ABOUT US

GET TO KNOW OUR TEAM

With experience spanning over the past 40 years, the Trans Aero Ltd team brings a varied and vast knowledge of the rotorcraft industry to all operation and maintenance services.

MORE

Mr. Kevin Shields

President

Kevin Shields has 43 years of aviation experience with 41 years in leadership roles in support of helicopter air ambulance and utility flight operations along with helicopter maintenance operations. Kevin has established two FAA Repair stations, a European Repair Station (EASA) (Sweden), and previously held the positions of mechanic, shop foreman, chief inspector, general manager, and vice president. He is currently President of Trans Aero Limited. Kevin holds an FAA mechanic certificate and has in the past held FAA designee positions of IA and ODAR.

Mr. Matthew Goertz

Director of Operations

Matthew Goertz has nearly 20 years of commercial helicopter operations experience, and has been a pilot with Trans Aero for the last 11 years. Mr. Goertz started as a line pilot with Trans Aero and has held the positions of Assistant Chief Pilot and Chief Pilot. Mr. Goertz is an instructor and Check Pilot in the AS350 and USFS carded in the AS350, UH-1H, and BH 205.

Ms. Elizabeth Benson

Director of Safety

Elizabeth Benson has been a pilot with Trans Aero for nearly 6 years, and accepted a promotion in 2018 to become the Director of Safety. Mrs. Benson brings 20 years of aviation experience to Trans Aero’s management team, including 16 years as a commercial pilot. Mrs. Benson’s experience includes: tour operations, seismic, fire, and power line patrol. Mrs. Benson has a formal education in aviation, including a Bachelor of Science from Embry Riddle in Aeronautics with a minor in Aviation Safety. Mrs. Benson maintains a USFS card to act as a pilot in the AS350, UH-1H, as well as a CFI and CFII. Mrs. Benson has been instrumental in the development of Trans Aero’s safety programs, and is continually working to ensure that crew members have all the needed tools to ensure safe operations.

Mr. Daniel Valentin

Chief Pilot

Daniel Valentin holds an FAA ATP certificate along with CFI and CFII certificates. Daniel brings over 16 years of aviation experience including: Helicopter Air Ambulance, Offshore, and SAR (Search and Rescue). Daniel has also previously held Chief Pilot and Chief Flight Instructor positions. Mr. Valentin brings a significant depth of experience to Trans Aero, including nighttime overwater rescue operations. Mr. Valentin is currently an NVG instructor and FAA-approved NVG check pilot.

Mr. Dennis Cleaves

Director of Maintenance

Dennis Cleaves brings 39 years of experience to the management team at Trans Aero. Dennis holds FAA A&P and IA certificates and has held numerous leadership roles in the aviation industry, including 10 years as Director of Maintenance for one of the largest Helicopter Air Ambulance companies in the United States. Mr. Cleaves also spent 7 years working in the maintenance and technical support division of American Eurocopter, now Airbus Helicopters.