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Aviation Insurance Agency Biographies |
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Rick Ross
President/Agent
1-800-896-5145
Direct: 719-264-9600
Cell: 719-330-9325
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Rick Ross is a 1992 graduate of Embry Riddle Aeronautical University with a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Science and holds a Commercial pilot license with Multi-engine and Instrument ratings as well as his Certified Flight Instructor license and advanced ground instructor.
Upon graduation, Rick went directly into the aviation insurance industry as an underwriter and became the Southwest Regional Manager for Avemco Insurance Company in Forth Worth, TX. It was here that Rick was responsible for and managed Avemco’s second largest office with over $30,000,000 in premium.
After leaving Avemco in 1998, Rick went to work for Falcon Insurance Agency in Dallas and in 2000 started Leading Edge Insurance Agency.
Rick has extensive aviation underwriting experience and now has over 10 years experience as an aviation insurance agent. A large percentage of Leading Edge’s book of business are clients that have been with Rick since his early days at Avemco and referrals from those clients. This is proof of the type of relationships we foster with our clients and the specialized personal attention they receive from us. It is this attitude and way of doing business that has built up a very loyal customer base that we have sustained for over ten 10 years.
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Karla Lehman
Vice President/Agent
1-800-896-5145
Direct: 931-232-9960
Cell: 615-519-5139
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Karla Lehman is a 1994 graduate of the University of North Dakota’s Center for Aerospace Sciences program and holds a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Studies with an emphasis in Human factors and Cockpit Resource Management. Karla is also a Licensed Commercial Instrument rated pilot and actively flies the company’s Piper Cherokee.
Upon graduation from UND in 1994, Karla immediately went to work for American Eagle, an aviation underwriting company in Dallas, TX. For two and a half years Karla worked as an underwriter in their light aircraft division and then moved up into their multi-engine and Industrial Aid department.
In August of 1996, Karla left American Eagle and went to work for Falcon Insurance Agency in Austin, TX. Here Karla was the agent responsible for handling the insurance needs of a majority of the 12,000 Cessna Pilots Association Members. In addition to managing the book of business she contributed monthly articles the membership magazine as related to different aspects of the aviation industry, from information on how the industry works, safety topics and ways to minimize risks. While this position was a great opportunity for Karla, she left Falcon in 2001 to pursue a position with Leading Edge that would enable her to better utilize her piloting skills as a compliment to her Insurance and Risk Management skills.
Karla is the Vice President of Leading Edge and manages our Hopkinsville, KY location as well as operates the company aircraft in order to visit and maintain relationships with current clients as well as to bring in new business.
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Jeff Fleming
Account Executive
1-800-896-5145
Direct: 916-791-0821
Cell: 916-599-9989
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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.
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Joseph Campana
President of Operations/Marketing
1-800-896-5145
Direct: 719-264-9600
Cell: 719-310-5036
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Joe Campana grew up in Fort Lauderdale, FL and attended culinary arts school at South Florida Community College. In 1993, Joe moved to Boston where he managed over 1,000 lines of food as a food broker for Mid-Atlantic Inc. Later, he managed several restaurants before owning his own ice cream and sub shop at the age of 23. While he lived in Boston, Joe ranked among the top 30 amateur billiards players in the nation. He also played on many professional tours. Joe is also an avid golfer.
Joe moved to Colorado in 1998 and has since worked and managed at a local restaurant. In addition, he created and owned an innovative, underground, award winning restaurant in Colorado Springs. Joe joined Leading Edge in 2008 as Marketing Manager. In his spare time, Joe works for a nonprofit organization as a mentor for runaway teens. He has a passion for flying, and his experience, coupled with his knowledge of the industry and dedication to people, make him a strong asset to the Leading Edge team.
Joe is able take your quote 24/7.
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Claire May
Account Executive
1-800-896-5145
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A native of England, Claire May graduated university with a major in English Language. She moved to the United States in 1994 and began her aviation career as an Assistant Underwriter for USAIG.
Her passion for aviation motivated Claire to obtain her Associates in Risk Management and also become a Certified Insurance Counselor. Claire has attended ground school and with over 15 years of insurance experience; has a unique understanding of the issues facing pilots and their aircraft.
Claire is fluent in Norwegian, French and German which enables her to handle the demands of overseas clients.
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Rose Marie Norman
Account Executive
1-800-896-5145
Direct: 719-264-9600
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Rose Marie took her first flight in a Cessna 172 when she was 16 years old as a member of Civil Air Patrol, attended a summer flight academy, and became a ground search and rescue leader for downed or missing aircraft during high school. From then on out, aviation became a large part of her life and she has been flying on and off in her personal time for the past ten years.
She then attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, where she studied Aerospace Engineering and Business Administration, completing a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Studies with minors in Business Administration, Mathematics, and Space Studies in 2006. While at Embry-Riddle, she was an active member of Air Force ROTC and Arnold Air Society until a back injury would disrupt her Air Force aspirations. She then joined Silver Wings and became a National Conclave Director of Public Affairs in 2006.
Her passion for aviation brought her to Colorado and has become a valuable part of the Leading Edge team.
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Verlin Siefkes
Vice President of International Sales,
Aerial Applications, Aerial Fire Fighting
1-800-896-5145
Direct: 719-264-9600
Cell: 316-641-2773
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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!
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Glen Rutland
Account Executive
1-800-896-5145
Direct: 205-384-4646
Cell: 205-300-4541
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Glen has spent more than Forty years as a professional aviator. He began his career Crop dusting and flight instructing in North Alabama while completing his degree in Chemistry, at the University of North Alabama. Glen then proceeded to the corporate aviation world, which lead to his career with the Airlines. Captain Rutland retired from the airline industry flying worldwide operations on the Boeing 747.
Despite flying the big jets, and the accumulation of over 25,000 hours of flight time in all types of aircraft, Glen has not lost his passion for flying. He has always had some type of private aircraft of his own and has built his own Glasair, start to finish which he still flies today.
Glen returned to the Corporate flying world and along with his partner and wife, Sara built Shoreline Aviation, LLC. Shoreline is a corporate flight facility and flight school on the Walker County Airport in Jasper, Alabama. He continues to share his love of aviation with the next generation of pilots as an active flight instructor and Aviation Profession Counselor.
Glen entered the aviation insurance industry as a producer three years ago to better serve their clients. His overall experience in the aviation industry has made him an excellent advocate for his insurance clients. Glen’s ability to evaluate the needs of the client in aviation insurance has been enhanced by his many hours as a pilot and flight instructor. Glen has the ability to handle the needs of flight insurance the same way he develops the skill and confidence of new pilots. One quickly knows they are in professional and competent hands when allowing Glen to serve their needs. Whether a client needs a flight instructor, a Corporate Pilot or help in making the right decision in aviation insurance, Glen is the man to help his clients make that decision.
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Sara Rutland
Account Executive
1-800-896-5145
Direct: 205-384-4646
Cell: 205-300-3061
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Sara discovered aviation nearly fifteen years ago in South Florida while serving as a professional Firefighter/Paramedic. She retired as a Lieutenant after twenty years in the fire/rescue service.
Sara holds Airline Transport Pilot Multi-Engine Land, a jet type rating, a Commercial Single Engine Sea, and Single and Multi-Engine Certified Flight Instructor Certificates. She has accumulated more than 5000 hours of flight time in the Airline, Corporate and Private aviation industry.
Sara is the CFO and driving force behind Shoreline Aviation. LLC. She enjoys sharing her love of aviation as an active Flight Instructor with their select students. She feels it is important to pass along the mentoring she has had the good fortune to receive to others.
Sara has enjoyed the diverse opportunities aviation has provided. It doesn’t matter weather she is sharing the gift of flight in their J-3 cub on floats, flying Captain on the Citation, or performing as her role as Assistant Crew Chief for the Reno Air Racer, Big Red.
The diversity of Sara’s aviation experience provides a unique point of view from which to be the advocate in aviation insurance her clients need. It is this same attention to detail that is required as a paramedic/fire fighter making life saving decisions, that Sara brings to the aviation insurance table. She is comfortable in making evaluations and suggestions that will serve the needs of the client to ensure proper coverage based on an excellent needs analysis. You can count on Sara to serve your obligations in insurance coverage with the highest ethical standards in the industry.
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Alton Brown
Account Executive
1-800-896-5145
Direct: 205-384-4646
Cell: 352-362-4276
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Alton Brown knew at an early age he wanted a career in aviation. He graduated George T Baker School of Aircraft Maintenance when he graduated High School. Al completed his college education at Miami Dade Collage with a degree in Aircraft Maintenance Management.
Al’s career took off with a start at Delta Airline in the maintenance department and he was soon offered a Lead position in Maintenance with Saudi Arabian Airlines, where he stayed for the next seven years. When Al returned to the states, he decided to exchange his maintenance career for a pilot position. He has flown for the airlines for the last twenty years. Captain Brown still flies the Boeing 747-400 all over the world.
Al holds Airframe & Power plant licenses in five countries, Airline Transport Pilot licenses in two countries with four aircraft type ratings and has accumulated more than 13,000 hours of total flying time.
Al joined forces with Glen and Sara Rutland more than twenty years ago and together they have built Shoreline Aviation, a corporate flight department and flight school. This experience and cooperation lead to all three entering the insurance industry as a producer for their client base. Al has a positive “can do” philosophy about all facets of the aviation industry. It is with this experience; attitude and knowledge that Al strives to serve the aviation insurance clients to best serve their needs.
Al’s true love of flying shows itself in sharing the gift of flight in his Stearman.
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Bob Greenlee
Account Executive
1-800-896-5145
Cell: 804-301-5763
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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.
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Joel Perkins
Account Executive
1-800-896-5145
Cell: 770-905-4226
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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 JetStream31’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.
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