NGPA's strength comes from the incredible people who make up the organization. As pilots and aviation enthusiasts helping each other, volunteering exemplifies the spirit of NGPA more than anything else. We can always use a hand, and volunteering is a great way to meet people and make new friends.
Executive Leaders
Justin Ellixson-Andrews
Executive Director (Grand Rapids, MI)
A self-proclaimed “avgeek,” Justin Ellixson-Andrews has spent his career advocating for others and helping to open doors for underrepresented communities within the field of aviation. As a kid, he was always enthralled by planes, never missing an opportunity to sign up for a discovery flight at a nearby airshow. It was after Justin's first commercial flight at age 6 that his parents would learn his infatuation reached far beyond airshows and would later develop into a lifelong career.
Justin has held various positions within the aviation industry including Director of Sales, Director of Admissions, and Regional Talent Acquisition Partner. Prior to joining NGPA, he was the Head of Talent Acquisition and Learning & Development for JSX, a hop-on jet service. Justin was responsible for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) recruitment and retention strategy, corporate social responsibility initiatives, and community outreach programs, as well as establishing and maintaining relationships with industry partners like NGPA, Colleges and Universities, and trade schools. Justin also served as Chair of the company’s employee resource group, advocating on behalf of the entire workforce on policies including LGBTQ+ inclusion and minority equality.
Justin attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida, where he earned a Bachelors in Aeronautics, a Masters in Leadership, and a Private Pilot Certificate. He currently resides in Grand Rapids, Michigan with his husband, Kyle, and their 'dog-child', Bernhardt or "Bernie" for short.
Doug Carr
Board Chair (Arlington, VA)
Doug is honored to be stepping into the role of Chair for NGPA’s Board of Directors for 2025. He has spent the last six years serving as a member of the Finance Committee, chair of NGPA’s Governance Committee as well as board Vice Chair. During his time on the Board, he has helped lead NGPA’s annual director search, developed updates to NGPA’s bylaws and focused on improving Board productivity and effectiveness.
Doug’s aviation career currently has him serving as the Senior Vice President for Safety, Security, Sustainability and International Affairs at the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) in Washington, DC. Prior to NBAA, he worked at the National Air Transportation Association (NATA) and also served for six years in the U.S. Navy on board the USS Norfolk (SSN-714) where he served as part of the engineering team responsible for the operation, support and repair of the submarine’s nuclear reactor and support systems.
Doug earned a BS in Aviation Management from Southern Illinois University and is an active general aviation pilot and former flight instructor flying a Cirrus out of Leesburg Airport in Virginia. He lives with his partner Scott and three four-legged sons (Chevy, JJ and Kona) in Arlington, Virginia.
Ryan Davis
Board Vice Chair (Seattle, WA)
Ryan started his career in aviation by working various non-flying positions as a station gate and ramp agent, eventually earning a crew scheduling position for AirTran Airways. His first flying job was flying in the bush of Alaska where he gained enough hours to eventually move on to Compass Airlines flying the Embraer 170/175. Ryan taught as Line Check Airman while also participating in pilot hiring and volunteered as Compass’ ALPA Central Air Safety Chair. Currently, Ryan is flying for United Airlines as a Boeing 777 First Officer based in San Francisco.
Ryan has been a member of the NGPA family since 2007 and has been a member of the Board of Directors since 2023. Over the past 16 years, he has been committed to attending and volunteering at our flagship events and helping his local NGPA Cascade Flyers chapter promoting NGPA everywhere he can. Ryan continues his commitment toward NGPA by stepping into the role as Board Vice Chairman, after previously serving as Board Secretary.
Ryan earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Aviation Business Administration from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and currently resides in the Seattle, Washington area with his soon to be husband, Forrest. On his spare time Ryan is traveling the world exploring, cooking his favorite dishes, and attending to his babies – a garden of vegetables, plants, and succulents.