Contact: Tom Kilpatrick, President
(405) 787-4568 Office, (405) 834-6666 Cellular
tomk@oklahomaaviation.com
Bethany, OK — Oklahoma Aviation announces the addition of three members to its advisory board, LtGen Richard A. Burpee (USAF RET), Randal D. Ice, PhD, and Mr. Lynn R. Nichols.
"I am pleased that these accomplished leaders in aviation, business and finance have agreed to serve on Oklahoma Aviation's board," said company president Tom Kilpatrick." It says much about the company's direction and reach."
"In less than one year Oklahoma Aviation has become the state's leader in flight instruction in part by offering the youngest and finest quality fleet of aircraft in Oklahoma," Kilpatrick said. "But our future goals call for much more than just training people to fly and renting our airplanes, so strong leadership was necessary, and for that we sought out Gen Burpee, Dr. Ice and Mr. Nichols."
"Oklahoma Aviation has always focused on the person who wanted to fly and perhaps own his own airplane, and insisted upon outstanding customer service and corporate accountability. They understand that aviation isn't the place to cut corners and take chances. These board members will retain our standards of excellence while we expand into new areas."
Kilpatrick outlined a plan that includes charter, aircraft maintenance and parts sales, developing a vertically integrated organization that will eventually serve all aspects of the general aviation community.
General Dick Burpee is the Executive Director of Aviation and Military Development for the Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, he oversees the $600 million Maintenance Repair Overhaul and Technology Center at Tinker AFB, and was appointed by Gov. Brad Henry to the Oklahoma Strategic Military Planning Commission. He is past president of the Oklahoma City Chamber where he oversaw the $50 million bond issue that strengthened Tinker in the face of ongoing national base closure efforts, is a former Commander of the Air Logistics Center, Tinker Air Force Base, and former Director of Operations for the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon. He is a decorated military pilot with more than 330 combat missions to his credit.
Dr. Randy Ice is chairman of the Department of Finance, School of Business at the University of Central Oklahoma where he has been a professor for more than 20 years in areas of business finance, real estate and financial statement analysis. He has conducted research in derivatives, behavioral finance and financial education. Dr. Ice has consulted extensively in the private sector and served in advisory capacities to a variety of companies including IoNet, Healthcare Consulting and Histories, Inc. He presently serves on the boards of several not-for-profit organizations and is treasurer of the Oklahoma Council for Economic Education.
Mr. Lynn Nichols is owner and president of Yingling Aircraft based at Wichita's Mid-Continent Airport. Employing 85 people, Yingling is the world's largest Cessna parts distributor and one of the top five Cessna authorized service stations, specializing in single-engine, multi-engine, propjet and turbine aircraft. Yingling's facilities recently underwent a $1.5 million improvement of which $1.2 million were financed through the issuance of airport bonds, and an additional $1.5 million expansion will begin in January. Mr. Nichols is a resident of Wichita and serves on the boards of the State Bank of Winfield, Southwestern College in Winfield and The Independent School in Wichita.
Oklahoma Aviation is Oklahoma's only Cessna Pilot Center, operates the newest fleet of instructional and rental aircraft in the state, and is based at Wiley Post Airport.
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| BURPEE | ICE | NICHOLS |