TEAM
Meet our team of outstanding professional instructors
MARK NICHOLSON
TCI / CFII / CHIEF PILOT
Mark Nicholson is the Chief Pilot for Palomar Aviation where he leads our Team in all aspects of flight operations with a focus on safety and standardized instruction. Mark specializes in teaching a love for flying and the skills required to be an aviator. Mark earned his Pilot License 1983 and has over 2,800 hours in general aviation aircraft. He’s a member of the National Association of Flight Instructors and focused on teaching the skills required for Aviation Decision Making (ADM). Mark is also a lecturer of Management at San Diego State University. Mark also serves as a command pilot for the Civil Air Patrol with a focus on Search and Rescue procedures.
BEN NAZARIAN
CSIP / CFII / ASSISTANT CHIEF PILOT
Ben is our Assistant Chief Pilot and Cirrus Standardized Instructor Pilot (CSIP) at Palomar Aviation. He is a professional pilot and passionate flight instructor born and raised in San Diego. His love for aviation began at a very young age when he took his first Discovery Flight at Palomar Airport. He is a Certified Flight Instructor Instrument (CFII), Multi Engine Instructor (MEI), and Advanced Ground Instructor (AGI). He has experience flying and instructing in a wide variety of General Aviation (GA) aircraft, but is most passionate about teaching in the Cirrus Aircraft fleet.
JACK McKEON
TCI / CFII
Jack McKeon joins Palomar Aviation as a Training Center Instructor (TCI). He is a Certified Flight Instructor - Instrument (CFII), with Single and Multiengine commercial ratings. Born and raised in San Diego, Jack attended Chapman University where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Communication and Media Studies. He comes from a large aviation family where his Grandfather, Father, Uncles, and Aunts all fly for a living. He is passionate about teaching students in the Cirrus aircraft.
KATHERINE FURRY
TCI / CFII
Katherine’s love for aviation started young from traveling with her mom, a flight attendant, and dad, a private pilot. Born and raised in Boston, she graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst with a bachelors in Marketing and was a member of the field hockey team. She is a certified Single (CFI) and Multi Engine (MEI) Flight Instructor as well as an instrument instructor (CFII). Katherine is very passionate about flying and aspires to develop it in her students.
Garrett Willerford
TCI / CFII
Garrett Willerford joins the Palomar Aviation Team as a Training Center Instructor (TCI). Born and raised in Southern California, his passion for aviation began at age 18 when he attended Embry Riddle Aeronautical University earned a BS in Aeronautical Sciences. Garrett achieved multiple ratings including Commercial, Multi Engine, and CFII. In his aviation career, he has worked for Textron Aviation as a CFII and Winged Vision where he provided aerial live arial coverage for the NFL. He shares his knowledge and love for aviation with his students to prepare them for an incredible life of flying.
KEVIN WARD
TCI / CFII
Kevin Ward is a Training Center Instructor (TCI) at Palomar Aviation. Kevin is a CFI, CFII, and MEI. He was born and raised in San Diego, and attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo where he was a member of the track team and graduated with a degree in Political Science. After graduation, Kevin took his first Discovery Flight along the Central Coast and has been hooked on aviation ever since!
JACK CALRSON
TCI / CFII
Jack Carlson is a Training Center Instructor (TCI) and CFII. He was born and raised in San Diego and continued his education at Lake Forest College where he graduated with a degree in Finance. His love for aviation began early since his father was a 747 Captain. Growing up, Jack loves training in the advanced Cirrus Aircraft and enjoys helping people earn their private pilot license and add their instrument rating.
EYAL ESHEL
TCI / CFII
Eyal Eshel is a former Israeli Air Force Helicopter Pilot where he flew the Bell 212 and other aircraft. After military service, he worked his way through multiple ratings including Private Pilot, Instrument, Commercial, Multi-Engine, CFI, CFII, and MEII. He has over 3,500 hours of flight time and trained many new pilots with hundreds of hours in the Cirrus SR22. Eyal is patient and creative in modifying his training pace and curriculum to fit the personalized learning profile of each student.
TERESA MOSTELLER
DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION
Teresa is passionate about providing excellent customer service and ensuring an overall great experience at Palomar Aviation. Her background is running the VIP Department, Concierge, and Valet at La Costa Resort and Spa, a world renowned golf and spa destination hotel in San Diego. She brings that same concierge approach to Palomar Aviation and helps drive our culture to ensure customer satisfaction and the Cirrus Life.
RICK MOSTELLER
PRESIDENT / CEO
Rick Mosteller is the owner and founder of Palomar Aviation. He began flying at the age of 17 and got his Private Pilot’s License (PPL) at the age of 19 at Montgomery Field (KMYF) in San Diego. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering and began his career at Lockheed Skunk Works as a Design Engineer. He also worked for Sikorsky Aircraft, Northrup, and several other aerospace companies in both defense and commercial airspace. He served as an Executive for several technology companies including Golden Hour, Foremost Solutions, Confluent Technologies, and CMstat. He has over 30 years experience in systems design, technical sales, technology infrastructure, and business development. He is passionate about growing Palomar Aviation into a top-tier flight school with a focus on safety and standardized instruction. And he is proud to be associated with Cirrus Aircraft as an Authorized Platinum Cirrus Training Center (Platinum CTC).
