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Committees

  • Executive Board

    The Executive Board serves as the coordinating body for the membership of the air carrier and, as an in-house association, oversees the Association’s communications, policies, and member services.

    The Executive Board is responsible for the normal and routine representation of the air carrier membership, including addressing matters arising in the workplace and ensuring timely and consistent support to members. The Executive Board also provides oversight and direction to committees whose work is directly related to the representational needs of the air carrier membership.

    • President

      Kyle R. Smith

      The President serves as the chief executive officer of 21 Air Pilots Association and is responsible for the overall direction, health, and performance of the Association. This position provides leadership to all committees, represents the pilot group in internal and external affairs, and ensures that TAPA operates in accordance with its mission, bylaws, and ethical standards.

      Responsibilities:

      • Leads strategic planning for the pilot group and long-term Association goals.
      • Chairs all Board meetings, general membership meetings, and special sessions.
      • Serves as the primary representative in meetings with company executives, regulators, and  industry partners.
      • Protects and promotes the rights, interests, and well-being of all pilots.
      • Manage relationships with key executives such as the Director of Operations, Chief Pilot, Human Resources, Safety, and Training departments.
      • Oversee all committees to ensure they are effectively functioning, staffed, and aligned with Association’s priorities.
      • Approves all official communications, policy updates, and public statements.
      • Resolves escalated disputes, sensitive pilot matters, and confidential issues.
      • Oversees grievance escalations, jumpseat negotiations, training matters, and safety initiatives.
      • Provides continuity and stability during transitions or periods of organizational change.
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    • Vice-President

      Donna M. Engelbrecht

      The Vice-President supports the President and acts as second-in-command for the Association. This position bridges Board leadership and committee operations, ensuring that projects, communication, and initiatives progress efficiently.

      Responsibilities:

      • Assumes all presidential responsibilities in the President’s absence.
      • Monitors committee workflow, ensuring deadlines and deliverables are met.
      • Provides leadership coaching and support to Committee Chairs and Co-Chairs.
      • Helps coordinate cross-committee projects, communications, and operational initiatives.
      • Identifies organizational issues and proposes strategic improvements.
      • Acts as a point of contact for pilots requiring escalated assistance.
      • Ensures alignment between the 21 Air Pilots Association’s goals, committee actions, and pilot needs.
      • Supports negotiations, grievance resolution, safety initiatives, and travel/jumpseat development when delegated by the President.
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    • Secretary / Treasurer

      Victor C. Navarro

      This combined role manages TAPA’s administrative and financial functions, ensuring transparency, accuracy, compliance, and organized governance.

      Secretary – Responsibilities:

      • Maintains all 21 Air Pilots Association records, including minutes, motions, votes, and historical documents.
      • Manages digital infrastructure such as email systems, file storage, and data archives.
      • Tracks membership status, dues, roster changes, and classification updates.
      • Publishes official notices (elections, meetings, policy updates) as required by bylaws.
      • Ensures secure document retention and version control.
      • Supports committees by providing template documents, forms, or policy references.

      Treasurer- Responsibilities:

      • Manages budgeting, dues collection, financial statements, and spending controls.
      • Prepares annual budget and monthly financial reports for the Board.
      • Oversees reimbursements, receipts, and accounting procedures.
      • Ensures compliance with legal and fiduciary requirements.
      • Coordinates with third-party accountants or auditors when required.
      • Maintains transparent, organized financial records available for annual review.
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  • Representatives

    • Captain Representative

      Josh Flores

      Captain Representative serves as the principal advocate for Captains within the Association, ensuring their operational, contractual, and professional needs are represented.

       Responsibilities:

      • Serves as liaison for Captain-specific operational and quality-of-life issues.
      • Supports Captains through disciplinary, training, or performance-related matters.
      • Provides feedback on policies affecting authority, CRM, duties, and leadership roles.
      • Consults with Scheduling, Training, Safety, and ERC committees on Captain concerns.
      • Works with the First Officer Representative to support cohesive crew-pairing advocacy.
      • Ensures Captain perspective is represented in negotiations and policy changes.
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    • First Officer Representative

      Monica Mieles

      The First Officer Representative advocates for First Officers and ensures they receive equal representation in all areas the Association’s business.

       Responsibilities:

      • Serves as primary contact for First Officer questions, concerns, and quality-of-life issues.
      • Advocates for First Officer fairness in training, scheduling, professional opportunities, and upgrades.
      • Provides support for new-hire onboarding, mentorship, and integration.
      • Works with the Training Committee to address First Officer training trends or challenges.
      • Monitors First Officer involvement in safety programs, ERC matters, and performance evaluations.
      • Ensures First Officer interests are represented in negotiations and contractual discussions.
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  • Committees

    • Aeromedical

      Chairman

      Volunteer Needed

      Co-Chairman

      Dan Madison

      The Aeromedical Committee is dedicated to supporting pilots by guiding them through Federal Aviation Administration medical certification, addressing wellness concerns, and assisting with health-related regulatory process, while fostering a culture of care, professionalism, and personal integrity.

      Responsibilities:

      • Assists pilots with AME referrals, FAA documentation, and special issuance processes.
      • Offers guidance on medical restrictions, recovery timelines, and compliance requirements.
      • Maintains confidential communication regarding pilot medical matters.
      • Develops wellness education on fatigue, fitness, mental health, and lifestyle optimization.
      • Works with Safety and Scheduling committees to identify fatigue-related risks.
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    • Air Safety

      Chairman

      Tyler Wilds

      Co-Chairman

      Zach Leitch

      The Air Safety Committee is committed to upholding the highest standards of safety through proactive risk identification, comprehensive data analysis, and strong collaboration with internal and external partners, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence.

      Responsibilities:

      • Participates in Safety Management System (SMS) meetings with management.
      • Analyzes incident reports, trends, and root-cause patterns.
      • Coordinates with the ERC on ASAP outcomes and safety corrective actions.
      • Produces safety bulletins, guidance, and procedural reminders for pilots.
      • Promotes a strong safety culture free of retaliation.
      • Identifies training gaps, procedural inefficiencies, or operational hazards.
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    • Aviation Security

      Chairman

      Ian Nichols

      Co-Chairman

      Alan L. Stephens

      The Aviation Security Committee is dedicated to protecting pilots through enhanced threat awareness, effective airport security coordination, and the promotion of strong personal safety practices, ensuring a secure and resilient operating environment.

      Responsibilities:

      • Communicates with TSA, airport authorities, and government partners on emerging risks.
      • Distributes security advisories and real-time threat information.
      • Supports pilots experiencing badge access issues, KCM problems, or airport incidents.
      • Tracks security trends affecting 21 Air operations domestically and internationally.
      • Advises management on improving company-level security procedures.
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    • Catering

      Chairman

      Rafael Galban

      Co-Chairman

      Jose Quimpo

      The Catering Committee is committed to ensuring catering services consistently meet operational, safety, and nutritional standards, supporting pilot performance and well-being through quality, reliability and continuous improvement.

      Responsibilities:

      • Monitors catering fulfillment, quality, temperature control, and food safety.
      • Collects pilot feedback and investigates recurring issues (shortages, contamination, delays).
      • Coordinates with vendors to improve consistency and reliability.
      • Provides recommendations for improved crew nourishment and hydration availability.
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    • Event Review Committee (ERC) – ASAP

      TAPA Representative

      Donna M. Engelbrecht

      Pilot Representatives

      Joao Paulo Pessoa

      Thomas Perez

      The Event Review Committee is committed to conducting fair and impartial reviews of reported events, ensuring pilot confidentiality is protected at all times, and promoting a culture of safety through objective, non-punitive analysis.

      Responsibilities:

      • Participates in ASAP ERC meetings with Federal Aviation Administration, company, and safety stakeholders.
      • Reviews pilot reports impartially and ensures confidentiality and fairness.
      • Collaborates on root-cause analysis and corrective action planning.
      • Tracks trends and feeds data to the Safety and Training committees.
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    • Grievance

      Chairman

      Monica Mieles

      Co-Chairman

      James Webster

      The Grievance Committee is dedicated to protecting pilots’ contractual rights, resolving disputes, and advocating on their behalf with fairness, consistency and professionalism, ensuring just and effective outcomes .

      Responsibilities:

      • Handles all contract interpretation issues and formal grievance filings.
      • Advises pilots facing discipline, investigations, or unfair treatment.
      • Maintains detailed documentation of grievance timelines and outcomes.
      • Coordinates with TAPA’s legal team, the Board, and Human Resources at 21 Air.
      • Ensures consistency, fairness, and professionalism in dispute resolution.
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    • Hiring Review Board

      Chairman

      Frank Boykin

      Co-Chairman

      Ahmad A. Ismail

      Brian Gale

      Kyle R. Smith

      Matthew Johnson

      Rune Loevheim

      Tyler Wilds

      Wayne D'Amico

      Zach Leitch

      The Hiring Review Board is committed to ensuring the selection of highly qualified, professional, and safety-focused pilots through a thorough, fair and objective evaluation process that supports operational excellence and long-term success.

      Responsibilities:

      • Participates in interviews, application reviews, and hiring recommendations.
      • Evaluates candidates’ professionalism, competency, and CRM characteristics.
      • Provides input on onboarding processes and new-hire support programs.
      • Works with the Director of Operations and Chief Pilot regarding the results of the vetting process of potential new hires to 21 Air.
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    • Hotel

      Chairman

      Peter Ptak

      Co-Chairman

      Caleb Calloway

      The Hotel Committee is dedicated to ensuring safe, comfortable and reliable hotel accommodations and transportation for all pilots, supporting rest, well-being, and operational readiness through continuous evaluation and improvement.

      Responsibilities:

      • Evaluates hotel conditions, safety, transportation reliability, and proximity to food options.
      • Investigates pilot concerns about noise, cleanliness, or unsafe environments.
      • Provides data to company leadership for vendor changes or contract improvements.
      • Supports pilots stranded during irregular operations.
      • Works closely with the Crew Scheduling to improve employee hotel accommodations and concerns.
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    • Information Technology

      Chairman

      Monica Mieles

      Co-Chairman

      (Volunteers needed)

      The Information Technology Committee is committed to maintaining secure, reliable and efficient digital system and communication platforms, ensuring the integrity of 21 Air Pilots Association data while supporting operational needs and continuous technological improvement.

      Responsibilities:

      • Manages website, email servers, databases, and communication tools.
      • Develops online forms, submission portals, and digital resources.
      • Ensures cybersecurity protection and data integrity.
      • Supports committees with technical needs for large files, forms, or surveys.
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    • Jumpseat / Travel

      Chairman

      Adolfo O. Cogley

      ID90Travel, Jumpseat Reciprocal Agreements

      Co-Chairman

      Donna M. Engelbrecht

      ID90Travel, MyIDTravel, ZED MIBA, MyIDGo, Staff Traveler, IATA 788, Perx.Com, Jumpseat / Travel, Reciprocal Agreements

      Mario Bonaventura

      Jumpseat Reciprocal Agreements

      The Jumpseat / Travel Committee is dedicated to ensuring pilots have safe, reliable and efficient leisure travel access through strong reciprocal agreements and comprehensive travel support, enhancing flexibility, connectivity, and overall quality of life.

      Responsibilities:

      • Establishes and maintains jumpseat agreements with other airlines.
      • Tracks and resolves jumpseat denials, miscommunications, or system errors.
      • Maintains relationships with other carriers’ jumpseat committees.
      • Investigates CASS issues, MyIDTravel and ID90Travel errors, and commuter-related challenges.
      • Provides etiquette guidance and commuter best practices for pilots.
      • Works to correct misinformation about 21 Air’s travel practices (e.g., “we use jumpseat for positioning”).
      • Represents TAPA at industry travel conferences.
      • Represents 21 Air and TAPA.
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    • Negotiations

      Chairman

      Frank Boykin

      Co-Chairman

      Brian Gale

      Donna M. Engelbrecht

      Tyler Wilds

      The Negotiations Committee is committed to preparing and supporting effective collective bargaining efforts to secure improved pilot pay, benefits, schedules, and working conditions, while advocating for fairness, transparency, and long-term pilot success.

      Responsibilities:

      • Conducts research, gathers data, and prepares draft proposals.
      • Assists the Board during negotiating cycles and discussions.
      • Tracks industry settlements, economic trends, and comparable contracts.
      • Communicates negotiation progress (as appropriate) to the pilot group.
      • Develops educational materials to strengthen pilot unity and awareness.
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    • Professional Standards

      Chairman

      Josh Flores

      Co-Chairman

      Edgar Pena

      The Professional Standards Committee is dedicated to resolving interpersonal issues confidentially and professionally, fostering a culture of respect, accountability and collaboration, while addressing concerns early to prevent escalation and support a safe, cohesive work environment.

      Responsibilities:

      • Provides peer-to-peer conflict resolution if issues arise between pilots or with other departments.
      • Protects pilot careers by intervening early before 21 Air Human Resources involvement is needed.
      • Supports professionalism across the operation through mentoring and guidance.
      • Works with Safety and Training to address CRM-related patterns.
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    • Scheduling / Payroll

      Chairman

      Ahmad A. Ismail

      Co-Chairman

      Ali Noriega

      The Scheduling / Payroll Committee is committed to improving pilot quality of life by promoting efficiency, fairness, and accuracy in scheduling and payroll processes, while advocating for solutions that support both pilots and operational effectiveness.

      Responsibilities:

      • Supports pilots with pay discrepancies, missing per diem, or trip credit issues.
      • Monitors monthly bid processes, reserve rules, and line construction.
      • Tracks fatigue reports and works with Safety to recommend improvements.
      • Collects pilot feedback on patterns, problem pairings, and recurring issues.
      • Advises company scheduling leadership on changes that benefit both sides.
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    • Special Requests

      Members

      Ali Noriega

      Fernando Jimenez

      James Webster

      Monica Mieles

      The Special Request Committee is dedicated to supporting pilots with individualized scheduling accommodations or temporary assistance, ensuring fair, confidential, and compassionate solutions that address unique personal and professional needs.

      Responsibilities:

      • Reviews and advice on unique schedule change requests.
      • Coordinate with Scheduling and Human Resources to find reasonable solutions.
      • Supports pilots during medical, family, or hardship situations.
      • Maintains confidentiality and fairness across all cases.
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    • Training

      Chairman

      Steve Veith

      Co-Chairman

      Fernando Jimenez

      The Training Committee is dedicated to ensuring pilots receive effective, modern, and consistent training aligned with industry best practices, supporting proficiency, safety, and continuous professional development.

      Responsibilities:

      • Reviews training materials, simulator performance trends, and instructor feedback.
      • Provides recommendations for syllabus improvements and scheduling optimization.
      • Supports instructors and new hires with training guidance.
      • Addresses training-related pilot concerns and patterns.
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    • Training Review Board

      Chairman

      Steve Veith

      Co-Chairman

      Armando Molina

      Fernando Jimenez

      Frank Boykin

      Jordan Nezbeth

      Eliezer Neil Besana

      The Training Review Board is committed to ensuring the equitable evaluation of pilot training performance and providing appropriate opportunities for retraining when warranted.

      Responsibilities:

      • Reviews training failures, simulator evaluations, and corrective action plans.
      • Advocates for fair treatment and non-punitive retraining when justified.
      • Collaborates with Training, Safety, and Flight Ops leadership on resolutions.
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