Spike’s World Class Team
Building The Future Of Aviation
Spike Aerospace, Inc. has assembled a world-class team of executives, aerospace engineers and advisors, with experience designing, building and certifying aircraft at Gulfstream, Eclipse, Epic, Airbus and Boeing. Our team has gone from clean-sheet to first flight to production and has provided sales leadership, support and training. We know how to build aircraft, and we are using that knowledge to build the future of aviation – the Spike S-512 Supersonic Business Jet.
Interested in joining the Spike Aerospace team? Check out our careers page to learn more and view available opportunities.
I’m the President & CEO of Spike Aerospace, a pioneering aerospace reintroducing supersonic flight — that promises to be quiet, sustainable and efficient. My background in aerospace, finance and entrepreneurship is helping to expand our world-class team of seasoned professionals, leading aerospace partners and investors. Together, we are designing and will bring to market the Spike S-512 Supersonic Jet.
Dr. Shreekant Agrawal brings over 35 years of aerospace engineering and management experience including 29 years at the Boeing Company, where he managed and worked on supersonic low-boom research projects and strategic planning for technology development for future products.
Shreekant Agrawal said “I love Spike’s vision for quiet (low-boom) supersonic flight and am very excited to bring my years of aerospace engineering and management experience to bring supersonic flight to the market. They have a very compelling vision that is going to change civilian aviation.”
Tom Captain, retired Vice Chairman of Deloitte Global Aerospace & Defense group, guides Spike’s corporate development, partnerships and strategy efforts. He brings 40 years of experience and connections gained advising aerospace, space, defense and airline companies.
Tom Captain spent almost 4 decades advising global commercial aerospace, space, defense and airline companies solving complex product development, manufacturing, supply chain, finance, acquisition, litigation, cost efficiency and business development challenges. He is the retired Vice Chairman of Deloitte LLP, Aerospace & Defense Global Leader, serving its clients for 36 years in Europe, Asia and North America. He testified at the Congressional Aviation Subcommittee on the Deloitte study, “Transforming the Air Transportation System”, and testified at the Senate Banking Committee on “Export-Import Bank Reauthorization and Impact on the Space Industry”.At Spike Aerospace, he provides guidance and support in new product introduction, supply chain, finance, governance, investor relations, customer and business development activities.
John Thomas, former CEO of Virgin Australia Airlines and senior advisor to the world’s leading airlines, brings to Spike Aerospace his 40+ years of leadership experience in the aviation industry. Prior to Virgin Australia, he was Managing Director of LEK Consulting for 26 years. He now serves on the board of directors of Icelandair and Sky Service. In addition, Mr. Thomas is a Senior Advisor with McKinsey & Company, Nieuport Aviation Infrastructure Partners, Plusgrade and CAPA Centre for Aviation.
Ray Benvenuti is a senior executive and board member with decades of experience in finance, operations and advisory roles with private equity, aerospace and manufacturing firms. He brings his wealth of knowledge and insight in aerospace, capital raising, deal structuring, negotiations and management to Spike Aerospace.
Russell Chew’s distinguished career in aviation, technology and investment spans over four decades with executive roles at jetBlue, FAA and American Airlines. He brings his experience and acumen for aviation management, operations, public policy and financial strategy to Spike Aerospace’s leadership team.
Brian Foley, a long-time business jet market expert, brings decades of marketing and business strategy experience to Spike Aerospace. He was formerly Dassault Falcon Jet’s Marketing Director for 20 years and is the current founder of aviation consultancy Brian Foley Associates (BRiFO) formed in 2006. His career began at Boeing as a flight test engineer and marketing manager.
Wayne Gaulzetti is responsible for developing Spike’s testing and certification program to ensure that our aircraft will be approved by regulatory agencies. Wayne recently retired from the Federal Aviation Administration, where he worked in aircraft certification for 25 years. During that time, his projects included aircraft of all categories and from various manufacturers such as Airbus, Sikorsky, British Aerospace, Slingsby, Pilateus, LET, PZL, etc.
Ms. Barilov has extensive experience in aviation, structured asset-backed finance, and corporate strategy. She is also a Managing Director at Shearwater Aero Capital, a private financing company supporting early stage aircraft businesses. Prior to Shearwater, Ms. Barilov was an investment banker at Goldman Sachs’ Industrials Group in New York, focused on assisting top tier aviation, aerospace and defense clients.
Kevin Novak is leading Spike Aerospace’s Flight Safety and Training program. In particular, he is developing pilot training programs and flight safety procedures for the Spike S-512. He is a professional aviator and entrepreneur, with over 30 years of experience and 10,000+ hours of flying time. Novak’s background includes both military and commercial aviation.
Kevin Novak is leading Spike Aerospace’s Flight Safety and Training program. In particular, he is developing pilot training programs and flight safety procedures for the Spike S-512. He is a professional aviator and entrepreneur, with over 30 years of experience and 10,000+ hours of flying time. Novak’s background includes both military and commercial aviation. As a Naval Aviator and U.S Marine Corps Officer, he flew the AV-8B Harrier II, retiring from the Marine Corps at the rank of Major after 20 years of service. Novak holds an Airline Transport Pilot license and type ratings in multiple aircraft, and has extensive international operating experience in most of the world, including the North Atlantic, Pacific, Asia, Europe, Canada, Middle East, North America and Australia.
Rick Citron is an attorney, business advisor, entrepreneur and venture capitalist. He has contributed to the success of Spacehab, Inc., a public company which raised over $200M and has provided space station supply and low earth orbit experimental volume on 18 Space Shuttle flights. Citron also worked with Kistler Aerospace Corporation, a privately held company which raised over $660M to develop reuseable aerospace launch vehicles.
Rick Citron is an attorney, business advisor, entrepreneur and venture capitalist. He has contributed to the success of Spacehab, Inc., a public company which raised over $200M and has provided space station supply and low earth orbit experimental volume on 18 Space Shuttle flights. Citron also worked with Kistler Aerospace Corporation, a privately held company which raised over $660M to develop reuseable aerospace launch vehicles. Mr. Citron has assisted hundreds of companies, utilizing his experience and the synergy of a carefully selected network of professionals. An entrepreneur at heart, he has started dozens of his own businesses. Citron actively assists his clientele in team development, business and financial planning, and capital formation. His educational background includes a Bachelor of Science from the University of California at Berkeley, 1966, a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of California at Berkeley, 1967, and a Juris Doctorate from the University of California at Los Angeles, 1970.