Executive Director (Grand Rapids, MI)

A self-proclaimed “avgeek,” Justin Ellixson-Andrews has spent his career advocating for others and helping to open doors for underrepresented communities within the field of aviation. As a kid, he was always enthralled by planes, never missing an opportunity to sign up for a discovery flight at a nearby airshow. It was after Justin's first commercial flight at age 6 that his parents would learn his infatuation reached far beyond airshows and would later develop into a lifelong career.

Justin has held various positions within the aviation industry including Director of Sales, Director of Admissions, and Regional Talent Acquisition Partner. Prior to joining NGPA, he was the Head of Talent Acquisition and Learning & Development for JSX, a hop-on jet service. Justin was responsible for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) recruitment and retention strategy, corporate social responsibility initiatives, and community outreach programs, as well as establishing and maintaining relationships with industry partners like NGPA, Colleges and Universities, and trade schools. Justin also served as Chair of the company’s employee resource group, advocating on behalf of the entire workforce on policies including LGBTQ+ inclusion and minority equality.

Justin attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida, where he earned a Bachelors in Aeronautics, a Masters in Leadership, and a Private Pilot Certificate. He currently resides in Grand Rapids, Michigan with his husband, Kyle, and their 'dog-child', Bernhardt or "Bernie" for short.

Chair (Raleigh, NC)

Scott Konzem is proud to serve as the Chair of the Board of Directors for the NGPA, the worldwide LGBTQ aviation community.  Prior to this role, Scott served as Vice Chair of the board for two years, and the Chair of the Development Committee for three years where he directed individual donor fundraising for the organization.  He also serves as the NGPA Military Liaison, where his goal is to facilitate greater communication and cooperation between Department of Defense entities and the NGPA.

In Scott's day job, he serves as a Pilot in the U.S. Air Force.  Scott earned his commission and BS in English in 2004 from the U.S. Air Force Academy and since then has earned his MBA, MS in International Relations (Troy University) and MA in National Security and Strategic Studies (U.S. Naval War College).  Scott considers himself lucky to have served as an instructor and evaluator in a variety of U.S. Air Force aircraft from small propeller and training aircraft up to the C-17A.

Scott lives in Raleigh, North Carolina with his husband Don and their very spoiled Shih-Tzus, Jack & Bruno.

Vice-Chair (Arlington, VA)

Doug is honored to be stepping into the role of Vice Chair for NGPA’s Board of Directors.  He has spent the last four years serving as a member and chair of NGPA’s Governance Committee where he led a great team of volunteers that, among other duties, conducted NGPA’s annual director search, developed updates to NGPA’s bylaws and focused on improving Board productivity and effectiveness.  

Doug’s aviation career currently has him serving as the Senior Vice President for Safety, Security, Sustainability and International Affairs at the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) in Washington, DC.  Prior to NBAA, he worked at the National Air Transportation Association (NATA) and also served for six years in the U.S. Navy and on board the USS Norfolk (SSN-714) where he served as part of the engineering team responsible for the operation, support and repair of the submarine’s nuclear reactor and support systems.

Doug earned a BS in Aviation Management from Southern Illinois University and is an active general aviation pilot flying a Cirrus out of Leesburg Airport in Virginia.  He lives with his partner Scott and three four-legged sons (Chevy, JJ and Kona) in Arlington, Virginia.