Devon Dorato, President and Chief Pilot
Devon has 20 years experience in aviation. He started flying at age 14 and soloed at age 16. He now has over 4000 hours total time including Part 135 experience. Devon has a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering from Central Michigan University.
Dave Portz, Senior Administrator
Dave has six years experience working with flight training students from all over the world. He also has a degree from Penn State. Dave is a career-changer and served many years as a golf course superintendent before coming to work in aviation.
Jacob Caya, Office Manager
Jacob has two accounting degrees including a Masters from Michigan State University. He is a private pilot and is working on his instrument rating. Jacob supervises scheduling and is in charge of student and vendor accounts. Instructors also appreciate his efforts as he administers payroll.
Kevin Walker, Senior Mechanic / Flt. Instructor
Kevin not only holds pilot certificates including ATP, helicopter, and seaplane ratings, but also is an experienced airplane mechanic with Inspector Authorization (IA). He has over 13,000 hours total flight time and Part 135 and corporate flight experience.
Patrick Murphy, Director of Training
Pat has been flying over 30 years and now has over 8,200 flight hours with over 6,500 hours of flight instruction delivered. He has flown for a regional airline. Pat has extensive experience working with international students and international flight schools and has experience not only in the USA but also in Asia and the Middle East. He has undergraduate and graduate degrees.
Ralph Zahnle, Director of Operations, Jacksonville
Ralph brings to Sunrise Aviation and Florida State College at Jacksonville nearly 4000 hours of flight experience. Ralph is also a licensed FAA Airframe & Powerplant Mechanic and has FAA Inspection Authorization. Ralph is also an Airline Transport Pilot, Commercial Pilot, and Flight Instructor holding single engine airplane, instrument and multi-engine airplane flight instructor ratings.
Senior Flight Instructors
Mel Quinton, Senior Flight Instructor
Mel has over 8,200 flight hours. He is origionally from Europe where he worked for a travel company and graduated from a technical college. Mel is also a helicopter CFI.
Craig Wiggen, Senior Flight Instructor
Craig has extensive experience in flight training, corporate aviation, and air charter (Part 135). He is an expert in Cirrus aircraft and has completed the Cirrus factory training.
Alain M Cuvillier, Senior Flight Instructor
Captain Alain M Cuvillier comes to Sunrise Aviation with an extensive Airline and Aviation background, having worked in different areas of the business. He knows what the current aviation market is looking for in a professional pilot, and having worked with international students from all over the world, he understands and helps our new and future students to follow the right path for their career.
