Board appoints Mike Berryhill chairman; Danny Santiago vice chairman
Members of the Aircraft Electronics Association recently elected representatives to the board of directors to serve a three-year term through March 2028. Four incumbents were reelected to serve an additional term, while two individuals were elected for the first time.
- Chris Bergman, Columbia Air Services
- Chuck Gallagher, Cincinnati Avionics
- Tom Hass, Park Rapids Avionics
- Nate Klenke, Duncan Aviation
- Ian Pruden, PF Flyers
- Michael Truelsen, Scandinavian Avionics
In addition, the board of directors elected new officers. Mike Berryhill of Cirrus Aircraft was elected chairman, replacing Bill Hanf of Green Mountain Avionics who now becomes immediate past chairman. Danny Santiago of Banyan Air Service was elected the board's new vice chairman.
Chris Bergman of Columbia Air Services begins his second term on the board and is a member of the AEA's workforce development committee. He graduated from H.H. Regional Vocational Technical school in 1998 with four years of electronics and an additional two years of avionics in 1990. He joined the Columbia Air Services Inc. avionics department in January 1993.
In 2008, Bergman was promoted to director of avionics where he has helped establish an avionics department that specializes in everything from simple installations to state-of-the-art retrofits and upgrades for all makes and models of general aviation aircraft.
Mike Berryhill of Cirrus Aircraft is in his third term on the board, and the board elected him chairman after serving as vice chairman the past three years. A senior maintenance trainer for Cirrus, he 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.
Berryhill also serves as a member of the AEA's workforce development committee and the trusteeship committee. 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 board and staff. His commitment to excellence was acknowledged with the Cirrus Customer Experience 5-Star Award in the third quarter of 2019, reflecting his unwavering dedication to delivering exceptional service.
Chuck Gallagher of Cincinnati Avionics begins his second term on the board and serves as co-chair of the AEA's member relationships committee. He was introduced to aviation in 1993 when he was hired by Sporty’s after graduating from the University of Cincinnati with a degree in mechanical engineering. During his first year at Sporty’s, he earned a recreational pilot certificate within a week, and he currently holds a private pilot with multi-engine and instrument ratings.
Gallagher is the president and CEO of Eastern Cincinnati Aviation and an executive vice president at Sporty’s. Cincinnati Avionics is a Part 145 repair station specializing in piston airplanes. Eastern Cincinnati Aviation, the airport fixed-base operator, includes a Part 141 approved flight school and manages the airport on behalf of the County.
Tom Hass of Park Rapids Avionics begins his second term on the board and serves on the AEA's workforce development committee and the finance committee. In 1991, he enrolled in an avionics technician program at Alexandria Technical College and received an associate degree in 1993. Hass began his career at a small avionics shop, Robertson Aircraft in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Jetsun Aviation in Sioux City, Iowa, followed where Hass was an avionics bench technician. Hass troubleshooted aircraft avionics systems and performed repairs and installs for new avionics.
In 1999, Hass was hired by Silverhawk Aviation in Lincoln, Nebraska, to start and manage an avionics shop/department. In 2001, Hass founded Park Rapids Avionics as a one-man shop in Park Rapids, Minnesota. He acquired Approach Systems in 2006 and rebranded as Approach Fast Stack. This provided a global presence in retail sales of avionics wiring systems and new over-the-counter avionics sales. Park Rapids Avionics currently has six avionics technicians and six wiring harness builders. He currently has a private pilot license, single-engine land, single-engine sea and multi-engine land ratings. Hass also has a passion for flying seaplanes.
Nate Klenke of Duncan Aviation begins his first term on the board. He has a bachelor’s degree in architectural studies from the University of Nebraska. Since joining Duncan Aviation in 1996, he has played a pivotal role in aircraft modifications, design and sales. As the modifications sales and design manager, Klenke leads various company sectors with a focus on quality and innovation.
Over the past 28 years, he has been a leader in budgetary and strategic planning for the exterior paint, interior refurbishment, and avionics install sales groups. Klenke collaborates with numerous industry suppliers and has served on several industry groups, dealer, and customer advisory boards.
Ian Pruden begins his first term on the board and is the vice president of PF Flyers Inc., a Part 145 repair station in Greenville, South Carolina, and an AEA member company since 2010.
With his entrepreneurial spirit, Pruden has played a pivotal role in the company’s growth from a family-run business to a thriving network with three separate locations and plans for further expansion. He is an experienced A&P mechanic and a student pilot; his expertise includes avionics certification and comprehensive industry management.
Danny Santiago of Banyan Air Service in Fort Lauderdale, Florida is in his first term on the board, and the board elected him as its new vice chairman. He also chairs the AEA's workforce development committee. Santiago began his aviation career at Broward College in pursuit of an A&P license. He attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and received his bachelor’s degree in aviation maintenance and management.
After his tenure with Southeast Turbines, Santiago moved to Banyan Air Service to take advantage of his aircraft maintenance license. Starting as an A&P technician, he was then made crew leader, specifically the Falcon lead. Within three years, Santiago secured the position of maintenance service manager at Banyan. Santiago assumed the role of director of avionics in January 2018. Recently, he has spearheaded the ADS-B and connectivity projects at Banyan and is the main liaison with GE and Gogo. Santiago is a member of the Gogo dealer advisory board and an active member of several business aviation organizations.
Michael Truelsen of Scandinavian Avionics begins his second term on the board and represents Europe. He is the second-generation owner of The SA Group and is the chief executive officer of Scandinavian Avionics A/S, which is the headquarters of The SA Group. The SA Group consists of a variety of companies providing turnkey solutions within avionics, interiors, and training for the civilian and governmental aviation communities worldwide. The primary business platforms are larger helicopters, corporate aircraft, regional airlines and defense electronics.
Truelsen has been with the company for 22 years and has gained wide experience from the industry, initially working as an avionics technician and later as a sales associate. Since 2012, he has been part of the top management and ownership structure of the group, with primary focus on management and business development. Truelsen has a background as an avionics engineer and has worked his way into the commercial part of the company via various training programs (sales training, MBA modules, board of directors education, etc.).