Spike Leadership Team

Spike’s World Class Team

Quieter, Cleaner, Safer and More Efficient

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.

Vik Kachoria

Founder, President & CEO

Vik Kachoria, Founder, President and CEO of Spike Aerospace, is a seasoned executive with over 35 years international business experience as a successful entrepreneur and technologist. Kachoria worked at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center and GE Aircraft Engines before building three successful technology companies and working in investment banking, new ventures and consulting for 20 years.

Vik Kachoria

Founder, President & CEO

I am the President & CEO of Spike Aerospace, an innovative company focused on the development of supersonic flight. At Spike Aerospace, we aim to revolutionize air travel by making it faster, quieter, sustainable, and efficient. My experience spans aerospace, finance, and entrepreneurship, enabling me to lead a team of experts dedicated to the design and future launch of the Spike S-512 Supersonic Jet.

My career in aerospace is driven by a passion for advancing the field of travel and exploration. Aerospace, to me, represents a field where diverse disciplines such as engineering, legal, finance, and communications intersect to achieve remarkable feats.

Prior to my current role at Spike Aerospace, I founded AeroSigma, a consultancy that provided guidance and investment to startups in the aerospace sector. My work encompassed a variety of projects, from air taxi services and space planes to sub-orbital tourism and solar power satellites, each contributing to my vision of creating a unique aerospace venture.

My interest in science and engineering began in my teens, with projects ranging from homemade hot-air balloons to RC planes, and later expanded into more complex areas like antiparticle research and quasar simulations. My professional journey has taken me through significant roles at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, GE Aircraft Engines, and leading my own technology ventures in CAD and communications, before delving into banking and consulting in mergers & acquisitions.

My background is as diverse as my professional experience. Born in a remote village in India, I moved to the US, overcoming numerous challenges along the way. I earned my pilot’s license at 17 and pursued further education at MIT Sloan School of Management and Boston University, obtaining an MBA and a BA in Physics and Mathematics.

I invite you to connect and learn more about how we can contribute to the future of aerospace.

Tom Captain

Corporate Development & Strategy

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

Corporate Development & Strategy

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.

He is a frequent keynote speaker at industry conferences, e.g., Aviation Week, SpeedNews, Wharton Aerospace, ISRO, and company board meetings. A recognized expert, he is cited several hundred times in print and on-line media regarding current trends, events and breaking news stories, e.g., WSJ, FT, CNN, Washington Post, Aviation Week, Defense News, Bloomberg, Reuters, New York Times, Handelsblatt, Japan Times, Arabic News, Peoples Daily, Hindustan Times. He has appeared on television and in radio broadcasts with Fox Business News, Defense News Today, and BBC radio. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society and was recently named by Defense News to the Top 100 Most Influential People in US Defense.

Mr. Captain is a graduate of the University of Washington with a BA, completed the Executive Education Program at the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business, and Seattle University with an MBA. He possessed a US DOD Secret SAR clearance.

John Thomas

Airline Partnerships

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.

John Thomas

Airline Partnerships

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. He also serves on the board of directors of Icelandair and Sky Service (the largest FBO and corporate aviation operator in Canada). In addition, Mr. Thomas is a Senior Advisor with McKinsey & Company, Nieuport Aviation Infrastructure Partners (operator of the Billy Bishop Downtown Toronto Airport terminal), Plusgrade and CAPA Centre for Aviation.

Mr. Thomas, a commercial pilot, launched a small regional airline in Australia in the late 70s. He then went on to become senior advisor for over 25 years to many of the world’s leading airlines including Delta, United, JetBlue, Alaska, LATAM, Air Canada, Singapore Airlines, Qantas, Emirates, British Airways, easyJet and Virgin Atlantic. His work included the merger between Delta and Northwest Airlines, the introduction of ancillary revenues to legacy airlines around the world, the successful establishment of JVs between major airlines and the re-configuration of Frequent Flyer programs. In addition, he worked extensively in the B&GA space advising companies including Piper Aircraft, Vistajet, Flexjet, Flight Options, Landmark, Standard Aero, BBA and Signature Flight Support.

Most recently he was CEO (and AOC holder/accountable executive) of Virgin Australia Airlines, a $US3bn turnover airline with aircraft ranging from B777-300ERs down to ATR72s. John Thomas now serves as CEO of Waltzing Matilda Aviation LLC a corporate jet charter/aircraft management company based in Boston.

Ray Benvenuti

Finance and Operations

Ray Benvenuti

Finance and Operations

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.

Ray’s insights in aerospace companies derives from his professional and educational background including an M.S. in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from Princeton University and an M.B.A. from the Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration, where he graduated as a Baker Scholar. Ray is also an instrument rated private pilot.

Ray founded Concord Investment Partners, an investment and advisory firm focused on making private and public investments in aerospace, automotive and industrial companies. In addition, he serves as an advisor to various private equity firms and hedge funds investing in transportation related and industrial companies.

As part of Concord Investment Partners, Ray became President and CEO of Stellex Aerostructures, Inc., a manufacturer of large structural assemblies and components for commercial and military aircraft, where he orchestrated a major turnaround culminating in the sale of the company to GKN, plc. in September 2006. From 2007 to 2018, he served as an Operating Partner, Managing Partner and Senior Advisor to Greenbriar Equity Group, responsible for reviewing and overseeing aerospace and automotive private equity investment opportunities.

Before founding Concord Investment Partners, Ray was with Forstmann Little & Co. where he was involved in four large acquisitions and actively helped manage several portfolio companies including Gulfstream Aerospace.

Prior to Forstmann Little, he was a senior consultant with McKinsey & Company, where he was responsible for several operational improvement projects for industrial, telecommunications, and aerospace clients.

Ray is currently a board member of a number of aerospace and manufacturing firms including The Whitcraft Group, a privately held fabricator of jet engine components and assemblies. Previously, he also served as Chairman and interim CEO of Align Aerospace (a master distributor of aerospace fasteners and Class C hardware), as Chairman of AmSafe Partners (the leading manufacturer of passenger and cargo restraint systems for commercial aerospace use), and as Chairman and Director of EDAC Technologies (a manufacturer of composite and metallic jet engine components). Ray served as an advisor to ABL Space Systems at inception, a startup developing a commercial launch vehicle for small satellites, with plans for first launch in 2021.

Kevin Novak

Flight Safety & Training

Kevin Novak

Flight Safety & Training

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.

As President of Mach 3 Composites, which he founded in 2009, Mr. Novak developed the company’s product line and managed quality control. Mach 3’s carbon-fiber products are sold in over 20 countries worldwide. Novak holds a B.S. in Aviation Management from Southern Illinois University.

Russell Chew

Finance and Operations

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.

Russell Chew

Finance and Operations

With a distinguished career in aviation, technology and investment that spans over four decades, Mr. Chew brings his experience and acumen for aviation management, operations, public policy and financial strategy to Spike Aerospace’s leadership team.

As President and COO of JetBlue Airways from 2007 to 2010, Mr. Chew led the successful turnaround that included improving the airline’s operating performance of its 650 daily flights utilizing 150 jet aircraft to 55 cities in nine countries, but also refocusing JetBlue’s business strategy and completely renewing of its core information systems and technology.

Prior to JetBlue, Mr. Chew served as Chief Operating Officer for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). As head of the FAA’s Air Traffic Organization, Mr. Chew was responsible for the operational and financial performance of the U.S. air traffic control system, as well as the FAA’s research and acquisition programs. Through consolidation and modernization, he improved FAA flight services, established performance metrics, improved customer service and implemented financial control at the 35,000 person government organization.

Mr. Chew joined the FAA after 18 years with American Airlines, Inc. During his career with American he headed System Operations where he was responsible for performance of the airline’s day-to-day operation for 2,300 flights daily to more than 220 domestic and international cities in Europe, Latin America, and Asia. As head of Strategic Operations Planning, he was responsible for the airline’s evaluation, acquisition, and implementation of new aircraft and ground technologies for airline fleet and operations planning. He began his career at American Airlines as a first officer before serving as Captain on Boeing 767, 757 and the MD-80.

As a Managing Partner for NEXA Capital Partners, Mr. Chew provided investment banking advisory services for small, mid-market and large aerospace technology companies. He recently retired from NanoVapor Inc. as Chairman and CEO, and served on a number of for-profit and non-profit boards including Aireon, Embry-Riddle, Civil Air Navigation Services and others.

Mr. Chew attended Stanford University for his undergraduate studies and earned his doctoral degree at the University of Southern California.

Brian Foley

Marketing & Strategy

Brian Foley

Marketing & Strategy

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.

Over the course of Foley’s career, he has been involved with various supersonic business jet initiatives and appreciates the nuances from a technological, regulatory and customer aspect. He understands buyer behavior for high-end corporate jets and has even been involved in raising growth capital for aviation companies.

Foley holds a dual BS degree in aerospace and mechanical engineering from Syracuse University, an MBA from Seattle University and completed Wharton’s Executive Education Program in Corporate Governance. He earned a Series 7 General Securities Representative license and is an instrument-rated private pilot.

Wayne Gaulzetti

Testing & Certification

Wayne Gaulzetti

Testing & Certification

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.

Mr. Gaulzetti worked with certification offices including Boston and Brussels, and completed a tour with ICAO as consultant / mentor to the Indonesian Aircraft Certification Service in Jakarta and Bandung. Following his time at the FAA, he was Piper Aircraft’s Director of Airworthiness Certification and Technical Publications as well as Piper’s ODA Administrator to the FAA. Most recently, Gaulzetti consulted for Sikorsky Aircraft on aircraft certification programs.

Katerina Barilov

Finance & Strategy

Katerina Barilov

Finance & Strategy

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. In this role, Ms. Barilov conduced analyses, created materials, and facilitated execution in all phases of the deal process, including pitching, industry research, valuation analysis, deal execution and due diligence for clients in aerospace and aviation. Ms. Barilov has been involved in numerous successful M&A, IPO and Spin-off processes but was focused specifically on private placements for early stage ventures.

Prior to Goldman Sachs, she ran the Structured Finance division for Europe Middle East and Africa at Hawker Beechcraft, a leading aerospace manufacturer based out of Wichita Kansas. She joined Hawker Beechcraft as part of a small team of structured finance professionals formed to create a new solution for sales financing support of cross-border aircraft acquisitions. The team designed and launched a Structured Finance department which developed and maintained relationships with third party financiers, structured financing support and conducted credit analysis of potential clients. In her role, Ms. Barilov sourced transactions, developed and maintained a network of 200+ financiers, and structured and arranged complex transactions, liaising between lawyers, insurers, bankers and clients, overseeing due diligence, documentation, and credit processes.

She holds an MBA and Bachelors degrees from the University of California, Berkeley. She is an avid pilot with a passion for aerobatic competition with experience in a Pitts S2C. She spends her free time focused on adventure flying in her modified Piper Colt, cycling and running.