Today after 30 years of flying the Robinson helicopters, Gordon is known nationwide as well as abroad, as one of the most professional, knowledgeable and conscientious helicopter flight instructors. He has the reputation for providing the most comprehensive, thorough and organized flight training available, with a special emphasis placed on the student’s individualized goals. Jiroux, a Designated Pilot Examiner for Private, Commercial and Flight Instructor on the R22 and R44, continually passes his helicopter knowledge and expertise on to flight instructors as well as UHI personnel to ensure that the organization's quality of instruction remains at the highest level. He also remains in direct and constant communication with the Robinson Helicopter Company for the sole purpose of helping to provide awareness of industry concerns to the manufacturer.

George McNeil. Chairman & CEO, Director of Operations Scottsdale Originally from Edinburgh, Scotland, and a long time airplane, glider pilot and airplane owner, George McNeil obtained his initial helicopter type ratings and Flight Instructor Helicopter in the UK (R22, R44, B47, B206, S269). He completed his FAA helicopter commercial in Boston in 1998. Then in 2000 after an absence of almost 20 years from Phoenix's Valley of the Sun, George returned and completed his CFI and CFII with Universal Helicopters in 2000 and joined Gordon Jiroux as a partner in UHI.

George spent thirty years in the Information Technology industry including twelve years as Senior Executive Vice President of an international IT company. More specifically he served as President and CEO of the company's operations in North and South America, Europe, as well as other regions in the world. Now retired from the Information Technology industry, George devotes his time to passing his contagious enthusiasm for flying on to the students of UHI. He has flown helicopters in many European countries and throughout the US. Aside from his rotorcraft ratings, George is also a commercial glider pilot, holds single engine land and sea ratings, multi engine land and instrument airplane in the US, and single and multi engine airplane ratings in the UK.

Danny MacKenzie, Director of Operations, Prescott, Chief Pilot He is located at the Embry riddle flight line at UHI’s Prescott AZ campus. He holds an ATP and Gold seal Flight instructor certificates. He is an appointed designated Pilot examiner for the FAA for Private certificates through ATP. He started his helicopter career at the Scottsdale AZ location and after several years he became the director of operation at UHI’s Provo Utah location. A couple of years later he relocated back to the Scottsdale location where he became the chief pilot for UHI and traveled to UHI’s various locations throughout the southwest. While he attended the Long Beach CA. location he also was employed with the Robinson Helicopter Company “Factory Safety Course” as a factory safety pilot in Long Beach CA. Eight years later he relocated to UHI’s/Embry riddles Prescott AZ location as the Chief 141 flight instructor and director of operations. Danny’s leadership, energy and enthusiasm and his emphasis on professionalism and safety have been the key feature in the successful growth for Universal Helicopters. He is a dedicated family man with a passion for the outdoors.

John Lewis - Assistant Chief Instructor, UHI Student Advocate & Liaison - Prescott Operations John started his own training in 2004 at UHI’s Provo, Utah location and graduated from Universal's professional pilot program in Scottsdale in 2005. Since then he has provided flight instruction in our Scottsdale and Prescott locations, taking over and managing the Flight Instructor program firstly at UHI’s Scottsdale Flight School and then in Prescott from the middle of 2009. It was in Prescott that UHI set up a Flight Instructor “Center of Excellence” under John’s superior leadership. Shortly after he was appointed to be Assistant Chief Instructor and is also UHI’s "Student Advocate" to be the focal point for students enrolled with UHI at the Prescott Flight School location. John’s primary passion is spending time with his wife and family of five, in addition to his love of the outdoors and music.

Matt Hewlett, Director of Operations, Provo Matt is a graduate of UHI's professional pilot program, having joined the program shortly after the opening of our Provo Flight School. Matt's strong firm leadership have resulted in the continued successful growth of the business, while reinforcing and enhancing safety and performance standards. We pride ourselves on having the highest levels of professionalism and standards of performance, reflected by the fact that a considerable number of our students come from training programs in other flight schools. Matt has been appointed by the FAA as a Designated Pilot Examiner for Private Pilot, Commercial Pilot and Instrument Ratings in the Robinson R22 and R44.

Dustin Suchor, Director of Operations, Dodge City. Dustin is a graduate of UHI's professional pilot program, having joined the program in July 2003 and graduated as a Commercial Pilot and Certified Flight Instructor for Rotorcraft Helicopter and Instrument Helicopter in July 2004. Dustin came to Universal with a fixed wing private certificate. He has an Associates in Science degree from Scottsdale Community College in Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science degree in Global Business with emphasis on Leadership and Management from Arizona State University. He was previously Universal's Operations Director for Scottsdale before moving to Dodge City, Kansas to manage the start up of the program with Dodge City Community College. Dustin enjoys camping, scuba diving, fishing and hiking and has a passion for playing drums.

Marlene O'Connor, Director of Student Finance Marlene is often the first point of contact for callers to Universal Helicopters looking for helicopter flight training program information, career guidance, and answers to financial assistance questions. She has wide experience developed over many years dealing with lending institutions and finding the best solutions for students requiring external finance. Whether you just want to plan an introductory flight for your or a friend, or whether you are looking for information and guidance to help you plan a new career, Marlene is the person to talk to at 480 951 6283.