Daniel Foust, CASI

Daniel’s aviation journey began on the ground, working with helicopter crews and bush pilots in Alaska before earning his Bachelors of Science in Aviation Operations. He went on to serve over eight years as a combat assault support helicopter pilot in the U.S. Marine Corps, followed by several years flying for government contracts overseas. After returning stateside, he spent eight years with Dassault Falcon  and earned a Master’s in Terrorism and Counterterrorism Studies. Inspired during his graduate work, Daniel founded Corporate Aviation Security International (CASI), where he leads a team of military and law enforcement veterans dedicated to specialized security in business aviation. In today’s world, with recent incidents of high-profile executives being targeted or harmed, the need for proactive and tailored aviation security has never been more critical. 

Mark Larsen, NBAA

Mark is a recognized leader in the field of business aviation safety. Mark heads the NBAA Safety and Flight Operations team, a group known for delivering expert strategic guidance to NBAA members and its board of directors. Under his leadership, his team identifies emerging risks and serves as a key resource on the most pressing safety issues facing our industry today. Today, he’ll be sharing the NBAA’s latest safety initiatives and priorities, aimed at sparking meaningful conversations and driving real improvements across both flight departments and owner-flown operations.

Joseph Block, MNDOT Aeronautics

Joseph Block, the Advanced Air Mobility Program Manager with the Minnesota Department of Transportation Aeronautics. Joseph leads efforts to integrate emerging aviation technologies in Minnesota, including electric aircraft, drones, and the infrastructure needed to support them. A certified private and drone pilot with a degree in Aerospace Engineering, Joseph brings both technical knowledge and real-world experience. Today, he’ll share how Advanced Air Mobility will shape the future of aviation infrastructure and airspace over the next decade.

Keith Trepanier, Blade

Keith Trepanier, a seasoned aviation professional with over 35 years of experience in safety, operations, and flight. Keith’s career began with 25 years of active-duty military service in the U.S. Army and Coast Guard, where he served as an avionics technician, line pilot, safety officer, and fleet standardization instructor. After the military, he served as Aviation Safety Manager for the Mayo Clinic and currently leads as the Chief of Safety for Blade and Trinity Air Medical Solutions. With more than 5,000 flight hours in high-risk environments and a master’s degree in Aviation Safety, Keith brings unmatched expertise to today’s discussion. His presentation will offer practical safety strategies for any operation, with a focus on emergency response, safety management systems, CRM, and building a strong reporting culture grounded in standardization and just culture principles.

Erika Armstrong, Advanced Aircrew Academy

Erika Armstrong, the Marketing Manager for Advanced Aircrew Academy an advocate for aviation safety and education. Erika holds an ATP certificate with over 6,000 flight hours, most of which she logged as captain in the Boeing 727 and Citation series aircraft. Her career spans airline, charter, and air ambulance operations. She also brings a strong academic background, holding a degree in International Business and Economics. Erika is an aviation professor at Metropolitan State University in Denver. Erika is  also the author of “A Chick in the Cockpit” and a regular contributor to several national aviation publications.