David has held numerous leadership positions in business operations, accounting, and finance in a variety of industries such as technology, finance and marketing. He has over 20 years of experience supporting corporate operations and management, implementing scalable processes and infrastructure, and performing strategic and financial analyses. In his current role, David is responsible for growth, new business ventures, acquisitions, and strategic partnerships. David received his bachelor’s degree in Economics from The Johns Hopkins University. FUN FACT: David loves deejaying and coaching youth sports.
David Zalcmann
Chief Operating Officer, UTRS, Inc.
David has held numerous leadership positions in business operations, accounting, and finance in a variety of industries such as technology, finance and marketing. He has over 20 years of experience supporting corporate operations and management, implementing scalable processes and infrastructure, and performing strategic and financial analyses. In his current role, David is responsible for growth, new business ventures, acquisitions, and strategic partnerships. David received his bachelor’s degree in Economics from The Johns Hopkins University. FUN FACT: David loves deejaying and coaching youth sports.
Arend van der Veen, SSCP, is a full stack software developer with over 36 years of experience designing, developing, and deploying software systems in a variety of industries. For the past 15 years he has been heavily involved with the design, development, and deployment of secure web-based and mobile applications. Arend earned a Bachelor of Engineering, a Master of Engineering and a Doctor of Philosophy from Stevens Institute of Technology.
FUN FACT: Arend loves Samoyeds and enjoys going to dog shows with one of his dogs.
Arend Van der Veen
Vice President, Aviation Safety Technology
Arend van der Veen, SSCP, is a full stack software developer with over 36 years of experience designing, developing, and deploying software systems in a variety of industries. For the past 15 years he has been heavily involved with the design, development, and deployment of secure web-based and mobile applications. Arend earned a Bachelor of Engineering, a Master of Engineering and a Doctor of Philosophy from Stevens Institute of Technology.
FUN FACT: Arend loves Samoyeds and enjoys going to dog shows with one of his dogs.
Kamron has been in the aviation industry since 1996. He served in the U.S. Army for over 10 years. Afterwards, he transitioned to Lockheed Martin where he built and tested F-16 and F-35 aircraft. In 2006, Kamron started his commercial aviation safety career at Southwest Airlines (SWA), where he helped create algorithms for the Flight Data Analysis Program (FDAP) and developed safety-of-flight information. He then managed the FDAP program for six years. In 2014, Kamron moved to American Airlines, becoming the FOQA Manager. Kamron has been the WBAT Program Manager since 2015.
Kamron Githens
Program Manager
Kamron has been in the aviation industry since 1996. He served in the U.S. Army for over 10 years. Afterwards, he transitioned to Lockheed Martin where he built and tested F-16 and F-35 aircraft. In 2006, Kamron started his commercial aviation safety career at Southwest Airlines (SWA), where he helped create algorithms for the Flight Data Analysis Program (FDAP) and developed safety-of-flight information. He then managed the FDAP program for six years. In 2014, Kamron moved to American Airlines, becoming the FOQA Manager. Kamron has been the WBAT Program Manager since 2015.
Legal Counsel
Marc has over 3 decades of experience supporting aviation safety programs as a lawyer,
operations manager and strategic thinker.
FUN FACTS:
Marc was a theater gleek in high school and played the wizard in The Wiz.
Marc grew up in the car business and absolutely love cars.
Marc Snyderman, Esq.
General Counsel
Marc has over 3 decades of experience supporting aviation safety programs as a lawyer,
operations manager and strategic thinker.
FUN FACTS:
Marc was a theater gleek in high school and played the wizard in The Wiz.
Marc grew up in the car business and absolutely love cars.
Product Support Team
Michele will be celebrating 20 years of working at UTRS this summer. While she has held the same title all of these years, she has had the opportunity to work on many different projects within the company. Her primary position requires providing support to both the WBAT Program as well as UTRS’ contract with the USAF.
FUN FACTS: Michele's favorite thing to do is spend time with her family, which includes her two little grandchildren and her three dogs. She also enjoys reading and volunteering with her local dog shelter.
Michele Strange
Project Facilitator
Michele will be celebrating 20 years of working at UTRS this summer. While she has held the same title all of these years, she has had the opportunity to work on many different projects within the company. Her primary position requires providing support to both the WBAT Program as well as UTRS’ contract with the USAF.
FUN FACTS: Michele's favorite thing to do is spend time with her family, which includes her two little grandchildren and her three dogs. She also enjoys reading and volunteering with her local dog shelter.
Christina started working in the aviation industry in 2023. She previously worked for UTRS in their accounting department, as well as assisting with an FAA Conference. She earned her Master’s in Education from Fitchburg State University in 2013, but decided to explore a new path and has taken an interest in aviation safety. FUN FACTS: Christina and her husband enjoy traveling. They recently took their one-year-old son on his first cruise to Bermuda! Besides spending time with her family and two dogs, she enjoys crafting and working out.
Christina Neilio
Administrative Assistant
Christina started working in the aviation industry in 2023. She previously worked for UTRS in their accounting department, as well as assisting with an FAA Conference. She earned her Master’s in Education from Fitchburg State University in 2013, but decided to explore a new path and has taken an interest in aviation safety. FUN FACTS: Christina and her husband enjoy traveling. They recently took their one-year-old son on his first cruise to Bermuda! Besides spending time with her family and two dogs, she enjoys crafting and working out.
Phillip "Flip" Hockema is a software and systems professional with over 35 years' experience in software design, development, and deployment in various industries. For the past 8 years, Flip has been in an SMS leadership role with a major regional airline. Flip received a BS in Applied Avionics Engineering from the University of Arizona and has owned four businesses of his own. FUN FACT: Flip is an avid golfer and planned to enter the PGA Champions tour in 2012. However, due to a knee injury, was unable to qualify and now teaches professionally in his spare time.
Flip Hockema
Aviation Safety Specialist
Phillip "Flip" Hockema is a software and systems professional with over 35 years' experience in software design, development, and deployment in various industries. For the past 8 years, Flip has been in an SMS leadership role with a major regional airline. Flip received a BS in Applied Avionics Engineering from the University of Arizona and has owned four businesses of his own. FUN FACT: Flip is an avid golfer and planned to enter the PGA Champions tour in 2012. However, due to a knee injury, was unable to qualify and now teaches professionally in his spare time.
Stephanie has been working in aviation since 2012, starting at US Airways and working through the merger with American Airlines. She held various roles in Records, Airworthiness Directive management, and finally Regulatory Compliance where she used SMS, Human Factors, and Just Culture to help improve safety at the airline. She joined the WBAT team in 2023. FUN FACT: Stephanie earned her BS in Biology but fell in love with aviation and never looked back!
STEPHANIE FORSYTHE
AVIATION SAFETY SPECIALIST
Stephanie has been working in aviation since 2012, starting at US Airways and working through the merger with American Airlines. She held various roles in Records, Airworthiness Directive management, and finally Regulatory Compliance where she used SMS, Human Factors, and Just Culture to help improve safety at the airline. She joined the WBAT team in 2023. FUN FACT: Stephanie earned her BS in Biology but fell in love with aviation and never looked back!
Since 1988, Chris Godor has been a technical writer for various entities dealing with consumer products to transportation. Proficient with many publishing tools, he has produced numerous types of user documentation. Chris joined UTRS in 2015 to provide documentation for the aviation safety teams. FUN FACT: In 2001, after hiking down the 9.9-mile Bright Angel Trail on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, Chris grabbed an oar for an 8-day raft trip on the Colorado River, actually rowing the supply raft through a stretch of rapids.
CHRIS GODOR
TECHNICAL WRITER
Since 1988, Chris Godor has been a technical writer for various entities dealing with consumer products to transportation. Proficient with many publishing tools, he has produced numerous types of user documentation. Chris joined UTRS in 2015 to provide documentation for the aviation safety teams. FUN FACT: In 2001, after hiking down the 9.9-mile Bright Angel Trail on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, Chris grabbed an oar for an 8-day raft trip on the Colorado River, actually rowing the supply raft through a stretch of rapids.
Enterprise Services
Ryan has been in the aviation industry since 2009 and has a Bachelor's Degree in Aviation Management. He spent 7 years as a safety analyst/manager for the Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) at a 121 carrier and has received training in Human Factors Analysis & Classification System (HFACS), Six Sigma, MITRE SMS training and FAA ASAP training. Ryan currently manages and facilitates SMS facilitation services for Part 135, 91 carriers around the country.
FUN FACT: Ryan is married with 3 kids and lives in Southern Utah where he loves golfing and going on travel adventures with his family.
Ryan West
SMS Manager
Ryan has been in the aviation industry since 2009 and has a Bachelor's Degree in Aviation Management. He spent 7 years as a safety analyst/manager for the Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) at a 121 carrier and has received training in Human Factors Analysis & Classification System (HFACS), Six Sigma, MITRE SMS training and FAA ASAP training. Ryan currently manages and facilitates SMS facilitation services for Part 135, 91 carriers around the country.
FUN FACT: Ryan is married with 3 kids and lives in Southern Utah where he loves golfing and going on travel adventures with his family.
Nick has a B.A. in Occupational Safety from Waldorf University. Additional training includes AS9100 Internal Audit, MITRE SMS, and FAA ASAP. Nick also obtained a Certified Safety Professional (CSP®) credential from the Board of Certified Safety Professionals. He has been in the aviation industry since 2013. Prior to WBAT, he worked for a 121 air carrier, where he served as Crew Scheduler, Aviation Safety Administrator, Manager of Safety and Manager of Internal Evaluations Program. FUN FACT: "I come from an aviation family. My father worked in Maintenance and Engineering, and my mother worked Inflight Management. Each of my siblings have also worked in aviation in some capacity."
Nicholas Manibusan
Aviation Safety Specialist
Nick has a B.A. in Occupational Safety from Waldorf University. Additional training includes AS9100 Internal Audit, MITRE SMS, and FAA ASAP. Nick also obtained a Certified Safety Professional (CSP®) credential from the Board of Certified Safety Professionals. He has been in the aviation industry since 2013. Prior to WBAT, he worked for a 121 air carrier, where he served as Crew Scheduler, Aviation Safety Administrator, Manager of Safety and Manager of Internal Evaluations Program. FUN FACT: "I come from an aviation family. My father worked in Maintenance and Engineering, and my mother worked Inflight Management. Each of my siblings have also worked in aviation in some capacity."
Sarah has over a decade of experience in marketing and writing, including several years as a technical writer and editorial technician supporting the Warfighter for the Department of Defense. She graduated from Towson University in 2008 with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism and New Media.
FUN FACT: Sarah's idea of a perfect day is a sunny day at the beach with her husband, daughter, and two sons.
Sarah Hart
Marketing Coordinator
Sarah has over a decade of experience in marketing and writing, including several years as a technical writer and editorial technician supporting the Warfighter for the Department of Defense. She graduated from Towson University in 2008 with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism and New Media.
FUN FACT: Sarah's idea of a perfect day is a sunny day at the beach with her husband, daughter, and two sons.
Leah joined the aviation field in 2013 when she obtained her FAA Dispatch License. She worked for the same 121 carrier from then until she joined UTRS in 2024. She was a part of the team that began the SOC department and then moved to IEP. She was invited to create and manage a new department of CASS and Tech Ops Safety Assurance. After completing training with the FAA at the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center and A&P school, she accepted the position of Manager of SMS.
FUN FACTS: Leah received her first aviation degree from Sinclair Community College in Dayton, Ohio, the birthplace of aviation, and she continues to return there to speak and participate in curriculum-building exercises. Her grandfather, father, brother, and uncle have all had some degree of aviation career. She enjoys motorcycles, drag racing, and all things that go fast.
Leah Botkin
Aviation Safety Specialist
Leah joined the aviation field in 2013 when she obtained her FAA Dispatch License. She worked for the same 121 carrier from then until she joined UTRS in 2024. She was a part of the team that began the SOC department and then moved to IEP. She was invited to create and manage a new department of CASS and Tech Ops Safety Assurance. After completing training with the FAA at the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center and A&P school, she accepted the position of Manager of SMS.
FUN FACTS: Leah received her first aviation degree from Sinclair Community College in Dayton, Ohio, the birthplace of aviation, and she continues to return there to speak and participate in curriculum-building exercises. Her grandfather, father, brother, and uncle have all had some degree of aviation career. She enjoys motorcycles, drag racing, and all things that go fast.
Technical Team Systems Administration Division
Duane is the Systems Network Manager for WBAT and Air Force contracts. He has been with UTRS since 2000 and has been in IT since 1996, and he has been involved in many different aspects of this field. Currently, he is mostly focused on virtualization technologies as it relates to the support of our projects. Before UTRS, Duane worked in the Philadelphia Inquirer newsroom as an editorial assistant and freelance reporter. He also did teaching on the side, was an MCSE instructor for community colleges, and taught English as a second language in Philadelphia’s Chinatown. As often as he can, he likes to unplug from technology and disappear into the mountains to hike, or go to his workshop and make something out of wood with his hand tools.
Duane Winner
Systems Network Manager
Duane is the Systems Network Manager for WBAT and Air Force contracts. He has been with UTRS since 2000 and has been in IT since 1996, and he has been involved in many different aspects of this field. Currently, he is mostly focused on virtualization technologies as it relates to the support of our projects. Before UTRS, Duane worked in the Philadelphia Inquirer newsroom as an editorial assistant and freelance reporter. He also did teaching on the side, was an MCSE instructor for community colleges, and taught English as a second language in Philadelphia’s Chinatown. As often as he can, he likes to unplug from technology and disappear into the mountains to hike, or go to his workshop and make something out of wood with his hand tools.
Will studied programming as an undergraduate and made some small contributions to the Linux Kernel project. He worked for many years at a small IT Managed Service Provider where he wore many hats: user support, server administration, programming, and others.
FUN FACTS: Will homebrews wine, beer, and mead. He is very good at getting cats to take medication that they do not want to take.
Will Dyson
Systems Administrator
Will studied programming as an undergraduate and made some small contributions to the Linux Kernel project. He worked for many years at a small IT Managed Service Provider where he wore many hats: user support, server administration, programming, and others.
FUN FACTS: Will homebrews wine, beer, and mead. He is very good at getting cats to take medication that they do not want to take.
Technical Team Product Development Division
Sean has worked at UTRS for over 7 years on the main WBAT app, the WBAT mobile app, and IRIS.
FUN FACTS: "Two truths and a lie: I like kayaking and boardgaming. I’ve lost two phones to the bottom of the lake while kayaking. I won the Nashville Karaoke World Championship."
Sean Kanaley
Software Developer
Sean has worked at UTRS for over 7 years on the main WBAT app, the WBAT mobile app, and IRIS.
FUN FACTS: "Two truths and a lie: I like kayaking and boardgaming. I’ve lost two phones to the bottom of the lake while kayaking. I won the Nashville Karaoke World Championship."
Srini Gunisetti
SOFTWARE DEVELOPER
"I’ve been with UTRS since 2006, and prior to that, after I finished college, I worked for a small company doing Geek Squad type work, and have been goofing around with PC’s in one way or another since we got our first desktop at some point in the 90’s and I found myself responsible for troubleshooting it. I have a rapidly growing vinyl record collection that is causing space issues around the house, and enjoy every single minute we are able to spend at the beach with our kids during the summer."
Frank Hudnall
Software Developer/System Administrator
"I’ve been with UTRS since 2006, and prior to that, after I finished college, I worked for a small company doing Geek Squad type work, and have been goofing around with PC’s in one way or another since we got our first desktop at some point in the 90’s and I found myself responsible for troubleshooting it. I have a rapidly growing vinyl record collection that is causing space issues around the house, and enjoy every single minute we are able to spend at the beach with our kids during the summer."
