MALIBU’S KEY STAFF MEMBERS
The staff of Malibu Aerospace brings decades of combined aviation industry knowledge and experience. Meet our key staff members.
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The staff of Malibu Aerospace brings decades of combined aviation industry knowledge and experience. Meet our key staff members.
Doug is the Vice President and General Manager of Malibu Aerospace taking over leadership of the company in 2020. His prior experience includes Operations Manager with Malibu Aerospace and the Upper Midwest Sales Manager for Boeing (formally Aviall). In these roles he supported maintaining a variety of aircraft through his partnership with manufacturers such as Piper, Goodrich Deice and over 250 other manufacturers. Prior to his career with Boeing, he held a management position with Mesaba Airlines, coordinating maintenance planning and supporting their fleet of SAAB 340’s, CRJ’s and Avro Jets.
He holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of North Dakota with a focus in Commercial Aviation and a minor in Aviation Management as well as Flight Education. He is a Commercial Pilot with flight and maintenance experience in all variants of the PA46. He holds a single and multi-engine commercial rating. Doug serves on the Advisory Board at Lake Superior College Aviation Maintenance Technology program, as well as the Advisory board for the Academy College of Aviation. Working with both colleges gives him the opportunity to play a role in developing tomorrow’s Aviation Maintenance Technicians and guiding their education. He works with each college to enhance their Airframe and Power Plant technician curriculum. He also works personally with each customer guiding them through their annual decision process and assisting them in making educated maintenance decisions that suit their priorities and budget.
In his spare time Doug enjoys traveling, especially to Mexico in the winter months, with his wife and two daughters. He and his wife have been married for 19 years; they met in high school and dated all throughout their college years. He also enjoys time on his motorcycle and is involved with the Indian Motorcycle Riders Group.
Brad has been with Malibu Aerospace since 2014. With an extensive background in sales and marketing, Brad takes on many responsibilities for Malibu. He truly enjoys client relations and taking care of all of Malibu’s clients, if you need something, just call Brad he’ll be happy to help!
Brad’s passion is fishing, he was a Canadian bear hunting and fishing guide in the 1970’s-80’s and frequently travels to Canada with his wife to fish premier fisheries.
Jaime joined the Malibu Aerospace team in 2012. She started her accounting career in 2000 and has experience in many different industries. She enjoys the aircraft industry, and has done an outstanding job of developing Malibu’s accounting department.
In her spare time Jaime enjoys playing pub trivia, cooking, movies, and keeping up with her two children.
Josh brings extensive experience to Malibu Aerospace in all aspects of aviation maintenance. Josh started his career in aviation with the US Army in 1997, he became a Black Hawk Crew Chief and gained experience in avionics, electrical and Apache weapon systems. Josh acquired his private pilot's license in 2005. After the military service he worked as an Aircraft Technician and then earned his A&P rating in 2008, and added his IA rating in 2009.
Josh enjoys bow hunting, and is very passionate coaching youth hockey with his kids!
Rhett joined Malibu Aerospace as an A&P Technician. He enjoys using his talent specializing in the Piper PA46. Formally from Texas, Rhett decided to enhance his career, move to Minnesota and work with Team Malibu! In his free time, Rhett is very active with his church and the community, and people love his southern charm! Rhett is also a private pilot and enjoys flying around in his Cessna 150, affectionately known as Carol!
David attended Western Kentucky University and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in communications. Next was Cambridge University in Miami, Florida where he added a Celta Certificate which allowed him to teach English. David then adventured to Japan and taught English to Japanese students for two and a half years.
In his off time, David loves to play his guitar and Mandolin, and enjoys playing Pickle Ball.
John began his aviation career with the U.S. Air Force. He graduated from the National Aviation Academy in St Petersburg – Clearwater Airport with his A&P license in 1980 and IA certification in 2013. John joined Malibu Aerospace in 2006.
Iceland is his favorite travel destination and he enjoys photography and gardening in his spare time.
Tom has been with Malibu Aerospace since 2006. Prior to Malibu he spent 5 years in production and 12 years in the engineering department at a computer hardware repair company. He has an Associate Degree in Electrical Engineering Technology from the Milwaukee School of Engineering and is an instrument rated commercial pilot with an A&P license.
During his free time Tom enjoys motorcycle riding and restoration, as well as spending time with his family.
David joined Malibu Aerospace with experience from 477 Aviation and Aztec Aviation. He has formal education from California State University Northridge and is a graduate of North Valley Occupational Aviation Center in Los Angeles where he obtained his A&P license.
David has a passion for motorsports and enjoys exploring the state of Minnesota with his wife on their Triumph Bonneville. David also enjoys competitive pistol shooting.
Jacob joined Malibu Aerospace with expert skills in welding and fabrication work. He is a graduate of Hennepin Technical College with a degree in Automotive Collision Technology.
In his free time, Jacob is passionate about fat tire bike endurance racing, home brewing, and fishing local Minnesota lakes.
Wally joined Malibu Aerospace as an A&P Technician, after acquiring his A&P license over 30 years ago at the Minneapolis Technical College. He truly loves aviation, and in his spare time is involved with Flight Expo, a national organization helping youth get involved in aviation. Flight Expo is also a parent organization for the “Tsunami Project," a piston powered racing aircraft designed to compete in the world’s fastest speed record. Wally is a Project Leader for the Tsunami doing airframe fabrication.
Gabe brings energy and talent to Malibu Aerospace. He earned his A&P License at Lake Superior College, Duluth Minnesota. Gabe has a passion for aviation and loves working on the Piper PA46. Gabe spends his time off tinkering on cars, and camping and hiking.
Aaron has always been interested in using his mechanical skills fixing just about anything. After becoming inspired with the Aviation industry, he graduated from Lake Superior College, Duluth Minnesota with his A&P rating and joined Malibu Aerospace! In his free time, Aaron loves the outdoors and enjoys fishing, hiking, and snowboarding!
Erik launched his career with Malibu Aerospace through Academy College of Bloomington, Minnesota. The program facilitates Erik to work at Malibu Aerospace, and school in Academy’s Aviation Technician Program at the same time. This career training will allow Erik to graduate with an A&P Certificate and already have hands on experience in his field. Erik loves to spend his spare time Snow Boarding in the winter and playing disc golf in the summer.
Don joined Malibu in 2018 with an extensive background in Safety Management and Maintenance. Don keeps the Malibu hangar running smoothly with his top notch organizational and maintenance skills. We salute Don for serving our country for four years in the 82nd Airborne.
Outside of Malibu Don enjoys fishing! He also competes in a fishing tournament circuit, and yes, he does own a Ranger boat!
I have been treated like a new friend by everyone at Malibu that I have interacted with, whether by Brad or Doug, but also Mark, Tom, Wilder & Rhett! Everyone has made such a great impression on me that remembering their names has been easy. I look forward to coming back and seeing everyone again in a couple of w...
I have been treated like a new friend by everyone at Malibu that I have interacted with, whether by ...
View All TestimonialsThe cooling mod worked wonders for my 08 Matrix. Unless you know what you're looking for, you won't even notice that the mod was done from a cosmetic standpoint. CHTs dropped by 30-40deg across the board. I think Piper should buy the STC and incorporate it on the line. It's that valuable!
The cooling mod worked wonders for my 08 Matrix. Unless you know what you're looking for, you won't ...
View All TestimonialsRecently, I purchased a 2001 Piper Meridian for use in my business. After going through the aircraft selection and purchase transaction, I can say with total confidence that using Malibu Aerospace was the best decision I made in the process. Malibu Aerospace are the P46/PA46 type specialists. They not only fix the...
Recently, I purchased a 2001 Piper Meridian for use in my business. After going through the aircraft...
View All TestimonialsThe plane flew like a charm. I did the 65% 70% and 75% power for an hour each as you suggested. Had to use higher fuel setting than usual to keep CHT's below 380 but it was hot out down south. The CHT's were slightly higher than usual as you mentioned. I couldn't believe the engine on run up and takeoff roll - t...
The plane flew like a charm. I did the 65% 70% and 75% power for an hour each as you suggested. Had ...
View All TestimonialsI've flown six hours the past two days and the plane is doing great. I love how responsive it is to the yoke movements now. I think the greatest improvement is in the engine CHT temps and rate of climb. In the past, I could never get better than a 500 FPM climb past 10,000'. It seemed like it didn't want to go and...
I've flown six hours the past two days and the plane is doing great. I love how responsive it is to ...
View All TestimonialsI love my M-5 conversion. I've owned my plane for 6 years. When I got it, I had my 520 rebuilt. As it came time to rebuild it again, I checked out all options. This option made sense on all levels. With 20 plus years of Hindsight, this is what the Malibu wanted to be in the beginning. A little more engine ...
I love my M-5 conversion. I've owned my plane for 6 years. When I got it, I had my 520 rebuilt. A...
View All TestimonialsOur Meridian was returned on March 2nd upon completion of its Annual and the installation of a Garmin GFC 600. We have now had an opportunity to fly several hours. Everything is working perfectly, our client experience was excellent. As you will recall we had a re-occurring problem with the pitot heat for the le...
Our Meridian was returned on March 2nd upon completion of its Annual and the installation of a Garmi...
View All TestimonialsI would like to thank you for your wonderful service and co-operation during our pre-buy and delivery process of my airplane. I couldn’t have asked for better support from your staff, everyone was so helpful. I needed my database updated at the last minute to fly IFR, it was done before 8am the next day when I arr...
I would like to thank you for your wonderful service and co-operation during our pre-buy and deliver...
View All TestimonialsEveryone’s responsiveness makes a big difference and that has come both while the plane is in house for repairs/annuals or during the year to owner questions. I also appreciated you going the distance along with the prop shop to get MT to participate in those repairs. I have also shown your software platform to a ...
Everyone’s responsiveness makes a big difference and that has come both while the plane is in house ...
View All TestimonialsLED Lights! The way your LED taxi lights came very handy on my first trip after installation: I was flying into KPDK late in the afternoon, with the sun low on the horizon, directly on my tail. There was oncoming traffic at my 12 o'clock climbing out of KPDK and ATC called him to advise of me. About 3 seconds ...
LED Lights! The way your LED taxi lights came very handy on my first trip after installation: I was ...
View All TestimonialsMalibu Aerospace took a PA46 rookie and made him feel like he had owned the aircraft for years. Between Malibu Aerospace who managed the acquisition of the aircraft, Doug Hiltz and his team performing the pre-buy inspection and annual, and Brad Ludlow for orchestrating a great customer experience, I felt like I ha...
Malibu Aerospace took a PA46 rookie and made him feel like he had owned the aircraft for years. Betw...
View All TestimonialsToday I flew back from SJC (San Jose Intl) to FNL (Fort Collins-Loveland) at FL250. My Malibu has the TSIO550 engine mod, it's Hgh-Speed Cruise is 32.5"Hg. In the past, I was never able to run at 32.5" manifold pressure above about FL220: the cylinder head temps were right on the red line on my analog gauge...
Today I flew back from SJC (San Jose Intl) to FNL (Fort Collins-Loveland) at FL250. My Malibu has t...
View All Testimonials2180 Oklahoma Ave. NE
Minneapolis, MN 55449
Phone| 877.662.5428
Fax | 888.878.4460
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