The core management team for Waypoint consists of its founders Michael Sowa and Kenneth Murray, as well as Senior Operations Consultant, Mark Mamelson. Each of these industry veterans has a diverse and valuable set of capabilities, yet share a strong, overlapping depth of knowledge and business philosophy.
Mike Sowa’s extensive experience gives him the unique ability to understand both the strategic and practical aspects of the corporate aviation industry. Having spent more than 25 years in the industry, Sowa has forged relationships that are both rare and invaluable.
Mike began his sales career with IBM, following his experience as an officer and pilot in the U.S. Navy. In 1982, he joined Canadair Challenger (now Bombardier) as Sales Director, then moved to British Aerospace in 1987 as a Regional Sales Manager for the Hawker program. Sowa expanded his experience by joining Flight Services Group (now part of Privatair) as Vice President, Sales and Marketing, overseeing aircraft sales and aircraft charter marketing. He was also involved on the operational side, assisting with flight operations and acquisitions of new locations.
In 1994, Sowa joined Northwestern Aircraft Capital Corp. as Vice President, responsible for aircraft sales and leasing. Mike continued his success in aircraft sales with Galaxy Aerospace, where he helped launch the new super mid-size Galaxy into service with customers in the northeastern U.S.
In 2000, Sowa rejoined Northwestern Aircraft Capital Corp. as Managing Director of a new division, JetStream Aviation. During his tenure, he managed all aspects of the Part 135 organization, including start-up requirements, contract negotiations, full P&L responsibility and manpower/staffing. Since 2004, Mike has been engaged in Business Aviation Consulting, and has served a multitude of clients.
Over the years, Sowa has continually built a broad base of success by:
Sowa holds a B.A. degree in Political Science from Central College in Pella , Iowa , with additional training from the U.S. Navy, IBM, and FlightSafety International.
Ken Murray has spent more than 25 years in the business aviation industry. His extensive knowledge spans the full scope of business aircraft completions oversight and management, technical operations management and functional activities associated within the highest levels of corporate aviation.
Ken began his career as an Avionics and Completions Supervisor with Heliflight, where he oversaw the first single-pilot IFR installation on Sikorsky S-76 helicopters. He joined Canadair Challenger (now Bombardier) in 1982, as the company was beginning the Challenger 600 program. During his 12-year tenure, he held increasingly responsible positions in the company’s factory service center in Hartford, CT. As the number of in-service Challengers increased, Ken ultimately was responsible for planning, scheduling and overseeing all maintenance work as well as aircraft modifications and upgrades. Murray served as a primary liaison between the customer and the manufacturer, responsible for ensuring customer satisfaction. He also developed and wrote the original Pre-Purchase Evaluation guidelines for the Challenger series, which is still in use today.
In 1994, Ken began his aviation consulting career and has assisted a wide variety of FORTUNE 500 and smaller companies in pre-purchase inspections, new completions and refurbishment projects, and other key areas of business aviation. He has been involved with more than 150 pre-purchase inspections and evaluations of aircraft ranging from King Air to large cabin aircraft including the Global Express, Gulfstream V, and Boeing 757, His major areas of expertise include:
Ken has been an accredited auditor with the International Standards of Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO) since the program’s inception. He attended Roger Williams University , holds an Airframe and Powerplant (A & P) license and is a graduate of the Teterboro School of Aeronautics. He has served on the National Business Aircraft Association’s Maintenance Management Committee and is a former Board Member of the Westchester Aircraft Maintenance Organization. Murray has been a certified Hot Air Balloon Pilot since the mid-70s.
Mark Mamelson became entranced with aviation during frequent visits to Chicago’s Midway Airport with his father and brother, watching from behind the chain-link fence at the departure end of Runway 31C. This gave him the impetus to start flight training and earn his private pilot’s license. He went on to earn instrument, commercial, multi-engine, and flight instructor ratings. Mark holds a CFIII, MEI, ATP and various type ratings.
Mamelson began flying for a Part 135 operation in 1995 and flew aircraft ranging from reciprocating twins to turboprops and turbine-powered jets. He has operated as a Part 135 Check Airman and has written a number of Pilot Training Manuals.
Mark spent eight years in increasingly responsible positions with LMM, the operations division of Northwestern Aircraft Capital Corporation. He most recently served as Director of Operations for the company. During his tenure with LMM, the company was one of the largest Part 135 operators with over 100 pilots, a 40-aircraft fleet, and operational bases in Anchorage, AK, Van Nuys, CA, Seattle, WA and Allentown, PA. As Senior Operations Consultant.
In 2001, as the company experienced exponential growth, he was tapped for the position of Director of Operations and drew again on his writing skills and extensive knowledge base. Mamelson was responsible for developing and writing the company’s General Operations Manuals, Pilot Training and Operations Manuals, as well as Placarding and Procedural Manuals for their King Air, Learjet, Hawker and Gulfstream aircraft.
His field of expertise includes extensive knowledge of FARs as well as the operational requirements relevant to successful Part 135 operations. He brings a unique perspective that complements Waypoint Partners’ capabilities in serving clients.
Mark is a native of Gary, Indiana. He is a graduate of the Indiana University with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature. He is a published author and has written two critically-acclaimed novels as well as a novella and other works.