Meet the Team

Don Peterson
Founder & Enthusiast
A native of Nebraska, Don started his career as a demonstration/test pilot for the Pilatus Factory back in the late 90s. He has amassed over 8,000 hours of Pilatus flight time over the past 25 years. A married father of three, Don devotes his off time to his family, his love of golf, and flying.
Other interesting facts about Don:
- ATP/CFI/CFII/MEI –type rated CE500 and 525s series
- Got the nickname “Bub” as a young child
- Raised, trained, and showed competitive quarter horses growing up
- What energizes Don: the people and relationships around him

Diana Smotherman
Client Relations Manager
Diana entered general aviation almost 20 years ago where her affection for Pilatus Aircraft was born. Most of those years were spent within a Pilatus Sales Center where she was involved in the day-to-day sales and delivery processes. From assisting buyers in selecting specifications to strategically walking clients through the sales transaction, coordinating and Client Relations are Diana’s strong suits. Diana is married and has two beautiful daughters. She enjoys traveling in her RV, and spending time outdoors and on the beach.
Other interesting facts about Diana:
- Coached competitive gymnastics for 10 years.
- Would rather drive than fly.
- Enjoys volunteering and giving back to the community.
- What energizes Diana: The relationships developed and observing the clients’ excitement on delivery day.

Scott Glenn
Sales Director
Born and raised in Wichita, Kansas, Scott has been surrounded by airplanes in one shape or another his entire life. He has spent over a decade in the aircraft sales industry traveling the globe and living abroad. If you don’t find Scott at the local FBO, he’s either at the JetSwiss headquarters or on the golf course.
Other interesting facts about Scott:
- Private Pilot, turning a passion and hobby into a career.
- Played golf at the Division 1 collegiate level.
- “Girl Dad” – Proud father of three girls
- What energizes Scott: The process.

Loran Lonergan
Chief Financial Officer
A native of Kansas City, Loran started her career in the hospitality industry. Fittingly, she’s spent her entire career working directly with people and organizations in various “difference maker” roles. From accounting to customer service, or managing an entire corporate department, Loran’s experience is summarized by her 100% commitment to impacting those around her.
Other interesting facts about Loran:
- Married mother of six
- Enjoys volleyball, biking, and music
- Worked with special needs kids in a foster care program
- What energizes Loran: making people happy and being organized

Scott Patrick
Director of Operations / Chief Pilot
Scott Patrick was born and raised in Iowa. Scott’s love for flying emerged at an early age as he grew up near the local airport and his father was part owner of a Cessna 172. He started his training at the local college 141 school where he also instructed. His aviation experience includes air ambulance, charter operations, and corporate aviation. Scott enjoys watching action movies with his son, wife, and pups.
Other interesting facts about Scott:
- ATP/CFI/CFII/MEI CE525s, CE510s, CE500 type ratings
- Love of the outdoors and shooting sports
- Likes doing “projects” around the house
- What energizes Scott: Helping others

Carlie Koziol
Marketing Manager
Carlie hasn’t flown far from the nest. Kansas City remains home, and the people she works with certainly feel like it! Her favorite aspect of “the job” is that no two days are the same. With a passion for storytelling and an artistic background, Carlie has found her love for marketing all under the wing of JetSwiss.
Other interesting facts about Carlie:
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- Enjoys painting and redoing furniture.
- Volunteers at local animal shelters and foster failed her Great Pyrenees mix named Cleo
- What energizes Carlie: Creativity and collaboration.

Kevin Ratcliffe
Operations Manager
Kevin has spent most of his life in the Kansas City area and built a career in aircraft detailing over the last decade. Suitably, Kevin is very detail-oriented, and ensures no aircraft goes unchecked. As we say at JetSwiss, you haven’t seen a clean aircraft until it has been Kevin Cleaned. Outside of the hangar, Kevin spends his time outdoors and occasionally helps his father-in-law run cattle.
Other interesting facts about Kevin:
- Married his high school sweetheart. Together they have two kids, two dogs, and a cat.
- Green thumb at heart! Grows tomatoes, jalapeños, garlic, and onions in his garden.
- Loves riding motorcycles and enjoys a good day at the shooting range.
- Known Bub his entire detailing career!

Gage Palmer
Pilot
Gage was born and raised in Kansas. Gage followed in his grandfather’s footsteps who flew KC-135s for the 190th Air National Guard Refueling unit and was a captain for United Airlines. Gage studied at Embry-Riddle where he received his Aeronautical Science degree with a minor in business. He accepted an internship for a family flying a Hawker in 2013 and has been flying corporate ever since.
Other interesting facts about Gage:
- Flown Hawkers, Beachjets, King Airs, and Citations
- Hobbies include boating and working out
- Played MLS junior team “The Kansas City Wizards”
- What energizes Gage: Making people smile

Bill Lento
Director of Maintenance & Technical Services
Bill Lento got his aviation start in 1998 with the Army. He was a crew chief on the Apache helicopter. After leaving the Army he worked for the Beechcraft experimental flight test department in Wichita, KS, and later settled into a 20-year career with a local Pilatus Service Center (KCAC). Bill held several roles at KCAC; maintenance technician / QA inspector / QA manager, and finally over the past four years as the Director of Maintenance. Oh, and might we mention that Bill is FAA certified as an Airframe and Powerplant technician with Inspection Authorization (IA)? Yes, of course…With all this great experience under his belt, we were lucky and proud to welcome Bill into yet another career chapter, as our very own Director of Maintenance and Technical Services!
Other interesting facts about Bill:
- He’s a private pilot
- He has a car problem (not enough garage space), loves Mustangs and Mini Coopers
- Enjoys road racing with the 24 hours of Lemons series.
- Has learned to enjoy being good at bad golf.
- Favorite charity: Lemons of Love, a support group for cancer patients.

Colin Coombes
Pilot
Colin’s aviation journey began in South Africa as a Fighter Pilot and Instructor. Subsequently, he dedicated another 12 years as a Reserve Force Member. He went on to launch his own small business specialising in VIP charters and Owner Flights particularly on Pilatus PC-12 aircraft. Most recently, he spent 5 years in Qatar, contracted to the Qatar Emiri Air Force as a Flying Instructor, serving in various roles.
Other Interesting facts about Colin:
- Notable Pilatus specific achievements include his proficiency in PC-7, PC-12, and PC-21 aircraft, with a keen interest in incorporating the PC-24 into his repertoire.
- He has a son, Aiden and a daughter, Victoria who currently resides in Dubai, UAE.
- Married to his beautiful wife, Gaby he has a bonus son, Thomas.
- Outside of his aviation pursuits, he finds solace at the local Radio Controlled model airfield, where he engages in the hobby of flying RC Jets.
- His passion for aviation is rekindled when he has the opportunity to inspire others to embark on their own aerial adventures.

Brayden Bethart
Sales Associate
Originally from Colorado, Brayden discovered his passion for aviation early, earning his private pilot’s license while in high school. That passion took him down south to Auburn University, where he studied Aviation Management and gained hands-on experience working with Auburn’s School of Aviation. Always eager to learn and grow, Brayden enjoys the “process” and is excited to develop with JetSwiss.
Other interesting facts about Brayden:
- Instrument-rated private pilot
- Enjoys spending his time outdoors, watching sports, live music, and caring for a bonsai tree collection.
- What energizes Brayden: Solving complex problems and being surrounded by people who share a love for aviation.

Ella Miller
Marketing Coordinator
Ella was born and raised in Kansas City and went on to study Advertising and Public Relations at the University of Arkansas. While there, she found her love for marketing and advertising through hands-on experience with Main Hill Media, the U of A’s student run ad agency (and of course, SEC sports!).
Other interesting facts about Ella:
- Loves being active outside, especially playing pickleball, hiking, and swimming.
- Lived in Rome, Italy, for four months.
- Has a twin sister who doubles as her best friend.
- What energizes Ella: Learning new things, helping others, and being organized.

Mitch Weiland
Operations
Mitch is a student pilot with a growing career in aviation and a lifelong passion for airplanes. He entered the aviation industry about a year and a half ago and hasn’t looked back since. From an early age, he was drawn to the skies—now he’s turning that passion into purpose as he works toward his pilot’s license. Outside the cockpit, Mitch enjoys staying active and competitive—having played golf throughout high school, he loves getting out on the course when he can.
Other interesting facts about Mitch:
• Aviation enthusiast since childhood
• Played competitive golf in high school
• Loves spending time at the airport or in the air
• What energizes Mitch: The journey—learning, flying, and growing every day