Management

Flo Newton Merlo – President

Flo Newton Merlo is President of Global Aviation.  She founded the company based at the Hillsboro Airport (HIO) near Portland, Oregon, in 1995. Today, Global is recognized as the premier fixed based operator in the Pacific Northwest as well as a national leader in the executive jet charter industry.

Flo’s love of travel began when she studied abroad in her first year of college.  This passion inspired her profession in the aviation industry, which she started in 1981 at Louisiana Pacific Corporation.  Reporting to the Chairman, she outlined the company’s ability to offset their fixed costs through charter services using four aircraft within their fleet.  Flo was appointed to manage the new department and was responsible for all aspects of charter operations, sales, and customer service.  She directed the charter department until her departure in 1995 having created a reputation for unsurpassed service catering to international dignitaries, royalty, entertainers and athletes.

Recognizing the need for a west coast based FBO of distinction, Flo founded Global Aviation.  She recruited her longtime colleague, Brian Lockhart, and her vision for a full service FBO became a reality. The reputation for a superior fleet and unmatched service has become a hallmark for Global and is reflected in the breadth and quality of its clientele.

The growth of the company is closely managed to the goal of superior support and superior customer service. To that end, Global has partnered with the Ritz Carlton training program for designing innovative customer service programs.  Global also established its own international discount fuel program, Global Fuel Solutions, which was developed to address rising jet fuel prices.

Newton Merlo currently serves on the Board of the Providence Heart and Vascular Foundation and has been active in activities associated with Medical Teams International.

Peter Menza – Vice President of Client Services & Acquisitions

Peter Menza is Vice President of Client Services and Acquisitions for Global Aviation. Menza is a 30 year veteran of the aviation industry and focuses on client relationships, aircraft negotiations and acquisitions.

Prior to joining Global Aviation, Menza served as Sales Director for Bombardier Aerospace.  Throughout his 17-year tenure with the company, he was a distinguished salesman with a well-established reputation for customer advocacy.  Previously, Menza was responsible for helicopter sales at AgustaWestland for eight years.

Menza holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Fordham University, and was a Naval Aviator and Officer in the United States Marine Corp.

Peter is an active member of the Providence Portland Medical Foundation Board, and enjoys biking and exercising in his free time.

Ephraim Ingals – Director of Operations

Ephraim Ingals is the Director of Operations for Global Aviation, and is dedicated to providing unmatched excellence in the operations and safety standards of Global Aviation’s charter and managed fleet of aircraft. While Global Aviation currently operates a fleet of eight aircraft, Ephraim oversees a staff of 20 pilots and flies the company’s operated Bombardier Global Express XRS and Gulfstream GV. He also serves as Proficiency and Line Check Airman for pilots assigned to those aircraft as well as the Hawkers 800SP and 900XP.

He acquired his commercial, instrument and multi-engine and flight instructor ratings from 1978-1980. He then accepted a position as Captain for Flight Trails in Carlsbad, CA and was soon promoted to Chief Pilot and Director of Operations.  He later became Check Airman, and ultimately, Vice President.

In 1988, while serving as Captain and Check Airman for a San Diego-based charter operator, Ephraim transferred to corporate aviation, flying a Hawker 700 and Beechcraft King Air 200 based at John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana, CA.  The following year, his career took him back to San Diego-based Intermark, Inc. where he managed another Hawker 700 based at Palomar Airport in Carlsbad, CA.  By 1992, he had moved to Washington, DC, operating over domestic and international routes from the Caribbean to Europe. During this time he also worked for British Aerospace in Sterling, VA where he served as Check Airman, Ground Simulator and Flight Instructor for the Hawker 800 and 1000 aircraft.

Ephraim accepted a position as Chief Pilot and Aviation Manager at Sierra Pacific Industries in 1996, overseeing the operation of a Beechjet 400, King Air 200, Cessna Conquest II and Bell Jetranger helicopter, the helicopter subsequently upgrading to a Eurocopter N model TwinStar and the Beechjet to a Hawker 1000.

In 2010, he joined Global Aviation. In his current role, Ephraim continually applies improvements in standards and operations to keep the company synonymous with providing the best service the aviation industry has to offer.