YOUR MISSION. OUR PASSION.

With a shared passion for business aviation, APG’s leadership team possesses extensive experience in aviation software. Responsible for the support of over 350 unique aircraft types worldwide, the team maintains an unwavering commitment to the safety and quality of APG’s services.

Shawn Mechelke

President, Aircraft Performance Group, Rocket Route, and Seattle Avionics

Shawn Mechelke is an Aviation Technology Executive with over 30 years of experience. 

Shawn has held technology leadership positions with NAVBLUE, Navtech, Schneider Electric, Telvent DTN, Sabre and Flight Explorer.  He also spent the first part of his career working as the Manager, Dispatch for ATA Airlines.  His career has focused on developing new technologies in commercial and business aviation, both in web and EFB platforms, developing patents, and leading innovation in flight planning, aircraft performance, crew and scheduling optimization, weather, flight tracking and air-to-ground communications. 

Shawn has a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Studies and a Minor in Meteorology from the University of North Dakota. He also obtained his Master of Business Administration from Clayton State University. Shawn is an FAA licensed Commercial Pilot with Instrument Rating and holds an FAA Aircraft Dispatcher license. 

Sean Smart

Sean Smart

Global Head of Product Development

Sean Smart has worked in aviation for over 20 years.

Sean started his aviation career as a ramp agent in La Crosse, WI, for American Eagle. He then joined Midwest Airlines in Milwaukee, WI, where he worked as a dispatcher and operations coordinator in the OCC and worked in Operations Automation, providing technology and systems support. He then moved to Midwest’s performance engineering team as a Sr. Aircraft Performance Software Engineer. Sean left aviation for a few years and worked as a developer in the logistics and agricultural sectors but returned to aviation with Hewlett Packard Enterprise Services as a Sr. Software Developer and, later, held positions with NAVBLUE, the software division of Airbus.

Sean Graduated from Lakeland University in Plymouth, WI, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science. 

Uwe Nitsche

Uwe Nitsche

Global Head of Software Development and QA

Uwe Nitsche has over 25 years of experience in aviation.

He is one of the original co-founders of RocketRoute and joined APG a little over two years ago, bringing with him a wealth of knowledge in aviation. Before joining APG and RocketRoute, Uwe built and sold the United Kingdom’s leading business ISP, IZR Solutions, where he worked with Lufthansa Systems Network and Frankfurt Airport. 

Uwe holds an Applied Computer Science degree from Berufsakademie des Landes Baden-Wurttemberg. Uwe became a private pilot in 1994 and went on to become a qualified commercial pilot instructor. He regularly flies an Eclipse Jet, holds an Airline Transport Pilot license and is a CFII/MEII. He is also fluent in German and Dutch.  

Gene Albright

Gene Albright

Global Head of Aircraft Engineering and Production

Gene Albright is a Performance Engineering Executive with over 25 years of aviation experience.
 
His career includes working as a design engineer at Raytheon Aircraft Company and as a Performance Engineer for Cessna Aircraft, where he was awarded two Chairman’s Awards for Innovation for his role in development of performance software solutions. He has directed the development and certification efforts of performance calculation software packages, has a deep understanding of Airplane Flight Manual data development processes, and a history of implementing those processes into software solutions. As Head of Aircraft Engineering and Production for APG, Gene developed the software packages for runway analysis calculations, determination of obstacle accountability areas, and engine-out procedure development.
 
Gene holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering and a Master of Business Administration, both from Wichita State University, and is a certified Six Sigma Black Belt.

Janelle Schultz

Global Head of Client Support

Janelle Schultz has gained more than 15 years of aviation industry experience.

Janelle launched her career as a Legislative Affairs Intern at Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) in Washington, DC. She has worked in several aviation roles, most recently at Centennial Airport, where she worked at the Denver Jet Center and transitioned to Airport Operations for the Arapahoe Country Public Airport Authority. Janelle started at APG in 2013, managing the Airport Data team before transitioning to her current role.

Janelle holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Aviation Management with a minor in International Business from Metropolitan State University of Denver. 

 

Steve Podradchik

Steve Podradchik

Global Head of Navigational Data and Production

Steve has over 20 years of experience in aviation.

Steve started his career in aviation in 2002 as the co-founder and CEO of Seattle Avionics, making the award-winning Voyager Flight Software System for Windows that helped pilots create flight plans faster and easier than ever before. Later, he helped expand the brand of US and European aviation data, ChartData, to more than 20 major aviation companies worldwide including BendixKing®, Aspen®, Dynon®, and more. Later, Seattle Avionics partnered with AOPA to create the top-rated aviation app for the iPad – FlyQ™ EFB. Before creating Seattle Avionics, Steve was the CEO of Medio and Marketwave.

Steve holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics with concentrations in Marketing and Finance from the University of Pennsylvania.

Darin S.

Darin Sharp

Global Head of Finance

Darin has over 30 years of accounting experience, with over 20 years in senior leadership positions. 

Darin has held positions in both public & private sectors in the Food Service, Consulting, Telecom and Software sectors across large global and private corporate structures. Most recently, Darin served 5 years as the Corporate Controller for a privately held software company.

Darin holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Economics from Oklahoma State University and is a Certified Public Accountant in Texas.

Jessica

Jessica Thompson

Global Head of Marketing

Jessica has over 15 years of experience in marketing, with over 10 years in leadership positions.

Jessica has held positions in SAAS Software, Brokerage, and Mortgage industries for global companies in both public & private sectors. Most recently, Jessica was the Director of Marketing for six years at a private SAAS software company.

Jessica holds a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing and Management from Northwood University and Associate degrees in Graphic Design and Business Administration. She also holds certificates in Management, Sales Marketing and Customer Service.

David

David Steinbrunner

Head of Sales – Americas

David has over 10 years of experience in aviation, with over 25 years of experience in sales and asset management.

He began his sales career with CompUSA selling networking products and services to small businesses. David worked with Protection One and National Monitoring Center, selling security solutions B2B and managing multifamily portfolios. He directed the sales team for SoloProtect’s North American operation, which focused on life safety technology for businesses’ lone workers.

David has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of North Texas. David became a private pilot in 2011 and continues to enjoy flying while living in an airpark within the DFW metroplex.

Mark Stevens

Mark Stevens

Head of Sales – EMEA

Mark Stevens has over 28 years of aviation experience.

Mark began his engineering career in Scotland as an Apprentice Aircraft Engine Technician progressing to Non-Destructive Test Inspector at GE Aircraft Engines while earning his Six Sigma Black Belt certification and engineering degree.

He then transitioned to BAE Systems Regional Aircraft to lead their Spares Engineering & Tooling team. He advanced to IPT Leader – Asset Management, supporting aircraft refurbishment and leasing programs, gaining Chairman’s Awards for Innovation in 2008 and 2009 before taking up the role of Asset Business Leader with Goodrich Aerostructures.

Mark relocated to Zurich, Switzerland, to head Component Trading and Maintenance for SR Technics. Returning to the UK as Senior Sales Leader for Avionics Aftermarket and then Crew Interface Systems at GE Aviation Systems, earning the GE Aviation award for Commercial Excellence. Mark then moved to commercial leadership roles with Airline Services Interiors, Phitek Systems and latterly as Global Head of Sales for Bluebox Aviation Systems before joining APG in late 2021 as Head of Sales – EMEA.

Mark holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Manufacturing Systems with Electronics from Glasgow Caledonian University.