Larry Kephart
Managing Partner
Larry spent 38 years with the FAA, retiring in 2006 as the Flight Standards Division Manager with oversight over Arizona, Nevada, California, Hawaii and all of Asia Pacific, including countries up to and including Pakistan. At the time of his retirement Larry was one of only three FAA Senior Executives qualified to conduct the final consultation after an International Aviation Safety Assessment or IASA to determine Category 1 compliance with ICAO requirements. He managed 23 FAA FSDOs, CMOs and IFOs, including 800 personnel. He held FAA Management positions in FAA headquarters, field offices and regional offices.
Upon retirement, Larry went to work for Boeing Commercial Airplane Company as a senior consultant in Regulatory Affairs. He led a team of Boeing senior folks in helping Boeing customers attain FAA Category 1 compliance, enabling them to operate the B -787 to and from the US. Successes included Argentina, South Africa, Vietnam, Philippines, India, Nigeria, and Indonesia and helping Rwanda, Thailand, Bangladesh, and Panama toward ICAO compliance and FAA Category 1. He assisted Pakistan CAA in getting exemptions from the EU banned list for the Boeing fleet, Mozambique, and Madagascar.
Larry is a retired Army Aviation Officer, registered ISO and AS 9100 and AS 9110 FAA repair station Lead Auditor. He holds a pilot certificate and Airframe and Power Plant (A&P) Licenses, Associate Degrees in Aircraft Maintenance Technology, AS in Applied Science (Manufacturing), and a BS in Aviation Management. He also teaches aviation safety at the University of Southern California’s Aviation Safety and Security school.
John Hyndman
Managing partner
John is an aviation regulatory / safety specialist who has spent 28 years with the FAA. He retired in 2019 as a Senior Principal Maintenance Inspector (PMI) with the Los Angeles International Field Office (LAXIFO). He has spent the past 14 years charged with direct oversight of FAA Certified Air Agencies located throughout the Asia and Asia Pacific area and has certified repair stations (MRO) located in China, Indonesia, Australia, Vietnam, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong and India to FAA standards.
John is a current and qualified ICAO Endorsed Instructor for the Government Safety Inspector (GSI) course, ICAO GSI Air Cargo and ICAO GSI Personnel Licensing (PEL) course. Additionally, he is a qualified FAA Academy Instructor providing instruction at the FAA Academy for FAR part 145 Certification / Surveillance and International Civil Aviation for Inspectors.
John is a retired United States Air Force Senior Master Sergeant (E-8), ISO 9000 Lead Auditor, and holds Airframe and Power Plant (A&P) Licenses, and an Associate Degree in Aircraft Maintenance Technology. Prior to his career with the FAA, John was a Manager for a General Electric Aircraft Engines overhaul facility. His experience and passion serves him well when working with internal audit programs, MRO certifications, SMS systems, quality systems, auditor / inspector training and compliance to standards and regulations.
Michael Mock
Team specialist
Mike is a 35-year veteran of the Boeing Company who adds an OEM perspective to the IARS team. He retired in 2020 as a Lead Engineer and Associate Technical Fellow in the Boeing Commercial Airplanes Aviation Safety & Regulatory Affairs organization where he worked with State regulators and air operators worldwide to advance safety and efficiency in international air transportation. He is well versed in both the ICAO USOAP and FAA IASA audit programs, and he has applied this knowledge to assist aviation regulators throughout Asia and Africa in enhancing their safety oversight systems and addressing safety oversight concerns. Mike also has a demonstrated global success record in supporting air operator authorizations including new airplane model introductions, special operations and 14 CFR Part 129 approval. He is an industry recognized expert in Extended Diversion Time Operations (ETOPS/EDTO) who has made a significant impact in expanding these operations, including the development and deployment of supporting ICAO international Standards. Some of his other specialties include Flight Operations Engineering, Jet Transport Performance, Operational Efficiency Assessments, Safety Management and Technical Training. Mike holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology and is a graduate of the University of Southern California Aviation Safety and Security Program.
Jeffrey Richardson
Team specialist
Jeffrey (Jeff) Richardson is an Aviation Regulatory/Safety Specialist who has spent 23 years with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). He recently retired in 2023 as a senior Aviation Safety Inspector (Airworthiness)/Team Leader for the International Technical Support Branch assigned to the International Aviation Safety Assessment Program (IASA). He has performed/supervised numerous IASA’s, FAA Technical Reviews and Technical Assistance Programs as Team Leader assisting Civil Aviation Authorities around the world. In addition, Jeff is a qualified Instructor/Mentors and teaches the Government Safety Inspector (GSI) courses sponsored by ICAO. Jeff spent 19 years with the San Francisco/Los Angeles International Field Offices as a Principal Maintenance Inspector (PMI). Jeff was responsible for the direct oversight of FAA Certificated Air Agencies located throughout the Asia and Asia Pacific Regions and has conducted initial certifications and continuous surveillance and renewals throughout that region to FAA and ICAO standards. Jeff was also responsible for direct oversight of a US major air carrier as a Fleet Program Manager for the Boeing 747 with duties that included, but not limited to, Maintenance Program approvals, MEL approvals, relatability program oversight and special authorizations. Jeff has worked 36 years in the aviation industry including 21 years in United States Air Force and Air Force Reserve as an aircraft electronics and engineering services manager for Lockheed products C-5, C-141 and C-130 aircraft. Jeff retired from the Air Force Reserve as an Aircraft Production Superintendent. Jeff was part of the FAA International Division for the past 20 years conducting certification and surveillance on Approved Maintenance Organizations (AMO’s)including collateral duties within the International Program division. Jeff’s accomplishments include his involvement in Mexico, Nigeria and Israel obtaining FAA Category 1 status. Jeff has lead Technical Reviews and Technical Assists to various countries to move them closer to the Category 1 status. Jeff received a Bachelor of Science (BS) Degree from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Aerospace Management with a Major in Aviation Safety and received an FAA Mechanics Certificate with Airframe and Powerplant Ratings from Sacramento City College. He is also qualified ISO 9000 Lead Auditor and IATA Operational Safety Auditor supporting the IOSA program. Jeff’s experience serves him well working and guiding country Regulators developing and implementing regulations. policy and guidance for AMO’s, AOC’s and ATO’s to assure compliance with International or ICAO Annexes and Guidance material. Jeff also has hands-on experience with Global, EASA and SMS Systems.
Deron Kong
Team specialist
Deron has 38+ years of aviation maintenance experience. Out of the 38+ years, 26 years have been as an Aviation Safety Inspector with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Of those 26 years, 14 years have been spent with the FAA San Francisco and Los Angeles International Field Office. The International Office(s) is/are responsible for the certification, renewals, regulatory compliance, management, surveillance, etc. of the FAA certified maintenance organizations though out the Asia Pacific area. In addition, to providing oversight of the maintenance organizations, Deron has also worked closely with the various countries Civil Aviation Authorities (i.e. China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Australia, Philippines, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, etc.). Deron was the office POC for regulatory harmonization efforts and has performed numerous joint audits/inspections with the various authorities. Deron has received formal training in the areas of ICAO Endorsed Government Safety Inspector (AW GSI), ICAO Personal Licensing (PEL), ICAO GSI Air Cargo International Civil Aviation, OJT Instructor, ISO Auditor, IASA Program and IASA Technical Assistance Program. Deron retired from the FAA on the 24th of September 2022.
David Smith
Team specialist
David brings a tremendous amount of experience to any position. Upon his retirement from the FAA, David started his own company and provided a global aviation consultancy with experience in all areas of Aviation Safety. His experience includes Managing Partner for Civil Transportation Group LLC, Manager of the Singapore International Field Office (IFO) and Oakland Flight Standards District Office (FSDO); During David’s tenure as the Manager of the Singapore IFO, he was the FAA Flight Standards Division Representative to the South and Southeast Asia COSCAP's. During that time, he developed, for both COSCAP's, new Advisory Circulars and training courses to include training their Inspectors in 19 countries, Provided assistance with helicopter operations in India due to a large number accidents. Provided standards on how to and what to conduct helicopter pilot certifications. David was a Principal Operations Aviation Safety Inspector (ASI) in both General Aviation and an Air Carrier Inspector with 10000 flying time, also served as a Team Leader and/or Team Member for the FAA International Aviation Safety Audits (IASA) Program. In addition, after retiring from the FAA, FAA rehired David as a Contract Instructor teaching International Courses, to include Government Safety Inspector (GSI) Operations, Resolution of Safety Concern, Certification for Air Operators, and Inspector Training System, to Foreign Civil Aviation Authorities.
Ron Gonzales
Team specialist
Ron has 44+ years of aviation maintenance experience. Of the 44+ years, 26 years have been as an Aviation Safety Inspector with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), with 14 years having been spent with the Los Angeles International Field Office. The International Office(s) is/are responsible for the certification, renewals, regulatory compliance, management, surveillance, etc. of the FAA certified maintenance organizations though out the Asia Pacific area. In addition, to providing oversight of the maintenance organizations, Ron has also worked closely with the various countries Civil Aviation Authorities (i.e. China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Australia, Philippines, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, etc.). Ron was the office POC for EASA regulatory harmonization efforts and has performed numerous joint audits/inspections with the various authorities. Ron was responsible for the direct oversight of FAA Certificated Air Agencies located throughout the Asia and Asia Pacific Regions and has conducted initial certifications and continuous surveillance and renewals throughout that region to FAA and ICAO standards. Ron is a certified OJT instructor and was the office Program Manager for training all newly assigned inspectors. Ron has received formal training in the areas of ICAO Endorsed Government Safety Inspector (AW GSI), ICAO Personal Licensing (PEL), ICAO GSI Air Cargo International Civil Aviation, OJT Instructor, ISO Auditor, IASA Program and IASA Technical Assistance Program.