Russ joined Top Aces in 2018 as the parent company’s Chief Commercial Officer and was responsible for leading a focused team of professionals spearheading domestic and international business growth.  Today, he leads Top Aces Corp. as President, focused on significantly growing its aviation fleet and revenue through various contract opportunities in the U.S. Defense industry.

As an experienced military, diplomatic, and business development leader, his background includes a unique combination of tactical aviation, US domestic and international business development, and State Department experience.  Russ completed a distinguished 26-year United States Air Force career in 2011.  During his service, he held both operational and test command positions in the US and Europe, served on the Pacific Air Forces staff developing safety and training policies and served as the Deputy Group Commander for the Adversary Tactics Group where he employed the F-16 in the Aggressor role.  He also flew as the Lead and Opposing Solo Pilot for the USAF Aerial Demonstration Squadron, Thunderbirds, during the 1995 and 1996 air show seasons. He brings over 3300 F-16 flight hours to the Top Aces Corp. team.

Prior to joining Top Aces, Russ served in business development roles of increasing responsibility including as Vice President, Air Force Business Development for the L3 Technologies Communication Systems Segment. 

A graduate of the US Air Force Academy Class of 1985, he holds a bachelor’s degree in organizational Behavior, a Master’s of Aeronautical Science from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University and a Master of Arts in Strategic Studies from Deakin University in Melbourne, Australia.

Kevin joined the Top Aces Corp. leadership team in 2019 as Chief Pilot responsible for all aspects of flight operations, planning, and execution for the U.S. program, and focused on delivering superior adversary air services to customers across the U.S.

During his tenure at TAC, he successfully moved into the role of Sr. Program Manager for the USAF CAF CAS contract, representing the company as the primary contact with the USAF.  Currently, he leads as VP of Program Operations.  In this capacity, he manages customer coordination, effective and efficient synchronization, and strategic alignment of the US team with the requirements of this critical DoD contract. 

Kevin completed a distinguished 21-year U.S. Air Force career in 2013.  During his service he held both operational and training command positions in the U.S., Pacific and Europe, and commanded the 64th Aggressor Squadron where he employed the F-16 in the Aggressor role.  Kevin also brings over five years of F-35 and adversary air industry experience from his business development roles at Northrop Grumman.  A graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 1992, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Aeronautical Engineering, a Master of Mechanical Engineering from Mercer University, and a Masters of Operational Art and Science from Air University.

Chad came to Top Aces Corp. with 20 years of experience in the Aerospace and Defense industry. Most recently, Chad was President and CEO for U.S. defense contractor, Nammo Talley Inc.  During his long tenure with this organization, he also directed their Program and Contract Management function and led the Shoulder Fired Systems and Energetic Materials Solutions programs. Chad earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Arizona and an MBA from the University of Phoenix.

In his current role as VP of Finance and Program Support, Chad oversees the Company’s strategic programs and finances and reports to the Company President. His responsibilities include leading overall strategic planning and execution to enhance profitability, productivity, and efficiencies throughout the Company’s operations while ensuring that procedures, practices, and policies meet strategic and operational objectives. He works closely with and manages the Program and Contract Management team, the Project Management Office (PMO), and oversees Information Technology (IT) and Industrial Security and Trade Compliance (ISTC).   Currently, he also oversees the Finance and Accounting function of the company.

As VP of Operations and Chief Pilot, Jake is responsible for all flight OPS and training of all F-16 pilots for Top Aces Corp. He develops and implements all flight operations procedures, training plans, and flight standards to establish and sustain safe, reliable, and customer-oriented missions across the US.  He also provides key leadership to identify the best technical solutions for the F-16 in order to present the most advanced air combat training solutions to adversary air customers.

Jake completed a distinguished 25-year US Air Force career in 2019. During his service he held both operational and training command positions, served on the Operations and Plans staff in Japan, and led the Combat Operations Division for the Pacific Air Forces Air Operations Center. He was qualified as an instructor in the F-15E and F-16 and served as an Aggressor with both the 64th and 18th Aggressor Squadrons.  Jake completed his career as the 354th Operations Group Commander where he commanded all aspects of the RED FLAG-Alaska mission and led US Air Force adversary support for multi-national large force exercises across the Pacific Air Forces Area of Responsibility.

A graduate of the US Air Force Academy Class of 1994, he holds a bachelor’s degree in biology, a Master of Arts in Homeland Security and Defense from the Naval Postgraduate School, and a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College.

John joined TAC’s leadership team in early 2020, as VP of Maintenance and Supply Chain, after retiring from the US Air Force at the rank of Colonel, with his most recent military assignment working as the Inspector General, Air Force Material Command in Dayton, OH.  During his distinguished military career, a few of his other leadership assignments included command of the Maintenance Groups at both Eielson AFB in Alaska and Misawa AFB in Japan.  In his role at Top Aces Corp., John oversees the entire maintenance and supply chain organization ensuring TAC is prepared to train the next generation of combat leaders with appropriate sortie generation, aircraft reassembly, and flight airworthiness certifications. With over 29 years of experience leading F-16 maintenance organizations at all levels, John is a tremendous asset as we continue to expand and execute the US operations.

Graduating from the University of Texas at Arlington with a bachelor’s degree in Radio/Television Production, he also holds a Master’s in Aeronautical Science in Maintenance Management and Aviation Safety from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, a Master of Military Operational Art and Science from the U.S. Air Command And Staff College, and Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Air War College.  

Brian joined the Top Aces team in February 2022 as the Director of Business Development.  Today, he is the company’s Vice President of Business Development and is focused on delivering superior adversary air solutions to customers around the world. Taz also leads efforts to identify and integrate innovative technologies onto the F-16 enabling the most advanced training and threat replication available to our warfighters today.

Brian completed a distinguished 24-year U.S. Air Force career in 2016. During his service he held multiple command positions, led the Strategy Division and the Special Access Program Management Office for the Pacific Air Forces, and served as the Commander of an Aggressor Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, where he employed the F-16 in the Aggressor role. Brian brings over 2,300 F-16 flight hours to the Top Aces team.

Prior to joining Top Aces, Brian served in program and portfolio management roles of increasing responsibility culminating in his position as the Vice President, Sea, Space and Air Division, for Advanced Technology International.

A distinguished graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 1992, he holds a Bachelors’ Degree in Aeronautical Engineering and a Masters’ of National Policy and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Marine Corps Command and Staff College.

Andrew “Popeye” Hansen is Chief of Safety for Top Aces Corp. and is responsible for implementing and executing a robust safety program for both flight and ground operations.  He is a former Chief of Flight Safety for the 57th Wing, Nellis AFB, NV where he was responsible for flight safety within the most diverse Wing in Air Combat Command comprising 40 units, 126 aircraft, 2,710 personnel and 4.3 million lbs. of explosives.

Prior to joining Top Aces, Popeye was the Director of the Air National Guard Program Division under Georgia Tech Research Institute’s (GTRI) Electronic Systems Laboratory.  In this role, he was responsible for a team of 60 engineers, developing advanced Electronic Warfare systems for fighter and mobility aircraft.

Prior to joining GTRI, Popeye was a USAF Brigadier General with over 2,500 hours in the F-16 and F-15E.  He is from Klamath Falls, Oregon, and received his Air Force commission in 1992 as a distinguished graduate of the University of Colorado Reserve Officer Training Corps program.  He served twice as a USAF Aggressor, first during the standup of the 64th Aggressor Squadron in 2003-2006 at Nellis AFB, NV and then as DO and Commander of the new 18th Aggressor Squadron at Eielson AFB, AK.  Andy held a variety of leadership positions in the Air Force, including Vice Commander, 35th Fighter Wing, Misawa Air Base, Japan, Commander, 51st Fighter Wing, Osan Air Base, South Korea and Deputy Chief of Staff Operations for NATO’s Allied Air Command at Ramstein Air Base, Germany.  His interest to join the Top Aces team and get back into flying was fueled by a lifelong passion for tactical aviation and a true belief in the importance of the Aggressor mission.  

Popeye is a 1993 graduate of the University of Colorado, Boulder where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science.  He also earned a Master of Science degree in Computer Science from the Air Force Institute of Technology, a Master of Science in Aeronautical Science from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, and a Master of Science degree in Joint Campaign Planning and Strategy from the Joint Advanced Warfighting School (National Defense University).

Lindsay joined Top Aces in 2015 as the Director of Human Resources & Administration for the U.S. Operations, and was instrumental in developing and implementing HR policies, practices and procedures and in standing up and leading the HR function for Top Aces Corp.

He currently continues to lead the HR team as Vice President of Human Resources, overseeing the critical functional areas of Comp. and Benefits, Recruitment, Employee Relations, Performance Management, Succession Planning, Payroll, etc.   He also works as TAC’s Facility Manager overseeing current facility leases and acts as primary liaison with property owners and developers.  He currently serves as Corporate Secretary and Treasurer for the company.

As an experienced senior HR and business leader, Lindsay’s background working for both large, global corporations and small, private start-ups, including work for US Federal Contractors, provides a unique blend of experience and skillsets valuable to the mission and purpose of Top Aces Corp.  Prior to joining the company, Lindsay worked for CH2M HILL, Inc. (now part of Jacobs Engineering Group), managing HR for the US Southwest Region and eventually as part of the Corporate Labor Relations team for North America.  His various responsibilities provided work opportunities in Canada, Qatar, and throughout the United States.   Earlier in his career, he led HR teams as the Director for multi-state companies operating in the construction, engineering, manufacturing, and environmental industries. 

Graduating from Arizona State University with a bachelor’s degree in communication, he also holds an MBA from the University of Phoenix. 

Dr. Edward H. Bersoff is currently Chairman of Parabilis, LLC a business finance company located in Northern Virginia.  He is also the Chairman of Greenwich Associates, LLC, a business advisory firm.  He was formerly the Chairman and CEO of ATS Corporation, a publicly traded (NYSE-AMEX: ATSC) Northern Virginia based company serving the information technology needs of the Government and private sectors.  ATSC was acquired in March, 2012. 

Dr. Bersoff was previously Chairman, President and CEO of BTG, Inc., an information technology firm he founded in 1982. The company’s common stock was listed on the NASDAQ National Market.  In November 2001 BTG was acquired by the Titan Corporation, a NYSE listed company.  Dr. Bersoff was elected to the Board of Titan in February 2002.  Titan was sold to L-3 Communications in August, 2005. 

Dr. Bersoff has also served on the boards of other public and private companies.  During his business career, Bersoff has served as the CFO of a public company, served as Lead Director of three public companies, chaired the audit committee of two public companies, served on the audit committee of two others, and has served on the governance and compensation committees of other public companies.  He is currently Chair of the Board of the Virginia 529 Plan and Marymount University.

Dr. Bersoff holds A.B., M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in mathematics from New York University and is a graduate of the Harvard Business School’s Owner/President Management Program.  In 2007, he was awarded the Association for Corporate Growth National Capital Chapter Lifetime Achievement Award, and in 2014 he was named Outstanding Director by the Washington Business Journal for his chairmanship of the Holy Cross Health System.

David consults independently and assists clients with strategy and leadership development, risk communications and realism in complex program management. He is a proxy board member and Government Security Committee Chairman for Top Aces Corp, providing advanced adversary air training for US military Services. David is a board member of Jill’s House, a non-profit that provides respite care for children with intellectual disabilities.

David was a member of the Defense Business Board advising the Secretary of Defense from 2018 to 2020 and he served as Chairman of the Defense Acquisition University Board of Visitors. David was President of Chemring Sensors and Electronic Systems in 2019 and 2020. He was a board member of Chemring Group, Inc. before moving to his role in executive management. He has consulted principally in aerospace and defense since leaving active military duty.

In his acquisition career he managed the largest and most complex defense procurement program, the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. Asked to lead the program in 2010 when it was facing possible cancellation by Congress he worked with a joint government and industry team that stabilized performance in test and production. With transparency and realism in high-risk communications, he restored trust in the program by the US and numerous partner nations.

He led a 24,000 person $30B organization, Naval Air Systems Command, providing engineering, test, logistics, contracting, financial and program management support for Department of the Navy aviation acquisition. NAVAIR provided sustainment for over 3,000 aircraft and unmanned vehicles, enabling global aviation operations by the Navy and Marine Corps.

David is a retired Vice Admiral, U.S. Navy. He led large complex organizations and programs at the executive management level for 10 years as a flag officer. His career in defense acquisition covered 22 years and he flew F-14 Tomcats in fleet operations.

He is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Naval Postgraduate School and US Naval Test Pilot School. David is a member of the National Association of Corporate Directors, the Society of Experimental Test Pilots and in 2018 completed the MIT certificate course in Architecture and Systems Engineering.

David is the Managing Director of Three Mile Capital, a private investment company. Previously, he served as the Managing Director of Arlon Group and Executive Vice President and a member of the Management Committee of Continental Grain Company. Prior to that, David was a Founder and Managing Principal of Quadrangle Group, Managing Director at Lazard Freres & Co. and Managing Principal at Lazard Capital Partners, and partner at Warburg Pincus. 

As an investor, David has invested in businesses at all stages of development across most sectors. He has served on the board of directors of numerous private and public companies in the US and Bermuda and currently serves on the boards of Northeast Bancorp and White Mountains Insurance Group Ltd.  He is also Chairman of the Board of the New York University School of Law, Trustee of New York University, Trustee of Central Synagogue, Director of Lawyers for Children, Director of The Carroll and Milton Petrie Foundation, Chair Emeritus of Montefiore Medicine Academic Health System and member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

David earned his J.D. from the New York University School of Law, Diploma of Economics from the London School of Economics and B.A. in history, with honors, from Princeton University.

Ms. Chodakewitz currently serves as Chief Growth Strategy Officer at The Cadmus Group, where she oversees purpose-driven corporate growth and strategy to support Cadmus’ mission and vision in the United States and globally. Prior to its acquisition by Cadmus, she was president and CEO of Nathan Associates, a highly respected consulting firm founded in the aftermath of World War II that offered exceptional economic and analytic insights to government and commercial clients in more than 150 countries over the course of 75 years. She focused on growing and strategically repositioning the firm in the US Government contracting marketplace. Throughout her career, Ms. Chodakewitz has supported both commercial and public sectors, including multiple US government markets, foreign governments, multilateral organizations, and NGOs and foundations.

Previously, Ms. Chodakewitz held the position of President, Tetra Tech AMT (AMT), a wholly owned subsidiary of Tetra Tech, focused on IT in the government sector. In addition to growing and diversifying its business base, she also integrated broader technical capabilities in its offerings and go-to-market strategies. As Senior Vice President at SAIC, she played the leading role in applying strategic planning, change management, financial management, and organizational development best practices to US government agencies, primarily within DOD. In addition, she spent almost ten years at Booz Allen Hamilton’s Russian Studies Center, providing geopolitical and management expert consulting to a wide-range of clients. Early in her career, she worked in both the U.S. government and the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Ms. Chodakewitz is a member of several for-profit Boards of Directors, including Excella, an Agile technology firm focusing on AI and analytics, modern software delivery, and organizational transformation, and Top Aces Corporation, which provides advanced airborne training to the world’s leading air forces. She also serves on the Executive Committee of the Professional Services Council (PSC), chairs the PSC's Council of International Development Companies Executive Advisory Board, and is vice chair of The Stimson Center. She has won numerous awards and recognitions for her professional accomplishments, technical expertise, and community service. 

She holds a master’s degree in Russian studies from Columbia University and a bachelor’s degree in international relations and Russian studies from Lehigh University.