Advisory Council



Many of these men and women got their start here; fifteen out of eighteen are LeTourneau alumni. Some have worked at one company, started in an entry-level position, taken on increasing responsibilities, and now serve as executives. These aviation professionals fly, repair, design, investigate what went wrong in accident situations, and recruit for mission agencies. They lead departments and companies.

These industry experts bring years of real-world experience to help us hone our programs and curriculum, ensuring that our students graduate with degrees that meet and surpass industry standards.


Applied Aviation Sciences Committee


Seth Buttner
Sr. Manager, Air Safety Investigator
Airbus Helicopters North America

Dan Gutwein
Vice President
Cavan Solutions 

Forrest Hinkle
Sr Manager – Change Enablement
American Airlines

David Jones
Executive Director
WERX

Don Jones
Team Lead
Gulfstream Aerospace

James Prater
Vice President of Customer Support for Business Aviation
Rolls-Royce 

Mission Aviation Representative
Dennis Garretson
Aviation Training
JAARS

Flight Science Committee


Doug Brown
Aircraft Dispatcher
Southwest Airlines

Heidi DeKoster
Captain
Alaskan Airlines 

Bill Ewin
Captain (Retired)
American Airlines 

Aaron Lorson
Executive Vice President
Dynamic Aviation

Ric Wilson
VP, Flight Operations
Envoy Airlines

Mission Aviation Representative
Mark Williams
Recruiter
MAF

Dean’s Advisory Committee


Aaron Abbott
President
Covington Aircraft 

Seth Buttner
Sr. Manager, Air Safety Investigator
Airbus Helicopters North America 

Wayne Cummings
Manager, Safety
FAA 

David Fyock
CEO
Mission Aviation Fellowship International

Dan Gutwein
Vice President
Cavan Solutions 

Forrest Hinkle
Sr. Manager – Change Enablement
American Airlines 

David Jones
Executive Director
WERX

Norm Kopesky
ODA Site Program Administrator (Retired)
Gulfstream Aerospace

James Prater
Vice President of Customer Support for Business Aviation
Rolls-Royce 

Dr. James Walker
Senior Manager, Structures Service Engineering (Retired)
Boeing Aircraft 

Ric Wilson
VP, Flight Operations
Envoy Airlines