ABOUT US

Director of Maintenance / IA

Kenneth Hale grew up in Nacogdoches, Texas, and started his career restoring classic cars (1968 Chevy Trucks are amazing!!) before discovering his true passion for aviation.

He earned his A&P (Airframe and Powerplant) license in 2018 and IA (Inspection Authorization) credentialing in 2021. He specializes in the Piper PA46 aircraft, but his experience also includes high-performance singles and twin turboprops. Previously, he worked in an on-demand charter operation as the Director of Maintenance.

Joining Casey Aviation Services in 2024 has allowed Kenneth to dive deeper into the PA46 aircraft. As the Director of Maintenance for Casey Aviation Services, the “buck stops with Kenneth.” With this authority comes the responsibility to grow Casey Aviation Services into a world-class PA46 maintenance provider, serving every aspect of the PA46 market.

Outside of work, Kenneth is restoring his 1973 Chevy Nova, a project close to his heart from his high school days. He also cherishes spending quality time with his wife and their newborn, whom they welcomed in January 2025, along with his family.

A&P / IA

FDanny Redard’s love for aviation started back in the late 80s when he was sweeping floors in a museum hangar in Addison, Texas. That experience ignited a spark in him, and he knew he wanted to become an aviation mechanic. He enrolled at Texas State Technical College (TSTC) Waco, TX and earned an A&P license. While becoming an A&P at TSTC, he even took some flying lessons and started his pilot license.

After graduating, he began my career with Elsinore Airframe, working on various heavy aircraft. In the early 1990s, he joined Buffalo Airways in Waco, working on DC-8s and Boeing 707s. He also spent many years at PID Services, working on Toledo scales as a supervisor technician and overseeing a CNC machine shop.

With a deep love for aviation and a bit of divine intervention, he found his way to Casey Aviation Services. He’s excited to be part of the incredible team, and looks forward to providing top-notch maintenance to owner-operators and helping grow Casey Aviation Services into the best aviation maintenance facility in the PA46 market.

Danny Redard has been a proud resident of Lufkin, Texas for many decades, and has been happily married to Trina for 29 years. Faith is a big part of his life, and he is an active member of Harmony Hill Baptist Church, Lufkin, TX.

Maintenance Administrator

Russell Read serves as the Maintenance Administrator for Casey Aviation Services, supporting the maintenance team with logistics, parts procurement, scheduling, documentation, and administrative operations. He also assists with accounting and payroll processes, helping keep daily maintenance workflows organized and efficient.

Russell brings more than a decade of experience in operations, administration, and process management. Before entering aviation, he built a career in healthcare operations, specializing in revenue cycle management, provider engagement, regulatory compliance, data analysis, and process improvement across large healthcare systems.

He holds a Bachelor of Science in Technical Management with a concentration in Health Services Management from DeVry University and earned his EMT certification from Angelina College. His organizational skills, attention to detail, and experience coordinating complex operations are well suited to the fast-paced aviation maintenance environment.

Russell lives in Diboll, Texas, with his wife, Jessica, and their two daughters, Gentry and Hattie. In his free time, he enjoys hunting, fishing, spending time outdoors, and relaxing on the lake with family and friends.

A&P

Kevin Robbins’ passion for aviation began with his father - an A&P/IA and pilot with 50+ years in the aviation industry. From a young age, Kevin worked alongside him learning aviation maintenance. His father had a passion for classic antique aircraft, which led him to learn the art of fabric covering and restoration. Kevin grew up behind various control wheels, learning to fly by his father, and was able to solo on his 16th birthday.

In 2002, Kevin earned his private pilot’s license. In 2011, Kevin earned an AS in Air Traffic Control from Eastern New Mexico University, and in 2024, he graduated with a BS in Aviation Management from Texas A&M. Kevin is also certified in Enstrom helicopter maintenance and is currently working toward his IA certification.

Kevin joined Casey Aviation Services at the beginning of 2025 and was previously employed at a Cessna repair station, specializing in sheet metal overhaul and repair and PMA parts manufacturing.

Kevin brings a lifelong wealth of aviation knowledge and experience to the Casey team and is dedicated to the safety of all aircraft and their operators. Outside of work, Kevin is a dedicated husband and father of three children. He enjoys spending time with his family, flying aircraft, riding motorcycles, and has a passion for disc golf.

Trey Jones began his maintenance career at a local Dodge dealership, where he remained for 8 years. Seeking more diverse experience, he later moved to a smaller shop. Over time, he found that the workplace atmosphere no longer aligned with what he was looking for. He was then offered the opportunity to pursue a career change in plumbing with a local company and began working toward obtaining his master plumber’s license. During this period, an opportunity with Casey Aviation was introduced to him by a friend who was a pilot there. Trey had always dreamed of working in aviation, inspired by an uncle who served as a pilot in the Air Force, but he never believed the opportunity would arise while living in Lufkin without relocating to a larger city.

Joining Casey Aviation has been a blessing for Trey and his family. He now has the opportunity to do what he loves while still being home every night with his wife and children. Currently working as an apprentice, he is working toward obtaining his A&P license. Since beginning his journey in aviation and learning the Piper platform, he has developed a strong appreciation for the intricacies of the aircraft and their unique tendencies. With each new experience, his passion for this career continues to grow.

Dylan Chandler was born in Saginaw, Michigan, and has had a strong passion for aviation since he was 14. Before joining Casey Aviation Services, Dylan worked on tugboats navigating inland waterways and rivers across the United States. He always wanted to dive deeper into the maintenance side of things, and with his lifelong passion for aviation, he felt blessed to find this opportunity right at home.

Now an apprentice at Casey Aviation Services, Dylan is gaining real hands-on experience while working toward his A&P (Airframe and Powerplant) license. He also plans to study for his IA (Inspection Authorization) once that’s done. Along the way, he has completed specialized training, including the Enstrom Helicopter Maintenance Course and the EAA Sheet Metal Course.

Looking ahead, Dylan hopes to one day earn his pilot’s license. That would let him broaden his skills even more and finally check off a lifelong goal. Outside of work, Dylan enjoys spending time with his good friends and family.

Raylei’s introduction to aviation began in high school, where curiosity about the industry quickly turned into a clear, determined career path. She went on to the Midwest and later the East Coast, pursuing collegiate soccer while launching her aviation education.

From the start, Raylei knew she wasn’t built for a desk job. She thrives in hands-on environments where no two days are the same and where she can be fully immersed in every aspect of aviation. Today, she works as an A&P apprentice and instrument-rated private pilot, actively building experience both in the air and on the ground.

At Casey Aviation Services, Raylei is developing a well-rounded skill set across maintenance and operations, giving her a unique, real-world perspective on what aircraft owners and pilots truly need. As she continues to further her ratings and certifications, she hopes to become Casey Aviation Services’ first mobile mechanic and maintenance test pilot—combining her technical expertise with her passion for flying to deliver a higher standard of service and training.

When she’s not at the airport, Raylei is still in motion. She LOVES to travel! You’ll find her outdoors—hunting, fishing, on the water, or pushing herself in CrossFit—always chasing the same drive for challenge and growth that fuels her career in aviation.

Michael is an aviation maintenance professional with more than six years of hands-on experience in both military and civilian aviation. He is currently working toward his Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) Certification, building on a strong foundation of technical knowledge and real-world maintenance experience.

Michael proudly served in the United States Air Force as a crew chief on the CV-22 Osprey, where he was responsible for helping maintain mission-ready aircraft in demanding operational environments. His military experience strengthened his commitment to safety, precision, attention to detail, and accountability.

Since transitioning into civilian aviation, Michael has gained experience working on a variety of aircraft, including the PA-46, Cessna 310, and King Air platforms. His background includes inspections, troubleshooting, general maintenance, and supporting the day-to-day work required to keep aircraft safe and dependable.

Michael takes great pride in his work and approaches aviation maintenance with a strong sense of responsibility. Whether performing an inspection or troubleshooting a maintenance issue, his focus remains on providing quality workmanship and helping ensure every aircraft is ready to perform safely and reliably.