Staff

Christopher Hill, President
Christopher Hill is president of Heritage Aviation, Inc.  His involvement with the Company began in 1987 as a customer.  He has participated in various leadership positions beginning in 1990 as Line Captain and later working as Chief Pilot, Director of Operations, and VP of Operations.  He began working as president of Heritage Aviation in 2002.  Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Hill ferried aircraft throughout the United States.  He is qualified in the Cessna 500 and Challenger 600 series, the Sabreliner 65 and has over 8,000 hours flight experience.  He holds a bachelor’s degree from Boston University and has completed aviation coursework at University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business.
Rheal Gagnon, Vice President of FBO Services
Rheal Gagnon started at Heritage Aviation in 2000 as a Line Service Technician. After working his way up to the supervisory level he transitioned departments and served as Parts Manager for 2 years. After a brief hiatus, Mr. Gagnon rejoined Heritage’s Line Service department in 2004. He has since worked through supervisory and managerial levels and now serves as Vice President of FBO Services. With experience in commercial refueling, deicing and customer service as his operational backbone, Mr. Gagnon oversees the FBO to ensure quality and consistency standards are met. Rheal lives in Essex Junction with his family and is a native Vermonter.
Carol Betz, Director of Finance
Carol Betz recently joined Heritage Aviation as the Finance Director. Ms. Betz has over two decades of experience in Accounting and Finance, and is an educator as well. A graduate of Trinity College, Carol has lived in Vermont for 20 years. She has managed the finances at a number of businesses throughout the years, as well as managing several of her own entrepreneurial ventures. Additionally, Carol has been teaching accounting and computer software courses at the Community College of Vermont since 1990.
Heather Thibault, Director of Human Resources
Heather Thibault has been employed by Heritage Aviation since January 2003, and serves as the Director of Human Resources. Ms. Thibault came to Heritage Aviation with many years experience in the customer service field. She has worked hard to improve the compensation and benefits package in an effort to attract, retain, and reward exemplary employees. Heather is an active member of SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management), VHRA (VT Human Resource Association), VBSR (VT Businesses For Social Responsibility) among others.
Hobart C. “Hobie” Tomlinson, Director of Safety
Mr. Tomlinson was employed by Heritage Aviation in November 2003.  He has flown BE58, BE-C90B, CE560XL and CL604 Aircraft and is currently a CE560XL Check Airman.  He has been Director of Safety since 2005. Prior to joining Heritage Aviation, he was employed by TWA in January 1967. He was a Check Airman on B727, B757, B767, and B747 Aircraft and served as B747 Fleet Manager and Manager of Training, Eastern Region. He served in the 186th Aviation Co. of the VTARNG and graduated from Vermont Military Academy. Mr. Tomlinson completed two years college at Wentworth Institute of Technology, obtaining an Aircraft & Powerplant Certificate in 1964.
Jean-Sébastien Chaulot, Director of IT and Marketing
Jean-Sébastien Chaulot has been with Heritage Aviation since 2003 and serves as Director of IT and Marketing. He has held several positions at Heritage Aviation including Charter Sales, IT Manager, and IT & Marketing Manager before being promoted to the most recent position of Director of IT & Marketing. Prior to joining the Heritage team, Mr. Chaulot was employed by Netjets and Jeppesen which have provided him with a strong background in domestic and international operations. He began his career in aviation in 1989 as a commercial pilot for a French carrier before relocating to the U.S. Mr. Chaulot holds several degrees in Mathematics, Physics, and Marketing. He is fluent in English, French, and semi-fluent in Spanish.
Gregory Bean, Director of Operations
After Gregory Bean’s first flight lesson in 1982, flight instruction became a passion while gaining the experience to become a charter pilot flying many types of twin engine airplanes. After joining Brockway Air in 1987, he became a SAAB 340 Captain in 1989. Following the SAABs to Business Express Airline, he flew them until returning to his aviation roots of airplane instruction. Mr. Bean resumed charter flying in 1996 and became Heritage Flight’s Chief pilot in 1997 and led the addition of the company’s first jet. As Chief Pilot Bean has overseen the growth of Heritage Flight’s pilot core and aircraft types. His Flight Instruction background was valuable in raising his pilots’ knowledge and skill set while his Part 121 airline experience prepared him to instill discipline and safe operating procedures. He is currently working to add helicopter ratings to his Airman Certificates.
Doug Gardner, Assistant Director of Operations
Doug Gardner joined Heritage Aviation in 2007. Doug began his aviation career in 1990 as a certified flight instructor before becoming a charter pilot for Valley Air Services – the predecessor to Heritage Aviation. Mr. Gardner became an airline pilot in 1994 flying BE-1900’s for US Airways Express. In 1997, he upgraded to Captain and joined the training department as a ground and flight instructor, Check Airman and Designated Examiner. Mr. Gardner moved on to the Director of Training position in 1998, a position he held until returning to Heritage Aviation. Today he plays a key role in running the flight operations including writing manuals and procedures, assisting in the design and implementation of the Safety Management System, managing compliance issues, and providing support in various training and standards efforts.
David Kitchen, Chief Pilot
David Kitchen has held various positions at Heritage Aviation for over nine years including Flight School Manager, FBO Safety Manager, Standards Captain and now serves as Chief Pilot. David has been around aviation since he was a child having logged his first flight hour at the age of 4 with his father as his flight instructor. In addition to flying for Heritage, he has served as a line pilot for NetJets Aviation. Mr. Kitchen holds type ratings on the Citation 500, Citation Excel, Citation X and the Challenger 601/604. David attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and the Vermont Police Academy graduating as a full-time certified law enforcement officer in the State of Vermont.
Eric John, Business Development
Eric John started at Heritage Aviation in 2004 as a Pilot. In addition to pilot duties, Mr. John has spent time working in Charter Sales, Marketing and Financial Planning & Analysis at various times since 2004. He still actively flies as a line pilot in the Global 5000 and the Citation Excel both Domestic and International. Mr. John is responsible for Heritage Aviation’s Charter Sales and Aircraft Management units. He graduated with a BS in Finance from the University of Vermont. Mr. John sits on the NATA Business Management Committee and is an FAA FAAST Team Representative.
Julia Atherton, PR Manager
Julia Atherton joined Heritage Aviation in 2010 and serves as Public Relations Manager. Ms. Atherton is responsible for corporate communications, media relations, special events, and managing the company’s philanthropic initiatives. Prior to assuming her current position, Ms. Atherton was Heritage’s Marketing & Public Relations Coordinator. Before joining Heritage Aviation, she served a number of businesses in New York and Vermont as a Public Relations Consultant and in the field of Marketing and Communications. Ms. Atherton received her B.S. in Business and Media Communications from Champlain College. She is originally from New Jersey and currently resides in Burlington, Vermont.
Luke Jean, Repair Station Manager
Luke Jean has been employed with Heritage Aviation since August, 2007. He began his career with Heritage Aviation as an Aircraft Technician before being promoted to the 135 Maintenance Manager, and then ultimately 145 Repair Station Accountable Manager. Prior to joining Heritage Aviation, he spent 7 years with Continental Airlines. Mr. Jean graduated from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida in 2001 with an Associate’s Degree in Aviation Maintenance Technology.
Josh Trombly, Director of Maintenance 135
Joshua Trombly serves as the Part 135 Director of Maintenance. He joined Heritage Aviation in 2006 and has held various positions within the 145 and 135 Maintenance departments. Most recently he served as the Maintenance Manager for our Charter certificate. Mr. Trombly is a 5th generation Vermonter who currently resides in Hinesburg, VT. In his spare time he enjoys skydiving and photography.
Sarah Truax, Customer Service Manager
Sarah Truax joined the Heritage Aviation team in 2009. A native Vermonter, she has been in the aviation industry for 20 years.  Prior to her role at Heritage, Ms. Truax worked for United Airlines for 18 years in Customer Service at the Burlington International Airport. Ms. Truax comes from a family of aviation industry professionals and is passionate in her role serving pilots, passengers, and visitors to the FBO.
Tim Shea, Line Service Manager
Tim Shea, a 3rd generation Vermonter, began his career in aviation in 2000 as a Line Service Technician at Heritage Flight. After a year in this position and several years working for the company formally known as Amports in multiple positions including Fuel Farm Manager and QC/QA specialist, Tim rejoined the Heritage team as the lead supervisor and QC/QA specialist. In March of 2010, Mr. Shea  was promoted to Line Service Manager. In the last ten years he has attended many seminars and training events related to aviation and FBO operations.  He enjoys further developing his knowledge of the industry, taking care of clients, and being a part of Heritage Aviation’s dedicated team of employees. He resides with his family in Ferrisburgh, VT.

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