SkyHope maintains a coordination center to connect people to pilots and oversee the missions. Our staff is dedicated to the SkyHope mission and always strives to provide every passenger with the absolute best service and experience.
Secretary, SkyHope
Jeff Radtke is the Secretary of SkyHope and serves on the Executive Committee. Jeff has served on the Board of Directors since 2016. Over a twenty-five year span, Jeff worked for numerous investments banks specializing in program trading and algorithmic trading. Jeff is a single-engine instrument rated pilot. He has been flying volunteer missions for seven years. “Some 400 years before the Wright brother’s first flight, Leonardo Da Vinci best described the bug of flying for me.” “When once you have tasted flight, you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return.” Leonardo da Vinci When speaking of his work with Patient Airlift Services, Jeff says: “It is my privilege to volunteer and be a member of the SkyHope team. SkyHope has taught me that at life’s most fragile moments giving a helping hand is such a powerful healing tool.” Jeff lives in Norwalk, Connecticut with his wife Karolina and four children.
Chairman, SkyHope
Jim Platz is Chairman of the Board of Directors and has served as a member of the board since the inception of SkyHope. Jim works as a structural and civil engineer involved in real estate development. He was a director of Androscoggin Bank and the chairman of Head Invest investment management until retiring last year. Jim has devoted much of his time to helping non-profit charities and has extensive experience in public outreach and fundraising. He has had previous directorship roles with St. Mary’s Healthcare, Growing Through Adoption, Auburn-Lewiston YMCA and Hebron Academy. Jim has over 17 years’ experience as a volunteer pilot and has flown more than 4000 missions and logged over 7000 hours of volunteer flying time. In addition to his dedicated service to SkyHope, Jim has flown volunteer hours for Air Life Line, Northern Wings, Angel Flight NE, Make A Wish Foundation, New England Aquarium and the Maine Audubon Society. When speaking of his experiences with SkyHope, Jim says “I am continually amazed by the courage, determination, faith, and positive attitudes that our patients show in the face of challenging situations. It is an honor and a privilege to be a part of these people’s lives.” Jim and his wife Candace live in Auburn, Maine and have two daughters. Jim’s recreational interests include underwater photography, backpacking, bicycling and kayaking.
Executive Committee Member
Scott E. Ashton is President and CEO of Aerox Aerospace Group, an aerospace holding company based in Bonita Springs, FL. He is an accomplished aerospace industry executive with more than 35 years of industry experience. Over the course of his career, he has held leadership roles at several of the industry’s most respected companies, including Sikorsky, General Electric, and Goodrich, and has led operations across multiple FAA Part 145 and Part 135 certificated businesses.
Scott is deeply committed to advancing the mission of SkyHope, where he serves on the Board of Directors, the Executive Committee, and the Pilot and Safety Committee. Since joining SkyHope in 2015, he has helped strengthen the organization’s ties with the aviation business community, contributing in areas ranging from public outreach and fundraising to volunteer flying. His advocacy work has been featured in Chief Executive and other publications magazine, and he has cultivated corporate partnerships that expand the impact of SkyHope.
A passionate aviator, Scott holds an ATP certificate along with ratings for single-engine land and sea, multiengine, glider, and helicopter aircraft. He is also a CFI, reflecting a lifelong dedication to aviation in all its forms. Scott often speaks about the profound meaning behind his work with SkyHope, noting, “I’m so incredibly proud to be a part of SkyHope and humbled by the contributions of the aviation community to make others’ lives better. Aviation has a capacity to bring so much to people’s lives—especially when they are most in need, and the volunteers and staff at SkyHope live that every day.”
Scott and his wife, Sarah live in Naples, FL. Beyond aviation, his personal interests include serving as sailing, trap shooting, fly fishing, and scuba diving—pursuits that reflect both his passion for aviation and his love of the outdoors.
James H Christie, CFP, serves as Treasurer and member of the Executive Committee. Jim has been involved in Volunteer Flying for 22 years and holds FAA Private, Instrument, and Multiengine Ratings.
Jim has held the Certified Financial Planner designation for 25 years and runs his own Wealth Management firm, specializing in Trusts and Estates.
“When I was an infant, I needed many trips to the hospital for specialized treatment. I was lucky that my family lived near these specialists, so travel was a minor issue. My goal for the past 22 years has been to make it a minor issue for those who live far away from the care they need.”
Jim has previously served on the boards of the Somerset Hills YMCA and the Fighting Children’s Cancer Foundation.
Jim lives in Bedminster, NJ and Fort Myers, FL with his wife, Kathy, and their son, Alexander.
Director, SkyHope
Jay is a member of the Board of Directors and SkyHope volunteer pilot. He is a senior executive and transportation planner with AECOM, an international transportation consulting and professional services company. With his background in transportation and environmental planning, he has helped plan, design and build major transit, highway, airport, and intermodal projects throughout the country that have helped move people and goods where they need to go. He consistently looks to find ways to share his time, treasures and talents to support organizations such as SkyHope, the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary-Civil Air Patrol, Habitat for Humanity, diabetes foundations and other charitable organizations. Jay feels fortunate to be able to use his passion for flying to lessen our customer’s travel burden while they are seeking critical medical care, and to support our military heroes. Jay is committed to continually expanding the reach and influence of the SkyHope organization, so that we can successfully address the growing need for our services. When he’s not traveling for work or flying, he spends time with his wife Shelley and their six children in their home outside of Boston, Massachusetts, or lakeside in New Hampshire.
President, SkyHope
Joe Howley has served as President of the Board of Directors at SkyHope since 2014 and previously served as Chairman of the Board from 2010-2014. He is a retired commodities trader. Joe has been volunteer flying for over 20 years and has devoted extraordinary amounts of energy to public outreach and hosted fundraising events. He has made numerous appearances on SkyHope behalf to business groups, local organizations, and media outlets. He is the past President of the Pilatus Owners and Pilots Association. As the founding Chairman, Joe was instrumental in the origination of SkyHope and is a superlative role model to other SkyHope pilots, having flown over 1,000 SkyHope passenger missions. When asked about his participation in SkyHope, Joe says unequivocally; “There is no other volunteer pilot organization that can match our transparency, efficacy, and passion to help those in need. Our superb pilots and staff are second to none.” Joe and his wife Christine have been married over thirty years and have three grown children. His interests are flying, most sports and he is conversational in Spanish and French.
Vice Chairman, SkyHope
John Rochelle is Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors at SkyHope since its inception and acts as a superlative model of leadership. John is a retired Custom Building Contractor, both commercial and residential, and specialized in large custom residential building projects. John has substantial experience in governance of charitable organizations and has performed public outreach and fundraising. Among his many accomplishments, John has served on the boards of volunteer pilot organizations, numerous builders associations and artistic and religious foundations. John estimates that he has flown over 330 flight missions and approximately 3000 hours of flying for volunteer pilot organizations. Regarding his leadership and flying efforts on behalf of SkyHope John states, “Family aside, this is the best thing I’ve done in my life.” John lives in Pennsylvania with his wife Diane and has a daughter, a son, three grandsons and one granddaughter.
Director, SkyHope
Dr. Rhoda Kupferberg Joss, Psy.D. is a member of the Board of Directors at SkyHope and has been since its inception. Rhoda is a licensed doctoral clinical psychologist in private practice in Massachusetts. Her areas of expertise include behavioral medicine, trauma recovery, hypnotherapy, dissociative disorders, family and couples work, medical psychology and ethical issues in treatment. Rhoda has extensive experience in outreach and fundraising including coordinating clinical organizations for over 30 years. She is involved with the Handel and Haydn Society in Boston, a 200-yearold classical music performing society. In her work with volunteer pilot organizations, Rhoda has assisted in connecting with medical organizations such as Boston Foundation for Sight. She has served on the Board of Directors at the Marino Center for Progressive Health and continues to serve as a trustee for family charitable trusts. In speaking of her work with SkyHope, Rhoda says “It is a joy to serve as a member of this truly honorable organization. SkyHope fulfills a need that is largely un-serviced and aids patients with respect and dignity. It is a rare privilege to see such needs being served efficiently and with great kindness. It continues to be a life altering experience to be part of this amazing and wonderful organization.” Rhoda lives in Massachusetts with her husband Paul C. Joss and has a step-daughter, a step-son, a daughter-in-law and a grand-daughter. In her leisure time, Rhoda is an avid reader and enjoys exercise, swimming, music and travel.
Director, SkyHope
Ubon Mendie is a member of the SkyHope Board of Directors and is a proud supporter of the organization’s mission. Ubon is a native of Brooklyn, New York, and holds a Master’s in Professional Studies from Georgetown University. Professionally, Ubon serves as a member of the U.S. Government Civil Service. He is a Director of Communications in Washington, D.C., and is responsible for planning, implementing and analyzing comprehensive studies that impact over 18 million veterans. He is responsible for the full communication strategy for a $1.8 billion annual research program and the daily management of his agency’s communications directorate and staff. Ubon is a proven leader and takes pride in assisting in the care of those wounded in combat – physically or mentally. He is a combat veteran and served in both the U.S.
Marine Corps and U.S. Army.
Director, SkyHope
Mike is a member of the Board of Directors and SkyHope volunteer pilot.
Over the last 25 years Mike co-founded and grew an Internet Auto parts Distribution Company from 1 employee to over 400 with operations in 4 countries. He spent 2 years helping startups grow their businesses as an Executive Coach. Helping others drives him.
He created a YouTube channel to empower people to fix their automotive problems. That channel now provides over 5,000 videos and has 2.5 Million subscribers. He has held elected government positions, and board positions in both for profit and non-profit organizations.
Mike is married to his lovely wife Kim and has 2 beautiful daughters. Besides flying Mike enjoys travelling, restoring vintage Pontiacs, watersports and snow skiing. “Make the most of the time God gives you.”
Director, SkyHope
Sree Velicheti has been a force of nature within SkyHope since joining in late 2014. What began as a goal to fly one mission a month quickly turned into a deep commitment—Sree flew 26 missions in his first year alone and has now completed nearly 100 flights in his Piper Malibu Mirage. But his contributions soar beyond flying. As a mentor, Sree has played a pivotal role in welcoming and guiding new pilots, ensuring they feel confident and ready. His leadership as a Pilot Ambassador has helped recruit new volunteers, foster vital connections, and raise awareness of our lifesaving work. Outside of SkyHope, Sree also serves as a Director and Organizer of the Mid-Atlantic Pilots Association, further demonstrating his dedication to aviation and community service.
Director, SkyHope
Stuart Waldrum is a member of the Board of Directors at SkyHope since 2012. He works as the Managing Partner at TORI Global at NYC, New York. He has also worked for many years in Automatic Data Processing. He brings his technology expertise to Board of Directors and is on the Technology Committee working to enhance SkyHope technology support systems. When he speaks of his work with SkyHope, Stuart says, “I’m continually impressed with the passion that the staff and board show in their professionalism and dedication to the mission of SkyHope, which makes a real difference to the patient’s welfare.” He lives in Westwood, New Jersey with his wife Colette and has 3 children and 3 grandchildren. In his spare time he is avidly interested in photography.
Director, SkyHope
Jennifer is the Chief of Maintenance and Munitions Division for Air Force Material Command, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. She has served in the United States Air Force for over 26 years as an Engineer and Aircraft Maintenance Officer with multiple deployments from Afghanistan to Antarctica, managed many types of Air Force aircraft and has commanded multiple squadrons and most recently the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group in Tucson, Arizona (aka the Boneyard).
Retired Senior VP & GM, General Electric Company | President & CEO, Aviation Systems
Brad Mottier retired from GE in 2023 as Senior Vice President & GM, while serving as President & CEO of GE Aviation Systems. Mottier’s career in Aerospace spans over forty years.
Mottier joined GE in 2002, when it acquired Unison Industries, a manufacturer of proprietary electrical and mechanical systems and control components for aerospace applications. Prior to this, Mottier was with Unison for 22 years, where he started as a consulting engineer while in graduate school and subsequently held roles in Engineering, Supply Chain, Marketing, Sales, and Senior Management. Following the acquisition, Mottier continued to lead Unison for GE and in 2005, was promoted to Vice-President of GE Aviation’s Services business. In 2008, Mottier was tapped to accelerate GE’s move into business and general aviation. In 2013, GE Aviation’s Integrated Systems business, derived from the acquisition of Smiths Aerospace in 2007, was combined with the Business & General Aviation unit to form BGA-IS, under Mottier’s leadership. In 2020, Mottier combined GE Aviation’s Avionics business with the Integrated Systems portion of BGA-IS to form Aviation Systems, consolidating GE Aviation’s non-engine aviation products and systems into one business unit. At the same time, the Business & General Aviation unit that was previously part of BGA-IS was consolidated within other GE Aviation business units.
In 2013, Mottier served as Chairman of the General Aviation Manufacturer’s Association (GAMA) and oversaw passage of the Small Airplane Revitalization Act, requiring the FAA to modernize Part 23 certification. His prior roles with the organization include chairing the Technical Policy Committee, which represents the industry in regulatory matters with FAA and international agencies. In 2014, he received Aviation Week & Space Technology’s prestigious Laureate Award for Business and General Aviation for guiding GE’s investment and growth in the small-engine market and for using his passion for aviation to provide leadership to an industry facing a multitude of challenges. In 2016, Mottier received the GE Chairman’s Award for Empowering and Inspiring leadership. Also in 2016, Mottier established the annual Mottier Innovation Challenge at the University of Illinois to reward interdisciplinary entrepreneurship.
In August 2019, Mottier was appointed to the U.S. Department of Transportation Safety Oversight and Certification Advisory Committee (SOCAC) and served until his retirement. The SOCAC was created by the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 and consists of 20 voting members across the nationwide aviation community.
Mottier is a member of the President’s Council for the University of Illinois, a distinguished alumnus of the Department of General Engineering and Grainger College of Engineering, and a recipient of the Industrial & Enterprise Systems (ISE) Alumni Achievement Award at the University of Illinois, where he earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Engineering. He also holds an MBA from the University of Chicago. He serves as a Director of the Sontag Foundation, which funds brain cancer research and support groups and is also a member of the President’s Council of the Experimental Aircraft Association, and holds several patents in ignition technologies.
Mottier is an avid pilot, aircraft owner, rallies historic race cars, and enjoys woodworking and fly fishing. He is a Command Pilot for SkyHope and lives in Cincinnati, OH with his wife Jennifer of 43 years. Together, they have three children and four grandchildren.
Director Emeritus, SkyHope
In Memoriam
Harold was one of the original founding members of SkyHope and actively served on the Board until stepping down in late 2012. He initially served as Secretary for a short time and was on various committees, including the Executive Committee. Prior to assisting in the formation of SkyHope Harold had been active in public benefit flying and brought with him a wealth of experience from those prior years. He was an instrument rated private pilot with numerous aircraft ratings and he owned and operated a Cessna Centurion. Before his retirement from the private sector, Harold was engaged in the private practice of law and was active in various legal, aviation, and volunteer pilot organizations. He was always “on call”to the SkyHope office and staff for
whatever services might be required. When speaking of SkyHope Harold had said; “You only have to look into the eyes and the hearts of the people we help to know how important the service is to them. It’s very rewarding.”
Director Emeritus, SkyHope
In Memoriam
SkyHope William Weaver was a member of the Board of Directors at SkyHope since 2014. He was the previous owner of Million Air White Plains, which is a fixed base operator at Westchester County Airport in White Plains New York. He brought over forty years of expertise in the Aviation industry, and over eighteen years of experience in local government to SkyHope. William also volunteered his time with other boards and organizations. When he spoke of his involvement with SkyHope, William said, “it’s all about helping people in need. I get great pleasure knowing that SkyHope is there when it counts.” He lived in Armonk, New York with his wife Susan and had 3 boys. In his spare time he was an avid golfer, and volunteer.
Treasurer Emeritus, SkyHope
Alan Sheiness is a member of the Board of SkyHope and serves on the Executive Committee. He has been on the Board of Directors since the inception of SkyHope, and served as Chairman of the Board from 2014 to 2018. He worked at ADP from 1984 through his retirement in 2015 as its corporate controller and principal accounting officer. Alan is a commercial pilot with single-engine and multi-engine ratings. He has contributed to SkyHope in the areas of public outreach, fundraising and as an active volunteer pilot. He has flown over 600 hours as part of volunteer pilot organizations. He has diligently worked on obtaining corporate sponsorships to support the efforts of SkyHope. His efforts and flying achievements have been featured in Southwest Aviators Magazine. When speaking of his work with SkyHope, Alan states, “It is simply a great joy to do what we do. Having helped make this possible on the scale of hundreds of volunteer pilots being able to contribute is an incredible source of pride.” Alan is married to Jeanne and they have two daughters and a son. His recreational interests include electric guitar, woodworking, foreign languages, astronomy and astrophotography.
Director Emeritus, SkyHope
In Memoriam
Peter Ryan was a member of the Board of Directors of SkyHope since its inception. Peter was retired from the media business and was the former President and Chief Operating Officer of HRP Television Station Representatives. Peter also served as an officer in
the US Army. Peter had extensive experience in the areas of public outreach and fundraising for non-profit organizations. He had served on numerous boards including chairing the Airport Advisory Board for Greenwich, Connecticut. Peter had been a dedicated pilot in volunteer pilot organizations, and had flown over 200 missions as a volunteer pilot. When speaking of his experiences as a pilot and a member of the Board of Directors of SkyHope, Peter said “ There is no more satisfying flying experience than turning your skills
toward helping people and families in need. I’m proud to say that SkyHope not only does that but builds pilot communities in the process. I am also proud to know that SkyHope is the most transparent charity that I’ve ever been associated with.” Peter lived in Greenwich, Connecticut with his wife Morna and they have one daughter and two sons. In his leisure time, in addition to SkyHope, Peter enjoyed music and golf.
Director Emeritus, SkyHope
Ruthanne Ruzika was a member of the Board of Directors at SkyHope. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications and Marketing and has worked at C.F. Rutherford and Associates as a Vice President of Sales in furniture distribution. She volunteers her creative skills at various non-profit organizations including Parent Teacher Associations and the YMCA. She is extremely successful in fundraising endeavors and outreach and has run gala events, outings and marketed charitable products. Ruthanne brought to the SkyHope Board her unique communication and marketing skills with an extraordinarily successful track record. She has an enormous passion for helping those in need. When asked about her work with SkyHope, Ruthanne states “I find working with SkyHope one of the most rewarding experiences of a lifetime. I’m lucky to be part of such a giving team.” Ruthanne spends her leisure time boating, skiing and playing golf and tennis
Director Emeritus, SkyHope
In Memoriam
Michael Thomas Goonan, 66, of Bronx, New York (residing in Naples, Florida) passed away on October 27th, 2024 surrounded by his loving family.
Michael was born on August 1st, 1958 in Manhattan. He was the youngest son of Margaret Quinn Goonan and Thomas Kevin Goonan. Michael had three siblings; Kathleen, Patricia and John.
Mike was raised in the Bronx, New York and embraced his Irish Catholic upbringing. Some of his most cherished friendships and memories are from this time in his life and he valued these until the day he died.
He recently retired to Naples, Florida in 2023 after 20 years at State Street Bank.
He married Irene Milite Goonan on October 14th, 1994 in New Rochelle, New York. He and his wife enjoyed traveling around the world, playing golf, cheering on the Yankees and most importantly spending time with family. Mike loved his wife deeply and frequently reminded us that she was the greatest thing to ever happen to him.
Together, Mike and Irene had three children, Thomas Kevin (29), Quinn Patrick (28) and Margaret Mary (Peggy) (27). He was the most loving dad to our dog, Irish. He was an incredible father and he and his wife created the most wonderful life for their children. He was the epitome of a family man and made anyone he met feel like part of the family. He had a way of making everyone around him smile, laugh and feel loved. Thanks to Mike, the Goonans always had a house full of family and friends where countless memories were made.
