PPOT Lifetime Service Awards
The PPOT Lifetime Service Award is the organization’s highest recognition of volunteer achievement, honoring individuals whose dedication, leadership, and commitment have left an enduring mark on PPOT. This distinction is reserved for volunteers who have consistently gone far beyond the expectations of their roles, making extraordinary contributions that have strengthened the organization and advanced its mission in meaningful and lasting ways. Through their service, these individuals have helped shape the direction, culture, and success of PPOT while exemplifying the spirit of volunteerism upon which the organization was founded.
Recipients of the Lifetime Service Award have typically served the organization for many years and have demonstrated exceptional leadership at the Director level or above. They have reliably fulfilled their responsibilities while continually seeking opportunities to improve the organization, mentor fellow volunteers, and expand PPOT’s impact. Many have led transformative initiatives, guided the organization through periods of growth and change, and contributed ideas and solutions that continue to benefit PPOT long after their active involvement has concluded.
Beyond their accomplishments, Lifetime Service Award recipients are recognized for the character and professionalism with which they served. They are respected by their peers, admired throughout the aviation community, and regarded as ambassadors of PPOT’s values and mission. Their legacy is measured not only by the projects they completed or the positions they held, but also by the lasting influence they had on the people, programs, and future of the organization. The Lifetime Service Award stands as a permanent tribute to those whose service represents the very best of PPOT and whose contributions will continue to inspire future generations of volunteers.
We are pleased to recognize the following individuals as Lifetime Service Award Recipients.
Some recipients have chosen not to appear on this page.
Each individual's biography can be viewed by clicking on their picture.
PPOT Lifetime Service Award Recipients
John Hackworth
Founder, President,
Board of Directors Member
Vesselin Slaveykov
Founder, Senior Vice President Board of Directors Member
Cameron Shulak
President
Board of Directors Member
Joseph Schmidt
President
Board of Directors Member
Riley Shannon
Founding Director of IT
Pilot Portal Developer
Michael Mak
Transformative Director of Mentorship Support Team
Reinaldo Cherem
Founding Director of PPOT Scholarship Programs
James Militello
Founding Director of PPOT Scholarship Programs
Nate Racine
Outstanding PPOT Supporter
Early Leadership Volunteer
John Hackworth
Founder, President, Board of Directors
John was born and lived most of his youth overseas, having taken his first flight when he was eight days old and for the next 17 years, John would return to the States for Winter and Summer holidays. John believes it was the constant air travel, in and out of busy airports that spurred his passion for aviation.
After completing his Bachelor and Master degrees in Business Administration, he trained and eventually instructed at Embry-Riddle. His first airline job was with ExpressJet Airlines. This is where he and two colleagues/friends, first established Professional Pilots of Tomorrow. In 2016, he was hired at JetBlue Airways and over the past nine years, has continued to hone not only his aviation skills, but his commitment towards mentorship and support of the aviation industry.
Vesselin Slaveykov
Founder, Senior Vice-President, Board of Directors
Vesselin Slaveykov attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, where he earned his bachelor’s degree and obtained all of his flight certificates. In 2012, Vesselin was hired as a First Officer at ExpressJet Airlines. There he gained valuable experience as an airline pilot.
As the first pilot in his family, he developed a strong belief in mentorship and giving back to the aviation community. During his time at ExpressJet, Vesselin co-founded Professional Pilots of Tomorrow (PPOT), an organization dedicated to supporting and mentoring aspiring aviators.
His career continued to progress and, in 2017, he joined JetBlue Airways as a First Officer. At JetBlue, Vesselin has remained committed to continuous learning and involvement beyond the flight deck. Over the course of his career there, he has flown the E190, served as Captain on the A320 and A321, and earned ETOPS qualifications. He currently serves as an A220 Captain and Lead Duty Pilot at JetBlue. In addition, Vesselin remains actively involved with PPOT as a member of its Board of Directors.
Cameron Shulak
President, Board of Directors
Cameron has loved aviation for as long as he can remember, and has dedicated the past 10+ years of his career to supporting other professional pilots through various organizations and initiatives. A graduate of Southern Illinois University's Aviation Program with degrees in Aviation Management and Professional Flight, Cameron has accumulated diverse experience across many sectors of the industry, spending time in Part 91, 121, and 135 flight operations. He currently flies the B757/B767 at United Airlines.
In addition to flying, Cameron has extensive experience in Aviation Safety, and has served in various safety roles at airlines, within ALPA, and as an independent consultant. He possesses broad range of experience working with Safety Management Systems, Safety Programs, developing operational policy, and other safety initiatives.
Cameron has served with PPOT for almost 10 years, beginning as a Digital Media Volunteer, and progressing over the years through Director and Vice-President roles, before serving as President of PPOT from 2023-2025. He now sits on the Board of Directors, and actively assists the organization with leading Special Projects.
Joseph Schmidt
President, Board of Directors
Joseph's passion for aviation began as a child on Long Island, watching airplanes at JFK with my father. Although he had little connection to the industry and rarely traveled by air, he was fascinated by flying from an early age. During his junior year of high school, his mathematics teacher and mentor, Ross Lipsky, and several students gave him a discovery flight that changed his life. At the time, Joseph was also pursuing my passion for classical violin, but that first flight convinced him to make aviation his career. In 2011, he enrolled at Jacksonville University, where he studied both aviation and violin performance. He graduated in 2015 with a B.S. in Aviation Management & Flight Operations and a minor in music, having completed his commercial pilot and flight instructor certificates while performing with several of JU's premier musical ensembles.
Joseph's professional aviation career began as a flight instructor before joining Tradewind Aviation to fly the Pilatus PC-12 throughout the Caribbean and Northeast. He later joined Republic Airways, flying the Embraer 170/175. Along the way, mentorship became an important part of his career. He became deeply involved with Professional Pilots of Tomorrow (PPOT), an organization that had helped guide him early in his career, and now serves as its President. He also serves as President of the Captain Jason Dahl Scholarship Fund, which supported him as a college student, and now awards more than $40,000 in scholarships annually.
In 2021, he achieved a lifelong goal when he joined JetBlue to fly the Airbus A320/A321 from JFK, later becoming a Special Qualification First Officer flying to destinations throughout Europe. Joseph says he is incredibly grateful for the experiences and relationships that have brought him here, and looks forward to the decades ahead alongside his wife, Angelica, his our two cats, Yuki and Momo.
Riley Shannon
Founding Director of IT, Pilot Portal Developer
Riley is a First Officer at American Airlines, flying the Airbus A319/A320/A321 fleet out of Dallas-Fort Worth. He holds an Airline Transport Pilot certificate with type ratings on the Airbus A320, Boeing 737, and Canadair CL-65, along with CFI, CFII, and MEI certificates. His path to American included time at Mesa Airlines, Allegiant Air, and Southwest Airlines.
Beyond the flight deck, Riley has spent nearly seven years volunteering with Professional Pilots of Tomorrow as IT Director. In that role, he has led the design and development of PPOT's member portal and technical infrastructure — work that has helped the organization better connect aspiring aviators with mentors across the industry. Most recently, he has been leading the development of Portal v2, a full rebuild of PPOT's platform, alongside a small volunteer engineering team.
Riley is passionate about lowering barriers to aviation careers and believes that accessible mentorship is one of the most meaningful investments the professional aviation community can make.
Michael Mak
Transformative Director of Mentorship Support Team
Michael Mak is an accomplished aviator who's first flight was in 1995; he has been flying with
airlines since 2008. Michael is a Gold Seal Flight Instructor, holds degrees in aviation and business, and has FAR Part 61, 91, 121, and 141 professional pilot experience.
Having to work multiple jobs at the same time to pay for school, housing, and flying, Michael
understands the needs and the challenges the pilots of tommorrow face. Michael deply believes in the mission, vision, and goals of The Professional Pilots of Tomorrow (PPOT).
It was during one fateful flight in October 2017 that Michael learned about PPOT from another
airline pilot; shortly aftwerward he joined PPOT. He began mentoring with PPOT in October 2017, became an Airline Lead Mentor in July 2018. In March 2019 he joined the Quality Assurance Team (prior team name to Mentorship Support Team) and quickly progressed to Director of Mentorship Support Team. Through collaboration with his team and others, Michael successfully enhanced PPOT's capabilites to deliver on its promise to its members and mentors alike. Michael continues to mentor new airline pilots and has dedicated himself to giving back to the aviation community through mentoring.
Reinaldo Cherem
Founding Director of PPOT Scholarship Programs
Reinaldo began his flight training in Brazil and continued on to earn his degree and flight ratings through Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida. After Flight Instructing for several years, he became a First Officer and then Captain on the CRJ series at a regional airline. From there, he had the opportunity to fly cargo and passenger operations on the B747 around the world. Since 2022, he has been working at his dream job at Delta Air Lines.
Throughout his career, Reinaldo has been involved with safety programs, hiring departments and more, but wanted a way to help aspiring pilots directly. PPOT gave him an opportunity to mentor and help build the first ever scholarship program. He served as the first Director of the Scholarship Department and during his time, the team was able to distribute thousands of dollars to multiple pilots. The most rewarding aspect, he says, is being able to witness scholarship winners achieve their goals and knowing PPOT was able to help a little along the way.
James Militello
Founding Director of PPOT Scholarship Programs
James is currently a First Officer and Flight Instructor on the B777 at United Airlines. Prior to landing his dream job at United, he taught as a CFI, CFII and MEI at ATP Flight School, worked his way up the ranks at Trans State Airlines, and flew cargo at Southern Air during the pandemic. He earned a bachelors degree in Business Management at the University of Missouri and a masters degree in Strategic Human Resources from the University of Denver.
Being a first generation aviator, giving back to the aviation community has been extremely important to him. James joined PPOT in 2019 and can confidently say that being a part of the organization has allowed him to personally and professionally grow. He has used his education and passion to help others in various roles from Lead Mentor to Director of the Scholarship Department. James had the opportunity to interact with outstanding individuals working on their ratings to peers within the department with the same passions as himself. He says it has been beyond rewarding receiving texts or calls from former students or scholarship winners about their progression to this day. James says he is beyond thankful for PPOT giving him the opportunity to support those on the journey to pursue their dream.
Nathan Racine
Outstanding PPOT Supporter, Early Leadership Volunteer
Nathan Racine is an Airbus A320 Captain and Instructor based in Denver. He began his aviation journey flying Part 135 operations with Great Lakes Airlines and Air Choice One before joining Omni Air on the Boeing 777 at age 23. He later transitioned to a major airline, where he continues to fly the A320 and support pilot training and mentorship efforts.
Nathan served as the original Marketing Director for Professional Pilots of Tomorrow, helping launch the organization’s social media presence, resulting in rapid early growth. He also founded PPOT’s Part 135 mentorship program, connecting mentees without CFIs to charter and lower-time flying opportunities, and helped organize and fund one of the organization’s first scholarships for aspiring pilots. Nathan remains grateful to continue supporting PPOT through ongoing contributions.
Today, he volunteers with the Air Line Pilots Association, serving on the peer support and legislative committees and speaking at new-hire dinners to promote well-being, support, and unity among pilots.