Dispatchers and Flight Instructors
Dispatchers
Two full-time dispatchers and several student dispatchers join the aviation management team in keeping things running smoothly at the Flight Operations Center.
Flight Operations Center
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Cate Wade - Dispatcher
Phone: (801) 832-2910
Education: B.A. Elementary Education, English minor, Westminster College; ESL Endorsement
Hometown: Rock Springs, WY
Hobbies: knitting, sewing, photography, reading, all very boring and grandmother-ish
What I like about my job: I learn something new every day.
What I like about Westminster: It's the best school on the planet! It's big enough to be interesting and small enough to get to know everyone.
What I like about Utah/Salt Lake City: I love the variety of people and activities and the funky vibe in Sugarhouse.
Favorite Restaurant: Killer garlic fries at The Bohemian. Love, love, love The Bohemian. In the summer, you've gotta try the garlic burgers at The Cotton Bottom. (I'm sensing a theme here).
Aviation Goal: I'm working on getting my FAA Dispatcher's certification.
Link to college directory
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Jordan Tatton - Dispatcher
Phone: 801.832.2910
Education: B.S. Aviation Management, Economics minor; Westminster College; completing MBA; Private Pilot
Hometown: Helper, UT
Hobbies: running, hiking, camping, four-wheeling, playing soccer. I love to travel and experience new things.
What I like about my job: There is always something going on at Flight Ops!
What I like about Westminster: There is a great sense of community at Westminster.
What I like about Utah/Salt Lake City: Even if you're not willing to spend a lot of money, there's always something to do close by--especially if you like being outdoors.
Favorite restaurant: Masala in Sugarhouse is a great place to get spicy food.
Advice to students: Stay focused and organized.
Link to college directory
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Flight Instructors
The following flight instructors work at the Flight Operations Center to provide the very best flight education experience for our flight students all year 'round.
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Dave Seger - Flight Instructor-CFI, CFII, stage check instructor
About Me: My wife and I are originally from Iowa, and moved to Salt Lake City in 1998 when I retired from the US Navy. We have been married for over 30 years, we have two grown children and two grandchildren.
I learned to fly at the Navy Flying Clubs at Keflavik, Iceland and Patuxent River, Maryland. We flew a Grumman AA-1B, a Piper Warrior, several different Cessna products, and a Beech T-34B Mentor (a retired Navy training aircraft).
I have been one of the part-time instructors here at Westminster since 2001. I also fly and instruct in a club with a Cessna 182, and do free lance instructing for aircraft owners. I also belong to Angel Flight West.
Hobbies: riding motorcycles and golfing
Link to college directory
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Josh Bendixen - Flight Instructor
Hometowns: Salt Lake City, UT and Hells Canyon, OR
Hobbies: spending time with my family, shooting, camping, working on trucks
What I like about Westminster: the flight program, the dedicated staff, and the well-maintained equipment.
Long-term aviation goal: Not sure. I like instructing.
Link to college directory
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Mike Leaver - Flight Instructor, CFI, CFII, MEI; stage check pilot
Education: B.S. Westminster College
Hometown: Salt Lake City, UT
About Me: I am now employed by SkyWest airlines as a First Officer but help out with stage checks from time-to-time. Westminster was a great place for me to go to school and work and I'm happy to continue to help out.
Link to college directory
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TJ Bates - Flight Instructor, CFI, CFII, MEI
Education: B.S. Aviation Science, Utah Valley University-CFI, CFII, MEI
Hometown: Wanship, UT
Hobbies: running, mountain biking, snowboarding, horseback riding, and any sport with a ball
Long-term Aviation Goal: Either Delta Airlines or flying a corporate G550
What I like about my job: I love everything about my job. The people I work with, traveling, and watching the sun rise and set in different parts of the country from an amazing perspective.
What I like about Westminster: The people first and foremost. The equipment is up-to-date and well-maintained.
What I like best about Utah/Salt Lake City: Utah is a big playground. Summer or winter, there is always something fun to do--all within 30 minutes of downtown SLC.
Advice for new students: Live every moment to the fullest. It's not about the destination, but the journey. Also, the aviation industry goes in cycles. The cycle is now on its way back up and it's a great time to jump aboard!
Favorite restaurant: The Himalayan Kitchen
Link to college directory
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Daniel Greenland - Flight Instructor-CFI, CFII, MEI
Education: B.S. Flight Operations, Westminster College
Hometown: Salt Lake City, UT
Hobbies: snowboarding
Long-Term Aviation Goal: make more money flying more often
Link to college directory
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Scott Olsen - Flight Instructor-CFI, CFII, and MEI
Education: B.S. Flight Operations, Westminster College
Hometowns: Layton, UT and Twin Falls, ID
Hobbies: basketball, classic cars, camping, and raising chickens
What I like about my job: The beauty of flying. I never get tired of flying over mountains and deserts.
What I like about Westminster: Westminster truly teaches beyond the level required by the FAA. I like that Westminster is devoted to creating smart, safe pilots.
What I like about Utah/Salt Lake City: Utah is such a diverse environment. Salt Lake City has what big cities have to offer but also has a small town feel. If you like the outdoors, you will love Utah.
Favorite Restaurant: The African restaurant on Redwood Road. Get the samosas!
Aviation Goal: Fly for SkyWest, be a Utah backcountry pilot, or be a chief pilot.
What you may not know about me: I ride my bike to work more often than I drive.
Link to college directory
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Brennan Scuderi - Flight Instructor
Education: B.S. Flight Operations, Westminster College
Hometown: Sandy, UT
Hobbies: flying, hiking, fishing, hunting, camping, snowboarding, biking
What I like about Westminster: they set students up for success
Link to college directory
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Carl Berggren - Flight Instructor-CFI, CFII, and MEI
Education: B.S. Flight Operations, Westminster College
Hometown: Price, UT
Hobbies: Fishing, hiking, and hunting.
What I love about my job: Watching a student grow and develop from a student to a pilot and beyond.
Best thing about Westminster: The bonds you build and the friendships you make with fellow students and even professors.
What I like about Utah & Salt Lake City: Snow-topped mountains, skiing, red rock cliffs, mule deer, and wide open spaces.
Favorite Restaurants: Pat's BBQ and Moochies--both have been featured on "Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives".
Long-Term Aviation Goal: Airline pilot or bush pilot
What you may not know about me: I passed a Utah falconry exam but I do not currently practice falconry.
Link to college directory
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Bryan Olchek - Flight Instructor-CFI, CFII, MEI, IGI, and high performance endorsement
Education: B.S. Flight Operations, Westminster College
Hometowns: Sandy, UT and Fairport, NY
Hobbies: hiking, watching movies, traveling, eating yummy food, skiing
What I like about my job: I get to fly. Great views of the Utah mountains and it's fun.
What I like about Westminster: Smaller classes and good personal attention in class. Our flight instructors are knowledgeable and professional.
What I like about Utah/Salt Lake City: The mountains. It's the best place to be for anything outdoors.
Favorite Restaurants: Sawadee Thai, The Bayou, and Beerhive
Aviation Goal: Finish my MEI and probably go to the airlines.
Link to college directory
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Kyle Coffman - Flight Instructor-CFI
Education: B.S. Flight Operations, Westminster College
Hometown: Salt Lake City, UT
Hobbies: musical instruments, motorcycles, and reading science fiction/fantasy
What I love about my job: sharing my knowledge with others who share my interests
What I like about Westminster: Teachers and instructors always make time for their students.
What I like about Utah/Salt Lake City: the views of the mountains and the landscape
Long-Term Aviation Goal: To try a variety of flying experiences and see what the aviation industry has to offer.
Advice for new aviation students: Make a commitment and stick with it.
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Taylor Byers - Flight Instructor (Flight Operations 2012)
Hometown: San Antonio, TX
Hobbies: playing guitar, singing, cars, and flying
Long-term aviation goal: commercial airline captain
What I like about my campus job: I enjoy getting to be in the middle of everything! It's fun to interact with all of the students and instructors while out at flight ops.
What I like about Westminster: The personal attention! Everybody knows my name and what my goals are, and they're always willing to help me succeed.
What I like about Utah/Salt Lake City: The mountains. I'm from Texas where there isn't a lot to see, so seeing the mountains out my bedroom window is awesome.
Favorite Restaurants: Molca Salsa (now called Hectors) and Sugarhouse Coffee
Something unique about me: My high school marching band took 2nd place at the Grand Nationals competition.
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Dan Fackrell - Flight Instructor- CFI & CFII
Education: B.S. Flight Operations, Westminster College
Hometown: Bountiful, UT
Hobbies: golf, tennis, fishing, and remote-controlled airplanes
Long-term aviation goal: flying for an airline
About me: I have a dog named Kohler, I served a church mission in Paraguay, there is no sport that I don't love, and I think flying is the coolest job that exists.
What I like about my job: Being in the air and people paying me for it.
What I like about Utah/Salt Lake City: The mountains, the great outdoors, and the balmy climate.
Favorite Restaurant: Red Iguana serves some pretty awesome Mexican food.
Advice for new aviation student: There is no better place to learn how to fly than here at Westminster. Trust me. I did it.
What you may not know about me: I won a beauty contest as a baby.
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John Pompa-Flight Instructor
Education: B.S. Fight Operations, Business minor, Westminster College
Hometown: Katy, TX
Hobbies: cooking, soccer, snowboarding, motocross, and mountain biking
Long-term aviation goal: International operations for an airline, perform aerobatics
What I like about my job: the people I work with
What I like about Westminster: new friends and networking opportunities
What I like best about Utah/Salt Lake City: The convenience of a small city surrounded by outdoor activities in every direction. The change in scenery with the seasons.
Favorite restaurant: The Farm at Canyons--amazing chefs work in an open kitchen with delicious, locally-sourced, organic food. 100% fresh.
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Brooke Lawrence-Flight Instructor-CFI
Education: B.S. Flight Operations
Hometown: Kamuela, HI
Hobbies: Beaching, snowboarding, reading
Long-term aviation goal: airline pilot
What I like best about Westminster: The atmosphere and small, community feel
What I like about Utah/Salt Lake City: The mountains! They're fun to play in and pretty to look at.
What I like best about my job: Interacting with students. I love that I get to give advice and help students through a process I've already been through.
Advice for students: Be prepared. Aviation is a lot of work but it will totally pay off in the end.
Favorite restaurant: Moochies!
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