Mike Ginter, Senior Vice President of the AOPA Air Safety Institute, joined the team in 2024 to provide strategic and visionary leadership. His goal is to enhance general aviation safety by expanding ASI’s capabilities and effectiveness through data-driven accident analysis, engaging safety content, and innovative approaches to positively influence pilot behavior.

Since 2018, Ginter has served as AOPA’s Vice President of Airports and State Advocacy. In this role, he spearheaded efforts to protect airports, recruited 1,000 new volunteers into the AOPA Airport Support Network, and successfully resolved over 700 airport issues for AOPA members. In early 2024, he led the planning and execution of the National Celebration of General Aviation Flyover in Washington, D.C., highlighting the history and utility of general aviation aircraft.

Before joining AOPA, Ginter had a distinguished 27-year career in the U.S. Navy, retiring with the rank of Captain. He amassed more than 5,300 flight hours, completed 555 carrier landings, undertook four deployments to the Persian Gulf, commanded a jet squadron, and served as operations officer for the USS John F. Kennedy. In 2003, he led the demo team that demonstrated the capabilities of the Lockheed S-3 Viking, and his squadron received the Chief of Naval Operations Aviation Safety Award.

Ginter earned his private pilot certificate at 18 and continued to fly general aviation aircraft throughout his Navy career. He previously owned a T-6 Texan and currently owns a 1972 Beechcraft A36 Bonanza and a Cessna 172, which his wife, Donna, is using for flight training.

Paul Deres, Vice President, Operations, manages the AOPA Air Safety Institute’s day-to-day operations and key projects that drive new initiatives for advancing general aviation safety including videos, podcasts, publications, and other programs.

Paul received a Bachelor of Science in Missionary Aviation from Carolina University where he earned most of his pilot certificates and ratings, including his Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certificates. He also earned an Executive Certificate in Business Administration from the University of Notre Dame and holds the Project Management Professional (PMP) and Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) certifications from the Project Management Institute.

Paul is an active pilot, certificated flight instructor, and veteran of the U.S. Army.

Rob Geske, Manager, Aviation Safety Analysis, joined the ASI team in January 2018. He is responsible for the Nall Report and general aviation safety analysis.

Prior to joining ASI, Rob worked as a research fellow and certified flight instructor. He conducted research on technically advanced aircraft, regulations, and safety.

Rob has a bachelor’s degree in Aviation Flight Science from Western Michigan University and a master’s degree in Aviation and Aerospace Management from Purdue University. He holds Commercial Pilot and CFI certificates.

JoDee Patten, Chief Flight Instructor, eFIRC, joined the Air Safety Institute in September 2024, where she oversees the development and management of the online Flight Instructor Renewal Course. Her role reflects her deep commitment to aviation safety and education.

Before her tenure at ASI, JoDee distinguished herself as a Gold Seal Flight Instructor, imparting her expertise to students across various levels, including Private, Instrument, Commercial, and Certified Flight Instructors (CFI) for both single and multi-engine aircraft. As an Airline Transport Pilot, she demonstrates advanced proficiency and unwavering dedication to the field.

JoDee’s foundational flight training was completed at ATP Flight School, and she furthered her academic credentials at Liberty University. There, she earned a Bachelor of Science as a Professional Pilot and a Master of Science in Aviation Safety, equipping her with a comprehensive understanding of both the practical and theoretical aspects of aviation.

Machteld Smith, Senior Editor, writes and develops content for the Air Safety Institute’s safety education programs, including online courses, newsletters, and publications. Before joining ASI, she was a Senior Editor for AOPA Pilot and managing AOPA’s Airport Directory.

Born in Wellington, New Zealand, and of Dutch nationality before coming to the U.S, she studied journalism and traveled the world as a KLM (Royal Dutch Airlines) stewardess on DC-8s and -9s. Among the first 100 recreational pilots in early 1991, Machteld currently holds a commercial certificate, with single- and multiengine instrument and single-engine seaplane ratings.

Flights trumping her airline career: piloting a C172 in to and out of Leadville, Colorado; flying a Piper Tripacer on floats around Alaska’s Mount McKinley and Denali’s glaciers; and earning her tailwheel signoff in a Citabria.

Tyler Pangborn, Video Producer II, joined the Air Safety Institute team in August 2015. He is responsible for the creation of ASI’s safety videos.

Prior to joining ASI, Tyler worked as an aerial photographer / remote sensor operator for an aerial survey company at the Frederick airport, and before that, as an assistant video producer with a marketing firm in Hagerstown, MD.

Tyler earned his private pilot certificate in 2017. He is a graduate of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, with a bachelor’s degree in Visual Arts. He currently resides in Hagerstown, MD with his wife and two daughters.

Adam Rarey, Video Producer, supports general aviation safety through creative video content. He joined the Air Safety Institute in February, 2022.

Prior to ASI, Adam worked as a live events producer for a production company in Arlington, Virginia. He graduated with a degree in cinematography from the University of Michigan.

Adam earned his CFI certificate in October 2023. He hopes that he can impart his love of aviation to the next generation of pilots.

Claire Urban, Senior Design Architect, joined the Air Safety Institute team in January 2016. She is responsible for creating and updating many of ASI’s online courses including the online flight instructor refresher course (eFIRC).

Prior to joining ASI, Claire worked as a contractor developing many of ASI’s current interactive online courses. It was a natural progression to bring her e-learning development and web design skills in-house. As a lifelong resident of Frederick, Claire has worked as a Senior Designer for many years in a local online marketing agency, and as a freelance designer.

Claire is a graduate from Shepherd University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Design. She has added student pilot to her list of achievements. Her passions range from going off-highway in her Jeep to photography, jewelry making, and woodworking.