Additional Event Information & Acknowledgement of Industry Sponsor(s):
FAA panelists include Mark Giron, Everette Rochon and Corey Stephens. The AOA Working Group is represented by Karen Kalishek (NAFI Chair), Andrew Walton, and moderator Sue Gardner.
Mark Giron became a commercial and military satellite designer after earning a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, then worked as an engineering designer and manager of aerospace products. Flying held more appeal, so he became a flight instructor and eventually, a first officer for Air Wisconsin. Mark joined the FAA in 2009 as an Aviation Safety Inspector (ASI) for general aviation operations and is now the Operations Group manager in the General Aviation and Commercial Division. Even with his busy schedule, Mark continues to fly at least a few times a month. He is part-owner of a Beechcraft Baron 58 and flies to AirVenture to spend time with the GA community.
Everette Rochon, a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, joined the FAA in 2009 with almost 20 years of aviation experience as a Naval Flight Officer, Navy Safety and Standardization Instructor, civil flight instructor, and airline pilot. In 2014, he led the team that successively finalized part 107 of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations. Published in June 2016, part 107 is the first rule in the U.S. to allow pilot certification and operations of small UAS for non-hobby and non-recreational purposes. In 2020, Mr. Rochon was named Manager of the Training and Certification Group, in the General Aviation and Commercial Division, Flight Standards Service. The Training and Certification Group is responsible for the training & certification of Pilots & Flight Instructors; Part 141 pilot school support; FAA approval and use of Aviation Training Devices; and Aviation Safety Inspector (General Aviation-Operations) qualifications and currency.
Corey Stephens serves as government co-chair of the Safety Analysis Team (SAT) of the General Aviation Joint Safety Committee (GAJSC). He is an accomplished Operations Research Analyst with a rich background in the aviation and aerospace industry. His expertise includes Accident Investigation, Aviation Safety, Aeronautics, Emerging Risk Identification and Mitigation, General Aviation, and Crew Resource Management. Corey holds a Master of Science (M.S.) in Space Studies from The University of North Dakota and another Master of Science (M.S.) in Aviation Safety from the University of Central Missouri. Throughout his career, Corey has held various roles including Operations Research Analyst at the Federal Aviation Administration - FAA, Senior Staff Engineer at the Air Line Pilots Association, and Flight Safety at United Airlines.
Karen Kalishek, the NAFI Board Chair, is a Designated Pilot Examiner, four-time NAFI Master Instructor, CFI, CFII, MEI, CFI-G, AGI, IGI, FAA Gold Seal Instructor, FAASTeam Lead Representative and WINGSPro. She teaches in a range of aircraft and enjoys flying her own RV6. Kalishek is a Major in the Civil Air Patrol (CAP), serves as a member of the General Aviation Joint Safety Committee (GAJSC), on the ACS Work Group, FAA Surface Safety Group, Runway Safety Council, Angle of Attack Work Group, and is active in several other aviation organizations. Karen is the 2019 National FAASTeam Representative of the Year. She became active in aviation after success as a senior VP in the banking sector, graduate school instructor, and consultant. As President of her own international consulting business Karen lived and worked in 37 countries.
Andrew Walton serves on the safety team at Liberty University where he helped develop safety policy, risk management, safety assurance, and safety promotion. Andrew has taught safety courses at Liberty and at the University of Southern California. Andrew serves as the current chair of the University Aviation Association (UAA) Safety Committee and coordinates the Missionary Aviation Flight Operations Quality Assurance (MA-FOQA) program through Mission Safety International. An FAA designated pilot examiner, Andrew holds CFI/CFII/MEI, ATP and A&P certificates.
NAFI would like to thank EAA for making the theater and space in the EAA Pilot Proficiency Center available for NAFI's presentations, member and pilot support during EAA AirVenture 2025.
NAFI is the National Association of Flight Instructors and is the largest association dedicated exclusively to flight instruction. NAFI’s vision is ‘Safer pilots through flight instruction excellence.’ NAFI’s mission throughout its 58-year history is to promote flight instruction excellence with education, mentorship, and advocacy. This is accomplished by providing instructors with tools and resources that help them deliver the best professional training and service possible. Anyone may join NAFI to take advantage of the many educational and flight tools, products, and discounts available. www.nafimentor.org. contact nafi@nafimentor.org 866-806-6156