Cayden helps students achieve their own aviation dreams one milestone at a time, both through flight lessons and through ground training. When Cayden isn’t up in the sky in an airplane, you can find him on a boat in the water. He loves sailing his catamaran across Indiana Lakes and sailing with his grandpa around Lake Erie.
Chance Fry
Certified Flight Instructor
Fort Wayne born but Ohio raised, Chance’s passion for aviation took off at Smith Field. After taking a discovery flight, he began flight training at Sweet Aviation while still in high school. Chance went on to earn his private, instrument, commercial, CFI, and CFII certificates at Sweet Aviation. In the future, he plans to earn his multi-engine certificate as well as his bachelor’s degree in aviation management. Prior to joining the team of instructors here at Sweet Aviation, Chance spent four years in the kitchen & bath wholesale industry.
Outside of flying, Chance is an avid snowmobiler who enjoys winter getaways spent in northern Michigan. Chance is also a college football and basketball fan who enjoys watching the Purdue Boilermakers and Michigan Wolverines.
Ludo Funfrock
Certified Helicopter Flight Instructor
Ludo is a Certified Helicopter Flight Instructor at Sweet Aviation, combining a lifelong passion for flying with nearly a decade of military aviation experience. He attended the United States Military Academy, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Engineering, before completing U.S. Army Flight School.
After school, Ludo served as an Army Aviation Officer, flying missions in South Korea, Fort Bliss in Texas, and Fort Carson in Colorado and also deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan, where he supported combat operations.
Now, Ludo is proud to teach others how to fly helicopters and help them develop confidence and skill in the cockpit. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his wife and children, as well as golfing, snowboarding, and cooking.
Brandon Graber
Certified Helicopter Flight Instructor
Originally from Nebraska, Brandon graduated from Indiana University and has called Fort Wayne home since 2004.
His passion for helicopters was ignited during college when he had the opportunity to fly in a UH-60 Blackhawk through the Army officer training battalion over the IU campus. Since that moment he focused on becoming a pilot.
Brandon earned his private, commercial, instrument, and CFI, and CFI-I helicopter ratings through Sweet Aviation, and is working towards his ATP rating. He may add fixed-wing ratings to his repertoire for fun in the future, but for now he is very happy focusing on helicopters. He accomplished a long-time goal of becoming a Sweet Helicopters charter pilot, and would like to also be a Samaritan helicopter EMS pilot in the future.
Rick Knight
Certified Flight Instructor
Rick’s done it all from Air Force pilot training on T-37 and T-38 aircraft, flying several planes in the American Airlines fleet around the world, to being a check airman and instructor and so much more.
Experience spanning nearly 50 years and an unprecedented passion Rick is the ultimate aircraft enthusiast. His early days were spent right here in Fort Wayne at Smith Field and his passion led him all across the globe.
Griffin Lapan
Certified Flight Instructor
Airplanes and travel have always been a source of wonder for Griffin. Griffin studied Airline Management at Purdue University and later attended flight school at ATP. After graduation, he chose to return to his hometown of Fort Wayne to help Sweet Aviation customer achieve their own flight goals. He takes pride in delivering quality flight and ground instruction for anyone seeking their private pilot certification, instrument rating, or commercial pilot certification. When he’s not up flying, Griffin loves to attend Purdue basketball games to cheer on his Boilermakers.
Jesse Meyer
Certified Flight Instructor
Jesse Meyer is a Flight Instructor at Sweet Aviation who is passionate about helping others achieve their goals in aviation. Jesse earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from the University of Cincinnati before pursuing a career in flight training.
As a flight instructor, Jesse works with students at every stage of their journey, taking individuals with little or no aviation experience and guiding them toward earning their pilot certificates. His role includes both hands-on flight instruction and ground training, ensuring students gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to successfully complete their pilot checkrides and become safe pilots.
Jesse’s interest in aviation grew from a childhood dream. After spending time involved in college athletics, he realized that path was not where he wanted to build his future, which led him to pursue flying professionally. A first-generation pilot, he enjoys breaking new ground and inspiring others. Outside of work, Jesse enjoys golf, lake activities, wakeboarding, surfing, skiing, and video games.
Bob Schmelz
Certified Flight Instructor
Bob is no stranger to the aviation community in Fort Wayne having been an instructor in the area since 1987. He enjoys sharing his enthusiasm for aviation with others, volunteering with the EAA Young Eagles, Scouting’s Aviation Explorers, and the Civil Air Patrol.
Bob is rated for single-engine land with instrument and commercial privileges plus glider and multi-engine endorsements.
Carter Stuard
Certified Helicopter Flight Instructor
Since the age of six, Carter has had a deep rooted love of aviation. While in his senior year of high school in Danville, Indiana, Carter earned his private airplane pilot certification and has since obtained his airplane instrument rating, helicopter private pilot certificate, helicopter commercial certificate, and his helicopter certified flight instructor certificate.
Carter currently lives in Bluffton, Indiana and is working toward his degree in mathematics at Indiana University East.
Ezra Suozzi
Certified Flight Instructor
Ezra was born and raised in Fort Wayne. His passion for flight first sparked in elementary school when he watched the movie Top Gun. Then, as a freshman in high school, he took his first flight in a small plane right here at Sweet Aviation. Ezra went on to study professional flight at Purdue University, graduating with his CFI. He joined the Sweet Aviation team in the summer 2023. As a flight instructor, he hopes to inspire in others the same, incredible passion for flight he has.
Austin Walker
Certified Flight Instructor
Josh Wietfeldt
Certified Flight Instructor
Maintenance
Sean Barr
Director of Maintenance (GWB)
Originally from Detroit, Michigan, Sean graduated with honors from the US Air Force Academy with a bachelor’s in political science and a German language minor. He went on to serve eleven years on active duty as an Air Force Special Operations Pilot, logging over 2,100 hours of flight time including 1,000 hours of combat over Iraq and Afghanistan. For his accomplishments Sean was awarded a Bronze Star and eleven Air Medals.
In addition to aircraft, Sean is also passionate about his faith and earned his master’s in Theological Studies from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary while attending A&P school.
Sean enjoys spending time with his four daughters, as well as camping, traveling, and hunting.
Michael Hicks
Director of Maintenance (GSH)
Brian Blosser
Parts Manager (GSH)
Michael Brewer
Maintenance Coordinator
Sal Albanese
Aircraft Mechanic
Colton Denn
Certified Aircraft Mechanic
Eric Faulkner
Certified Aircraft Mechanic
Cory Flynn
Aircraft Detailer
Jonathan Hill
Certified Aircraft Mechanic (GSH)
Joe Hynes
Avionics Manager (GSH)
Logan Johnson
Aircraft Detailer
Levi Kahn
Certified Aircraft Mechanic
Tom Mollenauer
Certified Aircraft Mechanic
Jeff Reid
Parts Manager (GWB)
Liam Roffey
Certified Aircraft Mechanic
Andrew Rupert
Certified Aircraft Mechanic
Steven Schwanz
Certified Aircraft Mechanic
Ricky Than
Certified Aircraft Mechanic
Colt Wagner
A&P Apprentice
Benjamin Wietfeldt
Aircraft Detailer
Ethan Wilson
Chief Inspector (GSH)
Customer Service
Kristi Garris
Office Manager
Josh Bender
Line Technician
Amy Brinkerhoff
Customer Experience Representative
David Burton
Line Technician
Evan Bushong
Customer Experience Specialist
Alayna Caldwell
Customer Experience Specialist
Tyler Frisbie
Line Technician
Bracy Heiter
Line Technician
Shae Henn
Customer Experience Specialist
Shae grew up in the Syracuse-Wawasee area before moving to Fort Wayne to attend Purdue Fort Wayne. He had originally planned to complete a degree in Secondary Education. However, after hopping into the cockpit of an airplane for a discovery flight, Shae shifted his focus to pursuing a career in aviation. He enrolled in Sweet Aviation’s Certified Flight School, and he now serves as a Customer Experience Representative.
Reeves Johnson
Customer Experience Specialist
Ian Kreie
Lead Customer Experience Specialist
Ian is a Fort Wayne native who’s responsibilities include repositioning aircraft, assisting customers, and helping coordination between students and their flight instructors. He became interested in aircraft after attending a local airshow, and one day hopes to become a pilot himself. In his free time Ian enjoys scuba diving.
Anderson Mohre
Line Technician
Jake Rhoades
Line Technician
Trace Roa
Line Technician
Sara Smith
Line Technician
Carson Whitaker
Line Technician
