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

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 G. Grier

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

Étienne Côté

Advisory Council Member

Bombardier

Demonstration Pilot and Air Safety Investigator

Council Member since 2020

Coty Flatoff

Cory Flatoff

Advisory Council Member

Pentastar Aviation, Inc.

Senior Captain and Safety Manager 

Council Member since 2022

Mark Larsen

Mark Larsen, CAM

Advisory Council Member

NBAA

Director, Safety & Flight Operations

Council Member since 2015

Andy Nureddin

Andy Nureddin

Advisory Council Member

Retired 

Council Member since 2022

Michael Ott

Michael Ott, FRAeS

Advisory Council Member

Phoenix Air Group, Inc.

Director, Program Operations/Captain

Council Member since 2020

Ron Renz

Ron Renz

Advisory Council Member

Alligator, Inc. 

President

Council Member since 2022

Kellie Roby

Kellie Roby

Advisory Council Member

Polaris Aero

Vice President of Safety Services Division

Council Member since 2023

Christopher Sweeney

Christopher Sweeney

Advisory Council Member

International Airline Pilot

Council Member since 2021

Nick W. Verdea, CAM, GLP

Nick W. Verdea, CAM, GLP

Advisory Council Member

Director, Aviation and Travel (Retired)

Council Member since 2022

Bethan Williams

Bethan Williams

Advisory Council Member

Bombardier

Chief of Cabin Experience, Lead Flight Attendant

Council Member since 2023

franco pietracupa

Franco Pietracupa

Bombardier Representative

Bombardier

Demonstration Pilot