Ron Baum is the original architect and teacher of WMAA’s Engineering program. He joined our faculty in 2011 to launch the Engineering Department and create its introductory course, which is still taught today. He has since retired from our faculty, but continues to be an active advisor to engineering as well our robotics program. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree with major focuses in both engineering and education from Western Michigan University and holds a Master’s degree from the same institution. Ron has a lifelong love affair with teaching technology and engineering, having developed and taught eleven different courses during his tenure at East Kentwood High School. In addition to his commitment to WMAA, Ron currently serves on the board of a number of different statewide and local non-profit organizations.

Although aviation was a serendipitous rather than intentional career choice for Tom, he fell in love with the industry and has spent his entire career in aviation. Tom brings a wealth of experience to WMAA, particularly on the maintenance side. He spent 25 years on jet engine MRO (major repair and overhaul) and then another 15 years in aircraft insurance sales. In his post-pandemic “retirement,” he resides in Chicago and works for Guardian Jet, helping corporations that have significant flight operations with aircraft acquisitions, consulting and sales. Tom first toured WMAA with Cliff Maine, and was immediately hooked on the school and its mission. Now he and his wife are both committed supporters of our school.

Ryan dreamed of becoming a pilot from the time he was three years old. He attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and was a rated airline transport pilot for many years before deciding to explore a second career. Ryan earned his MBA from Grand Valley State University and then worked at Amway as a financial analyst in their flight department. Now he is the Head of Aviation Tax at MySky, a specialty firm that designs spend management, budgeting, quoting, and tax software for business aviation. Ryan is also the parent of a WMAA sophmore. Ryan is eager to help WMAA students explore exciting careers in marketing, accounting, and other specialties. He knows firsthand that there is great demand for people who have business skills and love airplanes.

Rick is a West Michigan entrepreneur and investor. He was the visionary behind ArtPrize in 2009, launching the competition for the world’s largest art award based solely on public vote. He also formed Start Garden in 2012, a venture capital fund designed to invest in early stage companies. When Start Garden was reorganized in 2016, Rick founded the for-profit fund Wakestream Ventures, an early stage generalist fund. Rick is current with his private pilot license and enjoys flying both helicopter and multi-engine aircraft. In addition to his role at WMAA, Rick serves on the board of directors for Acton Institute.

Jodie is the Managing Director and Grand Rapids Office Head for Marsh, the world’s leading insurance broker and risk advisor. Jodie earned a Masters Degree in Finance from Western Michigan University, and a Bachelors of Business Administration degree from Evangel University. Although many of Jodie’s clients intersect with the aviation field, she brings more of a broad-based corporate STEM perspective to her role on the Board. She encourages her clients to connect with WMAA students through internships, shadowing, and project work. As a parent of an alumni and a senior, she knows how these opportunities can inspire student career interest. Jodie previously served on the board of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), and looks forward to leveraging her fundraising and corporate partnership experience in support of WMAA students.

Jeff earned a Bachelor’s in Management from Cornerstone University and has a natural affinity with education, given his professional expertise in learning and development for Sysco. Two of his children have graduated from WMAA, and a third is working his way through. As a result, Jeff knows firsthand the incredible value that students receive through their WMAA education. He has committed time as a Science Olympiad coach with each of his three children. He also leverages his logistics experience by shouldering a significant volunteer role with the annual Gala. As a board member, Jeff looks forward to raising up young leaders who will impact their families and communities.

Larry retired from WMAA in 2021 after investing 43 years in education at the high school and college level. He became the Dean of Student Life during the second year of the school’s existence, and he is one of the people instrumental in defining and developing its unique culture. Larry earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education and a Master of Arts in Counseling from Central Michigan University. He also achieved a Master of Arts in School Administration from Western Michigan University. Larry has a passion for helping young people build a foundation for lifelong success. He knew he would remain connected to WMAA in some way after his retirement, and is now pleased to leverage his experience through board service.

Steve’s parents founded LL Johns Aviation Insurance in Pontiac when he was young, and that got him hooked on flying. Steve soloed at age 16 and earned his private pilot license a few years later. After receiving his business degree from the University of Michigan, Steve got involved in the family business. Although he is not an active pilot anymore, flying is still on his bucket list and a seaplane rating is his next target. Steve loves the opportunities that WMAA offers to young people, both in aviation as well in other fields. He’s also particularly impressed with the rock-solid character foundation that WMAA instills in all students. Just as others connected him to aviation and now to WMAA, Steve hopes that he will be able to build connections for the school and continue to support high-caliber education.

Brian has been with WMAA since its inception and is the proud parent of two alumni. Brian comes from a family of educators. He started his career as a teacher and coach before transitioning to the law. He is now a partner at Warner Norcross + Judd, specializing in criminal defense, internal investigations, and higher education law. Prior to joining the firm, Brian was a federal prosecutor in Michigan and Virginia, a trial attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Division, and Judge Advocate with the United States Marine Corps. He serves on the board because he believes in the mission of WMAA to help young men and women discover their passion, particularly in targeted areas like aviation and STEM.

Terry is the president and co-owner of Beaver Research Co. in Portage, MI, a firm that provides specialty chemicals and maintenance systems. As an entrepreneur in a STEM-related field and a private pilot, Terry brings firsthand knowledge in support of WMAA’s emphasis on these two career-growth areas. Terry also offers a unique perspective as a parent. His son and his daughter chose WMAA for the culture and its drive for excellence, although both of them have interests that lie outside aviation. In the past, Terry leveraged his private pilot license to make his business travel more efficient. Now he enjoys flying simply for the joy and convenience of it. He is passionate about helping to build a school environment that develops each student’s unique abilities.

Lou was a founding shareholder and CEO of Jet Support Services, Inc. (JSSI) where he still serves as Chairman Emeritus, and special advisor to the Board of Directors. Prior to that, he held senior management positions with the business aircraft units of Boeing Capital Corp. and GE Capital Solutions. Lou has been involved with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University for more than 25 years. Before retiring, he was appointed Vice President and established the Office of Corporate Relations and Government Affairs. He currently serves on Industry Boards for The University’s College of Engineering and College of Business. Lou is a 6,500-hour pilot with an Airline Transport Pilot certificate and a Cessna Citation Jet type rating who has built three airplanes and has owned several single-and twin-engine aircraft.

Al is a retired American Airlines pilot with extensive military and commercial flight experience. He was an International Wide Body Captain who crisscrossed the globe and has more than 500 ocean crossings to his credit. He brings a valuable perspective to WMAA students, having been a pilot recruiter who was involved in interviewing, evaluating, vetting and selecting pilot candidates. He was a Command Pilot in the United States Air Force as well as the Michigan Air National Guard, serving his country for 26 years in the military. He flew 5,300 hours in the military, and chalked up 18,000 hours as a commercial pilot. Albert has significant experience not only as a pilot, but also in operations, management and leadership related to aviation.