Members of the Aircraft Electronics Association recently elected representatives to the board of directors to serve a three-year term through March 2029. Three incumbents were reelected to serve an additional term, while one individual was elected for the first time.
- Gordon Cox, Avionics 2000
- Mike Salmon, Aviation Design and Supply
- Danny Santiago, Banyan Air Service
- Todd Winter, Mid-Continent Instruments and Avionics
Gordon Cox begins his third term on the board and represents the South Pacific. He is the general manager of UC Aviation, a division of the Avionics 2000 group specialising in airwork operations, including aerial surveying, mapping, and geospatial data collection. Cox oversees the day-to-day operations of UC Aviation. As the company’s CASA liaison, he also has oversight of aircraft installations, defect rectification, and routine maintenance.
Cox brings more than 40 years of experience across the avionics sector, spanning business jets to small private aircraft, with a primary focus on management. A non-active pilot, he also is CASA licenced on a multitude of aircraft and types.
Mike Salmon begins his first term on the board. He is a seasoned aviation professional and combat veteran with over 20 years of direct experience in aviation maintenance, spanning service in the U.S. Army, helicopter emergency medical services, commercial avionics manufacturing and support, and business aviation operations. He holds a degree in aviation maintenance from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, providing a strong technical foundation for his career.
As co-founder of Aviation Design and Supply, Salmon was instrumental in ADS earning the 2025 AEA Associate Member of the Year for delivering innovative maintenance solutions that alleviate bottlenecks in avionics shop workflows. Salmon played a key role in developing the ATAT-1100 Walker, a multidirectional bridle cable clamp tensioning tool built for Garmin autopilot bridle cable clamps but adaptable to most applications.
Danny Santiago begins his second term on the board and will continue to serve as vice chair. He is the director of MRO sales for Banyan Air Service in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Santiago began his relationship with aviation at Broward College pursuing his A&P license. He matriculated to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and received his bachelor’s degree in aviation maintenance and management.
Fresh out of school, Santiago discovered he not only had a passion, but a natural gift when it came to aircraft engine overhaul, for both piston and turbine engines. During this time, he also earned his private instrument pilot license. After his tenure with Southeast Turbines, Santiago moved to Banyan Air Service to take full advantage of his aircraft maintenance license.
Starting out as an A&P technician, the leadership qualities in Santiago were quickly noticed and capitalized upon, as he was then made crew leader, specifically the Falcon lead. Within three years, Santiago made the next move in his career and secured the position of maintenance service manager at Banyan. In this role, Santiago honed his customer relations skills and developed new methods for maintaining both compliance and customer satisfaction. He also completed Pratt & Whitney PT6A and JT15D training.
Santiago assumed the role of director of avionics in January 2018 and was recently named director of MRO sales.
Todd Winter begins his third term on the board. He is the CEO of Mid-Continent Instruments and Avionics, a leader in the aviation support industry, with customers in 52 countries. He also is CEO of True Blue Power, the first company in the world to develop and TSO certify a safe, reliable, lithium-ion main ship aerospace battery – now an industry standard.
Winter’s passion for aviation began at a young age, spending many hours watching airplanes and taking rides with his father at the airport. Many visits to air shows, and the highlight performance of Bob Hoover in his famous P51 Mustang, spurred an early desire to become a pilot.
Winter’s commitment to the AEA and its members is reflected in his receiving the prestigious Member of the Year Award (2019) and Mid-Continent receiving the Associate Member of the Year Award (2001, 2012, 2024).
His leadership and industry experience offers invaluable insight into the general, business, commercial, defense, special mission, UAV, all-electric, hybrid-electric and eVTOL markets. His expertise directly benefits the future growth and development of the organizations he supports.
Winter is an FAA-certified private pilot and current member of the Aircraft Electronics Association, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, National Business Aviation Association, Vertical Aviation International, Wichita Aero Club, Experimental Aircraft Association, World Presidents' Organization, Condor Squadron … and a semi-professional drummer.