Mente Group's Vice President of Transactions Brian Hammer and Vice President of Strategic Consulting Cole White have been designated certified aircraft sales brokers by the International Association of Aircraft Dealers (IADA). They join Mente Group President and CEO Brian Proctor, who is also an IADA-certified aircraft sales broker.
"Brian and Cole are both consummate pros and certainly well deserving of this designation," said Mente Group President and CEO Brian Proctor "As a strong IADA accredited aircraft dealer, Mente Group will eventually have all of our aircraft sales brokers certified by IADA."
"IADA is very pleased to include Mente Group's VP of Transactions Brian Hammer, and VP of Strategic Consulting Cole White, in the ranks of IADA-certified aircraft sales brokers," said IADA Executive Director Wayne Starling. "They join an exclusive group of professional brokers who have passed rigorous evaluations in order to achieve recognition as highly skilled brokers at the top of their profession."
IADA's broker examination conducted by Joseph Allen Aviation Consulting measures the skills and competencies that are required of aircraft brokers in order to effectively conduct their work. Joseph Allan has considerable experience in curriculum development as well as the development and management of examinations measuring knowledge-based competencies.
Brian Hammer
As vice president of transactions, Brian Hammer is involved in business aircraft acquisitions, sales and leasing activity, and all aspects of the aircraft transaction process. Previously, Hammer was vice president overseeing the technical aspects of aircraft transactions, including inspections, pre-buy inspections, completions, and aircraft modifications.
He has a broad-based background in aviation and has been involved in numerous transactions since joining the company in 2009. Prior to Mente, he was a technical consultant at another aircraft and brokerage firm.
Hammer's nearly 30-year aviation career includes serving as an aircraft technician in the United States Air Force, in corporate aviation as a maintenance supervisor for a leading 135 certificate holder, as well as working as a director of maintenance for a Fortune 200 flight department.
Hammer has a Bachelor of Science degree in business management from the University of Phoenix. He's based in Dallas.
Cole White
Cole White heads Mente Group's strategic consulting activities. His division provides robust fleet planning and feasibility studies for business aviation owners and fleet operators. Mente specializes in evaluating client travel requirements and developing solutions that consider all lift options, including new or used aircraft purchases, fractional operations, card membership programs, and charter.
White holds a degree in Systems Management from the United States Military Academy West Point with a focus on Systems Engineering. He has also accomplished post-graduate work at Southern Methodist University Cox School of Business, where he studied Financial Reporting for Managers, Strategic Financial Statement Analysis, Financial Planning and Valuing of Projects and Investments, Managerial Accounting and Corporate Strategy, and Value Creation.
He served his country as an Armor Officer in the U.S. Army after graduating from West Point, where he was recruited to play baseball. White was drafted into the Pittsburg Pirates organization, where he played professional baseball for three years. He is based in Dallas.
