Meet Our Team
Max comes from a fourth-generation lumber family, and his first involvement with the helicopter industry came in 1974 as a ground crew member for a Sikorsky S-64 Skycrane. His flying career began when he enrolled in Hillsboro Aviation’s helicopter pilot program. In 1988, Hillsboro Aviation hired Max as a helicopter instructor and the manager of its foreign student pilot program. Later, Max became a charter pilot flying turbine helicopters for various operations. In 1992, he was promoted to general manager responsible for the company's day-to-day operations. After leading the company for seven years as its general manager, Max purchased Hillsboro Aviation and became its president and CEO. Max is a commercial helicopter pilot and an instrument-rated, multi-engine airplane pilot. He is a member of the Bell Helicopter International Representative Advisory Board, Helicopter Association International Board of Directors and Portland Community College Foundation Board of Directors.
[img] => Max_Lyons.png [order_num] => 1 [slug] => max_lyons ) [1] => Array ( [id] => 10 [section] => senior_leaders [name] => Jon Hay [position] => General Manager [phone1] => 503 [phone2] => 648 [phone3] => 2831 [email] => jhay@hillsboroaviation.com [content] =>Jon is a private helicopter pilot and an A&P mechanic. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Multnomah University, and he has started graduate work in the MBA program at George Fox University. Jon has worked at Hillsboro Aviation since 1996 and has held many positions, including shop assistant, mechanic, school director, maintenance manager and now general manager. With his varied experience and long-term service at Hillsboro Aviation, Jon is a valuable member of the management team.
[img] => Jon_Hay1.png [order_num] => 2 [slug] => jon_hay ) [2] => Array ( [id] => 109 [section] => senior_leaders [name] => Ryan McCartney [position] => Director of Sales and Service [phone1] => 503 [phone2] => 648 [phone3] => 2831 [email] => rmccartney@hillsboroaviation.com [content] =>Ryan has been studying aviation since his first airplane flight lesson in 1988. He began his career with Hillsboro Aviation in 2005 and brings over 16 years of management experience to the team. Ryan is a commercial helicopter pilot with experience in contract and charter operations and as the helicopter Chief Instructor for Hillsboro Aviation. Ryan was the school director from 2008 to 2013 and was responsible for the oversight of all flight school business. In 2013, Ryan was promoted to Director of Sales and Service.
[img] => Ryan_McCartney19.png [order_num] => 3 [slug] => ryan_mccartney ) [3] => Array ( [id] => 110 [section] => senior_leaders [name] => Franz Bergtold [position] => Division Manger Contract & Charter/Director of Operations [phone1] => 503 [phone2] => 648 [phone3] => 2831 [email] => fbergtold@hillsboroaviation.com [content] =>Franz graduated from the University of Bayreuth in Germany with a degree in business and sport administration before pursuing his career as a helicopter pilot. In 1999, he graduated in 1999 from Hillsboro Aviation’s helicopter training program. Franz held the position as Part 141 Chief Flight Instructor for several years before moving into a utility line pilot position with Hillsboro Aviation. In 2006, he accepted the position of contract and charter department manager which included the responsibilities of the Director of Operations.
[img] => [order_num] => 4 [slug] => franz_bergtold ) [4] => Array ( [id] => 118 [section] => senior_leaders [name] => Chris Berg [position] => School Director [phone1] => 503 [phone2] => 648 [phone3] => 2831 [email] => cberg@hillsboroaviation.com [content] =>Chris started his flight training in 2002 in Medford, Oregon. He came to Hillsboro Aviation in 2003 to continue his training and obtain advanced ratings. In 2005, Chris was hired as an airplane certified flight instructor (CFI). He steadily began to work his way up in the company. In 2006, Chris became the Assistant Chief Instructor and in 2007 became the China program manager. Then in 2008, he accepted the position of airplane Chief Instructor. In this role, Chris supervises all airplane CFIs and is responsible for all airplane flight training operations. He is a graduate of PCC's aviation science program and is our resident expert on this degree program with PCC. In addition, he is also a qualified Part 135 King Air charter captain. In 2013, Chris was promoted to school director and is responsible for the oversight of all flight school business.
[img] => [order_num] => 5 [slug] => chris_berg ) [5] => Array ( [id] => 95 [section] => senior_leaders [name] => Natalia Cimpean [position] => Controller [phone1] => 503 [phone2] => 648 [phone3] => 2831 [email] => ncimpean@hillsboroaviation.com [content] =>Natalia joined Hillsboro Aviation in 2008. Prior to working here, she held different management positions from executive director for a start-up company to business manager for a construction company. Natalia holds a bachelor's degree in math and a Master of Business Administration from George Fox University. Currently, Natalia is working on her airplane Private Pilot Certificate.
During her time at Hillsboro Aviation, she has had different responsibilities in accounting, customer service and management.
[img] => Natalia_Cimpean.png [order_num] => 6 [slug] => natalia_cimpean ) [6] => Array ( [id] => 93 [section] => senior_leaders [name] => Ben Plummer [position] => Director of Fleet Maintenance [phone1] => 503 [phone2] => 648 [phone3] => 2831 [email] => bplummer@hillsboroaviation.com [content] =>
Ben obtained his Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) Certification in 2005 from Portland Community College. In 2006, he joined the Hillsboro Aviation team as a mechanic for our company fleet. Ben quickly became a leader in the maintenance department and was sent to Beechcraft King Air factory maintenance training. This training enabled him to take on the role of lead King Air mechanic. He then accepted the lead piston helicopter mechanic position, and in 2011 he was promoted to director of fleet maintenance. Ben is responsible for the maintenance needs of our entire company fleet which includes over 70 airplanes and helicopters.
[img] => Ben_Plummer.png [order_num] => 8 [slug] => ben_plummer ) [7] => Array ( [id] => 20 [section] => senior_leaders [name] => Amy Smith [position] => Director of Marketing [phone1] => 503 [phone2] => 648 [phone3] => 2831 [email] => asmith@hillsboroaviation.com [content] =>
Amy started at Hillsboro Aviation in 2009. She holds both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in business administration from Gonzaga University. Prior to joining Hillsboro Aviation, Amy worked in marketing for non-profit and financial service companies. As the director of marketing, she is responsible for marketing strategy and implementation for each segment of the business and supporting new business initiatives.
[img] => Amy_Smith2.png [order_num] => 9 [slug] => amy_smith ) [8] => Array ( [id] => 113 [section] => senior_leaders [name] => Code Burkett [position] => Line Service & Facilities Manager [phone1] => 503 [phone2] => 648 [phone3] => 2831 [email] => cburkett@hillsboroaviation.com [content] =>Code has dual duties at Hillsboro Aviation serving as both the line service and facilities manager. Code started at Hillsboro Aviation in 1997 as part of our line service department and over the years has become an integral member of our staff. His experience working with our students and charter department as part of the line service team enables him to meet the needs of any aircraft operator in a timely and professional manner. In addition to his managing our line service department, he is also responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of all our facilities and company vehicles.
Code’s aviation experience began when he served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve with a Bulk Fuel Unit in Phoenix, Arizona. Code is a veteran who served in Operation Desert Storm in Iraq.
His passion for all things aviation is evident in his love of air shows and his personal collection of diecast aircraft.
Name: Max Lyons
Position: President & CEO
E-Mail:
Phone: (503) 648-2831
About Max Lyons
Max comes from a fourth-generation lumber family, and his first involvement with the helicopter industry came in 1974 as a ground crew member for a Sikorsky S-64 Skycrane. His flying career began when he enrolled in Hillsboro Aviation’s helicopter pilot program. In 1988, Hillsboro Aviation hired Max as a helicopter instructor and the manager of its foreign student pilot program. Later, Max became a charter pilot flying turbine helicopters for various operations. In 1992, he was promoted to general manager responsible for the company's day-to-day operations. After leading the company for seven years as its general manager, Max purchased Hillsboro Aviation and became its president and CEO. Max is a commercial helicopter pilot and an instrument-rated, multi-engine airplane pilot. He is a member of the Bell Helicopter International Representative Advisory Board, Helicopter Association International Board of Directors and Portland Community College Foundation Board of Directors.