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A few weeks ago we held Onboarding Training for six of our newest CAVU coaches. Onboarding is where we align on how we coach, how we show up for clients, and what it means to carry the CAVU standard into high-risk, high-consequence environments.
And then we got a rare bonus.
The very next week, we were lucky enough to have all six coaches join us in Virginia Beach for our CAVU Annual Training and Holiday Party. Getting to learn together in onboarding—and then immediately build relationships face-to-face with the broader team—made this group feel connected fast. They asked great questions, brought real-world perspective, and fit right into the culture we’ve worked hard to build.
Here’s a quick introduction to this outstanding new cohort.
Christopher Zeigler is a retired U.S. Navy Command Master Chief with 31 years of leadership experience across surface, aviation, and strike group operations. He served aboard cruisers, destroyers, patrol craft, aircraft carriers, and aviation squadrons around the world—including USS Vicksburg, USS Mount Whitney, Patrol Coastal Forces in 5th Fleet, USS Michael Murphy, and Destroyer Squadron 31.
Chris later served as Command Master Chief for Strike Fighter Squadron 137, the Blue Angels, USS George Washington, and most recently Carrier Strike Group NINE. He’s led teams through complex deployments and major transitions, including the Blue Angels’ Super Hornet transition and USS George Washington’s large-scale overhaul and return to readiness. Chris holds a B.S. in Computer Information Systems and is a graduate of the U.S. Navy Senior Enlisted Academy, Command Master Chief Course, and Executive Leadership Symposium.
Aaron is a retired U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Major with 30+ years leading at the tactical, operational, and strategic levels of joint and combined commands. An infantry Marine by trade, he served globally in demanding environments and held senior leadership roles across conventional forces, special operations, recruiting, education, and joint task forces.
His career culminated as the Command Senior Enlisted Leader for Fleet Marine Forces Atlantic, Marine Forces Command, and Marine Forces North, advising general officers and senior executives across organizations exceeding 45,000 personnel. Aaron also brings deep experience in talent development and professional education, including service with Marine Corps University and Education Command, Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, and Joint Task Force North. He holds a B.A. in Management, an M.S. in Strategic Leadership, and is a graduate of Keystone and the Joint Special Operations University Senior Enlisted Summit Course.
Ryan is a retired U.S. Navy SEAL Chief Warrant Officer with 23 years of service, leading and mentoring Naval Special Warfare, Joint Force, and inter-agency personnel during multiple high-risk combat deployments. He also served as a Special Liaison to U.S. Embassies in Central America supporting counter-narcotics operations.
Ryan holds a Master’s degree in Strategic Leadership from the University of Charleston and is an honor graduate of the U.S. Navy LDO/CWO Academy. He brings a common-sense, practical leadership approach and a strong instinct for building culture and standards that teams can actually execute.
Delbert is a mission-driven, relationship-focused leader with 36+ years of distinguished service in the United States Navy. His career culminated in senior advisory roles shaping personnel policy, strategic communication, and training that impacted more than 300,000 service members.
Delbert is known for building trust-based relationships across military communities, senior defense leadership, veterans, and strategic partners in government and civilian sectors. He has designed and executed programs that improve quality of life, family readiness, and transition support—bringing both heart and operational rigor to the work. He currently serves as Fleet Master Chief to the Chief of Naval Personnel (Personnel, Manpower and Training).
Robert served in multiple leadership positions in the U.S. Marine Corps, leading high-performing teams in no-fail missions—including work supporting the Presidential Helicopter Squadron and other aviation organizations.
Most recently, he served as a business development and strategic partnership leader for a small business focused on government contracts across the FAA and Department of the Navy. His experience includes leading large, complex, high-risk organizations (including command of an aviation unit exceeding 2,800 personnel) and advising senior leaders as Chief of Staff—translating national-level strategy into executable plans that drive operational performance and cultural transformation. Robert has 3,500+ flight hours, with experience spanning combat operations, presidential support missions, and enterprise-level modernization initiatives.
Brian is a proven operations director with 25+ years of military experience as a command/executive leader, program manager, site lead, and senior systems engineer in the military and acquisition industry.
He became a recognized leader during major organizational transition work supporting 155 aircraft, 15 organizations, 2,500 personnel, and annual budgets totaling $100M. Brian is also a tactical aviator and weapons school graduate with 3,900 flight hours, 700 carrier landings on 10 aircraft carriers, and 7 combat deployments. He brings deep credibility in operational excellence, modernization, risk management, and leading teams under pressure.
Onboarding is about far more than content. It’s about shared expectations, coaching standards, and building the relationships that make our team stronger in the field. Having this group complete Onboarding Training and then immediately join our Annual Training and Holiday Party made that connection happen faster—and it left us energized about what’s ahead.
We’re proud to welcome Chris, Aaron, Ryan, Delbert, Robert, and Brian to CAVU. This is a great new group, and we’re excited for the impact they’ll have—inside our team and alongside our clients.
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