The advisory committee will guide the university on decisions about curriculum, training, and launching in-demand programs.

BETHLEHEM, PA — April 28, 2026: Today, Moravian University announced the formation of the Moravian University Aviation Advisory Committee. This body of industry professionals, safety experts, and distinguished alumni will provide strategic oversight to ensure the curriculum meets the rigorous demands of the modern aerospace sector. Moravian University announced the launch of aviation programs beginning in fall 2026, leading to the creation of this critical group.

The committee brings together executive leadership from the world’s largest airlines, aircraft manufacturers, and regional infrastructure authorities to guide Moravian’s mission of addressing the critical global pilot and aviation management shortage.

“To launch a world-class aviation program, you must be guided by the people shaping the industry,” said Bryon Grigsby, president of Moravian University. “This committee ensures that from day one, our students are learning in a curriculum vetted by professionals and industry leaders from Boeing, American Airlines, and United Airlines. We aren’t just teaching students how to fly, direct air traffic, and operate airline facilities; we are preparing them to be leaders.”

The Moravian University Aviation Advisory Committee members include:

Chris Broom: Vice President of Commercial Training Solutions at Boeing.

Kathryn Creedy: Noted Aviation Author, Speaker, and Moravian University Alumna.

Mark S. Cronin: Retired American Airlines captain, founder of the Velocity R Aviation Foundation.

Doug Demko: Chief Operating Officer at Shift4.

Evita Garces: Vice President of Maintenance at American Airlines.

Michael Palazzolo: PSA Captain and Check Airman; Accident Investigation Specialist, ALPA Accident Investigator and aviation safety expert.

Vasu Raja: Co-Founder and CEO of Dihedral; former Chief Commercial Officer at American Airlines.

Pam Rea: United Airlines Captain and Moravian University Alumnus.

Colin Riccoban: Director of Public and Government Relations for the Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority.

Tom Stoudt: Executive Director of the Lehigh/Northampton Airport Authority.

Adam Winkler: Standards & Training Captain, Merck Sharp & Dohme

The committee’s primary focus will be aligning Moravian’s flight training and aviation management tracks with real-world hiring needs, safety protocols, and the technological evolution of commercial flight. By leveraging the expertise of alumni like Kathryn Creedy and Pam Rea, alongside local partners like Tom Stoudt of a busy regional airport like LVIA, the University is creating a direct pipeline from the classroom to the flight deck.

Moravian University’s aviation programs officially begin in the fall of 2026, offering paths in both professional pilot training and aviation management.

For more information on the programs and the advisory committee, visit moravian.edu/aviation.

Program Director:
Moravian University
Rachel L. Hall
hallr@moravian.edu 

Media contact:
Moravian University
Michael Corr
corrm@moravian.edu 
610.861.1365

About Moravian University
Moravian University, located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, is the nation’s sixth-oldest university and offers undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificates. For more than 280 years, Moravian University’s education has been preparing each individual for a reflective life, fulfilling careers, and transformative leadership in a world of change. Moravian University is a member of The New American Colleges and Universities (NACU), a national consortium of private comprehensive colleges and universities working together to graduate extraordinary professionals for a global workforce and society. 

In 2024, Moravian University became part of a World Heritage designation when Moravian Church Settlements — Bethlehem, Gracehill (Northern Ireland, UK), and Herrnhut (Saxony, Germany) joined Christiansfeld (Denmark) as a single World Heritage Site—Moravian Church Settlements. Moravian is just the second university in the United States to be part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site designation and only the eighth university in the world to have this recognition.

Visit moravian.edu to learn more about how Moravian University prepares its students for lifelong success.