Jonah Rifkin is the Executive Director and President of Purdue Aviation Day 2025. He is a senior from Birmingham, Michigan majoring in both Aviation Management and Economics. In his free time, Jonah enjoys outdoor activities such as mountain biking, hiking, skiing, and sailing. He also likes playing sports, watching college football, and cooking. He looks forward to being a part of Purdue Aviation Day one more time as the event soars through time!

Jeffrey Watts is the Executive Director and Head of Operations for Purdue Aviation Day 2025. He is a senior and Certified Flight Instructor from Aurora, Colorado majoring in Professional Flight Technology. After graduation, Jeffrey looks forward to flying for a US regional airline and beginning his airline career. Outside of aviation, he enjoys running, watching Purdue sports, and spending time with friends and family. He can’t wait to see his grandparents this year at PAD 2025!

Shaylee Laubach is the VP of People for Purdue Aviation Day 2025. She is a senior from Orange County, California majoring in Professional Flight Technology with a minor in Religious Studies. After graduation, she is excited to return home to California and pursue a career in aviation. In her free time, Shaylee enjoys spending time with family and friends, relaxing at the beach, playing card games, and traveling.

Madelyn Kelly is the VP of Marketing and Guest Experience for Purdue Aviation Day 2025. She is a senior from Seattle, Washington majoring in Professional Flight Technology with a minor in Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences. She currently works as a CFII and Dispatcher for the School of Aviation. After graduation in May, she looks forward to returning home to Washington to flight instruct and build hours while pursuing a career as an airline pilot. Outside of aviation, Madelyn enjoys running, baking, and cooking.

Sam Beers is the VP of Airside Operations for Purdue Aviation Day 2025. He is a senior majoring in Professional Flight Technology from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Upon graduation, he plans to start his professional aviation career at a regional airline and eventually work his way up to flying for a major carrier. In his free time, he enjoys golfing, skiing, spending time with his friends, and all things Philly sports!

Kyle Holiday is the VP of Landside Operations for Purdue Aviation Day 2025. He is a junior majoring in Professional Flight Technology and Aviation Management from Mount Sinai, New York. In the years to come, he plans to continue instructing as a CFI with aspirations of becoming a professional airline pilot. When he’s not flying, Kyle enjoys playing golf, photography, and attending Purdue basketball games.

Allison Boyd is the VP of Communications for Purdue Aviation Day 2025. She is a senior from Washington, Indiana majoring in Aeronautical Engineering Technology. After graduation, she will be pursuing two graduate degrees in the United Kingdom. In her free time, Allison enjoys writing, reading, and spending time with friends.

Jovan Jimenez is the Associate Director of Operations for Purdue Aviation Day 2025. He is a sophomore from Brownsburg, Indiana majoring in Professional Flight Technology. He is focused on advancing his aviation career by earning his Commercial, Multi-Engine, and CFI certificates in the coming months. His ultimate goal is to be a Captain at a legacy airline, following in the footsteps of his Father. In his free time, Jovan loves spending time with friends and family, watching sports, travelling, and going to concerts!

Carter Blair is the Associate Director of Business for Purdue Aviation Day 2025. He is a sophomore from Palo Alto, California majoring in Aviation Management, Airline & Airport Management and Operations, with a Business Economics Minor. He is currently an Education Instructor at an aviation museum in California where he teaches aviation camps, public programs, and instructs guests in a full-motion simulator. He hopes to eventually work for a major airline in their Network Planning and Strategy department. In his free time, Carter enjoys going on hikes and backpacking, learning about aviation history, and reading science fiction. 

Emily Hede is the Marketing Director for Purdue Aviation Day 2025. She is a sophomore from Easthampton, Massachusetts majoring in Professional Flight Technology and Aviation Management with a minor in Real Estate. She currently works as a Flight Dispatcher for the School of Aviation and is pursuing her Commercial Multi-Engine Add-On and Flight Instructor Certificate. Emily is excited to join Republic Airways as a Safety Intern this summer and hopes to pursue a career that allows her to one day fly in the right seat alongside her dad. In her free time, Emily enjoys being in the company of loved ones, teaching sailing, travelling, and spending time at the beach.

Ben DeMartino is the GA Ramp & Fly-In Director for Purdue Aviation Day 2025. He is a sophomore from Shelton, Connecticut majoring in Professional Flight Technology with a Physics minor. In the near future, he plans to work as a flight instructor and further down the line he would love to work as a pilot at a legacy airline. Ben also has an interest in pursuing a role in safety at an airline. In his free time he enjoys spending time outside, attending football and basketball games, and spending time with friends.

Brandon Snyder is the Sponsorship Director for Purdue Aviation Day 2025. He is a senior from Palm Beach, Florida majoring in Aeronautical Engineering Technology. He is currently participating in a co-op program with Gulfstream Aerospace in Operations Engineering and will become an Operations Engineer for the company this August. In his free time, Brandon enjoys golfing, skiing, working out, going to concerts, and Buffalo sports!

Landen Stewart is the Finance Director for Purdue Aviation Day 2025. He is a senior majoring in Professional Flight Technology and Aviation Management from Rockville, Indiana. Upon graduation in May, he will be joining Duke Energy in Charlotte, NC as an Aircraft Operations Specialist. In his free time, Landen enjoys reading and spending his time in the company of family and friends.

Mia Brashear is the Community Affairs Director for Purdue Aviation Day 2025. She is a sophomore from Falls Church, Virginia majoring in Professional Flight Technology and Aviation Management. She currently works as a Front Desk Agent at the Purdue Union Club Hotel and is excited to be joining American Airlines’ Aviation Management Co-Op Program beginning this June. In the future, she plans to work toward becoming a CFI and eventually a pilot for a major airline. In her free time, Mia enjoys CrossFit, playing piano, cooking, and reading.

Harrison Kane is the Director of Volunteer Coordination for Purdue Aviation Day 2025. He is a sophomore majoring in Professional Flight Technology from New Albany, Indiana. He plans to soon become a CFI to share his love of aviation and further prepare himself for an airline career. During the summer, Harrison manages Aviation Operations for Culver Academies and helps encourage young students to pursue careers in Aviation as a Ground Instructor. When he’s not flying, Harrison enjoys travelling, spending time with his two French Bulldogs, and being on the board of Purdue’s NGPA chapter.

Brayleigh Patterson is the Youth Activities Director for Purdue Aviation Day 2025. She is a junior majoring in Professional Flight Technology and Aviation Management from Batesville, Indiana. Brayleigh plans to become a Certified Flight Instructor in the near future and begin training other students with a passion for aviation. In her free time she enjoys reading a good book and spending time with her friends and family, especially her energetic nieces and nephews!

Parker Norah is the Activities Director for Purdue Aviation Day 2025. He is a sophomore majoring in Professional Flight Technology from Snoqualmie, Washington. Parker currently works as a CFI for the university and will be a Pilot Intern with Alaska Airlines this summer. After graduation, he plans to become a pilot for Horizon Air. In his free time, Parker enjoys golfing, listening to music, and traveling. Boiler Up!

Madeline Eckberg is the Parking & Transportation Director for Purdue Aviation Day 2025. She is a junior from Green Bay, Wisconsin majoring in Aviation & Airport Management and Operations with a minor in Earth, Atmospheric, Planetary Sciences. She previously interned with United Airlines in an Airport Operations role at O’Hare and will return in Summer 2025 as a Network Operations Center intern. Her primary interest is in air traffic strategy and she has the goal of eventually becoming an Air Traffic Controller. Additionally, she is the chair of the Lafayette Chapter of the Ninety-Nines, an organization for women pilots originally founded by Amelia Earhart in 1929. In her free time, Madeline enjoys reading, traveling, and flying with friends and family.

Mitchell Ferrario is the Vendors & Facilities Director for Purdue Aviation Day 2025. He is a senior from Columbia, South Carolina majoring in Professional Flight Technology and pursuing a MS in Aviation & Aerospace Management. After graduation, he plans to continue working as a Certified Flight Instructor and hopes to one day fly for the United States Air Force. When he’s not flying, Mitchell enjoys playing ice hockey and cheering on Purdue sports!

Alex Jeynes is the Safety & Compliance Director for Purdue Aviation Day 2025. He is a senior from Traverse City, Michigan majoring in both Airline Management and Airport Management. He plans to pursue a career in aviation safety, hopefully working for a commercial airline. In his free time, Alex enjoys fishing and spending time with his friends. 

William Genetti is the Guest Experience Director for Purdue Aviation Day 2025. He is a sophomore majoring in Professional Flight Technology from Houston, Texas. He recently earned his Certified Flight Instructor Certificate and is excited about training new pilots while completing his degree at Purdue. When he’s not flying, William enjoys basketball, movie nights, and exploring new places!