NBAA Mentoring Network Champions Growth for Bizav Professionals

Aug. 22, 2025

NBAA is kicking off its 2025-26 mentoring program, connecting experienced industry professionals with people looking to grow in their roles and within the business aviation industry.

But this is not a top-down arrangement, where the mentor tells the mentee what to do. Instead, the program is designed to be collaborative, aimed at attaining specific defined goals.

“The NBAA Mentoring Network provides an opportunity for those who are new entrants to the industry to connect with someone who may be more experienced, to learn from them and seek advice,” says Jo Damato, CAM, NBAA senior vice president, events and professional engagement. “The program is designed for self-starters to seek career advice on entering or growing within the industry.”

Those interested in joining the program should complete a mentoring profile. NBAA will provide guidance on best practices to mentors on Wednesday, Sept. 24, and mentees Thursday, Sept. 25 via dedicated kickoff calls.

Damato noted that the program can be helpful to anyone in business aviation, including those already in the industry who would like to elevate their position, and to people who are making a career switch into business aviation.

“The program benefits both young professionals and seasoned professionals who may be new to the industry,” she said. “We’ve had experienced executives who are new to aviation sign up as mentees. They wanted to get a foothold and a better understanding of the industry, even CEOs who needed someone they could ask questions about aviation. They’ve run businesses before, but not necessarily an aviation business.”

The program also offers opportunities to people who are looking to change roles, such as switching from maintenance tech to maintenance manager; transitioning fleet types, like Citations to Gulfstreams; or starting a new department or business.

Learn more about the NBAA Mentoring Network and register today.

Mentors and Mentees Benefit From Participation

Chuck Stroman, CAM, assistant director of operations at Executive Jet Management, said he has gained value from the program as both a mentor and mentee. In fact, he recalls reaching out and asking someone to be his mentor.

“And one of the first things he said, ‘Chuck, you’re so experienced I don’t know if I can help you,’” Stroman said. “And I said, ‘No, I think you can because you’re experienced in the regulatory side of things.’ So, I started having regular calls with him. Curiosity is a big part of it. Curiosity is a precursor to motivation. So that curiosity, that hunger for knowledge motivated me to find a mentor.”

On the flip side, Stroman said he gains a lot from helping others in the industry,

“A mentor is someone who is somewhere you want to be, right?” he said. “So, I mentor people who don’t necessarily want to be an assistant director of operations or a pilot, but there’s some part of me that they want to be like. I try not to give people a lot of advice. I try to be more of a guide.”

Majo Perdomo Cuevas, executive director of operational controls at Million Air, who oversees 13 FBOs alongside the firm’s Part 91 and 135 division, American Jet International, joined the program in 2024. Her mentors have included Stroman and Jamie Muñoz, general manager, Galaxy FBO Addison (TX).

“Each of these individuals have guided me in various ways, providing perspective on strategy, encouragement during moments of self-doubt, and a reminder that I am not alone in this journey,” Perdomo Cuevas said.

“To me, mentorship transcends professional advice; it embodies having role models, friends, and trustworthy support,” she said. “As a young woman with a unique background in aviation, I’ve often felt out of place. Mentors have helped ease those moments. I’ve had conversations that started as professional but evolved into deeply personal discussions about balancing ambition with life, navigating setbacks, or simply needing someone to listen. These connections have been vital to my perseverance.”

Muñoz has been participating in the program for two years.

“The beautiful thing about mentorship is that, if you do it right, you always gain just as much as you give,” said Muñoz. “My participation in this program has been a reminder that growth is never one-sided. I’ve learned a great deal from my mentees. This experience has also reinforced the importance of curiosity, humility and adaptability in leadership. I’m looking forward to continuing to support and learn from my mentees for years to come.

“I always like to leave them with tangibles they can apply to their career so they can see results, while challenging them to find some answers on their own in unique ways,” she said. “I also try to share my own personal experiences, which is fun because it allows me to reflect on my own journey, remembering all the experiences I have had and identifying where I still want to grow.”