Paul Higgins - President

Paul grew up on a ranch near Valentine NE.  He attended Embry-Riddle in Prescott, AZ where he received his aviation degree and multiple ratings.  Paul has worked as a flight instructor and/or corporate pilot for several Nebraska companies including Trego/Dugan Aviation in North Platte, the former NBC Bank in Lincoln and Ameritas Life Insurance Corp.. He currently is employed by Duncan Aviation in Lincoln, as a Captain flying Citation Excels and a Falcon 50.  His family consists of wife, Jodie, and three children. The family is active in their church and the children’s schools. Paul enjoys spending time outdoors, hunting and fishing.

Lee Bowes - Vice President

Born in Lincoln, NE, Lee spent his childhood weekends at KLNK, terrorizing the ramp with his go kart. Many summer weekends were spent supporting Midwest Aerobatic Club (Ed Bowes, Harry Barr and friends) airshows in the region. Lee was slow to begin his own pursuit of flight, but when he did, he was in the air most weekends in a Grumman Yankee or a sport parachute rig. After receiving his Communication degree from Union College (Lincoln, NE), Lee found himself with a choice to join the Air Force, or Duncan Aviation. He chose Duncan Aviation, and 20 years later he serves as the Regional Manager for the Central U.S.. Aside from aviation, Lee is an active musician, auto racer, and traveler, and enjoys life with his wife, Michelle, and their two boys. 

Zach Thompson 

Trego/Dugan Aviation of Grand Island Inc.. Based in Grand Island, Thompson manages a team that provides all aspects of aviation services including maintenance, aircraft fueling and airline ground handling.Before joining the Trego-Dugan team in 2005, Thompson worked for Duncan Aviation in Lincoln. He was a mechanic with Duncan for four years and worked with Great Lakes Airlines in Grand Island for three years maintaining its fleet of aircrafts.His career in aviation began in 1994 when he started rebuilding agricultural aircrafts with Hershey Flying Service while still in high school. He attended Spartan College of Aeronautics in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Thompson graduated in 1999 with highest honors and an Associate of Applied Aviation degree. He has a Bachelors of Business Management  degree from Bellevue University. In his 20 years of aviation, Thompson has worked extensively on a diversified assortment of general aviation aircraft. He has been involved with buying and selling aircraft, major repairs and upgrades and alterations on aircraft. He has an FAA airframe and power plant license with an inspection authorization endorsement. Thompson also has his private pilot’s license.In his time with Trego-Dugan, Thompson has advanced from shop foreman to vice president/director of maintenance in Grand Island, the company’s largest facility. He is also accountable manager for TDA’s FAR Part 145 repair station in Grand Island.Thompson and his wife, Marcy, have four children. He enjoys camping, flying, hunting and family activities. They are active members of Third City Christian Church. Thompson is past master of Platte Valley Masonic Lodge and a member of Central Nebraska Shrine Club.

Bill Sibbernsen

I was born and raised in Omaha, NE, and graduated from Creighton Prep High school in 1987. I attended the University of North Dakota from '87-'92 and received a B.S. in Aeronautical Studies with a minor in Meteorolgy. I was a flight instructor at Millard airport from '94-'97 and went on to Mesaba Airlines from '97-'00. From '00-'03 I was a First Officer at Midwest Express Airlines until September 11 happened and was furloughed. I accepted a job at Jet Linx for the next 7 months until I was hired by ConAgra Foods in 1994, and remain employed there. I am Senior Director Aviation at ConAgra Brands. I have been married for 28 years and have three sons, ages 22, 20 and 17. I have been a member of NeBAA since '04 and Chaired the 2008, 2011, 2016-2022 NeBAA golf tournaments.

Cody Oshel

Cody Oshel grew up on a farm outside of Fremont and has been in Omaha throughout his aviation career, graduating from the UNO Aviation program in 2007.  After college, he pursued aviation through flight instructing in Omaha, contract flying for Pamida in the MU-2, and as a lineman at TAC Air.  By 2012 Cody was flying charter at Advanced Air, and after a year of charter he acquired his current position at Pinnacle Bank, where he has been flying since 2013.  Cody and his wife Jessica enjoy time with their daughter and son by camping and exploring the outdoors.  His hobbies include kayaking, fishing, camping, woodworking, and competition BBQ. 

Ray Bennett

Ray has 34 years of aviation sales experience and is currently the Vice President of Aircraft Management Sales with Executive Jet Management (EJM).  He has been in Sales and Sales Management roles for Avionic Manufacturers, Fractional Aircraft Companies, Aircraft OEM’s, Aircraft Parts Distribution and Aircraft Management organizations. Ray grew up in an aviation-based family in Omaha, NE, and is a graduate of Nebraska Wesleyan University, and is a Multi Engine Commercial pilot, certified Drone Pilot, Certified Safety Manager, Certified Business Aircraft Schedulers and a Certified Aviation Manager (CAM).  In his spare time, he enjoys cycling (motorized and pedal), cooking, hockey, golfing, and spending time with his grandchildren.

Eric Perez

Eric was born in Downey, CA, but raised in Omaha, NE. His aviation career began with his graduation from Spartan College of Aeronautics, leading him to work at a small airport in Millard, NE, where he focused on small piston aircraft. After his time at Millard Airport, he joined Duncan Aviation in Lincoln, NE, in the turbine engine department. Currently, Eric works for Union Pacific Railroad Flight Operations as a Sr. Supervisor and Aviation Safety Officer. Eric enjoys spending time with his wife and three children, as well as camping, fishing, and golfing.

Jeff Schlickbernd

Jeff grew up on a farm near Beemer, Nebraska, and moved to Omaha to pursue his aviation career. He graduated from the Aviation Maintenance program at Iowa Western Community College in 2003, and later earned a Bachelor's degree in Business Analysis and Management from Bellevue University. Jeff began his aviation career as a technician with Duncan Aviation and has since gained experience working with companies such as StandardAero, TechnicAir, and UltraAir. Today, he serves as the Director of Aviation & Maintenance for Legacy Air, where he oversees operations.

Outside of work, Jeff enjoys spending time outdoors—whether it's hiking, camping, boating, or firing up the BBQ. He lives in Bennington, Nebraska, with his wife and their three children.