Stephen L. Avery
Chief Executive Officer
With over 55 years of aviation experience, Mr. Avery brings a rare blend of military precision and commercial expertise to Avery Aircraft. He is a graduate of all Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University flight courses, holding an A.S. in Aviation Management and a B.S. in Aeronautical Science. During his time at Embry-Riddle, he served as the President of the Aero University Student Body and Alumni Association and founded the Eta Iota Chapter of Sigma Chi on campus.
Mr. Avery began his career as a USAF Military Fighter Pilot at Williams AFB, Arizona, where he was selected as a TAC F-111F Pilot—earning recognition as Top Gun and Aircrew of the Year at his Fighter Wing, Mountain Home AFB, Idaho. He later served as a Black Ops Command Pilot, flying White House Limousines and supporting the Secret Service as their Volant Banner Crew. He was also Inner and Outer qualified as a US Embassy Pilot for all of South America, logging thousands of hours flying advanced aircraft in high-stakes missions across the globe. Following his military service, he transitioned into the commercial sector as an International Airline Captain flying out of Charlotte, Pittsburgh, and Philadelphia, primarily to Europe. He successfully led long-haul operations for decades and is type-rated and qualified in most Airbus and Boeing airliners.
For the past 15+ years, Mr. Avery has focused on aircraft, helicopter, and military sales, connecting governments, corporations, and private buyers with the aviation solutions they need. Leveraging his operational expertise and global network, he provides trusted guidance in complex transactions that demand both technical depth and international market insight. His multinational team spans Germany, India, South Africa, Canada, and the United States (California, Arizona, Georgia, South Carolina, Florida, Idaho, Maryland, New York, Nevada, and Texas), as well as Beirut and Cork, Ireland. Together, the team combines decades of military, commercial, and technical aviation expertise with on-the-ground knowledge across key global markets—delivering credibility, transparency, and results.
J. Bruce Huffman
Senior Executive Vice President
J. Bruce Huffman is a retired U.S. Army Colonel, Master Army Aviator, and 50-year veteran of business aviation with more than 15,900 accident-free flight hours and numerous type ratings. He earned an Airline Transport Pilot certificate in both fixed and rotary wing aircraft, holds Certified Flight Instructor ratings in both categories, and completed a distinguished 31-year Army career spanning active and reserve service. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Professional Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and a master’s degree in Instructional and Performance Technology from Boise State University.
He founded Flight Assurance in 2009, where he serves as principal consultant and has developed unique process templates for business aircraft operations. His prior leadership roles include Director of Aviation at Drummond Company, Director of Operations at Precision Jet Management, Director of Sales Demonstration Flight Operations for Bombardier’s Challenger and Learjet divisions, Senior Vice President of Customer Operations at Avolar (UAL), and Senior Vice President for International Operations at NetJets, including Managing Director for NetJets Europe.
Mr. Huffman is the recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) and is actively associated with the DFC Society. He currently serves as Chairman Emeritus of The Distinguished Flying Cross Society and is a member of the National Business Aviation Association, V.H.P.A., Reserve Officers Association, M.O.A.A., Daedalians, Toastmasters International, Army Aviation Heritage Foundation, and the Association of the United States Army. He resides in Oracle, AZ with his wife Beverly of 51 years and their two sons.
Byron Derringer
Chief Information Officer | Chief Technology Officer
Byron Derringer brings 32 years of experience to Avery Aircraft, spanning the Intelligence Community (IC), top-tier law firms, and federal government service. During his 15 years in the IC, he operated in highly sensitive, mission-critical environments, securing critical infrastructure, minimizing threats, and ensuring operational integrity under strict security and compliance. His work sharpened his expertise in cybersecurity, risk management, analytics, and the practical application of advanced technologies in regulated, high-stakes settings. In the legal sector, Byron drove digital transformation and data-driven strategies at top-tier law firms, connecting legal, operational, and technical priorities while supporting client service, internal innovation, and governance. On the federal side, he contributed to mission-aligned technology initiatives that advanced national priorities and cross-functional leadership.
Byron holds a Master of Science in Management Information Systems from American University, a Bachelor of Science in Health, Fitness, and Recreational Resources from George Mason University, and an Associate degree in Business Administration from Northern Virginia Community College. He is also a Georgetown University Certified Legal Assistant, a Certified Knowledge Manager through the Knowledge Management Institute, a Certified Biometrics Professional through IEEE, and has completed Artificial Intelligence: Implications for Business Strategy through the MIT Sloan School of Management. He is the sole inventor of U.S. Patent No. 6,486,825 for an “Apparatus and Method for Detecting Objects Located on an Airport Runway,” a direct contribution to aviation safety. He is known for results-driven leadership, strategic problem-solving, analytics-driven decision-making, and translating complex technical concepts into clear guidance for teams and executives. His approach is forward-leaning, emphasizing AI, automation, advanced analytics, and innovative technology deployment. He is also a former amateur nationally ranked triathlete, completing 28 races in 6 years.
His leadership is rooted in a distinguished aviation legacy: his great-grandfather was Captain James Ely Miller, commander of the 95th Aero Squadron, the first American aviator killed in World War I, and the sole recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) for service in that war. At Avery Aircraft, Byron’s forward-leaning vision for innovation, analytics, and cybersecurity advances aviation technology and operational excellence while honoring that legacy.
With 55+ years of aviation expertise, Avery Aircraft and Acquisitions combines military precision and commercial excellence. Our founder served as a Military Fighter and Black Ops Command Pilot before becoming an International Airline Captain, leading global operations for decades. Today, we leverage this experience to guide clients in aircraft, helicopter, and military sales, offering trusted insight, operational excellence, and worldwide reach.