The Team
Administration
Erik, Chief Executive Officer
Erik first started in the Flight Sim Community with FS98 and an inspiration for flight secondary to his father who was a pilot in the Police Department. His interest in aviation has carried over into his real world career where he is an aircraft mechanic for one of the major feeder airlines in the US. Erik spends much of his day coming to the rescue of the passengers whenever there is a mechanical issue, usually saving the day. As for flying, he has flown too many times to count, but recalls flying in Aspen, CO with its unique approach and proximity to the surrounding terrain. This is where one would hear TERRAIN! TERRAIN! as Erik commandeers his plane in his favored simulator of P3D 4.5 into challenging approaches. Erik is the Western Operations Manager and manages all the western Hubs and Hub Managers.
Jeff, Chief Financial Officer
Jeff began his flight sim career on a Commodore 128 using Sublogic Flight Simulator 2 in 1987. In his 30+ year tenure in flight simulation, he has seen many improvements, and has joined various virtual airlines, most of which no longer exist. However, his experience with what works and what does not work when it comes to VA administration along with his real world management experience, is key in the administration of The Delta Virtual. He also brings with him an extensive education which contributes to the overall legal compliance of our day to day operations. In his capacity as CFO, he manages our total finance picture, and as a member of the Admin team, he contributes a conservative management approach to any decisions made by the team, tempered with his legal fortitude. Jeff has been CFO since the VA began in December 2019.
Robert, Director - Human Resources
Robert ventured into the flight simulation community over 15 years ago when a lifelong fascination with aviation led to exploring virtual skies through FSX, P3D, and MSFS 2020. Over the years, Robert has been an active member of several passenger Virtual Airlines, gaining a wealth of experience and insight from diverse operations and administrations. This varied history has allowed Robert to observe and adopt best practices from multiple Virtual Airlines, shaping a well-rounded perspective on effective community management. Coupled with real-world experience in aviation through the US Navy or as a government contractor as an aircraft mechanic serving in a leadership role, Robert is a valuable asset to the Admin Team at The Delta Virtual. Having witnessed the challenges and pitfalls of uneven governance within Virtual Airlines, Robert brings a measured and fair approach to the role of Director of Human Resources. A proud member of The Delta Virtua lsince its inception serving as Hub Manager at SLC and then SEA before taking the position overseeing several hubs as the Eastern Operations Manager before being promoted as Director of Human Recourses, Robert remains committed to fostering an inclusive and thriving community for all members.
Justin, Director - Pilot Operations
Justin joined the flight simulation community with Microsoft Flight Simulator 95 and has been a dedicated member of The Delta Virtual since 2021. He started as a pilot at LAX before advancing through leadership roles as the Assistant Hub Manager for Salt Lake City, Hub Manager for Seattle, and later, Central Operations Manager. His steady progression through these roles has provided him with valuable experience in managing pilots and operations across multiple hubs. In addition to his passion for virtual aviation, Justin brings real-world experience as a Senior Non-Commissioned Officer in the United States Air Force, where he serves as a Munitions Superintendent. He oversees the assembly and disassembly of conventional explosives, a role that requires precision, discipline, and leadership. Skills that translate seamlessly into his responsibilities at The Delta Virtual. Justin has a strong enthusiasm for simulation, enjoying MSFS, DCS, and iRacing in his free time. His ability to approach situations with patience and strategic thinking. He is committed to ensuring a seamless experience for pilots and staff alike, fostering a welcoming and structured environment within TDV.
Cyrus, Director - Technology
Cyrus joined the Flight Simulator community in 2001 when an intense interest in becoming a pilot caused him to pick up a copy of Flight Simulator X. He moved to X-Plane in 2017, and finds relaxation in flight sim when he is not busy in his real world job in software and services industry. Cyrus has been the coder behind all that is The Delta Virtual, designing a robust and secure platform for our pilots. He joined The Delta Virtual soon after its inception in December 2019, in his role as Director of Information Technology. Without his expertise, we would have immense difficulty setting ourselves apart from other VA's, owing to the abandonment of the "cookie-cutter VA" in his design and development of The Delta Virtual. He is constantly tweaking his design, improving the pilot experience with each deployment. He sets his own accomplishment level high, and never falls short in his dedication to creating the best VA platform in the Flight Sim Community he joined many years ago.
