Former TOPGUN instructor and Blue Angels flight leader Eric “Popeye” Doyle joins Runway to Success to share how he went from the cockpit to the boardroom as CEO of RAVN Aerospace —a company delivering adversary air and advanced training solutions to the U.S. Department of Defense.

Eric unpacks the leadership habits that transfer from elite military teams to high-growth companies: hiring for character over pure talent, building trust, decentralizing execution, and knowing when to “take a knee” for safety. He also demystifies the private adversary-air ecosystem and how it lifts DoD readiness at lower cost while keeping seasoned instructors in the fight.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• From fighter pilot to CEO: Why Eric chose the Navy, became a TOPGUN training officer, led the Blue Angels, and then jumped to the private sector.
• Elite team building: Why humility, ownership, and optimism beat raw skill—and how trust is built and measured.
• Adversary air explained: Where RAVN Aerospace fits in defense training, why it matters for readiness, and common misconceptions.
• Safety & risk: “A tactically sound plan is inherently safe”—how that mindset shapes flight ops and business decisions.
• Career pivots: Practical advice for service members and professionals considering a high-stakes transition.

Hosts

Mikaela & Trey Rivera

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate, and review the show—it helps more aviation & leadership nerds find us. ✈️

Resources & Links:

🔹 Website → https://www.mavrec.com

🔹 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/mavrecus/

🔹 Trey LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/trey-rivera/

🔹 Mikaela LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikaela-c-rivera/

🔹 Eric Doyle (Guest) LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericcdoyle/

🔹 Email → [email protected]

What does it take to turn a lifelong passion for aviation into a full-fledged career? In this episode of Runway to Success, Trey and Mikaela Rivera sit down with Christian Leibold, a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) in Nashville, to unpack his inspiring journey from weekend hobbyist to professional pilot and instructor.

Christian opens up about:

• His early love for airplanes and the discovery flight that sparked it all
• Balancing career, family, and flight training while navigating life’s detours
• The certifications and milestones that led him to become a CFI, CFII, and multi-engine instructor
• How flight instruction isn’t just about building hours — it’s about building safe, confident pilots
• Advice for anyone considering a career change into aviation or starting their pilot journey

This episode is perfect for aspiring pilots, aviation enthusiasts, and anyone who’s ever thought about making a bold career pivot toward something they truly love.

Resources & Links:

🔹 Website → https://www.mavrec.com

🔹 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/mavrecus/

🔹 Trey LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/trey-rivera/

🔹 Mikaela LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikaela-c-rivera/

🔹 Christian (Guest) LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/christian-leibold-bb35718b/

🔹 Email → [email protected]

This episode of Runway to Success, hosts Trey and Mikaela Rivera sit down with Lindsey DiGiacomo, Vice President of Business Development at Fortbrand, to explore the fast-changing world of ground support equipment (GSE) and airport maintenance equipment (AME).

With over 15 years in aviation—from Spirit Airlines to ASIG, Xcēd , and now Fortbrand—Lindsey brings a wealth of experience in operations, leadership, and global partnerships. She shares how saying “yes” to new challenges, leaning on mentors, and grounding her career in operations helped her grow into one of aviation’s most dynamic business leaders.

Listeners will also get an insider’s view on Fortbrand’s innovations in GSE electrification, FOD detection technology, and fleet management, as well as how the company is approaching growth after its recent acquisition of Xcēd.

Whether you’re an aviation professional, airport operator, or someone charting your own leadership path, this episode delivers practical advice, industry insights, and inspiring lessons.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

•  Lindsey’s aviation journey: Spirit → ASIG → Xcēd → Fortbrand 
• The critical difference between GSE & AME and why both matter
• Why electrification and AI-driven FOD detection are transforming airports
• Lessons from a merger & acquisition and blending company cultures
• The industry’s talent challenge: finding and keeping skilled mechanics
• How to transition from peer to leader gracefully
• Why starting in operations builds empathy, wisdom, and leadership skills
• The power of mentorship, sponsorship, and asking the right questions
• Fortbrand’s growth vision in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K.

Resources & Links:

🔹 Website → https://www.mavrec.com

🔹 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/mavrecus/

🔹 Trey LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/trey-rivera/

🔹 Mikaela LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikaela-c-rivera/

🔹 Lindsay (Guest) LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsey-digiacomo-herrera-7a70a33/

🔹 Email → [email protected]

In this episode of The Runway to Success, Trey and Mikaela sit down with Suresh Narayanan, Founder & CEO of Jets MRO, to talk about entrepreneurship, leadership, and transforming the business jet maintenance industry.

From growing up around aviation and co-building successful companies, to scaling Jets MRO with a “people-first” philosophy, Suresh shares candid lessons on disruption, growth, and resilience in a traditionally old-school industry.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How growing up in aviation shaped Suresh’s entrepreneurial journey
• The challenges of scaling a business in a fragmented MRO market
• Why putting mechanics first creates better outcomes for customers
• Lessons from implementing EOS and slowing down to grow intentionally
• The importance of transparency, culture, and recruiting in aviation
• How balancing family, leadership, and relentless drive fuels success

Resources & Links:

🔹 Website → https://www.mavrec.com

🔹 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/mavrecus/

🔹 Trey LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/trey-rivera/

🔹 Mikaela LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikaela-c-rivera/

🔹 Suresh (Guest) LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/suresh-narayanan-78ba3330/

🔹 Email → [email protected]

In this episode of The Runway to Success, Trey and Mikaela open up about one of the hardest realities in leadership — losing a key team member unexpectedly.

Drawing from recent experiences inside their own company and tying lessons back to aviation training, they share raw insights on how to handle transitions with clarity, confidence, and resilience.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why not every season in business (or flying) is “fun” — and how to push through
• How EOS and the “people analyzer” help leaders make better team decisions
• What to do when a critical employee leaves despite your best efforts
• The importance of taking extreme ownership as a leader
• Turning setbacks into opportunities for other team members to step up
• Why clarity and authenticity matter for both leaders and employees

Resources & Links:
🔹 Website → https://www.mavrec.com

🔹 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/mavrecus/

🔹 Trey LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/trey-rivera/

🔹 Mikaela LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikaela-c-rivera/

🔹 Email → [email protected]

Welcome back to The Runway to Success! In this episode, Trey and Mikaela dive into one of the biggest transitions professionals face — knowing when it’s time to move on.

From Mikaela’s flying lessons and nerve-wracking stall maneuvers to real-world career turbulence, they draw parallels between learning to pilot an aircraft and navigating major career changes.

You’ll hear:

•  The unique challenges military veterans face when entering civilian careers (and how to avoid costly mistakes)
•  Why "right people, right seats" matters for both candidates and employers
•  How to recognize when you’ve outgrown your role — and what to do next
•  Tips for having courageous career conversations with leadership
•  Why building a relationship with a recruiter before you’re ready to move is a game-changer

Whether you’re a military veteran, a professional feeling stuck, or a leader managing team growth, this episode is packed with insights to help you chart your next flight plan.

This is the inaugural episode of "The Runway to Success," hosted by married couple and MavRec Founders, Trey and Mikaela Rivera, an aerospace and aviation recruitment firm. The podcast blends their personal journey as aspiring private pilots with professional insights into the aerospace and aviation industries.

Personal Aviation Journey: Both hosts are brand new to flight training. Trey has completed three lessons, accumulating approximately six hours of flight time, while Mikaela has logged about 2.5 hours over three days. Their contrasting backgrounds make their shared journey particularly interesting: Trey has aviation "in his blood" since childhood (inspired by Top Gun and family members in the industry), while Mikaela admits she never imagined pursuing a pilot's license until two weeks before recording. She was motivated by wanting to be a "woman in STEM" rather than just supporting it, despite having a subtle fear of heights.

Both describe the overwhelming nature of early flight training - the "drinking from a fire hose" sensation of managing airspeed, altitude, RPMs, heading, and radio communications simultaneously while learning cockpit systems. Mikaela particularly enjoys the confidence-building aspect, proudly realizing "I'm flying a plane" during her training.

Industry Insights: As recruitment professionals serving aerospace and aviation, they highlight critical talent shortages across the industry:

• Maintenance technicians at all levels, exacerbated by retirements
• Pilots, especially those experienced on specific aircraft types
• Leadership and technical roles as senior professionals reach retirement age
• Post-COVID surge in Part 135 charter demand outpacing available aircraft and staff

They discuss how business aviation companies struggle to compete with major commercial airlines for talent, resulting in an increased focus on university programs and competitive compensation packages.

Future Content: The hosts promise weekly episodes featuring their ongoing pilot training adventures, industry trend analysis, and expert guests from various aviation sectors. They plan to conduct live recordings from upcoming industry events, such as the JETNET iQ Summit and NBAA.

Unique Perspective: What sets this podcast apart is the combination of personal vulnerability (sharing their struggles as aviation beginners) with professional expertise in aerospace and aviation recruitment. Their goal is to understand the industry from both inside and outside perspectives, believing that their flight training will provide them with better insight into the daily realities and stressors faced by the aviation professionals they serve.

The episode establishes an authentic, conversational tone between two people genuinely excited about aviation while building a business around serving the industry's talent needs.