In our very first blog post, we share the top six reasons why the private air charter is the perfect choice for your next trip and how it can transform your travel experience.
Pamela is responsible for setting the strategic direction of the organization and ensuring overall business performance, profitability, and regulatory compliance. She provides executive leadership across all departments, including operations, maintenance, finance, and safety, aligning company goals with FAA requirements and market demands. She plays a critical role in fostering a safety-first culture, work-life balance of the team and ensuring the company meets both operational and financial objectives.
After a highly decorated career with GSK, where she rose through the ranks in sales and leadership to serve as Director of Operations, Pamela made a bold move in 2023 when she traded the FDA for the FAA. As the co-owner and CEO of Bravo Air, Pamela has rapidly positioned the company as a standout in the regional aviation space. Her leadership has fueled operational excellence and a people-first culture built on accountability, safety, and performance. Known for her strategic vision, operational expertise, and talent for building high-performing teams, Pamela has led Bravo Air through rapid expansion, enhancing fleet capabilities, talent acquisition, elevating safety and maintenance standards, and continuing to forge strategic partnerships, including an advanced air mobility initiative with Tokyo-based SkyDrive. Pamela is committed to building a company culture rooted in excellence, innovation, and care.
Pamela is actively involved in the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce and the Augusta Airport Commission, where she advocates for sustainable growth and forward-looking infrastructure growth and development.
Outside of aviation, Pamela is a proud mother and grandmother who loves spending time with her family, playing tennis, traveling, and entertaining guests.
William is responsible for overseeing all flight operations to ensure compliance with FAA regulations and company policies. He manages pilot training programs, aircraft conformity and scheduling, has operational control, and oversees safety programs, ensuring that each flight is conducted safely and efficiently. William works closely with the Director of Maintenance and Chief Pilot to maintain Bravo Air’s operational standards.
An Augusta native, William began flight training in middle school and soloed on his 16th birthday. He earned a Bachelor of Aviation Business Administration from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida. William holds an Airline Transport Pilot Certificate, is an FAA Gold Seal Certified Flight Instructor, and a Cirrus Standardized Instructor Pilot. He has accumulated nearly 10,000 hours of flight time and has over 20 years of aviation experience as a corporate/charter pilot, flight instructor, and aircraft owner. William brings a wealth of experience in understanding and navigating the Part 135 FAA regulations, and under his leadership, William has attracted key talent and raised the bar of operational excellence for Bravo Air. He is committed to protecting a strong work-life balance for the team and ensuring the company is running a safe and compliant program.
William is happily married with three children. Among his favorite activities outside of work are fishing, motorcycling, learning about history and law, and watching college football in his off time.
Born and raised in Southern Africa, Peter Smith began his aviation career at a young age after being recruited by the South African Air Force (S.A.A.F.) as a Pilot GD, where he also served as an operations intelligence officer for his Squadron. In 1988, Peter immigrated to the United States, embarking on a 30-year career with The Kroger Co. in Facility Engineering. Starting as a field service engineer, he advanced to become group maintenance manager for the Atlanta division before retiring. He stayed involved with aviation through the years and trained countless pilots flying skills. Drawn back to aviation full-time, Peter joined Bravo Air in its early days as a pilot and now serves as Assistant Director of Operations, bringing experience and a passion for safe, reliable air operations to the team.
Matthew Murphy is an accomplished aviation professional with extensive experience in aircraft maintenance, operations, and flight. As Director of Maintenance at Bravo Air, Matthew oversees all Part 135 operations, ensuring regulatory compliance and maintaining the highest standards of safety, performance, and reliability.
He began his career at Spirit Aviation, serving as Lead Mechanic for a fleet of flight school aircraft. During this time, he completed all his pilot ratings and transitioned to charter operations, flying the Cessna Citation VI, Citation Ultra, and Falcon 900.
Matthew’s passion for aviation continues outside his role with Bravo Air. He is actively involved in aircraft restoration projects, specializing in warbirds and vintage aircraft, and serves as a crew chief for an airshow performance team.
Blake Berson is the Assistant Director of Maintenance at Bravo Air, bringing a strong foundation in aircraft maintenance and technical leadership. Blake began his aviation maintenance career at Flightline Group, where he performed annual inspections and maintenance on a variety of aircraft, including the Piper 46 series, Cirrus SR models, and Daher Kodiak 100s. He then advanced his technical expertise at StandardAero in Augusta, GA, serving as a high-performing engine removal and replacement technician, with a specialized focus on the NetJets Challenger 350 fleet and supporting engine teardowns and reassembly. Now at Bravo Air, Blake applies his extensive hands-on experience and leadership skills to support operational readiness and maintenance excellence.
Originally from Wakulla County in Florida’s Big Bend region, Blake’s passion for hands-on work began early through his involvement in the Boy Scouts and was further cultivated in a high school automotive program. This interest led him to pursue and earn his Airframe & Powerplant certifications at Lively Technical College.
Outside of aviation, Blake is a competitive shooter, an avid golfer, and enjoys relaxing with a fine cigar.
As Chief Pilot, Scot is responsible for supervising all flight crew members and ensuring they are properly trained, qualified, and adhere to FAA regulations and company procedures. He oversees pilot hiring, scheduling, performance, and recurrent training programs to maintain operational safety and compliance. Scot works closely with the Director of Operations and Director of Maintenance to support safe and legal flight operations.
A native of Aiken, SC, Scot graduated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in History before enlisting in the United States Army as an Infantryman. He attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach after separation from the Army and began flight instructing in Mount Pleasant, SC, before transitioning to charter operations in 2012.
Scot brings a sparkling outlook, a great sense of humor, and a high level of professionalism to Bravo Air. He was the first goaltender for the USC Ice Hockey team, has been a mediocre drummer since 1996, and, no, his name is not missing a “t”.
Originally from Tucson, AZ, Dan grew up and was raised in the Augusta area. After graduating from Evans High School here, he joined the Navy, where he served on guided missile cruisers as an Electronics Technician specializing in radar and navigation equipment and miniature electronic repair. Upon leaving the Navy, he earned his real estate license and sold homes in the coastal Virginia and North Carolina area. Lacking much excitement in sales, Dan decided to pursue a career in aviation. He attended a flight school based at the Raleigh-Durham airport, flying every day to earn his ratings in the course of about a year. Once he achieved his flight instructor certificates, he moved back to the Augusta area to teach. After teaching full-time for two years, he began flying for a large national part 135/91k operator. During his time there, he flew into every one of the lower 48 states multiple times. Once he learned Bravo Air was up and running in Augusta, he saw an opportunity to spend more time at home while also using his experience to help grow a company in his own backyard.
In his off time, Dan loves to get outdoors as much as possible and enjoys hiking, kayaking, fishing, and hunting with his dog, Cooper.
In his role as Safety & Security Manager at Bravo Air, Eric leverages his expertise in risk management and operational integrity to ensure safe, secure, and compliant flight operations. His knowledge and dedication are focused on developing, implementing, and maintaining an integrated Safety Management System (SMS) and Security Program that meets or exceeds FAA and TSA requirements for Part 135 aircraft operations.
Eric holds a bachelor’s degree in broadcast communications and a master’s in public relations, with prior civilian experience as a producer and communications director. He also brings an impressive military career to Bravo Air, including over three decades of distinguished military service and global public affairs leadership. A U.S. Army Colonel (retired), Eric served in key command and communications roles across Afghanistan, Germany, Iraq, Korea, and NATO—culminating as Chief of Public Affairs for Allied Command Operations at SHAPE and later leading Army Public Affairs initiatives stateside. Eric’s military honors include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and Combat Action Badge.
Following his military retirement in 2021, Eric pursued his passion for aviation, flying commercial missions with Twin Otter International before joining Bravo Air in 2024 as a Second-in-Command pilot on the Cessna Citation 560 and King Air 200.
