Russ joined Top Aces in 2018 as Chief Commercial Officer and is responsible for leading a focused team of professionals spearheading domestic and international business growth. 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 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.

Mike joined Top Aces Corp. with over 25 years of experience in financial management. Mike brings experience spanning large Fortune 500 companies to venture capital and private equity backed concerns across a broad scope of industries. Most recently, Mike was CFO for medical device manufacturer Clinical Innovations in Salt Lake City, UT.

As Vice President of Finance at Top Aces Corp., Mike is responsible for managing all financial, accounting and audit activities across our US operations. He is accountable for the financial and risk management operations of the Company, which includes the development of TAC’s financial and operational strategy, key metrics tied to that strategy, and the ongoing development and monitoring of control systems designed to preserve company assets and report timely and accurate financial results.

John recently retired from the US Air Force at the rank of Colonel with his most recent assignment working as the Inspector General, Air Force Material Command in Dayton, OH. His most recent 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 organizational levels, John is a tremendous asset as we continue to expand and execute the US operation.

Kevin “Uncle” Fesler joined Top Aces Corp. in the role of Vice President, Business Development in January 2020. He leads a focused team of professionals serving the U.S. Department of Defense customer’s adversary air requirements. Kevin completed a distinguished 24-year U.S. Air Force career in 2015. During his service he held commands both in the U.S. and contingency locations, served on Air Combat Command staff developing plans and programs and in the Combined Air Operations Center for Air Forces Central.
 

He had key assignments as the Chief of Safety, Director of Operations and Commander of the first operational F-22 squadrons and commanded the largest Operations Group in ACC, leading both formal training and operational F-15E mission execution. Kevin totaled over 800 hours in the F-22A and more than 3000 hours in the F-15E during operational, formal training, and test assignments. Additionally, he completed Senior Developmental Education as a Fellow for the Secretary of Defense Corporate program, assigned to F-35 Joint Strike Fighter engine team at Pratt and Whitney Military Engines. 

Kevin was commissioned into the Air Force through the ROTC program following graduation from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology where he earned a Bachelors in Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering.  He also holds a Masters of Aeronautical Science from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. Additional senior officer courses attended include the U.S. Air Force Wing Commanders Course, NATO Senior Officer Policy Course, NATO School Oberammergau, Germany, and the Aircraft Accident Safety Investigation Board President Course.

Prior to joining Top Aces, Kevin served in various business development and program management roles, to include; Executive Director, U.S. Air Force Programs, Aerojet Rocketdyne; Deputy Director F135 Sustainment, Pratt and Whitney Military Engines; Director Aeronautics Division, Operational Support Group, and Senior Associate, Advanced Consulting and Programatics.  He also served on the precision strike weapons group for the National Defense Industrial Association.

Lindsay joined Top Aces in 2015 as the Director of Human Resources and 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 the U.S. subsidiary, Top Aces Corp

.   He currently works as the Sr. Director of Support Services and is responsible for leading the various functions and teams that make up the Support Services group within the organization, including Human Resources, Information Technology, Security, Export Compliance, and Legal.  

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.  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 a Master’s of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Phoenix. 

Chad came to Top Aces 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 role at Top Aces Corp., Chad will oversee the Company’s strategic programs and report 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 will work closely with and manage the Program and Contract Management team, the Project Management Office (PMO), and will oversee Information Technology (IT) and Industrial Security and Trade Compliance (ISTC).

Jake is responsible for recruiting, hiring, and training all F-16 pilots for Top Aces. 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.

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

His duties include close customer coordination, effective and efficient synchronization and strategic alignment of the US team, as well as profit and loss responsibilities for the U.S. operation.

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 Bachelors’ Degree in Aeronautical Engineering, a Master’s of Mechanical Engineering from Mercer University, and a Master’s of Operational Art and Science from Air University.

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. 

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.

General (Ret) Robin Rand retired from the United States Air Force in Sep 2018 after serving on active duty for over 40 years.  

He entered the United States Air Force in 1974 and graduated from the United States Air Force Academy in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aviation Science.  He has also received a Master of Science degree in aeronautical science from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University; Master of Arts Degree in national security policy from the Naval War College; and was a fellow of the Pinnacle Course at the National Defense University.

During his military career, that included six overseas assignments, he had multiple flying assignments; served as an air liaison officer duty with the U.S. Army; and completed staff tours on the Joint Staff, Office of the Secretary of Defense, and Headquarters United States Air Force.

General Rand is a command pilot with over 5,100 flying hours, including more than 480 combat hours.

His extensive command duties included the 36th Fighter Squadron at Osan AB, Republic of Korea; USAF Weapons School at Nellis AFB, Nevada; 8th Fighter Wing at Kunsan AB, Republic of Korea; 56th Fighter Wing at Luke AFB, Arizona; 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing at Balad AB, Iraq; 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) at Davis Monthan AFB, Arizona; Air Education and Training Command at Randolph AFB, Texas; and his last assignment prior to retiring was Commander, Air Force Global Strike Command and Commander, Air Forces Strategic - Air, U.S. Strategic Command, Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana.

In addition to serving as a Top Aces Corp. Proxy Board of Directors member, he is the Chief Executive Officer of the Gary Sinise Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports active duty military members, military veterans, first responders, and their families.

Vice Admiral (Ret) David J. Venlet is President of Chemring Sensors and Electronic Systems and a member of the Defense Business Board advising the US Secretary of Defense.  He managed the largest and most complex defense procurement program, the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.  Asked to lead the program 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 completed the MIT certificate course in Architecture and Systems Engineering.  He served as Chairman of the Defense Acquisition University Board of Visitors.