About PNBAA

The Pacific Northwest Business Aviation Association (PNBAA) was first established in the late 1990’s. The organization was made up of business aircraft and cargo operators, flight schools, and other general aviation interests around the Seattle area. Much like the PNBAA of today, it was established largely to create a networking platform for its members and to serve as a vehicle to facilitate information sharing.

PNBAA focuses on business aircraft operators and those whose support business aviation in this region. In 2016 the Pacific Rim Schedulers & Dispatchers Association (PRSDA) and Pacific Northwest Corporate Flight Attendant Association (PNCFAA) merged with PNBAA to better represent the collective interests.

PNBAA is a not-for-profit 501(c)(6) organization. Proceeds from all activities are dedicated to aviation related youth and member vocational scholarships – our future. Today, thanks to the efforts of 400+ members, scores of volunteers and hundreds of additional supporters, PNBAA is thriving.

Alan Burnett

Director

Alan is the Managing Partner of CenterPoint Aviation Law in Seattle, a firm whose focus is helping clients buy and sell business aircraft while navigating the complex interplay of the Federal Aviation Regulations, federal and state tax laws, risk management and other legal issues. Before co-founding CenterPoint in 2008, Alan practiced exclusively in the area of transactional aviation law, developing his reputation as an accomplished negotiator, trusted advisor and industry leader. One of Alan’s talents is coordinating and acting as the point-person on the purchase and sale of private, fractional, and corporate aircraft, including advising clients on the corresponding tax, regulatory, financing, insurance and risk management, import/export, SEC, executive comp, charter and other relevant legal issues. 

Alan serves on the NBAA Tax Committee where he works to educate, and advocate for, the aviation community on transactional aviation topics. Alan also serves on the board of directors as the Director of Legislative Affairs for the Pacific Northwest Business Aviation Association, and he is past-president and member of the Aviation Section of the King County Bar Association. Alan earned a BBA from Texas Christian University and a J.D. from Southern Methodist University. 

Zachary Barborinas

Director

Over 30 years ago, Zach started his journey in aviation with an introductory flight lesson. Since then, his enthusiasm for aviation has led to more than 20 years of experience in business aviation, including flight department management, aircraft operations, and international and domestic business aircraft transactions.

As an active pilot flying internationally, Zach has both FAA Part 91 and 135 experience as an Airline Transport Pilot accompanied with turbojet type ratings in the Learjet 25/35/55 series, Hawker 700/800/800XP series, Challenger 600 and 605, and Falcon 7X. Zach has an extensive background of proactive international and domestic business aircraft operations, regulatory compliance, budgeting and owner-specific advocacy to properly navigate the dynamic nature of business aviation.

Zach is a graduate of the University of Washington with a degree in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering, as well as an NBAA Certified Aviation Manager and FAA Certified Flight Instructor. He also served 11 years on the Skagit Regional Health Foundation, two as Board President, which advocated and fundraised for two hospitals and numerous clinics through Skagit and Snohomish counties

Brad Boeder

Director

Brad, senior captain / International operations officer has been employed with the Starbucks flight department since July of 2004. As a seasoned captain he is passionate about being a role model and contributor to the safety and efficiency demands of their worldwide mission. His prior flying and international travel experience is a unique combination of military, general, and corporate aviation, with a total time in corporate aviation of 24 years and international travel of over 31 years since enlisting as a Loadmaster in the USAF.

As an active participant and supporter of the NBAA, with prior board member experience he is pleased to be on the BOD and looking forward to the challenges and rewards the PNBAA has to offer.  Outside the office and in addition to boating, wakeboarding, golf, and snow skiing he also enjoys flying his C-180 seaplane around the great Pacific Northwest.

Kari Brown

Treasurer

Kari Brown is the Controller for Aero Law Group (ALG), Seattle based aviation transaction law firm.  Kari joined ALG in 2017 and serves as their accountant, IT specialist, human resource advisor, CPA liaison, and social director.  She brings leadership skills, office innovation, and a love of numbers to the firm.  Kari is heavily involved with supporting client relations during their transaction.  She has been managing business offices for nearly 2 decades and brings a vast amount of experience in project management, leadership building, software integrations, and financial reporting to the ALG team.  Kari received her Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Linfield College and her Master of Science in Accounting from The University of Phoenix.  She is currently studying for the Certificate of Management Accounting exam.

Kari was born and raised in Portland, OR and moved to Washington in 1999 where she now lives in Kirkland with her husband and teenage daughter.  In her free time, she an avid tennis player, enjoys camping, boating, skiing, and traveling with her family. 

ALG is has been heavily involved in PNBAA events for over 15 years, it was only natural one of their employees become more involved and Kari was happy to oblige.  She was accepted to the board in the summer of 2021 as the assistant Treasurer.

Grant Conley

Director

Grant belongs to a long line of family military service, after high school he spent almost a decade in the U.S. Army where he served in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Once returning, he became a deputy sheriff in south Florida where he earned awards for bravery and heroism.  Grant later decided to continue his education by earning his B.S. in Aviation Business and a M.B.A. in Aviation Business with a focus in leadership, from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach. After graduating he interned with Boeing Defense but later received a job offer in south Florida as an aircraft sales researcher where he later became an aircraft sales associate. Grant later moved to Seattle to become an aircraft sales manager. He later became an Operations Manager for the Northwest’s largest FBO, Modern Aviation, where he assisted in the overall development, construction project and rebranding. He was awarded NBAA's 40 under 40 in 2020 for his drive and contribution to the industry. He now manages a Fortune 500 flight department within the U.S.

Phil Derner

Director, Ex Officio

Phil's career carries 13 years in aviation operations in the roles of Loadmaster, Dispatcher, Duty Manager and Director in the sectors of Part 121, Part 121 Supplemental, Part 135 and Part 91 operators. He also owned and operated a New York City-based aviation news and consulting company for 14 years before moving to the Temecula, California area. He now serves as NBAA's Western Regional Representative, assisting and advocating for anyone involved in or relying on business aviation in Arizona, Nevada, California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, and Hawaii.

Nafin Eyoub

Director

Nafin Eyoub is the Vice President of Aircraft Management at Executive Jet Management, the world’s largest aircraft management and charter company. She’s been heavily involved in business aviation since her first role in business development and sales for Clay Lacy Aviation on Boeing Field, which was later acquired by Modern Aviation where she continued her dedication to learning all aspects of the FBO business. She oversaw Sales and Marketing for Modern Aviation’s network of locations, focused on increasing market share by attracting and retaining new base tenants and transient clients while developing mutually beneficial relationships.

She currently works closely with new and current clients, helping them take full advantage of innovative aviation services. She focuses on building trustworthy partnerships and delivering an exceptional customer experience.

Nafin earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Washington State University. Her drive and ambition were recognized when she was named to National Business Aviation Associations Top 40 Under 40 in 2020.

Kylie Giffin

Development Board Seat

Kylie is a corporate pilot operating a Pilatus PC-12 for a private family in the PNW. She has over 10 years experience in private aviation, including but not limited to FBO operations, management of a 91/135 flight department, and flying for 91/135 departments. When not flying, she is involved with the NBAA YoPro Council on their advocacy subcommittee, overseeing the development of a resource center, as well as serving as the secretary for Lady Aviators, a blossoming non-profit organization encouraging and supporting women in all walks of life to pursue their interests in the aviation industry. Outside of her volunteer work, she spends what time she can golfing with her partner, and hanging out with their golden retriever (Margot No. 5), kittens (Rick & Morty), and 73 fish.

Cindy Hales

Past President

Cindy Hales is the Aviation Practice Leader / Vice President of Hub International Northwest, LLC.  With nearly thirty years of experience, Cindy provides insurance solutions for all facets of the aviation industry, with extensive experience working with commercial operators of various types, including airlines, cargo and charter operators, fixed base operators, aircraft manufacturers, commercial rotor wing operators, etc. She is a fifteen-year HUB Northwest veteran who excels at providing her clients with the most comprehensive coverage at the most competitive prices.

Cindy is also responsible for providing professional expertise to HUB International’s teams across the country in the specialty field of aviation insurance on their more complex aviation risks. She is licensed in the United States and British Columbia.

Angie Kim

Director

Angie Kim is flight attendant for a corporate flight operation at Boeing Field.  Angie has over 20 years of experience in various flight attendant roles, spending several years working for international clients.  Angie has been involved with many start up flight departments where she was tasked with setting up aircraft interiors, developing manuals and establishing service protocols. Her experience has been mainly on larger corporate aircraft.  Her focus is not only client driven, but also feels it is important that the crew is well represented.  Striking a balance not only with the company, the crew and community is a constant goal, no matter where or what company you represent in the world.

Angie is an alum of Washington State University.  Away from work, Angie enjoys hiking, cooking, reading a good book, and is passionate about animal kindness, the environment, and renewable resources.

Sequoia Leopold

Development Board Seat

Sequoia Leopold is a corporate flight attendant contracting on various accounts out of Boeing Field and Portland-Hilsboro Airport.  She also works as a commercial flight attendant with Alaska Airlines,

Prior to joining the aviation industry, Sequoia founded Flawless Beauty Bars LLC in 2007.  The flagship studio located in Kirkland provided luxury beauty services, products, and a training course used by Evergreen Beauty College, Pro Club Spa, and others.  Along with developing a nationally recognized and award winning airbrush tanning service and education program, she traveled internationally providing beauty services for her personal clients and high profile brides. 

During COVID and her hiatus from flying, she went back to school to earn her MBA from Seattle University with an emphasis in leadership and team building.  

Her early years in Seattle were spent performing locally and around the world with the Seattle Seahawks as an NFL dancer and later as a spokesperson and ambassador for over 10 years.

Sequoia's primary focus has been and continues to be an exceptional experience for every guest; every time.

Nick Lietzow

Director

Nick is currently captain for a Clay Lacy managed Falcon 2000 based out of Seattle’s Boeing Field. He has 15 years of experience in commercial and corporate aviation. Before relocating to Seattle he was a Citation captain out of Santa Barbara, California where he also gained his single pilot 135 captain certification. He attended Embry-Riddle University where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Aeronautical Science with a minor in Aviation Safety.

Jake Paini

Director

Jake Paini is the Director of Sales at Aircare International, where he started his aviation career in 2016. Jake’s focus is providing solutions that serve his customers with industry-leading emergency training, in-flight telemedicine, and crew staffing.

Prior to aviation, Jake held various roles in safety and hospitality. After completing his B.A. in Economics from Villanova University, Jake worked in recreational fishing, where he managed world-renowned destination lodges in Idaho and Belize. He then went on to work in industrial safety, where he held sales and marketing positions for a protective equipment manufacturer.

As an advocate for community-building and charity, Jake is excited to serve on the PNBAA Board of Directors.

Eric Schneider

Director

Bio coming soon.

Stephen Tong

Acting Secretary - Director

As Desert Jet’s Director of Aircraft Management Sales, Stephen is responsible for developing and growing the company’s aircraft management functions. He is focused on guiding clients through the exciting environment of aircraft ownership to cultivate a uniquely catered experience while maintaining the highest levels of safety.

As an integral part of the leadership team, Stephen brings consistency to our core values through his experience in aircraft management, operations, acquisitions, and sales, all with a focus on customer relationships and personalized service. Based in Oregon, Stephen sits on the board of directors for the Pacific Northwest Business Aviation Association due to his passion for providing awareness and opportunities to grow the industry of Business Aviation in local communities.

Stephen is also a certified scuba diver, health and fitness nut, linguaphile, proud dog dad, and determined to spend time immersed in the cultures and foods of the world.

Andre Watson

Director

Andre is the Director of Aviation Maintenance for the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Aerial Facility (AAF) at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) in southeastern Washington state since December of 2020. Originally from the Tri- State area of Northern New Jersey, he attended the Teterboro School of Aeronautics while working as a line service technician for Signature Aviation Teterboro (formerly Meridian Teterboro, and Million Air Teterboro). Soon after graduating, he began his career working for a large fractional private jet operator based in Teterboro as an aircraft maintenance technician, and eventually promoted to a quality assurance inspector. Andre later moved south to Atlanta, GA where he was an aircraft maintenance technician for an air ambulance/ critical care provider, and later for a Canadian business jet manufacturer as an aircraft maintenance technician supporting clients throughout the southeast, and continental US with aircraft on ground (AOG) maintenance events. Over his 20 years in aviation, he has specialized on the Bombardier Business Jet product line and is well versed in all facets of business aircraft maintenance, management, and leadership.  Andre is enthusiastic and committed to continuous learning and professional development earning his NBAA Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) designation in June of 2023, and is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in aviation maintenance management. Andre is excited to join the PNBAA’s board of directors to contribute and be an advocate for aircraft maintenance professionals in the Pacific Northwest and throughout the industry.