Cirrus Aircraft

Mike Berryhill is a highly accomplished aviation professional with an illustrious career spanning 34 years marked by dedicated service, leadership roles, and a profound impact on the industry. Currently, Berryhill holds pivotal positions, co-chairing the workforce development committee, chairing the trusteeship committee, and serving on the executive committee for the Aircraft Electronics Association.

In 2020 and 2021, Berryhill played a crucial role in the AEA's strategic planning initiative, contributing his expertise to the collaborative efforts of the AEA board and staff. His commitment to excellence was acknowledged with the Customer Experience 5-Star Award in the third quarter of 2019, reflecting his unwavering dedication to delivering exceptional service.

Berryhill’s journey in the aviation sector commenced in 1989 when he joined the United States Navy. Over six years of service, he exhibited exceptional skills in maintaining and repairing deceptive electronic countermeasure avionics equipment, earning accolades for his outstanding training record.

Transitioning into civilian life, his passion for aviation led him to diverse roles. In 1997, Berryhill assumed the role of an instructor at Colorado Aerotech, where he shared his extensive knowledge of aviation electronics. Over three years, he played a vital role in shaping the next generation of aviation professionals.

Subsequently, Berryhill's career path led him to Flight Options' line maintenance facility, where he served as an avionics line tech, maintaining a variety of business jets equipped with Honeywell and Rockwell Collins avionics suites. His proficiency and expertise in avionics were further honed during his tenure at Cessna Aircraft (Textron) in Wichita, Kansas, where he excelled as an installer and later as an avionics technician specializing in line maintenance.

In 2007, Berryhill joined Garmin International, marking the beginning of a seven-year tenure as an avionics maintenance trainer. His impact extended to training Garmin's entire product line, from experimental to Part 25 avionics packages. Notably, he held the role of Garmin's primary maintenance trainer for AEA events globally on Garmin's line of retrofit avionics, including new product announcements, and leading training sessions at the AEA Convention and Regionals. In 2015, he assumed the role of field service engineer within Garmin's product support group, providing support via telephone and email for Garmin's entire avionics product line.

With a rich history of leadership, technical expertise, and commitment to advancing aviation, Berryhill continues to be a driving force in shaping the future of the industry. His passion for excellence, coupled with his extensive experience, positions him as a respected authority and a valuable asset to the AEA and Cirrus Aircraft.

Berryhill has completed two three-year terms as a director on the AEA board and is seeking reelection for a third term. He currently serves as the board’s vice chair.

San Luis Avionics

In addition to serving as general manager of San Luis Avionics, Don Dominguez’s professional responsibilities include chief inspector, quality control, installation technician and sales manager. He also teaches various technical courses, including the AEA’s pitot-static and transponder certification training course at the AEA’s Dan Derby Center for Professional Development.

Dominguez is an FAA Safety Team member and regularly attends the AEA Convention and Regionals. He has completed two three-year terms as a director on the AEA board and is seeking reelection for a third term.

Appareo

Kris Garberg was elected to a second term on the board in 2021 and currently serves as the board’s secretary. In his role as president of aviation, Garberg oversees the entire aviation business segment of Appareo. Under his leadership, Appareo was named the AEA Associate Member of the Year in 2017.

Garberg is a member of the AEA’s trusteeship committee and the finance committee. He regularly presents product sessions and courses at various association events, including the AEA Convention. Garberg is also a current board member of the General Aviation Manufactures Association.

He is an active private pilot and resides in Fargo, North Dakota, with his wife and four children. Garberg is seeking reelection for a third term.

Garmin

Pat Coleman is the manager of aftermarket sales for the Americas at Garmin International, where he is primarily responsible for overseeing sales through the Garmin Aviation dealer network. Coleman also is a member of the AEA workforce development committee and is dedicated to helping grow and sustain the industry he loves so much.

In his current role, he interacts with many dealers, AEA members, and end customers at trade shows, seminars, and in-person visits around North and South America.

Prior to his current role, Coleman was a Garmin regional sales manager based in Australia, covering the South Pacific. He previously held various other roles within the Garmin Aviation Sales and Product Support departments. Over the course of almost 14 years, he has spent his entire professional career working for Garmin Aviation.

Coleman graduated from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois, with a bachelor's degree in aviation management and an associate degree in aviation flight. His pilot experience includes a commercial pilot license with multi-engine and instrument ratings.

Aero-Mach Labs Inc.

With over two decades of diverse aviation experience encompassing sales, management, technical support, and business development, Matt Farrell brings a unique blend of expertise as a candidate for the AEA’s board of directors.

Add in more than 2,000 hours of flight time, a commercial SEL and MEL pilot certificate with an instrument rating, and a remote pilot certificate, Farrell possesses a comprehensive understanding of the aviation landscape.

During the time he was acquiring a bachelor’s degree in professional aviation from Louisiana Tech University, his journey in avionics started at Tomlinson Avionics of Pine Bluff. Farrell immersed himself in hands-on technical training, including troubleshooting aircraft systems, LRUs, and circuit boards to the component level. Progressing to the role of general manager, he discovered a passion for customer service and sales. Learning from incredible mentors in the industry, Farrell also discovered that exceptional service is the key differentiator in business.

Currently serving as marketing director for the Aero-Mach family of companies, Farrell is responsible for all direct customer engagement in person and throughout various social media platforms. His dedication to customer-centric principles has been a guiding force in a successful aviation career. He has attended the AEA Convention since 1997, including as an exhibitor since 2002. He is eager to contribute this wealth of experience and commitment to the AEA board, fostering innovation and excellence in the aviation electronics industry.

Avidyne Corp.

Kelly Myers is the vice president of marketing and customer experience at Avidyne. Since joining Avidyne seven years ago, Myers has led the demand generation, branding, product marketing, warranty and pilot support teams.

A lifelong marketer, Myers has spent her years helping companies understand how customers research, purchase, interact and advocate for their products. She attends AEA events across the globe and works with dealers to help them do a great job of selling and installing Avidyne products.

Collins Aerospace

Tom Simon is an account director for Collins Aerospace, responsible for Duncan Aviation and Gulfstream, and is based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He has worked in marketing and sales during his career of 30 years in avionics.

From 1993 to 1999, Simon worked for Garmin International in Olathe, Kansas. In 1999, he joined Rockwell Collins (now Collins Aerospace) where he has held roles in dealer sales, aftermarket marketing, OEM account director, and director of business development. Simon has led sales teams in business aviation for both the dealer and aircraft OEM markets.

Over the past 30 years, Simon has attended AEA Regionals, the AEA International Convention & Trade Show, and participated in AEA committees to improve the warranty claim process. Simon serves on the AEA member relationships committee and is a pilot holding a commercial license with an instrument rating. He also enjoys golfing, hiking and fishing.

Simon has a Bachelor of Science from Iowa State University in aerospace engineering and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Iowa.

It is Simon’s experience with small and large dealers, both international and domestic, and the challenges dealers face coupled with the perspective of an avionics OEM where he can help the AEA membership improve its relationship between the membership and avionics OEMs.