Board of directors

Cliff Brown is the President and a founding member of US Airlift Command. He is a visionary entrepreneur and nonprofit leader with over 30 years of experience managing multi-million-dollar businesses in HVAC construction, ammunition and explosives manufacturing, land development, and retail shooting sports, complemented by a 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on disaster relief and emergency services. HIs service includes a combat deployment to Desert Storm, with 15 years of U.S. Marine Corps service (1989–2004) across all four Marine Divisions, specializing in combat engineering, marksmanship, and law enforcement. He is an expert in strategic operations, social media marketing, R&D, patents, international trade, and motorsport racing since 2005. 

Scott Dunn is a founding member of US Airlift Command. His actions during the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Helene led to the rapid organization and response provided by the organization then known as "NC Air Rescue." Scott is a US Army and reserves veteran, serving a total of 8 years in the US military. He holds an Airline Transport Pilot rating in helicopters, is a Certified Flight Instructor in helicopters, and holds Commercial pilot ratings in both single and muti-engine Airplanes. Scott has FAA certification as a maintenance technician and holds FAA Inspection Authority with almost 12,000 hours of flight experience. Scott holds FAA Part 133 and Part 137 certificates which allows us to bring helicopter lift and external load experience to US Airlift Command.   He served as a Base Pilot Supervisor and Base Aviation Manager with Air Evac Lifeteam and Med-Trans Corporation. Between helicopter EMS and Search and Rescue, Scott has conducted over 800 life saving missions and personally evacuated over 70 people from cut off areas of NC during Helene using small personal helicopters. 

He is the owner of Heli-Plane Aviation, the President of Ryan Rotors Incorporated and the Vice-President, Director of Operations and Chief Pilot(Rotor-wing)for US Airlift Command.

Born on November 9, 1949, in Anderson, South Carolina, Dunn has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to leadership and service. He was elected student body president at McDuffie High School, where he graduated in 1968, and continued his education at Tri-County Technical College from 1968 to 1969.

In February 1969, he enlisted in the Army National Guard. After completing basic training, he graduated as the Honor Graduate from the Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic School at Fort Jackson, SC. From 1970 to 1989, he served as a full-time Maintenance Technician for the South Carolina National Guard, steadily rising through the ranks.

His leadership was further recognized with his promotion to First Sergeant of Battery C, 1/263rd Air Defense Artillery in 1992. From 1994 to 1996, he served on the Anderson County School Board Advisory Board, demonstrating a strong commitment to community service.

In 1996, he was promoted to Command Sergeant Major of the 2/263rd ADA Battalion and went on to graduate with honors from the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy at Fort Bliss, Texas, in June 1997. He retired from military service in April 2001 after an impressive 31-year career.

Currently, he serves as president of Dunn-Right Inc., bringing a wealth of leadership, operational, and technical experience to the board.

Please join us in welcoming CSM (Ret.) Dunn to the U.S. Airlift Command Board. We are honored to have him on our team.

With nearly 40 years of aviation and leadership experience, Rick Guthery brings unmatched expertise to the U.S. Airlift Command Board. A former U.S. Army Aviator and FAA Designated Pilot Examiner, Rick has dedicated his career to excellence in aviation safety, training, and operations.

He has managed inventories exceeding $32 million, overseen maintenance and logistics for up to 90 aircraft, and led teams of over 30 personnel in high-tempo environments. Rick played a vital role in flight operations during U.S. Airlift Command’s Hurricane Helene relief efforts, where his knowledge and steady leadership were instrumental in mission success.

In his role with U.S. Airlift Command, Rick will oversee aviation training and pilot standards, ensuring that the organization maintains the highest levels of readiness and professionalism. His lifelong commitment to aviation and service continues to guide the organization’s operational excellence and response capabilities.

April Crawford has spent the past seven years in education, where her dedication to supporting students and strengthening her community continues to guide her work. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Math and Science Education from Clemson University in 2019. After teaching 6th grade middle school science for five years, she now teaches High School Biology at T.L. Hanna High School, where she strives to inspire curiosity, confidence, and a love of learning in her students every day.

Originally from Wiesbaden, Germany, April moved to Anderson, South Carolina, in 2003 and has called it home ever since. Beyond the classroom, she has invested her time and energy in community outreach, volunteer coordination, and building trusted connections — skills that help further the mission of U.S. Airlift Command. Her experience as President of the Clemson Eventing Team from 2017 to 2019 shaped her understanding of leadership and service, teaching her the value of clear communication, effective teamwork, and careful planning.

April has also contributed directly to U.S. Airlift Command’s on-the-ground impact, serving as part of the Flight Operations team during the Hurricane Helene relief efforts. Her steady presence and focus on coordination helped ensure that critical aid and supplies reached families when they needed it most.

With an ambitious spirit and a genuine commitment to helping others, April brings practical skills, compassion, and a calm determination to the U.S. Airlift Command Board. She is proud to stand alongside others working to deliver vital support and hope to communities in times of need, and looks forward to growing that mission even further.

Dr. Jason Spears is a native of Huntington. He received an associate’s degree in paramedic science and a Regents bachelor’s degree from Marshall University in 2002. He also attended Middle Tennessee State University with an emphasis on music business law and percussion studies. He has a 2005 law degree from Florida Coastal School of Law in Jacksonville, Florida. He received his PhD in Business Leadership in 2024 from Campbellsville University.  

Spears was elected to the Sixth Family Court Circuit (Cabell County) in May 2016 and took office on January 1, 2017 until he was appointed, and ultimately elected as Prosecuting Attorney, the Chief Law Enforcement Officer the 6th Judicial District, which encompasses Cabell County, WV. 

Dr. Spears has taught Cyberlaw and Cyber Security for Cumberlands University, Campbellsville University and Judicial Practices for University of West Los Angeles School of Law.  He also consults with Anderson University in their international student affairs. 

Prior to taking the bench he was an assistant prosecuting attorney in Cabell County, specializing in juveniles, truancy, arson, violent crime, and narcotics. He was the prosecutor assigned to Cabell County’s Adult and Juvenile Drug Courts. Dr. Spears also served as municipal judge for the City of Milton. He started his career in emergency medicine with Cabell County Emergency Medical Services and continued as a paramedic and attorney for HealthNet Aeromedical Services, an emergency helicopter service owned jointly by West Virginia University Healthcare, Charleston Area Medical Center, and Cabell Huntington Hospital.  He also worked with CJ Systems Aviation Group, and Air Evac Lifeteam establishing helicopter emergency services to rural areas 

Dr Spears maintained a private practice specializing in civil law, family law, criminal law, entertainment law, and aviation law

An avid helicopter and airplane pilot,, Dr. Spears spends his time in the air or doing photography.  

He and his wife Ashley and daughter Amelia live in Milton,West Virginia. 

 Ellisa Allen is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and the founder of The Asher House which helps youth and young adults in crisis. She obtained her bachelors from MSU and her MSW from the University of Alabama.  She loves helping people and longs to see them restored and thriving in life. She has worked with children, youth and young adults for over a decade in the field of social work as a case manager, advocate and counselor. She specializes in trauma counseling and crisis response. She is certified in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) an evidenced based treatment for children and adolescents impacted by trauma. She is a certified Chaplain, and she also has worked alongside the Fort Worth PD in CAPA and Anderson County Sheriff’s Department in crisis response. She is a mom to four amazing children and has been married to her best friend since 2009. 

 From 2007 to 2014, Joey honorably served in the U.S. Army, earning multiple awards as an Infantryman (11B) with the 10th Mountain Division and gaining specialized experience in personal security. He later transitioned to the role of Cargo Specialist (88H), where he built a solid foundation in logistics and supply chain operations.

Following his military service, Joey broadened his skill set through roles in construction, armored transport, and telecommunications infrastructure. These diverse experiences sharpened his problem-solving abilities and deepened his dedication to serving others.

Since 2021, Joey has brought this wide-ranging background into the aviation sector, where he continues to grow under the mentorship of Scott Dunn. His focus remains on precision, continuous learning, and advancing our nonprofit’s mission to serve the community. Joey is passionate about leveraging his experience to make a meaningful impact and contribute to the organization’s continued success.

John joins us as Director of Fixed Wing Operations and our newest Board Member. He brings with him a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to service.

As the founder and CEO of Clemson Air Charter, John leads one of Upstate South Carolina’s premier Part 135 on-demand charter services. His impressive background includes over five years in the airline industry, serving as both a captain and training instructor, and accumulating more than 7,000 hours of flight time.

He holds an FAA Airline Transport Pilot license, Airframe & Powerplant certification, and is dual rated in both helicopters and airplanes.

A proud native of Anderson, SC, John is a graduate of Clemson University, Tri-County Technical College, and D.W. Daniel High School. He and his wife Grace live on a small farm in Anderson.

His dedication to humanitarian aviation is unmatched—during Hurricane Helen, John personally flew over 15 missions, delivering more than 10,000 pounds of critical medical supplies to remote mountain communities in North Carolina!

Keith Buczko joins the team from the original “NC Air Rescue”. He assisted as the director of flight operations in the initial stages, working to coordinate air assets and distribution of supplies and equipment to airports throughout western North Carolina. He is a 20 year U.S. Army veteran, starting in 1996 as an enlisted parachute rigger, specializing in logistics and aerial delivery of combat systems and supplies. In July of 2001, Keith attended the U.S. Army Warrant Officer Candidate School and flight training in Ft. Rucker Alabama, where he met his wife Cristy. He spent 14 years as an OH-58D Kiowa Warrior scout and instructor pilot. He has deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, specializing in security and reconnaissance. After retiring in 2016, he and his family relocated to Anderson, SC where he worked for Med-Trans Corporation as an EMS Helicopter Pilot. In 2018 Keith transitioned to the airlines, where he is currently employed. He holds a Commercial rating and Certified Flight Instructor/ Instrument for helicopters. He also holds an Airline Transport Pilot certification for multi-engine airplanes.