Executive Team
James Dexter - Director of Flight Operations
Jim brings 27 years of airship and regulatory knowledge to the team. Starting with America's longest-running commercial airship program, Goodyear, in 1981. Jim's operations career has spanned the globe. From the US, UK and Germany to more exotic locations including Argentina, Brazil, Hong Kong, Singapore, Turkey, Malaysia, South Africa, Portugal, Slovakia and Poland, Jim has had the pleasure of flying airships in some of the most beautiful places in the world, and the challenge of having solved the regulatory issues involved with each. Jim holds US, UK and German airship ratings, and has logged more than 9000 flight hours in airships. Jim held several key positions, including Director of Operations, Director of Quality & Training, and Chief Pilot for The Lightship Group, and held the posts of President and Director of Operations for Virgin Lightships. Most recently he served as senior pilot for the U.S. Navy Airship Project, one of many federal projects utilizing airships for a variety of scientific purposes. Jim is a Member of the FAA rule-making Advisory Committee on Airships, and held the FAI absolute world speed record in airships until 2004.
Patrick Finnigan - Chief Financial Officer
Pat is a veteran financial executive with more than 25 years of experience creating and managing the financial and administrative operations of a diverse array of public and private companies – including Fortune 100 giants IBM and Memorex. Pat's tech sector background is complemented by senior-level experience in the hospitality, government, energy and education sectors, including CFO and CEO positions at hotels and resorts. Prior to joining Airship Ventures, he sold his own successful digital imaging software development company to a well-known consumer electronics giant.
Joanne Fedeyko - Director of Sales
Joanne brings twelve years experience in finance and accounting; consulting; and project management, plus six years experience in the nonprofit sector, prior to joining Airship Ventures.
Although receiving her Certified Management Accountant designation Joanne has always found her way into unique organizations and opportunities. She has worked with a wide range of companies from Deloitte & Touche, to a start-up telecommunications company, to holding the Executive Director position of the nonprofit Girls on the Run San Francisco. Two things have shaped Joanne’s outlook on business and life – running and working with nonprofit organizations. She has volunteered for numerous nonprofit organizations and has been involved with many fundraising efforts to support great causes that include the Burlingame Soccer Club, the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, the San Francisco Maritime National Park Association, the San Francisco Sheriff Department Women’s Reentry Center, the MS Society, and Tall Ship Education Academy. Joanne is also an avid runner and enjoys the Bay Area outdoors as often as possible.
Captain Dwayne Oslund, U.S. Navy (Retired) - Facilities Project Manager
Dwayne is responsible for insuring that Airship Ventures has in place all appropriate facilities and services for its operations at Airship Ventures' home base at NASA Ames Research Center, as well as at all remote operation sites. With an extensive background in flight operations and project management, he also coordinates the hangar and ramp space needed for the company’s daily flight schedule. Dwayne previously served as Associate Executive Director and Finance Director at the Chabot Space & Science Center, and as Facilities & Leasing Manager for the Oakland Base Reuse Authority. A retired U.S. Navy Captain and helicopter pilot, his Navy assignments included Chief of Staff to the Commander Naval Base San Francisco. In 1990, Dwayne led the first contingent of Navy personnel to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. During Operation Desert Storm, he was in charge of 32 aircraft, providing Navy air logistics services from six remote bases in the Persian Gulf and Red Sea. For more than 15 years, Dwayne also served as volunteer Vice Chair of the San Francisco Fleet Week Committee, where he oversaw the production of an air show featuring the Navy’s Blue Angels that attracts more than 1,000,000 spectators annually.