Meet the Team
We are a dynamic, passionate, and experienced group of aviation professionals.
We're passionate about flying.
Every person on our sales and marketing team is a pilot.
And with over 20,000+ flight hours of experience between us, we know a thing or two about airplanes.
The Story of LifeStyle Aviation
Watch our short documentary about our origin and core values.
John Armstrong, Founder and CEO
John’s adventures in aviation began as a teenager flying his Dad’s J-3 Cub off a grass strip. He has enjoyed a career of enjoying and sharing modern aviation. His passion for flying today is stronger than ever. As founder and CEO John leads the company's strategic development and growth.
Sam Linton, Sales Director
Sam is an accomplished single, multi-engine and rotary pilot that grew up in Alaska flying in family bush planes. Later their family moved to the mountains of North Carolina and he attended North Carolina State University in Raleigh, NC where he studied business and finance. Sam leads the LifeStyle team of Aircraft Counselors.
Patrick Meehan, Marketing Director
Patrick is a marketing professional and instrument-rated pilot who drives our advanced digital marketing automation system know as AvWare. Through AvWare's implementation, Patrick is changing the way airplanes are listed, marketed, and transacted.
Alissa Cates, Operations Director
With Alissa's extensive background as an aviation operations manager in both the armed forces and corporate aviation, she is an incredible asset to the team. She manages our RDU office and may be the first person you meet when you contact our company.
Jon Gutekunst, CFII, MEI | Aircraft Counselor
Jon Gutekunst is an accomplished aviator and aviation counselor with 20 years of flying experience. A graduate of the US Naval Academy, Jon spent years as a Naval Aviator instructor pilot and Mission Commander in the P3 Orion.
Steve Pope, Aircraft Counselor
Steve Pope joined LifeStyle Aviation after a 25-year career as an award-winning aviation journalist, including spending nearly a decade on the editorial staff at Flying Magazine. He is also a commercial multi-engine rated pilot.
Evert van der Lee, Aircraft Counselor
Evert’s passion for flying began at a young age growing up in beautiful New Zealand. He trained as a Commercial pilot and started his own charter business called the “Flying Dutchman”, providing locals and tourists an opportunity to explore Aotearoa "The Land of the Long White Cloud" from a different altitude. Evert brings his Kiwi “can do” attitude and ingenuity to his role and helps his clients realize their dreams. This Kiwi can fly!
Dave Passmore, CFII, MEI | Aircraft Counselor
Dave is a Diamond Specialist offering a highly experienced professional consultative approach based on years of aircraft ownership and experience. He and his pilot wife now enjoy flying their DA62. He resides in the DC area and is based at the Leesburg VA airport.
Parker Shelton, Aircraft Counselor
Parker grew up in a family of pilots and developed his passion for aviation flying in an old Cessna 182. He was first exposed to modern aviation through Diamond Aircraft and brings a unique perspective as someone with appreciation for both the traditional and modern age of aviation. Parker attended NC State University where he studied Business & Finance and now seeks to help his clients realize their own aviation dreams.
Sharon Raub, Social Media Manager & Photographer
Sharon is a pilot and business strategist with over a decade of modern marketing experience. After nearly 5 years of running our marketing department, she now flies charter jet operations but continues to share her marketing skills by running LifeStyle's Instagram, Facebook and other social media channels.
Joseph Dail, Financing & Insurance Specialist
Joseph is a first generation aviator with 8 years in the Insurance and Finance Industry. After being bit by the aviation bug in 2021, he became an instrument-rated commercial pilot. Since finding his love for flying, he is thrilled to be helping others achieve their dreams of aircraft ownership.
Declan Clarke, Sales & Marketing Intern
Declan is a senior in the Academy of Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing. He grew up discovering a passion for technology and aviation alongside a thriving ambition to become an Aerospace Engineer. When he's not studying, he assists our sales & marketing team at our RDU office.
Lori Glasser, Accounting Manager
Lori keeps the financial operations at LifeStyle and its affiliated companies running smoothly. Lori has spent here entire career in corporate financial management, accounting and bookkeeping.
Laura Cardinuto, HR & Payroll
Laura was one of the first employees of the company and today keeps HR and Payroll humming along.
Our Vision
We see a future where lives are transformed and enriched through modern aviation – where people create lifestyles of freedom, productivity and possibilities. By empowering individuals and our training partners to use the full potential of modern flight, so they are able to contribute to the world in new and meaningful ways.
Our Purpose
We are in the business of helping people discover, select and use modern aviation and its technology to create effortless, effective personal mobility which empowers them to achieve life goals and transforms how they live, work, play and contribute to the world.
Our Process
We don’t “sell”… we help our clients “Buy”. We help clients achieve their life and LifeStyle Goals using a unique counselor approach to support our customers through the buying process. We operate with respect and integrity with all customers, employees, contractors, partners, suppliers and competitors.
