237 N. Helmer Battle Creek, MI 49037 269.377.5031 Russell.kavalhuna@wmich.edu Russell A. Kavalhuna, J.D., A.T.P. Proven leader in building education programs to meet the employer demands. Expertise in establishing and maturing external partnerships for mutual benefit. Former airline captain and federal prosecutor with a record of measurable results in higher education through collaborative shared governance. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE 2015 present Executive Director (duties akin to Associate Dean role), Western Michigan University, College of Aviation The nation s third largest collegiate aviation program, which operates at three locations in Michigan and Florida. Responsibilities: Oversee budget process and have never allowed budget deficit. Supervise six department heads and six assistant department heads. Develop and execute a multi million dollar plan for the University s expansion to Charlotte County, Florida. Share administrative tasks with faculty and staff in shared governance structure. Assure compliance with faculty collective bargaining agreement, with no grievances. Oversee the safe operation of 40 aircraft, a multi million dollar simulator lab, and eight buildings on satellite campuses in secure airport environments. Conduct fundraising and development with industry partners and alumni. Negotiate and ratify hiring agreements for graduates with industry employers. Serve as compliance and legal officer for higher education regulations, including: o The Clery Act, o Title IX compliance, o Occupation Safety and Health Administration regulations (OSHA), o The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), o FAA regulations, and o Active Shooter response protocols. Chair a college wide Safety Committee. Teach undergraduate courses.
Russell A. Kavalhuna 2 Leadership and Program Advancements: Implemented successful plan to gain political support for legislation funding a $23 million expansion, which will double the size of and modernize the Battle Creek campus. Obtained hiring agreements (bridge agreements) for students for jobs at Delta Airlines, United Airlines, and American Airlines. Attracted the Governor of Michigan and state legislators to visit the Battle Creek campus and organized media placement that advanced the College s branding strategy. To support Florida expansion, worked with the Director of Economic Development for Charlotte County, Florida, and negotiated agreements, including a $500,000 incentive package. o Organized and obtained promotional, earned media for the college during a ground breaking ceremony. Plan and execute annual Aviation Safety Symposium featuring national industry leaders: o Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB); o President of national aviation corporation, Pentistar Aviation; o Chairman of national trade group, National Air Transportation Association (NATA); and o Vice President of Aviation for international corporation, Amway Corp. Hosted government representatives of South Korea and Saudi Arabia to begin negotiating agreements to train foreign citizens in Michigan. Served as point of contact for regulatory agencies and developed a successful plan to pass examinations by the FAA and TSA. 2009 Present Michigan Aeronautics Commissioner, Former two time Chairman Appointed, and reappointed, by Governors of both parties and confirmed by Michigan Senate to statewide commission with oversight of $100 million appropriation authority for all aviation infrastructure spending in Michigan and all aviation rulemaking authority. Responsibilities: Supervise the Director of the Michigan Office of Aeronautics. Public liaison to state and federal legislators, the Governor s office, federal agencies, and private industry to develop state wide aviation policy. Oversee administration of $100 million budget. Accomplishments: Twice elected as Chairman by fellow commissioners from both political parties and diverse professional backgrounds. Formed and staffed subcommittee to promote STEM education and careers. Authored a public report on Michigan s commercial air service.
Russell A. Kavalhuna 3 Chaired executive search committee to select the agency Director. 2009 2015 Assistant United States Attorney (Federal Prosecutor), United States Department of Justice, Grand Rapids, Michigan United States representative for legal actions in Western Michigan, including prosecuting federal criminal violations. Responsibilities: Organized violent crime taskforces in five cities that brought diverse stakeholders together, including law enforcement, community leaders, and political officials. Conducted over 100 federal criminal investigations and resultant jury trials, with 100% conviction rate. Accomplishments: Hired through prestigious Department of Justice Honors Program. Managed over 140 federal/state officers in multi year investigation of 31 gang members, resulting in successful prosecution of the entire gang. Awarded service recognitions by a community and a federal agency for leadership in communities after working in five cities to forge alliances with government and community stakeholders on plans to reduce violent crime. Passed multiple FBI background investigations and granted a security clearance. 2012 2015 Adjunct Professor of Law, Western Michigan University, Cooley Law School, multiple locations in Michigan and Florida Responsibilities: Developed and taught class titled Forensic Evidence In Criminal Trials. Simultaneously delivered lecture to four locations through distance education equipment. Mentored and aided students during a self directed research project to support a paper and oral defense of concept for final grades. 2007 2009 Senior Lawyer, Michigan Supreme Court Lansing Michigan Responsibilities: Supervised lawyers and drafted decisions and memoranda for the Court s senior Justice.
Russell A. Kavalhuna 4 Accomplishments: First lawyer in the Senior Justice s 25 year career to be promoted to Senior Lawyer. 2001 2006 Commercial Airline Pilot, US Airways Express Responsibilities and Accomplishments: Led flight crews as Captain of airline jet moving thousands of passengers safely through the congested North American airspace in all four seasons of weather. Member of collective bargaining unit (Airline Pilots Association) and elected by fellow members to leadership position tasked with negotiating the collective bargaining agreement. Handled multiple in flight emergencies with no accidents, incidents, or injuries. Successfully completed all training to highest standards with no testing failures. Worked full time as a pilot while attending law school on weekends. ACADEMIC DEGREES 2018, Doctoral coursework (Ph.D.) in Institutional Leadership During Crisis, coursework beginning in January 2018, Western Michigan University. 2007, Juris Doctor, selected as Valedictorian speaker, Western Michigan University, Cooley Law School, magna cum laude. Graduated number three in class. Studied for and passed Michigan Bar Exam while being employed full time. 2001, Bachelor of Science, Western Michigan University, Aviation Science, cum laude. FACULTY/TEACHING EXPERIENCE 2016 present Western Michigan University, Aviation Law (AVS 3190). Substitute Professor in Aviation Safety and Crew Flight Training. 2012 2015 Western Michigan University, Cooley Law School, Forensic Evidence in Criminal Trials
Russell A. Kavalhuna 5 1999 2001 Western Michigan University College of Aviation, Flight training courses AWARDS AND LICENSES Airline Transport Pilot Certificate (highest civilian license possible) Law License, State Bar of Michigan ATF National Honor Award for prosecution of organized crime Outstanding Achievement Award, Holland Police Department Named 2011 Up and Coming Lawyer by Michigan Lawyers Weekly FUNDRAISING AND OUTREACH ACCOMPLISHMENTS 2016, Michigan Capital Outlay Legislation: Appeared before the Michigan Legislature seeking funding for building expansion, which resulted in legislation funding a $23 million expansion of the College of Aviation s Battle Creek campus. 2016, College of Aviation Expansion to Florida: Negotiated $500,000 incentive package from Charlotte County, Florida, to build a new facility for campus in first ever expansion. Currently negotiating additional $5 million funding package for facility based on expected enrollment growth. Obtained numerous bridge agreements with aviation industry employers for graduates, leading to students receiving conditional job offers as early as their junior year. SELECTED PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES 2017, National Pilot Source Forum (NPSF) Selected to represent one of three collegiate flight programs on U.S. Air Force s public/private partnership to study the United States pilot shortage. The NPSF is chaired by the Air Force Chief of Staff and the airline industry s premier advocacy group Airlines for America. The group includes staff from the U.S. Senate s Armed Services Committee and all major airlines. 2016, Presidential Leadership Scholars Leadership training from Presidents George W. Bush and William J. Clinton. A leadership training partnership among the Presidential Centers for Bush I, Clinton, Bush II, and Johnson, designed for leaders from diverse backgrounds to hone collaborative problem solving skills through bi partisan public/private partnerships. Participants connect with the best minds in the study of leadership and benefit from lectures and interactions with the former Presidents and the Cabinet members who served them. 2010, Michigan Political Leadership Program, Michigan State University
Russell A. Kavalhuna 6 SELECTED UNIVERSITY ACTIVITIES Chairman, College of Aviation Safety Committee Chairman, College of Aviation Scholarship Committee Member, College of Aviation Diversity Committee Member, Western Michigan University Critical Incident Response Team Organizing Administrator, Active Shooter Training Organizing Administrator, Sexual Misconduct in the Workplace Training Organizing Administrator, Workplace Violence Prevention Training SELECTED WORKSHOP/CONVENTION PRESENTATIONS 2016 2017: Moderated Aviation Safety Symposium hosting aviation expert speakers. Kalamazoo, Michigan 2016: Drones and Media: Panel discussion on the legal and social implications on drones being used by news media. Kalamazoo, Michigan 2010: Questions on the Constitutional limits on Criminal Interrogations: Lecturer to state and federal law enforcement officers. Lansing, Michigan PUBLICATIONS Policy Plan for Michigan Air Service. An analysis of Michigan commercial air service and recommended policy prescriptions for future challenges: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/aero/ppmas March_16_2016_Final_519062_7.pdf UNIVERSITY PROMOTIONAL MEDIA Merchant, Safiya. Michigan Governor visits College of Aviation. Battle Creek Enquirer, 30 June 2016. Manes, Nick. Despite looming pilot shortage, aviation stakeholders point to industry growth. MiBiz.com, 21 Dec. 2015. Southwest Florida's new flight school is ready to take off. NBC 2 Florida, 13 April 2017.