OUR TEAM
Brandi Rector - Founder/Owner/CEO
A former helicopter mechanic, quality assurance specialist, and door gunner who did two tours of duty with the Marine Corps, Brandi earned her pilot’s license after leaving the military. Her impressive military experience and equally impressive civilian experience show that she is not afraid of breaking barriers. Her latest barrier broken: founding Semper Fly Helicopter Academy and helping the University of Oklahoma become the first Southeastern Conference university to have a helicopter flight school.
- Work
- Founder/Owner/CEO and helicopter pilot, Skyhunter Outfitters
- Sensor Operator, General Atomics
- Mechanic, Aircraft Restoration Services
- Pilot/ A&P Field Mechanic, Upper Limit/Air Resources-
- Aviation Enforcement Agent, U.S. Customs and Border Protection
- Quality Control Inspector and A&P Mechanic, Trans State Airlines
- Logistics Manager on CH53K Program, Sikorsky Aircraft
- Military - U.S. Marines
- Helicopter Mechanic and Aerial Gunner on the CH53-E
- Honorable Military Discharge with Outstanding Military Performance Evaluations
- Directed as many 60 Marines assigned to repair and maintain 16 CH53E helicopters as a flight-line mechanic
- Assisted pilots in ground and flight operations efforts including mission planning, execution, briefing, debriefing, aircrew resource management and safety
- Education
- Saint Louis University: B.S., Aeronautics/Aviation/ Aerospace Science & Technology (magna cum laude)
- Georgetown University: M.S., Applied Intelligence
Michael Sanford - Business Development Officer
Mike is a key member of the Semper Fly Helicopters team, bringing a wealth of experience and dedication to his role as Business Development Officer. A retired Marine, Mike served with distinction at HMX-1, the elite helicopter squadron that provides transportation for the President of the United States. His military background has instilled in him a deep commitment to safety, precision, and excellence, making him an invaluable asset to our operations.
At Semper Fly, Mike plays a pivotal role in training the next generation of pilots, ensuring they uphold the highest standards of professionalism and skill in the rotorcraft industry.
- Military - U.S. Marines
- 20 years of service
- Member of HMX-1 elite helicopter squadron serving the POTUS
Casey Kroeker - Assistant Chief Instructor & Certified Flight Instructor Instrument
As a kid, Casey Kroeker dreamt about flying helicopters. Being a helicopter pilot seemed like the coolest thing in the world, but as it was such a daunting task, the St. Louis native was pretty sure it would stay a dream.
After serving active duty in the US Army as an infantryman and realizing what the GI bill was capable of, he used it to pursue his dream. Today, Casey is a CFII with over 870 hours of flight time and has been instructing since August 2021. He has sent 13 students to check rides, 11 of those being first time passes.
- Business
- Check Instructor and Flight Instructor, Ideal Aviation
- Military - U.S. Army
- Company Armorer
- Infantryman
- National Defense Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Korea Defense Service Medal. Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Honorable Discharge
- Education
- Associate in Applied Science degree in Aviation Pilot Training (Airplane/Helicopter) from Southwestern Illinois College
Matthew Bergthold - Program Manager and Certified Flight Instructor Instrument
Matt is also a military veteran who brings considerable helicopter flight and repair experience. In addition, he is a computer scientist and software engineer.
Matt's certifications include Commercial - Rotorcraft, Instrument - Rotorcraft, and CFII - Rotorcraft.
- Business
- Senior Software Developer, Bitco Insurance Companies
- Senior Software Engineer, Inpixon USA
- Computer Scientist, Inpixon (Sysorex) Government Services
- Military - U.S. Army
- Medium Helicopter (CH-47D) Repairer Supervisor
- Participated in 2 combat deployments
- Military - Iowa National Guard
- Medium Helicopter Repairer
- Education
- Columbus State University: B.S.,Computer Science (Cum Laude)
- Scott Community College:A.A., Liberal Arts
- University of Dubuque: Flight Operations, Rotorcraft
- U.S. Army: · Certificate, Helicopter Repair Course
Ethan Tingle - Certified Flight Instructor Instrument
Ethan has enjoyed a 15-year career in aviation. He is excited to contribute his passion, experience, and knowledge to the aviation Industry and future aviators.
- Work
- Powertrain Mechanic and Non-destructive Inspector for U.S. Army working on CH-47, UH-60, OH-58 and AH-64 helicopters
- Flight Line Attendant and Mechanic for Continental Motors
- Education
- B.S. degree with Commercial, CFI and CFII helicopter ratings from Austin Peay State University
- Air Frame and Powerplant (A&P) certificate and two associate degrees from Enterprise State Community College
Virginia Lambert-Holbrook - Office Administrator
Virginia is a multi-talented professional who has served our county for over 13 years in the U.S. Air Force and Air Force reserve, obtaining a college degree in astrophysics and working in key positions for some of the country’s most successful companies. She also has background knowledge of general aviation through her husband, who is a professional pilot.
- Military - U.S. Air Force
- Full-time for nine years as an Air Battle Manager on the E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System and Space Officer on the Global Positioning System
- PPart-time for over four years in the U.S. Air Force Reserve, where she currently supports operational-level command and control as an Air Battle Manager
- Business
- General Merchandise Team Lead at Target
- Air Battle Manager & Subject Matter Expert at Mountain West Enterprises
- Scrum Master and Development Project Manager II at Paycom
- Education
- University of Oklahoma: B.S., Astrophysics
