At NestAv, he conceived, launched, and scaled a leading aviation charter and aircraft maintenance business, securing Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) and Approved Maintenance Organisation (AMO) approvals, commissioning international-standard hangars in Lagos and Port Harcourt, and developing certified helipads across Nigeria. He acquired and operated nine executive jets and helicopters for the company. His leadership established NestAv as one of West Africa’s premier private aviation providers.

Earlier in his career, Dr. Umeh spent a decade at General Electric Company in the United States, where amongst other roles, he managed global engineering teams designing and supporting the combustion module of commercial and military aircraft engines, including the CFM56, CF34, F110, LEAP-X, and Honda HF120. He contributed to R&D in breakthrough technologies such as the Twin Annular Premixing Swirler (TAPS) combustor and advanced propulsion concepts like the Pulse Detonation Engine, securing six U.S. patents and publishing articles in international peer-reviewed journals.

Dr. Umeh holds a Ph.D. and M.Sc. in Aeronautical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy New York, a B.Sc. in Aerospace Engineering from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach Florida, and a B.Eng. in Electronics Engineering from the University of Nigeria. Recognized by Scientific American and US Black Engineer Magazine as a modern-day innovator, he has also been honoured with the Modern-Day Technology Leader Award in the USA.

With a rare blend of executive leadership, technical innovation, and entrepreneurial vision, Dr. Umeh stands out as a thought leader shaping the future of aviation and energy infrastructure in Nigeria and across Africa.

Agu is the founder and Chairman of Qverse Learning Ltd, an education technology company with the vision of making education cheaper and more accessible in African countries. Qverse currently has a number of Nigerian Universities as clients and is expanding to the development of an online platform for Secondary and Primary education readily accessible to and suitable for the African child. He is also a co-founder of Sunnyside Family Dentistry, a dental practice in South Carolina focused on underserved areas and caters to patients of all ages.

Specifically, he was involved in the maintenance of their powerplants in an FAA Part 145 facility setting, working on GE CFM56 and Rolls Royce RB211 engines. He also worked for GE Aviation as a Lead Heat Transfer Engineer, as well as UPS Airlines as a Powerplant Engineer. Presently, he is an Aircraft Maintenance lecturer at Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology, Colorado USA. Joseph is a certified FAA AMT and holds BSc and MSc. degrees in Aerospace Engineering from Embry Riddle Aerospace University (ERAU). He also holds a Graduate Professional Certificate in Systems Engineering and Big Data Science from MIT, and a PhD(C) in Systems Engineering at Colorado State University.

Valera is passionate about building strong partnerships with both local and international customers and vendors, driving efficiency, compliance, and sustainability across the procurement process. Her role is central to Aspen Aviation’s mission to deliver safe, reliable, and world-class aviation services. She is a graduate of Coal City University with a B.Sc in Biochemistry.

She holds a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Microbiology from Coal City University, where she developed strong analytical, research, and problem-solving skills. Her academic background, combined with her attention to detail and commitment to excellence enables her to effectively manage procurement processes while maintaining the highest standards of quality and efficiency.

At Aspen Aviation LLC, Lizzy works closely with OEM, distributors, and logistics partners to secure competitive pricing, monitor order fulfillment, and ensure compliance with industry standards. She is dedicated to supporting the company’s mission of delivering reliable aviation solutions through efficient procurement and exceptional customer service.

Known for her professionalism, integrity, and organizational skills, Lizzy is committed to continuous learning and contributing to the growth and success of Aspen Aviation LLC.