The XTI Team

Decades of aviation experience. Expertise in aircraft development, certification and production.

XTI is guided by a leadership team with decades of aviation experience, a deep well of expertise, and proven success bringing new aircraft to market. Together, this group of aviation visionaries has taken over 40 aircraft through FAA certification and are now reshaping the future of mobility with the ultimate breakthrough in modern flight — a business aircraft that can take off and land vertically.

The Board

Leadership

           

David Brody

Founder and Board Chairman

Founder and Chairman of XTI Aircraft Company, Dave has had a life-long passion for aircraft, science and technology. He developed the TriFan 600 technology and performance objectives, formed the initial leadership team, filed for patents, and began development of the aircraft. XTI has now assembled a world-class executive team of individuals with decades of experience bringing new aircraft to market. Brody previously founded AVX Aircraft Company and was its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and continues to serve on the AVX board. Brody formerly practiced law in Denver. He holds several patents for inventions in aircraft technology and other fields, and has written three books, including a national Book-of-the-Month Club best seller on science and technology.

           

Charlie Johnson

Chief Operating Advisor and Board Member

The former President and Chief Operating Officer of Cessna Aircraft brings to XTI more than 35 years of experience in top-level aviation management and strategy, operations and production. He was also Cessna’s vice president of aircraft completion and product support, senior vice president of operations, and executive vice president of operations, leading development, certifications, and product support of new airplanes. Prior to joining Cessna, Johnson served as chief of production flight test for Gates Learjet. He also was chief pilot for Arnold Palmer.

Johnson began his aviation career after completing U.S. Air Force pilot training in 1968 and accumulated over 1,000 hours of military flight time in the F-105, serving in combat in Southeast Asia. He holds airline transport and instructor pilot certificates with type ratings in all Cessna Citation models. Johnson has been inducted into The Living Legends of Aviation and the Kansas and Colorado Aviation Halls of Fame.

           

Dr. James Wang

Chief Technical Advisor

Former head of Research and Development at Leonardo Helicopters. Dr. Wang is a visionary executive and experienced aircraft designer with proven success records in both technical and business leadership roles for multinational domestic and international companies. He possesses a deep understanding of cutting-edge e-VTOL and aerospace technologies.

In 2010 he developed and produced the first large electric powered VTOL aircraft (Project Zero). He excels in capitalizing disruptive technologies and creating focused driven teams, and instilling them with the entrepreneurial spirit. He has over 30 years experience in aircraft design & consulting. Thinks outside the box and motivates people to dream and collaborate.

Named “Steve Jobs of Rotorcraft” by Wired Magazine in 2013.

           

Don Barbour

Vice President Sales & Business Development

Don has built a successful career as a customer-focused aviation executive, including expertise in engineering, marketing, sales, and business development. As former head of AW 609 Tiltrotor US Sales & Marketing at AgustaWestland/Leonardo and former executive Director of Sales & Marketing for Bell/Agusta Aerospace Company at Bell Helicopter TEXTRON, Inc. Don brings to XTI Aircraft Company more than 35 years of VTOL and fixed-wing industry experience.

By leveraging previous successes in building brand awareness and customer loyalty, Don continues to contribute to the company’s “go to market strategy” and its significant growth in reservations of the TriFan 600 aircraft worldwide.

Don holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from Texas A&M University as well as a Master of Business Administration degree in Business Management, Sales & Marketing from the University of Dallas. Don also holds commercial fixed-wing and rotorcraft pilot certificates.

           

Saleem Zaheer

Chief Commercial Officer

Saleem has helped guide XTI’s strategy, business development, marketing and customer relations functions since 2018.

He served as Vice President Flight Operations and Vice President Special Projects for IndiGo, India’s largest airline, between 2009 and 2016.

His broad experience in the aviation industry over 40 years includes corporate aviation, the airlines, and the military in the US, the Middle East, and South Asia. He has led flight operations functions at three airlines and is a former United Airlines captain and a pilot with 15,000 flight hours on 28 different aircraft including the MiG 21, Learjet, and Boeing 777.

He serves as Senior Advisor – Airline Operations & Advanced Air Mobility for CAPA India Centre for Aviation – South Asia’s leading specialist aviation advisory, research and knowledge practice.

 

           

Michael Hinderberger

Chief Executive Officer

Michael Hinderberger is Chief Executive Officer of XTI Aircraft Company. He is responsible for all matters related to the development of the TriFan 600 aircraft and the company’s operations. With over 35 years of aerospace experience, Michael is a proven leader in aircraft development, certification, production implementation and post-delivery support. Over the course of his career, he has led major development projects at Gulfstream, Hawker Beechcraft, Rolls Royce, and Piper Aircraft. His recent experience includes Aerion Supersonic Corporation where, as Program Director and Chief Engineer, he was instrumental in transitioning the Aerion AS-2 aircraft from an R&D project into a full-scale development program. Michael has a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Master of Science degree in Technical Management.

           

Paul Hilton

Board Member

Paul is Senior Counsel in the New York and Denver, Colorado offices of Hogan Lovells US LLP, an international law firm. As a leader of the firm's Securities and Public Company Advisory team, Paul counsels companies in a wide range of industries, including engineering and construction, mining, technology, and software. He advises public and private companies in corporate, securities, and merger and acquisition matters. He represents companies seeking to go public, public companies, private equity firms, investment banking firms, and public and private acquirers and targets in acquisition transactions. He also regularly counsels complex debt and equity offerings, including both U.S. and cross-border transactions, securities law compliance issues, fiduciary duty for boards of directors and committees, and complex corporate governance matters, including dealing with activist investors.

Paul has received a #1 ranking from Chambers USA for Corporate/M&A every year since 2004 and has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America for many years as well. He is known throughout the corporate legal field for his thorough understanding of the intricacies within corporate transactions, and a track record of proven success. Paul has a J.D. from Cornell Law School, and an MA from the University of Colorado.

           

David Ambrose

Vice President Engineering

Dave Ambrose is Vice President of Engineering at XTI Aircraft Company. He is responsible for all matters related to product development. Dave has over 30 years of aerospace development and technical leadership experience in both the commercial and military domains. Dave started his career at Cessna Aircraft and Beechcraft working on the Citation X, Citation Bravo and Premier I programs as a Propulsion Engineer.

He then worked at the famed Lockheed Martin Skunk Works for 21 years solving complex technical problems on the X-35 and F-35 for the Joint Strike Fighter program, the Presidential Helicopter, and various other classified and unclassified programs. At the Skunk Works, Dave specialized in conceptual, structural, and subsystem design, and in aircraft integration, including mission systems and stealth technology. More recently, Dave was part of the Aerion Supersonic AS2 team developing a supersonic business jet, where he was the Vehicle Integration Lead and Wing Integrated Product Team (IPT) Manager. Dave has a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering.

           

John Griffo

Vice President Finance

John Griffo is a CPA who oversees the finance, accounting, and human resources functions at XTI. He has over 20 years of professional experience including 10 years working in Big 4 public accounting both domestically and in Switzerland. Throughout his career in public accounting and as an independent consultant, John has serviced dozens of companies across many industries advising on M&A due diligence projects or serving as VP of Finance and Controller.

John graduated from Clemson University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. He is an active volunteer in the Denver metro community including serving as a mentor for 10 years with Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Colorado.

           

Keith Davis

Vice President Programs

Keith Davis is Vice President of Programs at XTI Aircraft Company. He is responsible for guiding all matters related to program planning, infrastructure formation, and process development. Keith has over 30 years of aerospace development and project management experience. Over the course of Keith’s career, he worked with nearly all major business jet manufacturers. Most recently, Keith worked for Aerion Supersonic in Program Integration where he was instrumental in supporting program and business development goals. Keith has a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Master of Business Administration.

           

Scott Pomeroy

Chief Financial Officer

Scott Pomeroy is the Chief Financial Officer of XTI Aircraft Company. With over 35 years’ experience in launching new businesses, raising capital, and serving as founder and CEO, President, and Chief Financial Officer of several companies, Mr. Pomeroy brings exceptional experience and knowledge to this role. He has served on several Boards, including the Board of Directors of AVX Aircraft Company since 2009. AVX is a U.S. military defense contractor and a leading-edge aviation research and engineering company with particular expertise in Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) aircraft and unmanned aircraft development. He also serves or has served as Chairman of various Board Committees of the AVX Board of Directors.

Mr. Pomeroy was the CFO of Dex Media, overseeing equity and debt capital raises of more than $10 billion, and was CEO and founder of Local Insight Media. He also co-founded Gen3 Financial Services, a boutique merchant bank providing capital raising and business advisory services to clients in a variety of industries including aerospace. He led capital raising efforts for a $50 million fund in 2021-22.

He began his career at KPMG Peat Marwick. He has a BBA in Accounting and is a Certified Public Accountant.

           

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