OUR TEAM
Our leadership team brings deep and broad experience from across the aerospace industry. We are passionate about delighting our customers and leading highly motivated, rapid-response teams who are happy to consistently go above and beyond for our customers.
Senior Leadership
Jeffrey J. Kaney, Sr.
CEO
I’m the founder and CEO of Kaney, Inc. My number one duty is to work with our executive team to create and promote the Kaney Vision and sustain dynamic alignment around that vision.
I’ve worked in aviation my whole life starting as a line boy at the local grass strip and have had roles as a USAF pilot and as a pilot for a major international airline. My education has been in management with a BS from the University of Dubuque and professional management studies on site at Harvard University and the London School of Business.
In my free time I’m an active member of YPO, serving on several boards and continuing my flying passion by performing in airshows as a jet warbird pilot.
Ronald J. Soave
President
I am president of Kaney, balancing strategic development, day to day operations, financial performance and technology development. Growth is my passion, and I am driven to enable our team to continuously achieve flawless execution of our strategic vision.
I hold an MBA from Florida Institute of Technology, and a BS in Physics from SUNY Albany as well as a US and International patent in thermal control and numerous industry awards and commendations. I have worked in aerospace since I was 18 years old, dragging F-14 wings around as an intern. While I have enjoyed many hours on flight lines helping aircraft fly, nothing can compare to being part of the dynamic growth that our Kaney team has achieved.
On most nights I can be found in my workshop tinkering on my motorcycles and racecars while streaming a Yankee game as everything from Mozart to Miles to The Who and Ramones blast on the shop stereo.
Andrew Mealey
Executive Vice President
I serve as the Executive Vice President where I support our team in whatever capacity is required, but what excites me the most is our relentless pursuit of technical and business excellence. My primary focus is competency and business growth through internal and strategic investments.
I hold an MBA from the University of Chicago, and a BSc in Electrical Engineering from the University of Salford in the United Kingdom. I started out in aircraft combat simulation and have participated in most of the major innovations in aerospace, defense, medical equipment, and now advanced aerial mobility. We are truly blessed to have brought together an amazingly talented team to face an exciting new era for our technologies, services, and products.
My wife and I live in a forest, grow fruit/vegetables, and have goats, chickens, ducks, and bees. Oh and of course dogs.
Heather Spillare, C.P.A.
Chief Financial Officer
As part of the Kaney team I support the financial objectives of the organization to achieve both short and long-term operational goals. I work with Kaney’s talented team to build strong relationships with our internal and external business partners.
I have over 20 years of experience in accounting and leadership roles. I have spent most of my career working for privately held businesses in industries such as banking, retail, and manufacturing.
I am an Illinois C.P.A. and graduated from Rockford University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting.
I enjoy spending my free time with my family and friends.
Dawn Johnson, PHR
Chief People Officer
As the Chief People Officer of Kaney, I am responsible for overseeing all aspects of Kaney’s human resources functions.
I have over 20 years of HR experience in areas such as HR administration, talent acquisition, organizational development, payroll, and benefit administration. I have a BS in Management Studies and I am also a HRCI Professional in Human Resources and a Society for Human Resource Management Certified Professional.
In my free time I enjoy traveling, reading, and being part of the pit crew for our family auto racing team.
Technical Leadership
Adam White
Vice President Technology
As the Kaney VP of Technology I work in concert with our whole team to drive innovation, expand our product lines, maintain our legacy technologies, and provide engineering services to our valued customers.
I received my BS in Electrical Engineering from Iowa State University in Ames, IA, and my MS from Union Graduate College in Niskayuna, NY. I have worked in defense and aviation throughout my career. My motivation is to continually learn and advance the state of the art in the areas of Power Electronics, Motion Control, Power Conversion and Power Systems. In developing technologies in these areas, I have been granted 22 patents with 2 pending.
My favorite activities are spending time with family, enjoying the great outdoors, and attending Iowa State football and basketball games. Go Cyclones!!
Dr. Waleed Said
Senior Technical Fellow
My job title is Sr. Technical Fellow. I help shape our future with technology strategies, problem solving and innovative engineering solutions.
I joined Kaney after a long and rewarding career in aircraft electrical power control systems, power electronics and advanced power systems. I worked on several military and commercial airplanes that went into service. I have a Master and Doctoral degrees in power systems and power electronics and motor drives respectively from Loughborough University of Technology in the UK. I currently have been granted 15 patents with another 17 pending.
I can’t have enough of the outdoors and enjoy watching sports in general, soccer in particular! I read science, technology, and human development genres.
Dean Wilkens
Senior Technical Fellow
As a Senior Technical Fellow, I am helping shape Kaney’s future Flight Control product designs and strategies. I am passionate about bringing safe and certifiable Fly by Wire capability to a broader spectrum of aircraft, and I joined Kaney to apply that passion to dramatically improve the safety and performance of existing and future aircraft.
I hold a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and I joined Kaney after more than 4 decades designing, flight testing and certifying Autopilot, Flight Director, Autoland and Fly by Wire Flight Control electronics, finishing as Flight Control Chief Engineer at a major Aerospace Firm. For more than 20 of those years I was an FAA Systems and Equipment DER with DO-178B & DO-254 Level A approval authority. I hold 21 patents in multiple areas of Flight Controls, and look forward to working with the Kaney team to drive the future innovations of flight.
I am a lifelong aviation enthusiast with a private pilot license. I enjoy hiking, spending time with my wife, our sons, their wives, and our grandchildren.
Team Leadership
Jennifer Aurelien
Product Line Director
I am Kaney’s Product Line Director where my focus is understanding how costs flow through the business for each product. I am driven by helping the business grow in any way possible.
I have a BS in Accountancy from Northern Illinois University and a MS in Accounting and Financial Management from Keller Graduate School of Management. I started out in Accounts Payable and worked my way to General Manager and now Product Line Director, all requiring a focus in accounting and understanding how costs impact the business.
I am a wife and mother of two amazing daughters which is what pushes me to be the best version of myself that I can be.
Matthew Barbee
Director of Program Management
I serve as the Program Coordinator and Repair Station Accountable Manager where my responsibilities include organizing, planning, scheduling, budgeting, communicating and managing different programs and projects within our organization.
I’ve worked in aviation for more than 20 years since joining the United States Air Force after high school, where I served as an A-10 mechanic. After the military, I worked as an aircraft mechanic for the US DoD, and a program manager at a major aircraft product manufacturer. My educational background includes a BS in Professional Aeronautics and a graduate certificate in Management, both from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family, being outdoors, playing sports, working out and riding my motorcycle.
Marcy Mabry
Director of Customer Solutions
I serve as Director of Customer Solutions, where I ensure satisfaction, performance, and compliance in all aspects of our customer relationships. I have nearly 30 years of experience in aerospace, with BS degrees in both Electrical Engineering and Aviation Technology as well as an MBA. I began my career as an F-15 avionics technician in the USAF followed by post-USAF roles at Boeing, where I contributed to the Space Shuttle program and served as a test engineer. I also led the development of systems integration test labs and avionics for commercial airplanes. More recently, I transitioned to the commercial space industry, where I have integrated and launched over 100 satellites from various launch sites worldwide.
Outside of my professional life, I enjoy playing the drums and guitar, running, hiking, skiing, paddleboarding, cooking, traveling, and having fun with my two kids.
Scott Morehead
Director of Contracts
As the Director of Contracts at Kaney, my responsibilities include customer interface, the execution of customer contracts, and compliance, proposal development, negotiations and promotion of company objectives for growth. I have over 40 years of experience in the Aerospace industry in both technical and business management roles ranging from direct government contracting, regulatory compliance, and aftermarket support and logistics services with aircraft operators.
I started my career as an aircraft mechanic in the airline industry where I worked my way upward into Engineering and program management. I have a Bachelors degree in Aircraft Maintenance and Technology and Engineering.
I would describe myself as a being an aircraft and racing enthusiast and enjoy volunteering in the safety and engineering groups for a Vintage Sport Car Racing Association and the motorcycle world speed trials in Bonneville.
Dave Nemeth
Quality Director
I am the Quality Director at Kaney. I strive to ensure that Quality and Continuous Improvement are at the core of the Kaney culture.
I have 35+ years of experience in Quality and Operational leadership. I earned a BS in Manufacturing Engineering Technology from Northern Illinois University, I am a Six Sigma Green Belt, and I am a senior member of the American Society for Quality. I have received numerous industry awards and was a member of a team that earned the Illinois ABE Quality Award and consideration for the Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award.
In the past I was a youth soccer coach, a restorer of Oldsmobile 442s, and was a state and national champion in cycling. I currently enjoy wood working and wood carving, cycling, hiking, and camping.
Bryan Schwichtenberg
Director of Engineering
I serve as the Director of Engineering at Kaney, where I’m privileged to work alongside a highly talented group of electrical, mechanical, software, and systems engineers and technicians to solve our customer’s most challenging design problems.
I have a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering from the Milwaukee School of Engineering and more than 23 years of experience with industrial controls, medical, and aviation industries. My career has led me to various roles such as firmware engineer, team leader, program manager, manager of systems, electronics, and test engineering, as well as director of test engineering services and director of aircraft integration and flight test. I’ve worked to help develop products such as cryogenic heating and cooling systems, MRI scanners, turbine engine bleed air components and systems, multiple multi-million-dollar test facilities, clean sheet general aviation engines & aircraft engine integration packages, and now, actuation, power conversion & delivery, and large system integration labs.
On the off chance I have some spare time I enjoy serving in my church, spending time outdoors with my wife and family, restoring antique Ford tractors, or back country flying.
Mike Tucker
Director of Operations
As the Director of Operations, I am responsible for developing, implementing, and driving our manufacturing and operations strategy. I ensure production runs efficiently and at a standard of quality our customers have grown to expect. I ensure the latest tools, technology and resources are available to our team as we continuously improve and grow.
I have over 35 years of experience in the manufacturing industry and 26 years between BVR and Kaney. Most recently I served as the Sourcing and Supply Chain Manager.
In my spare time, my wife and I enjoy family time attending our grandkids activities. I am also an avid Chicago sports fan.