About the Foundation
Dedicated to mentoring young people who aspire to become pilots and pursue careers in aviation, aerospace, and Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM).
Mentoring the Future Leaders of Aviation
The Jeff Pino Foundation is dedicated to mentoring and facilitating opportunities for young people who seek out a future career path in aviation. Whether they have the ambition to become a pilot, technician, or leader in a corporate setting, our mission is to provide every future aviator a well-established learning environment where they can begin to master their skills.
Inspire
Inspiring today’s youth by cultivating a passion for flight from an early age.
Educate
Educate by offering real-life, hands-on learning activities.
Achieve
Providing our community the means to achieve their goals.
Honoring Jeff
In memory of Jeff Pino, an aviation legend who left us unexpectedly in February 2016, we reflect on his impactful career, beginning as a U.S. Army Aviator and culminating in leadership roles at Bell, Sikorsky Aircraft, and XTI Aircraft Company.
Beyond his professional achievements, Jeff was a beloved son, brother, and friend, leaving behind a legacy of leadership and innovation. To honor his memory, we established the Jeff Pino Foundation, dedicated to preserving his passion for aviation and fostering innovation.
The foundation aims to inspire future leaders, support aviation education, and contribute to research in the field. As we say goodbye, we are committed to carrying Jeff's values and vision forward through the foundation's work. Fly west, Jeff, your influence continues through the mission of the Jeff Pino Foundation.
Our Team
Greg A. Allen
Greg has more than 30 years of experience in the helicopter operations industry. He currently serves as Chief Operating Officer for Macquarie Rotorcraft Leasing. As the former President & CEO of Uniflight, an Authorized Airbus, Bell, and Leonardo Customer Service Facility, Greg supported government and commercial helicopter operators. Before Uniflight, Greg owned and operated Helijet Holdings, Inc., providing electronic news-gathering helicopters to Dallas-Fort Worth television and radio stations. Greg holds a Commercial Rotorcraft and Fixed Wing pilot license, having logged over 5,000 flight hours.
Nancy McGee
Explorer and filmmaker Nancy McGee is the first female Exosuit pilot whose expeditions have opened several new regions to responsible eco-tourism. She has dived seven continents in a marine career spanning more than 40 years. Nancy produces, edits, and films documentaries focusing on conservation and education. She currently serves as Vice President for Chapters for The Explorers Club and works full-time in public education. Nancy is also a consultant and expert in hands-on, experiential STEM learning for educators and youth.
Brenda Townsend
Brenda is a dedicated educator with 35+ years of experience designing and implementing innovative STEM programs for PreK-12 students. A lifelong advocate for hands-on, experiential learning, she believes active participation is essential to unlocking each student’s potential. She has served as a classroom teacher, program director, curriculum developer, and Director of Education at several nonprofit organizations. In these roles, she has led educational initiatives that connect students, educators, and communities through engaging STEM experiences, creating lessons that inspire curiosity and confidence while making learning meaningful and accessible for students of all ages.
Ryley Smith
Ryley Smith serves as Program Facilitator for Aero Explorer, where she helps coordinate and lead hands-on aviation and aerospace experiences for students across North Texas. Since joining the program in its earliest stages, she has supported school events, student engagement, and program operations while helping create meaningful experiences for students and educators. Prior to joining Aero Explorer, Ryley worked in youth-focused fundraising and team leadership roles, leading campaigns that raised more than $1.5 million for schools and educational programs in DFW. She is passionate about encouraging students and helping young people feel excited about their future.
Cindy Pino
Cindy Pino is a lifelong educator, having taught elementary, middle, and high school students in a career that spans 43 years. Cindy holds a Master’s degree in Education from the University of Arizona. She has received numerous awards for her dedication to education, including the runner-up for Arizona Teacher of the Year. Cindy spent many summers as an educational consultant, providing in-service training to teachers across Arizona, California, and Mississippi. In June of 2023, Cindy retired from education to focus her time on the foundation named for her beloved brother Jeff.
Anthony Moreland
Anthony is a seasoned sales and marketing professional with over 20 years of experience in the aerospace industry. Anthony is the Vice President, Commercial Business at Safran Helicopter Engines. Before coming to Safran, Anthony held various roles with Bell and Sikorsky. Anthony is an accomplished and decorated military officer who served in the United States Army and is qualified on the Apache and Cobra attack helicopters. He holds a Master’s of Business Administration from Texas Christian University and a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Southern Illinois University.
Grace Nakazawa
Grace has over 30 years of experience in the Aerospace and Defense industries. She is an original founding member and current president of Aerospace Marketing Lab, a specialized marketing communications firm focusing solely on the Aerospace and Defense markets. Prior to forming AML, Grace held roles at the Boeing/McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Company and Arizona State University. Grace holds a Master of Education degree and a Bachelor of Science in Design from Arizona State University. She has received numerous awards for publication excellence and is an active volunteer within her local community.