Spencer Irvine: Founder/CEO
Spencer Irvine founded AirVentions Inc. shortly after getting his MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management in 2010 with a focus on entrepreneurship and innovation. He first conceived of AirVentions after learning about the severity of ramp collisions at his job at Atlantic Southeast Airlines while attending the Georgia Institute of Technology. Spencer went on to get his B.S. and M.S. in Aerospace Engineering in ’04 and ’06 respectively studying in the Aerospace Systems Design Laboratory. After Georgia Tech he worked as an aeronautical engineer at Lockheed Martin focusing on structural analysis for the F-35 and C-130 programs.
Advisors
Michael E. Fox: Business Development Advisor
Michael E. Fox currently consults for a number of start-up companies and is a member of MIT’s Venture Mentor Program supporting over 200 initiatives focusing on technology innovation. Michael’s prior experiences include executive level positions with JetQue (Chief Strategic Officer); Mitsubishi Electric America (Senior Director) and SONY Electronics. Michael has had numerous consulting engagements in a variety of industries and disciplines. In the Silicon Valley venture capital community, he has been active in deal sourcing, due diligence and advisory services to both institutional and corporate venture capital funds. Michael holds a Bachelor of Science degree from MIT and is a member of the Educational Council.
Ray Valeika: Industry Advisor
Ray Valeika is currently an independent aviation consultant advising major companies on aviation matters. He is an internationally recognized senior airline operations executive with more than 40 years of managing the maintenance operations of large airlines. Ray retired as Senior Vice President – Technical Operations from Delta Air Lines, Inc. in 2004. Previously he served as Senior Vice President – Technical Operations for Continental Airlines and as Vice President – Maintenance and Engineering at Pan American Airlines. Ray holds a B.S. degree in Aeronautical Engineering from St. Louis University, Parks College.
Dr. Lawrence Kaufman: Venture Advisor
Dr. Lawrence Kaufman is currently the CEO of Lightwave Power, Inc., a company developing nano-technology based light management systems for displays and light control applications. His prior experiences include executive level positions with Sionex Corp. (Founder); The Pinnacle Acquisition Group; The MicroOptical Corp. (MyVu Corp); OutOfOffice Technology LTD; Otter Inc.; Digital Graphics, Inc. (Founder); A.C. Allen & Company, Inc.; Tropix, Inc.; Psychemedics Corp. and Polaroid. Larry is a graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with a B.S. Physics degree and Tufts University with a Ph.D. Solid State Physics degree.
Ronald Irvine: Business Advisor
Ron Irvine is currently CEO of Chicago based Irvine Consulting, Inc. (ICI), a management consulting and market research firm established in 1987. The firm’s client roster includes primarily biotechnology/technology firms, pharmaceutical companies and government agencies. Prior to ICI, Mr. Irvine was Director of Market Planning and Research at Pfizer (Searle) and before then held several sales and marketing positions at Novartis (Ciba-Geigy). Ron holds a BA degree from the University of Notre Dame (1973) and an MBA from Northwestern University – Kellogg School of Management (1987).