Meet Our Team
Behind every successful flight at Coastal Skies Aero Club is a team of passionate instructors, experienced pilots, and dedicated aviation professionals committed to your journey in the sky. Just as our diverse fleet is carefully selected to support pilots at every stage, our team is built to guide, train, and inspire—from your very first discovery flight to advanced certifications and beyond. United by a shared love of aviation and a commitment to safety, our people are what truly make Coastal Skies a welcoming and trusted place to learn, grow, and fly.
Leadership Team
Kirk Taylor
Kirk Taylor
Kirk is the sole managing owner of the Coastal Skies family of companies, including Coastal Skies Aero Club and Coastal Skies Maintenance. A certified A&P mechanic with Inspection Authorization (IA) and a private pilot, Kirk combines hands-on aviation expertise with strategic business leadership. He oversees daily operations, from flight training and aircraft maintenance to administrative management, ensuring the Aero Club and maintenance operations are run to the highest standards. Committed to safety, professionalism, and excellence, Kirk has created a culture where pilots, students, and aviation enthusiasts can learn, grow, and enjoy the experience of flight.
Patrick Pascale
Patrick Pascale
Patrick Pascale serves as Director of Operations and brings more than 35 years of experience across business and aviation. He is a veteran of the U.S. Army Special Forces, where he served for six years, developing a strong foundation in leadership, discipline, and operational excellence.
Patrick holds a degree in Aeronautics and holds a Commercial Pilot License with Instrument and Multi-Engine ratings and has logged more than 2,000 hours of flight time. Throughout his career, he has held key leadership positions including Regional Director of Loss Prevention and Chief Pilot for a pipeline patrol company. His diverse background in aviation operations, safety, and business management enables him to effectively oversee complex operations while maintaining high standards of performance and reliability.
Rhonda Pool
Rhonda Pool
As Director of Business Administration, Rhonda brings over 45 years of experience in business operations, accounting and financial oversight, human resources, insurance, strategic planning, and vendor management. She has been a key member of the Coastal Skies family of companies for seven years, overseeing all administrative operations across the organization. Rhonda ensures the efficiency, compliance, and strategic direction of the companies’ day-to-day operations while guiding their long-term growth.
Tim Cox
Tim Cox
Tim Cox serves as Director of Maintenance for the Coastal Skies family of companies, bringing 22 years of experience in aircraft maintenance and FAA-compliant recordkeeping. A licensed A&P mechanic, he oversees all maintenance operations, including preventive and corrective maintenance, inspections, and repairs. Tim manages maintenance personnel, schedules, and workflow to ensure operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, and aircraft safety. He also monitors maintenance budgets, coordinates with regulatory authorities, and implements procedures to uphold the highest standards of reliability and airworthiness.
Emma Lee
Emma Lee
Emma serves as Staff Accountant for the Coastal Skies family of companies, bringing over eight years of experience in bookkeeping and administrative support. She is responsible for maintaining accurate financial records and managing day-to-day accounting operations, including billing and accounts receivable, accounts payable, and payroll. Outside of work, Emma enjoys hunting, fishing, and spending time with her dog, Oakley.
Flight Instructors
Joseph Patterson
Joseph “Joe” Patterson
Born and raised in Houston, Joe’s career took several twists and turns before he discovered his passion for aviation. Joe graduated from Texas A&M University in 2017; embarking on a career in EMS as a paramedic. After five years of full time service, Joe first took a discovery flight in late 2021 and caught the aviation “bug.” After completing all his ratings in 2023, Joe later instructed in Conroe and came to Coastal Skies as a CFI in December of 2023. Joe built a large student base and was promoted up through the ranks; becoming a Check Instructor, Assistant Chief Flight Instructor, finally Chief Flight Instructor in August of 2025. In addition to supervising the instructors and students, Joe’s focus is on maintaining safety and professionalism while improving the quality of training and enhancing the student experience. In his free time, Joe stays active as a paramedic in the Houston area and enjoys powerlifting, music, and traveling.
Fitzroy Burke
Fitzroy Burke
A dedicated aviation professional and Certified Flight Instructor with over five years experience. Born and raised in Jamaica, he relocated to Canada in 2004 before moving to the United States in 2016, where he completed his CFI certifications in 2020. Prior to transitioning into aviation, he built a strong career as a Greyhound coach Operator, bringing discipline, safety and professionalism into his work as a flight instructor.
Reese Brown
Reese Brown
Reese grew up in Beaumont, Texas, which is where his love for aviation first began. His grandfather flew F-4 Phantoms in Vietnam and then flew for Eastern Airlines after he retired from the Air Force. He has always been Reese’s main inspiration as a pilot. Reese attended college at the University of Colorado Boulder where he studied atmospheric and oceanic sciences. His aviation journey began shortly after he graduated. He started flight training in Beaumont while working on his family’s ranch. It started off as a hobby, but he quickly fell in love with flying. He decided to pursue aviation as a career and moved to Houston to earn the rest of his ratings. He has been with Coastal Skies for over two years now and has since built over 1500 hours of flight time. He now works as Lead Flight Instructor and Check Instructor. He conducts stage checks and mock checkrides and takes pride in providing advanced ground and flight training with a focus on standardization and safety. When he’s not flying, he enjoys hunting, fishing, and playing golf.
Shota Brown
Shota Brown
Sho Brown is a Certified Flight Instructor who works with private, instrument, and commercial students. He previously flew a Cirrus SR22T for a construction company. Prior to that, he instructed at a Part 141 flight school in North Carolina. He provides straightforward, structured flight instruction and has a particular appreciation for IFR flying and the discipline it brings to the cockpit. He emphasizes fundamentals, good habits, and keeping things from getting too exciting.
Mithun Matthews
Mithun Matthews
After building a successful career in technology, he continued his journey in aviation, driven by a lifelong fascination with aircraft, flight dynamics, and the challenge of mastering the skies. He became an instructor after realizing that the best way to improve as a pilot is to teach. With a background in education, he was able to bring those skills into aviation and help others learn to fly. Instructing has made him a better pilot by constantly reinforcing the fundamentals and deepening his understanding—something he strives to pass on to his students.
He has been a member of the club since 2019, where he completed his training from Private Pilot through Commercial, and he is proud to be part of a community that has played such an important role in his journey.
Outside of flying, he enjoys spending time with his family, staying active, and continuously learning—always looking for ways to improve both personally and professionally.
Youssef Yahchouchi
Youssef Yahchouchi
Youssef Yahchouchi is a trilingual aviation professional fluent in English, Arabic, and French with a strong passion for teaching and pilot development. He is a Gold Seal Flight Instructor committed to maintaining high standards in aviation training. Youssef also brings valuable operational experience from flying medevac missions, where precision, professionalism, and decision-making were essential.
Nick McCleary
Nick McCleary
Nick is a Certified Flight Instructor who has completed all his training at Coastal Skies Aero Club, beginning in July 2023 and earning his instructor certificates in May 2025. He has logged over 1,200 hours of flight time, including more than 800 hours of dual instruction given.
As a CFI at Coastal Skies, Nick is passionate about helping students build a strong foundation in both safety and proficiency. Having trained in the same environment, he offers a firsthand understanding of the school, and he is dedicated to guiding students efficiently from their first lesson through checkride success.
Lucas Moses
Lucas Moses
Luke began flying in 2023 and has been instructing for about a year and a half. He is passionate about introducing aviation to students who are eager to learn and helping them grow through the challenges that come with it. Watching their progress—from the first lesson to gaining real confidence in the cockpit—is what he enjoys most. Outside of flying, he enjoys spending time hunting and being outdoors.
Osama Kharsa
Osama Kharsa
Osama Kharsa is a Coastal Skies graduate who turned a lifelong passion for aviation—and a dream of flying the Airbus A380—into a career. When he’s not in the cockpit, he stays sharp by watching Air Crash Investigations, working out in the gym, or spending time with his family. He is excited to bring that same dedication to training, helping others build the skills and discipline needed to master the skies.
Dalton Duke
Dalton Duke
Dalton is ready to welcome students by providing the attention and care needed to develop their skills and become better pilots. He is prepared for any challenge, whether a student is just beginning their aviation journey or has been flying for years.
As a former teacher, he brings years of experience in making broad concepts simple and easy to understand. During his time earning pilot certifications in an accelerated career pilot program, he recognized how greatly students benefit from a supportive learning environment.
He offers patient instruction both in the aircraft and on the ground, tailoring his approach to best fit each learner’s needs. Safety is his top priority, and he works closely with students while applying sound Aeronautical Decision Making to ensure success throughout all phases of training.
Ryan DeAlmeida
Ryan DeAlmeida
Ryan DeAlmeida has spent most of his life in the South Houston area and takes pride in being part of the local community. He originally pursued a career in real estate, but in late 2023 a family member encouraged him to give flying a try.
In December 2023, Ryan took a discovery flight and was instantly hooked. What started as a simple recommendation quickly turned into a passion. He began flight training in early 2024 and fully committed himself to the process, earning all his pilot ratings by November 2025.
As a flight instructor, Ryan enjoys helping students build confidence in the cockpit and develop safe, consistent flying habits. He understands what it’s like to be new to aviation and works to create a supportive, low-pressure learning environment where students can progress at their own pace. His goal is not just to help students pass checkrides, but to help them become skilled, knowledgeable, and confident pilots.
Stuart Lewis
Stuart Lewis
Stuart was born in Denver, Colorado and later grew up near the Twin Cities in Minnesota, where an early fascination with aviation led him to spend hours watching planes and using flight simulators, even attending an aviation summer camp at 16. He earned B.A. degrees in Psychology and Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point in 2008, then later completed an MBA at the University of Texas at Austin in 2016. Following encouragement from his wife, he began flight training in 2022, earned his private pilot certificate in 2023, and fully committed to becoming a professional pilot, joining Coastal Skies as a CFI in 2024 where he now teaches students at Texas Gulf Coast Regional Airport. Outside aviation, Stuart is deeply involved in Houston’s adult baseball community as a coach, manager, and player, and enjoys concerts, international travel, and watching sports; when not flying or on the field, he spends time at home with his wife and their two miniature goldendoodles.
Samuel Diaz Munoz
Samuel Diaz Munoz
Samuel is a passionate flight instructor originally from Colombia, where his aviation journey began, inspired by his father. He moved to the United States where he could continue his training.
Samuel is dedicated to helping students build confidence, safety, and strong foundational skills.
His teaching style is interactive and student-focused, combining demonstration, clear communication, and audio-visual techniques in both one-on-one and group settings. He is fluent in English and Spanish, allowing him to effectively support a diverse range of students.
Colton Haupt
Colton Haupt
Colton has been interested in all things aviation since he was a child. He graduated from college in 2012 and spent a decade in law enforcement before finally deciding to chase his dream. He finished flight school in fall of 2025 with his end goal of getting a job in the airlines or charter. As an instructor, He bridges the gap between technical understanding and real-world risk management. His goal is to cultivate a training environment where safety is the foundation, allowing his students to develop the skills and enthusiasm needed for their own journeys toward the airlines or wherever they wish to go. He believes flight training should be fun, and a student should walk away proud of what they have achieved. He looks forward to being able to share his lifelong passion with others and to help foster a new generation of safe and enthusiastic pilots.
Dispatchers & Office Personnel
Victoria Montes
Victoria Montes
Victoria began her aviation journey as a student at Coastal Skies in 2024 and quickly developed a passion for both flying and the aviation community. In 2025, she joined the team as Dispatcher and is now the Office Manager, where she helps keep daily operations running smoothly and supports students and members throughout their training.
Currently working toward her Commercial Pilot License, Victoria is dedicated to growing her skills in the air while helping others succeed in their aviation goals. Outside the office, she loves an adrenaline rush—spending time skydiving and chasing new adventures.
Looking ahead, Victoria hopes to combine her passion for aviation and service by becoming an aerial firefighter, helping protect communities from the air.
Monica Jory
Monica Jory
Monica is currently training toward her Instrument Rating and plays a key role at Coastal Skies as a Front Desk Dispatcher. She enjoys being part of the daily operations, helping keep everything running smoothly while supporting fellow members and pilots.
Originally from Virginia, Monica has lived in several places and hopes to one day make Seattle her home. Outside of aviation, she enjoys spending time outdoors and making the most of every opportunity to explore. With her passion for flying and dedication to growth, she aspires to one day take her career to the airlines.
Matthew McCleary
Matthew McCleary
Matthew is 17 years old and has been working as a Dispatcher at Coastal Skies Aero Club for about a year and a half while attending Friendswood High School. Being part of the team here has given him a real appreciation for aviation and everything that goes into keeping things running smoothly. He has learned a lot on the job and has really enjoyed being around people who share a passion for flying. After high school, he plans to pursue a degree in Industrial Engineering because he likes problem solving and finding more efficient ways to do things. Working at Coastal Skies has been a great experience for him, and he’s glad to be part of such a supportive and driven community.
Hessa Gonzales
Hessa Gonzales
Hessa serves as Member Liaison for Coastal Skies Aero Club, where she is often the first welcoming presence prospective and current members encounter. Since beginning her aviation journey in 2021, Hessa has developed a deep appreciation for the training process and the excitement that comes with learning to fly. She is passionate about helping others take their first steps into aviation and guiding them confidently through each stage of their experience.
Welcoming, charming, and client-focused, Hessa supports members from initial inquiries and discovery flights through ongoing training by providing clear communication, scheduling assistance, and personalized guidance. She works closely with instructors and staff to ensure every member feels informed, comfortable, and supported from day one.
Hessa takes pride in creating a positive, inclusive environment where members feel at home and motivated to succeed. Celebrating milestones and watching students grow into capable, confident pilots is one of the most rewarding aspects of her role.
Darryl Archer
Darryl Archer
Darryl plays an important role in keeping Coastal Skies running smoothly. As the club porter, he helps maintain the aircraft by keeping them clean, stocked with oil, and ready to fly. He’s always willing to jump in wherever help is needed, whether that’s assisting around the office or working outdoors to make sure everything is in great shape for members and students.
Darryl is currently training for his Commercial Pilot License and is passionate about aviation. Flying has positively impacted many areas of his life, and it’s what he enjoys most. When he’s not around the airport or in the cockpit, he enjoys listening to K-pop music.