KP AVIATION at a Glance

Founded in 2001 with the purpose of providing high quality materials and services to the fixed-wing aviation marketplace, KP Aviation has grown to service airlines, MROs (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul), investment and leasing companies, and aviation aftermarket suppliers around the world. KPA is a preferred supplier of high-quality aftermarket components and assets across a broad range of aircraft and engine platforms. We offer these high-caliber parts and services to our current and future customer base while maintaining complete customer satisfaction.

LEADERSHIP Team

Leadership team bios that highlights industry experience, credibility and past successes

Kim Schulze
Co-Founder and CEO
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Kim is the Co-Founder and principal of KP Aviation. Since the company’s founding, Kim has led the vision and fueled the growth of KP Aviation by building a team that can tackle the toughest aviation challenges in the world, all while cementing relationships with key partners and suppliers.

Previously Kim was the controller for Pacific Turbine Support and a financial analyst at the University of California San Diego’s Antiviral Research Center. Her focus is to guide the company culture of KP Aviation and leads the company into the future with new corporate initiatives, growth strategy and partnerships.

  • Founded and Grew KP Aviation
  • Responsible for Key Partnerships
  • Leads KP Aviation’s Corporate Culture Initiatives
Linn Shaw
Chief Financial Officer
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Linn Shaw brings 20 years of management experience to KP Aviation, including 14 years in commercial aviation supply chain management. Shaw has experience taking private companies public and working with private equity groups in privately held organizations as the CFO or head of finance. He has a proven track record of building out the finance business support structure, finance teams, business intelligence and banking relationships for financial funding. Shaw’s well-rounded business acumen, extraordinary attention to detail and strong financial background earned him recognition by Financial Executive International as the winner for the Arizona CFO of the Year award.

Outside of work, Shaw loves to travel with his wife and kids and has a passion for sports. Linn received his BA in Finance from Wichita State University and an MBA with an emphasis in International Business from the University of Arizona.

  • Has two decades of financial management experience
  • Expertise in private equity and growth funding
  • Former finalist for Arizona CFO of the Year Award
Brian Carlisle
Head of Operations and Projects
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Brian Carlisle has 27 years of aviation experience starting in the South African Air Force. He was assigned to the development of the first locally produced attack helicopter in South Africa. After spending seven years serving the Air Force at 17 Squadron, he moved into the private aviation sector.

Carlisle joined KP Aviation in July of 2016, assigned as a Project Manager over the Spanish entity setup and airframe teardown events for the company in the European Union.

In 2000, he joined Safair Aircraft Maintenance and Leasing company where he moved from technician to crew chief to supervisor and into a management role over maintenance at all outstations and regional line stations. Carlisle played a fundamental role in the humanitarian relief programs with the United Nations (UN), International Crisis Rescue Centre (ICRC), World Wheelchair Foundation (WF) and the World Food Program (WFP) for many developing countries during his employment here.

In 2007, he moved into commercial aviation as Technical and Engineering Manager for Comair LTD, having oversight over the maintenance of the fleet where he delivered the first 737-800NG aircraft to the airline to start the low-cost airline “Kulula.com”. After this success he was assigned as Technical Project Manager over the delivery of six new 737-800NG’s from Boeing for both the British Airways & Kulula.com franchise for Comair in South Africa.

Carlisle currently holds the position of Vice President of Projects and has managed over 30 aircraft teardown and aircraft deliveries for the past four years.

  • Vast International Aviation Experience Including Aircraft Development
  • Oversaw Delivery of First Boeing737-800NG to Comair
  • Managed over 30 aircraft teardowns and deliveries over past four years
Sean Miller
Head of Asset Sales & Leasing
Ben Gifford
Vice President of Sales
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Ben Gifford is KP Aviation’s Vice President of Sales – Americas. During his decade long tenure, Gifford has had consistently increasing responsibilities attributed to his technical knowledge, strategic mind, data driven approach, and problem-solving ability. Multifaceted, Gifford has acquired a diverse sales background ranging from e-based client services to maintenance and repair and is currently tackling aftermarket material sales.

Gifford joined the team from Stratton Aviation where he served as Vice President of Major Accounts, promoted after less than a year as Sales Manager. Prior to Stratton Aviation, Gifford was a Key Account Manager at ITS and has also been a part of the teams at Pneu-Tech Aerospace, Inc. and PartsBase Inc. Before pursuing a career in aviation, Gifford earned his degree in Business & Managerial Economics from Fairfield University. A North-East native but Arizonian at heart, Gifford is an avid outdoorsmen who enjoys hunting, fishing, and hiking with his wife and kids.

  • Diverse sales background including, but not limited to, e-based client services, maintenance and repair, and aftermarket material sales
  • Expertise in Airframe, specifically Boeing and Airbus
  • Avid outdoorsmen
Keith Watson
Vice President of Contracts & Leasing
Edy Cortes
Vice President of Product Line
Jeromy Manke
Director of People & Culture
Mario Sanchez
Technical Director
Carl Blank
VP of Operations
Jason Furphy
Director of Operations & Quality
Tyrone Barnsley
Director of Sales – Engine MROs

A Proud Employer

Our open positions

The Product Line Representative is responsible for managing all functions involving the evaluation and acquisition of all assets and material packages reviewed and purchased by the Company. The evaluation of assets will include building a financial models that establishes the buy price and expected revenue as well as gross profit for the project.  In addition, you will be responsible for inventory turns, establishing target price and accurate report current market conditions based on product line/platform.

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OUR Headquarters

While executing our plan of expansion, it was time to find a new home base that could grow with us and our team: Mesa, Arizona. Along with every town in the greater Phoenix area, Mesa is one of the fastest growing cities in America and for good reason. A booming economy fueled by the growth of advanced industries such as manufacturing, business & financial services, technology, bioscience and healthcare has attracted a diverse group of skilled professionals primarily 25 to 45 years old.

Along with extreme growth from economic success, Mesa is also ranked amongst the best places to live, retire, and attend public school in America. These accolades have attracted people of all ages and demographics, but it’s the quality of life that gets people to stay. Mesa, Arizona is a boundless destination surrounded by the natural Sonoran Desert beauty of Tonto National Forest and the communities of Apache Junction, and Queen Creek. This regional recreation playground boasts an assortment of lifestyle and leisure pursuits for people of all ages.

But don’t just take our word for it. Learn more about Mesa and the greater Phoenix area’s economy and quality of life here:

 

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