Advisory Council
Welcome to our Safety Standdown Advisory Council
The Bombardier Safety Standdown Advisory Council provides advice, recommendations and suggestions for the content and direction of the Safety Standdown programs, by evaluating past activities, assisting in development of current projects and creating and supporting the future goals of Safety Standdown. Their duties include selection of the Safety Standdown Award winner, promoting the program year-round and building the curriculum for the event.
New Members and Chairs
This year’s Advisory Council Chair is Melissa Cooper. She has been a member since 2019, guiding the council strategic goals and this will be her last year on the council.
The 2023 Advisory Council Vice Chair is Marty Grier. He has been a member since 2019, our first maintenance award winner in 2018 and he will become Chair for the council in 2024.
Our team would like to give a big welcome our newest members: Bethan Williams, Chief of Cabin Experience at Bombardier, and Kellie Roby, Vice President of Safety Services, Polaris Aero. Two great additions to the council!
Our appreciation also goes out to Amy Grubb, Ph.D. for her dedication as the 2022 Chair and member of the council since 2018.
Melissa Cooper, A.A.E
Advisory Council Chair
Deputy Director of Aviation, Property Management and Commercial Development for the Kansas City Aviation Department
Kansas City International Airport (KMCI) & Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport (KMKC)
Council Member since 2019
Martin Grier, CAM, PMP, A&P/IA
Advisory Council Vice Chair
The Home Depot Aviation Department
Director, Maintenance Aviation
Council Member since 2019
Étienne Côté
Advisory Council Member
Bombardier
Demonstration Pilot and Air Safety Investigator
Council Member since 2020
Cory Flatoff
Advisory Council Member
Pentastar Aviation, Inc.
Senior Captain and Safety Manager
Council Member since 2022
Mark Larsen, CAM
Advisory Council Member
NBAA
Director, Safety & Flight Operations
Council Member since 2015
Michael Ott, FRAeS
Advisory Council Member
Phoenix Air Group, Inc.
Director, Program Operations/Captain
Council Member since 2020
Kellie Roby
Advisory Council Member
Polaris Aero
Vice President of Safety Services Division
Council Member since 2023
Christopher Sweeney
Advisory Council Member
International Airline Pilot
Council Member since 2021
Nick W. Verdea, CAM, GLP
Advisory Council Member
Director, Aviation and Travel (Retired)
Council Member since 2022
Bethan Williams
Advisory Council Member
Bombardier
Chief of Cabin Experience, Lead Flight Attendant
Council Member since 2023
