NAFI Leadership
Meet the NAFI Board of Directors
The NAFI Board of Directors is an all-volunteer group of professionals who help guide our mission and ensure long-term growth. In addition to their broad aviation experiences, many bring valuable expertise from other fields such as business development, finance, and marketing.
Karen Kalishek
Chair
Karen Kalishek is a Designated Pilot Examiner, four-time NAFI Master Instructor, and an FAA Gold Seal Instructor with CFI, CFII, MEI, CFI-G, AGI, IGI credentials. She holds an ATP certificate with ASES and Glider Commercial privileges. In 2019, she was named National FAASTeam Representative of the Year.
Karen is actively involved in multiple aviation organizations and serves as a Major in the Civil Air Patrol (CAP), acting as a flight instructor, check pilot, examiner, mission pilot, and cadet orientation pilot. She has a passion for antique aircraft and enjoys flying her RV-6. Before becoming a full-time instructor, Karen had a career in banking and international consulting, providing services in 37 countries.
Paul J. Preidecker
President
Paul J. Preidecker has been involved in aviation training and education for 35 years and retired from a regional airline where he served as chief flight instructor, examiner, and captain. He has contributed to industry advancements as a member of an FAA Aviation Rulemaking Committee, facilitator for the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee’s Standardized Curriculum Working Group for Part 135, and as an invited speaker at the NTSB. He also served as chair of the Flight Training Committee for the Regional Airline Association and co-chair of the Flight Operations Steering Committee at Bombardier.
Paul is president of the National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI), where he works to advance flight training standards and support aviation educators. A frequent presenter at the World Aviation Training Summit (WATS), he also moderates the ab initio track for the conference and contributes to aviation publications. Through his company, he collaborates with training organizations to develop curricula and best practices for effective flight instruction. An avid international traveler, Paul divides his time between Madison, Wisconsin, and Phoenix, Arizona, with his partner, Susan.
Adam Magee
Treasurer
Adam Magee is a Commercial hot air balloon pilot, Flight Instructor, NAFI Elite Balloon Instructor, Designated Pilot Examiner, and FAASTeam Lead Representative. He serves as NAFI Treasurer and Chair of the Finance Committee. Adam received the 2021 National FAA Safety Team Representative of the Year Award and was previously named District and Central Region FAA Flight Instructor of the Year. He is co-founder and President of The Balloon Training Academy, a nonprofit dedicated to balloon pilot education.
Through his LTA Outreach Series Webinars, Adam has trained hundreds of balloon pilots and hosted key FAA officials, including the FAA Administrator and Federal Air Surgeon. A regular contributor to FAA Safety Briefing Magazine, Adam is committed to improving ballooning safety through collaboration with the FAA. He holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s in Accounting from the University of Missouri and works as a Financial Reporting Officer.
Aaron Dabney
Secretary
Aaron Dabney, a lifelong aviation enthusiast, is an active flight instructor and Master Flight Instructor. He teaches in Baylor University’s Aviation Science program and is the caretaker of his family’s 1946 Piper Cub. Aaron and his wife own Waco Flight Training, where he emphasizes blending classic stick-and-rudder skills with modern pedagogy.
He actively volunteers with NAFI, contributing to the Master CFI reviewer board, MentorLIVE production, and leadership roles. A Lifetime EAA Member, Aaron is passionate about community-building in aviation. When not flying, he enjoys traveling with his wife and mentoring fellow entrepreneurs.
Robert Meder
Chair Emeritus
Robert “Bob” Meder earned his CFI in 2006 and has since added single-engine and multi-engine instrument certificates. Recently retired from a 40+ year railroad career, he worked with the FAA on drone regulations while continuing to instruct. With 6,000+ hours of dual instruction, Bob specializes in training new flight instructors, emphasizing risk management and critical thinking.
A FAASTeam Lead Rep, he was named District and Regional Flight Instructor of the Year in 2009 and 2010. After nearly a decade as NAFI Chair, Bob now serves as Chair Emeritus.
George Charles Allen
George Charles Allen is an aviator, educator, and consultant. A second-generation flight instructor, he co-founded AeroVenture, an award-winning flight academy. An advocate for traditional stick-and-rudder flying, he blends philosophy and aviation education using the Socratic method and stoicism. His school has received multiple national and regional honors, including AOPA’s National Best Flight School—twice.
A recipient of the Dr. Wendell G. Mohling Outstanding Aerospace Educator Award and the CAP Chuck Yeager Aerospace Education Award, George is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society and a former AOPA Flight Training Advisory Board member. He holds honors degrees in Classics and Philosophy, a Master’s in Aeronautics and Space Science from Embry-Riddle, and is pursuing a Doctor of Aviation at the Florida Institute of Technology.
J.D. DeBoskey
J.D. DeBoskey is a CFI, CFII, MEI, and an American Airlines Captain with over 5,000 hours of instruction. A distinguished USAF veteran, he flew the C-130 Hercules in combat operations worldwide. J.D. has received multiple Air Medals, Safety Awards, and Commendation Medals. He was honored with The Order of Daedalians Award for heroic actions at sea. He instructs at Boeing’s Miami Training Campus, leads FAASTeam safety efforts, and founded Future Flyers Foundation, training high school students for aviation careers.
Tom Dorl
Tom Dorl has been flying since he was 16 years old and learned to fly at an Air Force base in New Jersey. It was at this aero club, flying C-152s, that Tom cemented his love for flying. He attend an aviation university in Ohio and secured a commission in the USAF along with a degree in Aerospace Technology. Tom completed fixed wing and rotary wing pilot training flying the T-37, T-38, UH-1 and HH-60G and was one of the first operational USAF pilots to fly the HH-60G PaveHawk.
Tom served over 25 years in the USAF flying mainly combat search and rescue missions in many overseas locations saving the lives of others; additionally he taught powered flight to USAF Academy Cadets in the Cirrus 20 (T-53). He has been an active and dual rated flight instructor for over 22 years, is an active FAASTeam Representative and presenter, CAP member and published author. He holds a CMEL, CFI, CFII in both single engine airplanes and helicopters as well as a Pt 107 UAS Commercial certificate.
Gregory Feith
Gregory Feith is a former Senior Air Safety Investigator and “Go-Team” captain with the NTSB who has investigated over 2,500 aviation accidents worldwide during his 40-year career. He spent 21 years with the NTSB as an Investigator-In-Charge or U.S. Accredited Representative for numerous high-profile accidents, including the ValuJet DC-9 in-flight fire in the Florida Everglades, the American Eagle ATR 72 icing crash in Roselawn, and the Korean Air Boeing 747 CFIT crash in Guam. Greg also led an expedition to 21,000 feet on Mt. Illimani in Bolivia to investigate Eastern Airlines Flight 980, the highest aviation-controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) accident in history.
Greg holds an ATP, CFI, CFII, Advanced and Instrument Ground Instructor certificates, and a BS in Aeronautical Studies from Embry-Riddle. He has received multiple industry awards, including the Aviation Week and Space Technology Laurel Award and the SAFE Association’s Michael R. Grost Award. A respected aviation safety expert, Greg is an NBC News Aviation Safety Analyst, a frequent speaker, and has appeared on MAYDAY, Seconds to Disaster, and Why Airplanes Crash. He was inducted into the Living Legends of Aviation in 2016 and co-hosts the Flight Safety Detectives podcast. He also advises on aviation safety technology and co-invented LapKidz, a safety restraint for infant passengers. Though based in Golden, Colorado, Greg spends much of his time traveling the world, advocating for aviation safety.
John Gagliano
John Gagliano is a former U.S. Navy pilot with an ATP Certificate, CE-525S Type Rating, and CFI, CFII, and MEI certificates. He deployed to Afghanistan onboard USS Theodore Roosevelt shortly after 9/11 and later to the Middle East aboard USS Enterprise in 2003. Following his deployments, he served for over three years as a Navy Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) flight instructor.
Honorably discharged from the Navy, John pursued a law degree and has been a practicing aviation attorney since 2010. He founded his own aviation law practice in 2018 and continues to fly regularly despite a demanding legal career. In addition to serving on the NAFI Board, John is a board member of the Naval Air Station Wildwood Museum in Cape May, NJ, preserving historic Naval aviation artifacts and aircraft. He encourages CFIs to fly in and explore the museum, which features an F-14 Tomcat, F6F Hellcat, and TBM Avenger.
H.G. “Gus” Putsche
H.G. “Gus” Putsche began flying in 1971, earned his private pilot certificate in 1975, and became a CFI in 1979. He holds a commercial certificate with instrument ratings in single and multi-engine aircraft and instructor certifications including CFII, AGI, and IGI. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in aviation.
Gus retired in 2014 as Director of Train Management at Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR), after a 40-year career in the rail industry. An avid trombonist, he has performed with symphonies and jazz ensembles. He has managed scheduling and lodging for 90 volunteer flight instructors at the EAA Pilot Proficiency Center and NAFI Professional Development Center at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh for eight years. Committed to supporting CFIs, Gus looks forward to helping NAFI continue to grow and enhance flight instructor education.
Brian Schiff
Brian Schiff is an airline captain with over 20,000 flight hours and holds multiple type ratings, including the Airbus A320, Boeing 727, 757, 767, DC-9 (MD-80), CL-65, LR-JET, and Gulfstream V. His aviation career spans general aviation, corporate flying, and airline operations. A Gold Seal Flight Instructor, FAA Safety Team Representative, and former FAA Designated Examiner, Brian has been actively instructing since 1985 and is recognized for his ability to simplify complex procedures for pilots at all experience levels.
Beyond the flight deck, Brian is a sought-after aviation speaker and seminar leader, regularly presenting on topics like cockpit resource management, instrument flight techniques, and pilot decision-making. He has contributed to aviation publications and training initiatives that bridge the gap between general aviation and airline operations. Brian holds degrees from San Jose State University, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and the University of Central Missouri. His mission is to enhance aviation education and safety while cultivating professionalism among pilots.
Dr. Victor Vogel
Dr. Victor Vogel is a board-certified and fellowship-trained medical oncologist specializing in breast cancer prevention and treatment. He earned his medical degree from Temple University School of Medicine, completed his residency at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, and trained in medical oncology at the Johns Hopkins Oncology Center. He has served as the National Vice President for Research at the American Cancer Society.
A private pilot since 1980, Dr. Vogel became a CFI in 2019 and CFII in 2020, also earning AGI and IGI certifications. He has owned a Beech Sierra and has flown his Cirrus SR22 for 15 years, logging flights in 40 states. A FAASTeam Representative for the Harrisburg FSDO and IFR Magazine Editorial Board member, he is transitioning to full-time flight instruction. He founded Susquehanna STEM to the Skies, an educational foundation using advanced training technology to introduce high school students to aviation careers.