Faculty & Staff

Mark Bathurst began his aviation career in 1973 as an Air Force pilot. He flew for over 22 years as a C-141 pilot, instructor pilot and flight examiner, amassing about 5000 total military flight hours, and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel from the Air Force Reserves. Concurrent with his Air Force career, he also flew as a commercial airline pilot for over 36 years, flying to all points of the world and amassed in excess of 15,000 flight hours. He possesses FAA Airline Transport Pilot ratings for the B-727, B-737, B-757, B-767, B-777, A-319, A-320 and L-300 aircraft. He also possesses a FAA Flight Engineer Turbojet rating with experience on the DC-8, L-1011, A-300 and B-727. One of the highlights of Mark’s airline career was his extensive participation in establishing the first FAA-approved Advanced Qualification Program for B-777 pilot training at his airline.

Prior to joining the Aviation Technology Program, Mindy Ray worked at Lansing Community College as an Academic Success Coach where the focus is providing support for Student Success. Mindy has a background in Social Services. She worked at several agencies in the Jackson area doing prevention work with school and court programs and doing home-based services. Prior to joining the LCC team, Mindy worked for almost 10 years coordinating services for people with special needs paroling from prison. After serving in the Air Force as an aircraft mechanic (A-10s), Mindy received a B.S. Degree in Social Science from Troy State University and a M.A. in Counseling from Spring Arbor University. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the State of Michigan and a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC).

Gene began his maintenance career at the age of 12 as a young helper at his Father's auto repair shop. Soon after graduation from High School, he left home to enter school to gain his A&P Certificate. He has owned his own business on two different occasions and has maintained a variety of aircraft from Piper Cubs to DC9's. Gene has worked in the management field of aviation over 30 years as a Director of Maintenance for a large 135 freight operation and as a manager for a large piston engine overhaul shop. Gene has over fifty years of hands on maintenance as well as management experience and 3,000 hours in a variety of aircraft.

David Argo joined the Army in 1989 and retired in 2016. David worked on the OH-58C, CH-47D/F and UH-60 A/L/M aircraft. He was an enlisted standardization instructor on the UH-60. David completed three overseas deployments, two in Iraq and one in Kuwait. Upon retirement, he held the rank of Sergeant First Class and was a detachment First Sergeant. David has accumulated 2500 flight hours. David is a FAA-certificated Airframe and Powerplant mechanic.

Jerry Foy joined the Michigan National Guard in 1970, and in 1975 became an Aircraft Maintenance Technician for the Army Aviation Support Facility. Jerry spent an entire career working on military aircraft as a mechanic, quality control inspector, as well as a hazardous materials coordinator. He retired in 2006, as an aviation maintenance unit First Sergeant, and then worked at Barnes Aerospace. He is certificated by the FAA as an Aircraft Maintenance Technician and now serves as a Laboratory Assistant in the Lansing Community College Aviation Technology Program. One of Jerry’s favorite pastimes is restoring old cars.

Michael is a FAA Certified Airframe and Powerplant Technician. Michael completed the Aviation Maintenance program at LCC in 2012 and earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Aviation Maintenance from Western Michigan University in 2016. After graduating from LCC, Michael worked for a small aviation maintenance facility working on single engine and light twin aircraft along with working for the Airlines out of Lansing Capitol City Airport. Michael then moved to working at Duncan Aviation in Battle Creek where he was an Avionics Modifications Technician. Working as an Avionics Technician has given him a drastic amount of experience in troubleshooting and testing various aircraft electrical systems.

Dustin Phelps graduated from the LCC Aviation Maintenance program in 2020. Immediately after graduation, he obtained his Airframe and Powerplant license. Shortly after graduating, he was employed at Williams International working in the repair station on turbine engines. His passion for teaching and helping students brought him back to the Lansing area where he works at a local general aviation shop when he is not at LCC.

Todd Cotter earned his FAA Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic License in 1990, his pilot's license in 1992 and his maintenance Inspection Authorization in 2002. His aviation journey started at a young age as his father was a military and civilian aircraft mechanic and also a pilot. Todd joined the Michigan Army National Guard in 1981 and was trained as a helicopter mechanic. He served 27 years as a full-time mechanic as well as a flight crew member on many different Army helicopters. Todd owns and operates a small fixed base operation that manages and maintains a fleet of general aviation aircraft. He is a very active pilot and spends time flying a variety of airplanes. Todd also enjoys flying with his family.

Randy Foreback earned his FAA Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic License in 1990. He began his aviation career in 1978 with the United States Marine Corps as an OV-10 Bronco engine mechanic/plane captain. Randy joined the Michigan Army National Guard in 1984 and was trained as a helicopter/engine mechanic. He served over 30 years as a full-time mechanic, enlisted standardization instructor, aircraft maintenance supervisor and a flight crew member on many different Army helicopters. Randy worked for eight years at a small fixed base operation that maintains a fleet of general aviation aircraft. He is also in the process of obtaining his private license.

Chris Long graduated from LCC’s Aviation Maintenance program and earned his Airframe and Powerplant License in 2011. Chris grew up around aviation and has attended EAA’s AirVenture annually. Beginning in 2009, Chris started working on WWII aircraft in maintenance and restoration. He then went to work for Boeing in Washington State before returning to Michigan in 2014 to work on corporate jet aircraft. Currently, he works at a jet engine manufacturer in Holt, MI, coordinating Quality Control efforts with fan blade production. Chris is also in the process of attaining his Private Pilot’s license in a tailwheel aircraft, and will be a third generation pilot once completed.

Jason Payne is a second generation FAA certificated A&P mechanic whose father was both a commercial pilot and helicopter mechanic. Jason graduated summa cum laude from LCC's aviation maintenance program in 2012. He is currently the shop foreman at a small fixed base maintenance facility specializing in general aviation single engine and light twin aircraft. Jason is currently studying to receive his Inspection Authorization rating. In addition to his life-long aviation background, he has 15 years of automotive maintenance and 8 years of industrial maintenance experience. In his free time, Jason enjoys fishing, camping kayaking and canoeing.

Richard Wallace is an FAA certified Aircraft Maintenance Technician who also holds an Inspection Authorization. He has over 30 years of experience working in the ever-changing aviation field. That experience includes four years in the United States Navy, 16 years in the United States Air Force, 17 years working for Lansing Community College as an Aircraft Mechanic / Inspector, and Instructor.

Darian Balser graduated from LCC’s Aviation Maintenance program with both his Airframe and Powerplant license in 2019. Upon graduation, Darian worked for Williams International as a light-gas turbine engine specialist in both the commercial and research divisions. He is excited to be back teaching the next generation of aircraft mechanics and is also pursuing a degree in computer-aided design and manufacturing engineering.

Paul Fancey started his career in aviation in 1974 when he was hired as a Glider Pilot Instructor with the Air Cadet League of Canada. In 1976 he graduated from Centennial College with a Certificate in Aircraft Maintenance. His first job was with DeHavilland Aircraft as an Aircraft Assembler for the newly designed Dash 7 aircraft. After acquiring his Aircraft Maintenance License he accepted the position of Director of Maintenance at Huron Aviation where he managed 5 company aircraft as well as 30 customer private aircraft. In 1980 he joined a corporate flight department and assisted in maintaining various aircraft throughout the past 36 years. In 2007 Paul graduated from the Devos Graduate School with an Executive MBA. He is currently the Director of Maintenance for a corporate flight department and acts as an adjunct instructor for Lansing Community College in the Aircraft Maintenance field. He maintains a Private Pilot and Glider Pilot license, Canadian AME License, A&P Certification along with an IA Certificate and is certified as a Level II Liquid Penetrant Inspector.

Stephen Foster earned his FAA Single-Engine and Multi-Engine Commercial Pilot Certificates in 1992 and is a former Army Paratrooper.  He was the top graduate of his Army Aircraft Structural Repairer Class in 2013 and became a full-time Aircraft Technician for the Michigan Army National Guard in 2015.  He earned his FAA Airframe and Powerplant Certificates in 2019.  In his leisure time, Stephen enjoys the outdoors, fishing, drawing, and painting.