Our Company

Mr. Dave Thomas, General Manager

Dave offers a history of success spearheading all facets of enterprise operations in multi-billion-dollar corporations world-wide. By applying strong business acumen, lean vision and implementation, systems acuity, and leadership talents, Dave is very much at home creating operational centers of excellence.

Dave currently serves as GM and President at TAT Piedmont Aviation, where he is responsible for providing the overall leadership and management of business systems and processes. He has spent many years in increasingly senior positions with top tier corporations such as Toyota, Lear, B/E Aerospace, Volvo and now TAT Piedmont.

Dave’s academic background includes an M.B.A. in Business Operations Management and D.B.A. in Lean Operations. He continues his development through Columbia University for Executive Education. He is also a C.L.P. (Certified Lean Professional) and examiner for AME/ASQ/SME/SHINGO.

Mr. Barry Startz, Sr. Director of Trading & Leasing

Barry is currently the Sr. Director of TAT Trading and Leasing. From 2019 to 2021 Barry was the Sr. Director of Operations at TAT Piedmont Power and Actuation. Previously, Barry joined TurbineAero Repair (formally known as Triumph Air Repair) in 1986 and has served in multiple leadership roles throughout the company. Most notably, he served as the Global Director of LRU Operations, Supply Chain Director, Program Manager, LRU Operations Manager, and APU Operations Manager. In his previous roles with Triumph, Barry drove significant improvements in cost reductions and Supplier Management. In 2016, Barry contributed to over $1M in cost reduction. Barry is also Toyota Black Belt certified in Lean, as well as an Army Vet with 35 years in the Aviation Industry.

Mr. Donnie Loflin, Director of Operations

Joining TAT Piedmont in 1997, Donnie has experience in many areas of TAT’s business. Having served in leadership roles that include Sales & Customer Support, Contract Management, Surplus Sales & Leasing, Technical Support and Production Control. His current role with TAT Piedmont is Director of APU Operations, focusing on meeting our customers’ needs by providing APU services that are industry leading in quality, reliability, on time delivery and turnaround time.

Mr. Richard Wilborn, Director of Human Resources

Richard Wilborn, Piedmont’s Human Resource Director, has a history of dedicated leadership, focusing on company goals and employee needs. His interpersonal skills and demonstrated abilities, allow him to communicate effectively at all levels. He has a reputation for “going extra mile”, ensuring job is done right even when it’s not his responsibility. He has served as an advisor and counselor to management concerning disciplinary actions and labor relations. Now he joined Dave Thomas and the team at Piedmont to help achieve the success of Piedmont.

Richard served 8 years in the US Army right out of High School. In his spare time, Richard is an ACC Football Official and avid cyclist.

Mr. Drew Boesel, FP&A Director

Drew Boesel is the Head of Finance at TAT Piedmont Aviation. He leverages his rich experience in corporate finance and business planning to achieve growth and drive results for the organization.

Prior to joining the company, Drew held management positions in the media and entertainment industry at Sony Pictures Entertainment, and held finance transformation positions in manufacturing, information technology, and staffing industries.

Drew earned an MBA from UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Management and International Business from Penn State University.

Patricia Duffy, Director of Supply Chain

Patricia Duffy, CPSM, brings decades of experience in multiple industries to her role as Supply Chain Director with TAT-Piedmont. Most recently, she was the Supply Chain and Materials Manager with Phase Change Energy Solutions, a materials science and technology company. She was a long-time buyer with Collins Aerospace where she was able to expand her knowledge of the aviation industry and supply chain. Patricia is a Certified Professional in Supply Management through the Institute for Supply Management and is a graduate of The University of North Carolina with a B.A. in Chemistry.

Mr. Brian Vivolo, Quality Director

Brian joined TAT Piedmont in February 2021, and he brings 25 years of Aerospace experience in the areas of composite interiors, seating, lavatories, APU LRU components, pneumatic controls, and actuation systems at Honeywell, B/E Aerospace, Collins Aerospace and HAECO Cabin Solutions. Brian has been leading and managing teams for the past 15 years in production manufacturing and ISO 9001 and AS9100 Quality Management Systems. He has a long history of customer relations and interfacing with major OEM and Airline customers focusing on Quality and Customer Satisfaction through Process Improvement and Defect Reduction. He has a Master’s in Business Administration and Undergraduate in Business Management, and he has also served in the United States Marine Corps as an E-5, Sergeant, in the 2nd AABN at Camp Lejune, North Carolina.