Learn About Our Staff

See our About Us and What We Do pages to learn more about us.

Doug Helm CEO Send an Email

Rick Ross President/Agent 1-800-896-5145 Send an Email

Rick Ross is a 1992 graduate of Embry Riddle Aeronautical University with a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Science and holds a Commercial Multi-Engine Instrument Rating and is a 20+ year Certified Flight Instructor and Advanced Ground Instructor.

Upon graduation, Rick went directly into the Aviation Insurance Industry as an underwriter and became the Southwest Regional Manager for a large aviation insurance company in Fort Worth, TX. Rick was a Special Risks underwriter who wrote the majority of difficult risks for that office. Rick's interest in and experience with Special Risks continues to be a major benefit to Leading Edge's clients.

Rick's extensive aviation underwriting experience prior to becoming an aviation insurance agent gives him unique insight. Many of Rick's clients have been with him since his early days. Rick works hard to build long term relationships with his clients. The specialized personal attention they receive is responsible for Leading Edge's continued growth and success.

Cathy Konkol Account Executive 1-800-896-5145 Direct: 719-264-9600 Send an Email

Cathy Norris Konkol grew up in Southern California and has been in Commercial Insurance and Risk Management for more than 20 years, assisting clients in meeting their risk management goals. After living overseas in the Philippines for 3 years, she returned to Southern California to resume her insurance career. In 1992 she earned her Certified Insurance Counselor designation and is currently working on her Associate in Risk Management designation. Cathy moved to Colorado in 2002 where she started her own small business in special event planning and design. In her spare time, Cathy enjoys volunteering for and supporting the Dumb Friends League, a Denver based animal rescue shelter, and spending time with her husband, kids and grandkids.

Jeff Fleming Account Executive 1-800-896-5145 Direct: 916-791-0821 Cell: 916-599-9989 Send an Email

Jeff Fleming brings 30 years of experience to our agency. He was an underwriter for AVEMCO for 21 years, 17 of those as the Regional Manager of their Sacramento CA office. When AVEMCO decided to close their branch office system, Jeff worked for Falcon Insurance Agency as a Vice President of their office in the Sacramento area.

Before the insurance business, Jeff attended Florida Institute of Technology in the 1970's, graduating with honors with a Bachelor of Science in Air Commerce degree. While there, he was an active CFI in the school's flight training program; he was the Program Director and General Manager of WFIT, the schools FM radio station during their first two years on the air and was a member of the professional aviation fraternity, Alpha Eta Rho. He was also the chief flight instructor at a small Cessna Pilot Center near Orlando, FL. He is a Commercial pilot with single engine, multi engine, Instrument ratings as well as a Certified Flight instructor-Airplane & Instrument and has logged over 3000 total hours.

Justin Miller Account Executive 1-800-896-5145 Cell: 806-236-3076 Send an Email

Justin has been flying planes since he was 14 and landed his first commercial piloting job at the age of 20. His experience in aviation includes a 15 year job as chief pilot where he managed and flew Learjet aircraft including the Lear 24D, Lear 31A, Lear 35A & Lear 45XR. His experience also includes Falcon 2000 aircraft. He is currently pursuing a professional aeronautics degree through Embry Riddle Aeronautical University.

ATP pilot Justin Miller also founded Ministry Wings Aviation in 2006 out of a long-held desire to combine his aviation career with his passion for ministry. The idea was partly inspired by Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey—an early example of borrowed transportation for the sake of ministry. The non-profit 501c3 ministry is currently launching a program called the Empty Flight Plan which includes helping sick children, disaster & humanitarian relief and helping people involved in Christian ministry.

Justin is married with three children and lives in Amarillo, Texas. He also serves on the board of directors for the ministry, Lost But Not Forgotten.

Verlin Siefkes Account Executive 1-800-896-5145 Direct: 719-264-9600 Cell: 316-641-2773 Send an Email

Verlin's aviation experience started with 4 years in the U.S.M.C. He has since started and operated his own AG and Charter Company. He has Contracted Aircraft on Government Contracts, and has flown Special Operations for the U.S. Government and operated internationally. During that time he has accumulated 14,000 + hours flight time, with 25 years experience as an AG Aviation Pilot and 35 years as a Commercial pilot.

Education: B.S. in Business

Other: 4 years experience International Marketing in South America.

Verlin has been on the buying end of Insurance as owner and operator, understands your needs and requirements and will work with you to cover all your needs!

Bob Greenlee Account Executive 1-800-896-5145 Cell: 804-301-5763 Send an Email

Bob began flying in high school and soloed a Piper J3 cub on his 16th birthday. He started his career as a flight instructor while completing a degree in Business Administration at The Ohio State University. While in school he ferried Piper Super Cubs and Pawnees from Loch Haven, PA to customers around the United States. Bob then began to widen his experience as a freight pilot flying the Beechcraft 18 (Twin Beech) and the Douglas DC-6. Additionally, he has considerable corporate and charter operations experience and eight years flying jet aircraft with a fractional ownership company. Licenses held include:

Airline Transport Pilot and Certified Multiengine and Instrument Flight Instructor Certificates and over 11,000 hours of flight time.

Bob has been a licensed insurance agent for over 10 years. His insurance knowledge coupled with his passion for general aviation spanning more than 30 years brings a unique background to serve his clients.

Joel Perkins Account Executive 1-800-896-5145 Cell: 770-905-4226 Send an Email

Joel began flying as a teenager washing airplanes to pay for lessons and college. Joel earned his Bachelor's Degree in Information Technology and worked with AirTran Airways in the data center where he also supervised the Year 2000 Project under then CEO Joe Leonard. Joel went on to fly JetStream's for a charter company in Pennsylvania and then returned to Atlanta flying Beech jets for a fractional ownership company.

Joel currently is a partner in a technology services company called Webspeedway that offers complete IT support for small and medium sized businesses. Joel also donates his time to the American Cancer Society and the Cattle Barons Ball. Both organizations help raise money to find a cure for cancer.

Joel currently holds an ATP Multiengine and Single Engine rating with a Type in the Beech jet.

Joel has built his computer and insurance businesses on personal relationships and being a face with a name instead of a voice on the phone. He is available to assist you with your insurance needs at any time.

Bob Hollowell Account Executive 1-800-896-5145 Cell: 435-229-9415 Send an Email

Bob has been a pilot since he was 22, when the local FBO offered a Private Pilot Course for $1,000. Three years later after starting a business that opened an out of state location, the need for owning an airplane seem justified. He found a partnership in a Cessna Cardinal RG. Living in Oregon the need for an Instrument rating became a requirement or you were weathered in six months of the year. Some 2,000 hrs, a few different airplanes, and almost 30 years later he is flying a Beechcraft Bonanza A36.

When the economy collapsed his real estate investing business, he had a discussion with his Insurance broker who urged him to considering going into aviation insurance. Most brokers are not pilots and do not fully understand the complexities of owning aircraft and keeping a pilots license current. This seemed like a great way to have a career in a field that he is very passionate about and serve others who share the same love for leaving Earth periodically.

Bob is excited to find an insurance company where most of the producers are experienced pilots. This is very rare. For the customer this is a great benefit that requires no explanation.

Jason Fields Account Executive 1-800-896-5145 Cell: 815-579-1966 Send an Email

Jason is a 1995 Graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Science and a minor in Aviation Safety. He has 7,000 hours of flight experience, and holds an Airline Transport Pilot certificate with type ratings in the SA-227 Metroliner and the Canadair Regional Jet.

In his 17 years of flying, Jason has worked as a Flight Instructor, an Airport Manager, and an Airline Pilot - most recently as a Captain on the CRJ-900 for Delta Connection. Jason's professional aviation and business experience, along with his education and passion for aviation, make him ideally suited to support your aviation insurance needs.

Jason and his wife Sarah have four children - Christopher, Jacob, Kaitlyn, and Isaac.

Ed Hautala Account Executive 1-800-896-5145 Cell: 765-744-6934 Send an Email

Ed Hautala is located in Muncie, Indiana. He is a Class of 1976 graduate of Anchor Bay High School in Detroit, Michigan. Shortly after completing high school, Ed attended Macomb Community College and Nikee Base Military School. He financed his way through college by working in the construction field and went on to eventually own and operate his own construction company. Ed furthered his education by becoming a professional pilot and holds an ATP rating and has extensive experience in both single and multi engine aircraft. He also managed a large flight school and still holds a current Gold Seal Flight Instructor Certificate.  Ed is a FAA Accident Prevention Counselor, a part 135 Director of Operations, and a Chief Pilot.

Joe Hilley Account Executive 1-800-896-5145 Cell: 918-289-5362 Send an Email

After serving four years in the U.S. Navy, Joe followed his new found passion for flying and enrolled at the Spartan School of Aeronautics in Tulsa, OK. There he completed his certification for commercial, multi-engine, CFI and CFII-all for less than the cost of a private license today. His certification includes ATP with type ratings in the B737, DC-9 and the Convair 580.  Additionally, his background includes operations in part 135, corporate part 91 and 121.  Joe has 30 years in the aviation industry and has amassed 22,000 hours during this time.

Joe is married and has three sons and resides in Oklahoma.

After retirement from Continental Airlines, Joe embarked on a new career in the insurance industry and would be delighted to assist you with your insurance needs.

Brad Wollen Account Executive 1-800-896-5145 Cell: 206-793-3750 Send an Email

Upon his return from Vietnam, Brad earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Aviation Management from Parson College. After graduation, Brad stayed on at the college for a year as Chief Flight Instructor, running the flight school and staff.

Brad started his aircraft sales career with Cessna Aircraft Company based in Wichita, KS. He was quickly promoted to a district manager's position covering the Rocky Mountain region, selling new Cessna aircraft to dealers and assisting them with the sale of their aircraft inventories to their retail clients.

Three years later, Brad moved to Monarch Aviation (now West Star Aviation) in Grand Junction, Colorado, where he spent the next nine years selling Cessna piston singles, twins, turbo-props and Citations, and was promoted to Vice President of the company.

In 1984, Brad took the position of Vice President of Aircraft Sales with Western Aircraft (Morrison Knudson's division, based in Boise, Idaho) where he bought and sold turbo-prop and jet aircraft worldwide, specializing in Falcon-Jets, Gulfstreams and Cessna Caravans. His work for clients took him to Europe, Saudi Arabia, Japan, China, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, the Caribbean and South America.

After over a decade at Western Aircraft, Brad moved to Flight Center (formerly Flight Craft, based at Boeing Field in Seattle, Washington) as Vice President of Aircraft Sales, where he was responsible for buying and selling corporate jet aircraft. Clay Lacy Aviation purchased Flight Center in 2003 and Brad continues his role as V. P. of Aircraft Sales company-wide, and has taken on the additional role of General Manager Seattle Operations.

Nathan Reber Account Executive 1-800-896-5145 Cell: 330-603-6251 Send an Email

Nathan first took flight lessons in 1983 but didn't receive his private license until 1998, and later went on to become a commercial pilot with his Instrument, Single, and Multi-Engine ratings.

Nathan has a background in sales and marketing and eventually went to work for a national marketing company heading up their IT department and website design and maintenance. He is currently working in aircraft sales and management for jets, turboprops and pistons since 2000. In addition, Nathan has several years experience in owning and managing a mid-sized aviation maintenance facility.

Stephanie Adams Account Executive 1-800-896-5145 Cell: 954-592-2501 Send an Email

Stephanie joined Leading Edge Insurance Agency in 2009 after a successful career in residential and commercial real estate where she was a top producer and leader in waterfront and country club communities.

She has brought years of experience and targets the specialized field of Aviation, Marine, and Allied Lines. The fact that Stephanie has been an independent real estate agent provides Leading Edge with a valuable additional prospective on both management and sales issues. She has established solid relationships with many local business leaders and companies and plans to use the advantages of Leading Edge to provide the top quality service to future clients. Stephanie's cornerstone belief that "the client comes first" has always proven successful and this same philosophy will be used to the benefit of all Aviation and Marine Customers.

Robert Fowler Account Executive 1-800-896-5145 Cell: 610-653-8121 Send an Email

Bob graduated from the University of Maine with a BA in Psychology in 1982 and went directly into the insurance business as an Underwriter for The Union Mutual Life Insurance Company. Over the next 22 years, Bob held many responsible positions in Underwriting, Management and Sales with UNUM, Sun Life of Canada, Blue Cross, The Guardian Life Insurance Company and The Berkshire Life Insurance Company.

Interested in aviation since taking his first flight as a teenager, Bob finally obtained his Private Pilot License in 2002 and eventually earned his Instrument, Commercial and CFI in 2003. While still in the insurance business, Bob was a part-time instructor for a local flying club. In 2005, he was offered a full-time instructing position and eventually started Fowler Aviation, LLC at the Quakertown Airport in Quakertown, Pennsylvania. Fowler Aviation is the Fixed Base Operator and Flight School located at KUKT.

Bob has over 4,000 hours total flight time and over 3,000 hours of instruction experience. As a CFI and aviation business owner, Bob understands the importance of having the right coverage at the best possible price.

>	Bryan Bowen Account Executive 1-800-896-5145 Send an Email

Bryan grew up flying with his father who was an airline pilot for 37 years. He received his private pilot license at the age of 19 while at the University of Washington. After graduating with a bachelor's degree, Bryan began commercial flight training in San Diego where he received a commercial SEL and an Instrument rating. Bryan started his aviation career as a pilot for a parachute center just north of Seattle. During this time he started commercial flight training in helicopters. Eight months later Bryan had: Commercial Helicopter with Instrument rating, CFI and CFII at which point he started his helicopter career as an instructor at the northwest's busiest flight school, Classic Helicopters. From there Bryan has had a great experience in many different sides of the helicopter industry, from tours in Alaska and Hawaii to fire fighting and utility work throughout Alaska and Oregon to his current role as an EMS pilot in Oregon. Bryan spends his spare time with his family and working out the finishing touches on his homebuilt experimental Kitfox 5 airplane. Bryan believes that the best medicine for a grumpy attitude is to go flying.

Dana Andreas Account Executive 1-800-896-5145 Cell: 817-682-2745 Send an Email

Dana Andreas is a 1987 graduate of The University of Illinois Urbana with a Bachelor of Science in Business and currently holds an Airline Transport - CFII/MEI - Advanced Ground Instructor - Powertplant Mechanic License.

Dana has managed a small flight school, flown as a pilot under parts 91 135 and 121 and most recently served for twelve years as a Training Center Evaluator, Mentor, SME and Instructor at large Part 142 Training Center in the Falcon 20 and 50 Jets.

A licensed Life Health Property and Casualty agent Dana has experience in all facets of aviation.

Jordan Barrett Account Executive 1-800-896-5145 Cell: 806-319-2499 Send an Email

Jordan holds an ATP as well as CFII/MEI licenses. In addition, he has received his MBA from the Rawls College of Business at Texas Tech University.

Jordan began flying at age 17 and quickly became one of the youngest instructors in the nation just after his 18th birthday. His pursuits in aviation have taken him all over the continent and have allowed him to explore many different facets of the industry.

Jordan currently operates out of Eastern New Mexico and North West Texas and has a client base throughout the region. He has the experience and knowledge to help you with most of your aviation needs as well as the resources to get the best products and services for each individual client.

Lew Greenwalt Account Executive 937-833-4820 Cell: 937-681-5260 Send an Email

Lew received his bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Wright State University in 1989. He subsequently spent 10 years in the financial services industry, mostly with Key Bank, then joined Parker Aircraft Sales in 2003, and Leading Edge in 2010.

Lew is a freelance sports writer in his spare time, and is an avid sports fan, regularly attending Dayton Dragons and Cincinnati Reds baseball and Wright State Raiders basketball games.

Lew has spent his entire career in the service industry, and this gives him invaluable experience in providing for each client's unique needs.

Lew recently reunited with his high school sweetheart, Kimberly, and the couple were married in February 2010. He lives in Brookville, Ohio, with Kimberly and stepdaughter, Mehgan.

Our aviation lawyer understands how important aviation insurance is.  Do you?