Proven leaders in aviation trading & finance

John B. Sawyer is the Founder, Chief Executive Officer, and Managing Partner of Hemisphere Aerospace Investments, managing and overseeing all commercial related aspects of the business. His duties include providing strategic direction, oversight, cultivating, introducing, and performing diligence on new initiatives and business opportunities. He interacts directly with the company's investors and customers. John is a proven leader with almost 40 years in the field of Commercial Aerospace, 35 of which have been at Executive and Board of Directors level positions. He consistently provides the ever-critical commercial perspective when it comes to executing HAI's long-term vision, and consistently provides lucrative returns for investors.

John's worldwide network of strategic relationships has greatly benefited investor groups over the years. He is a top-producing, analytical executive with a successful track record originating, negotiating, structuring, managing, and closing large transactions that generate significant net profit. He has expert level knowledge of equipment financing terms, lease/lending structures, risk analysis, documentation procedures, securitization, asset sales, portfolio management, reorganization, and workouts. He is a solution-focused decision-maker, with a strong aviation and technical background. He has the ability to motivate diverse cross-functional teams to complete projects on time, under budget, and meet or exceed all business targets in any dynamic, domestic or international environment.

Prior to co-founding Hemisphere Aerospace Investments, John served as the Chief Trading Officer for four boutique mid-size Aircraft leasing companies — two located in Europe and two in the United States. Prior to that he was the Chief Executive Officer of Hamilton Aerospace, a mid-size MRO located in Tucson, Arizona, specialized in narrow-body heavy overhaul & narrow-body passenger-to-freighter conversions.

John's longtime reputation has been that he pioneered the NTE (Not to Exceed) fixed price repair contracts for Airframe and Engine repairs, helping to streamline industry standards for basic repair costs.

John has completed over 275+ Aircraft Transactions spanning three decades, and has been involved in several of the largest used aircraft transactions on record, including the largest single recorded sale of used aircraft in aviation history. He was a principal in the 2003 US Airways transaction that included the purchase of 105 airplanes, and 400 tractor trailers of spare parts.

Tyler Sawyer serves as President of Hemisphere Aerospace Investments, bringing experience across finance, aviation operations, business development, and financial policy. Working alongside senior leadership, he supports HAI's financial strategy, aircraft and engine transactions, investment opportunities, and continued growth across the commercial aerospace market.

Tyler's experience with Hemisphere began while attending Trinity University, when he worked with the Company throughout his college summers. He spent two summers in Kingman, Arizona, overseeing the overhaul of three decommissioned DHL aircraft, gaining firsthand experience in aircraft maintenance, asset management, project oversight, and the operational and financial considerations involved in returning commercial aviation assets to market.

Prior to returning to aviation, Tyler spent six years working in financial and regulatory policy in Washington, D.C., ultimately serving as Legislative Director for a United States Congressman. During his tenure, he worked with major companies, financial institutions, business leaders, and government entities on investment, economic development, and policy initiatives, developing an extensive network across the public and private sectors.

Tyler graduated from Trinity University in 2020 with a Bachelor of Science in Finance and served as captain of the men's basketball team. His combination of financial expertise, aviation experience, government relationships, and business leadership supports HAI's investment strategy and continued expansion within the commercial aerospace industry.

Thomas Leath serves as Chief Business Development Officer and Managing Member of Hemisphere Aerospace Investments. Since joining HAI in 2019, he has led the Company's business development efforts, working alongside senior leadership to identify investors, establish strategic partnerships, and cultivate the financial relationships that support HAI's long-term growth. He is responsible for sourcing capital, expanding HAI's commercial network, and representing the Company across investor, industry, and government relationships.

Tom brings more than three decades of entrepreneurial and business development experience spanning aerospace, strategic communications, media, real estate, and private investment. Throughout his career, he has successfully built companies, developed strategic partnerships, and helped raise seed capital for emerging ventures. His experience combines business strategy, relationship development, integrated marketing, and government affairs, enabling him to connect organizations with the capital, resources, and partnerships needed to accelerate growth.

At HAI, Tom plays a central role in expanding the Company's commercial aerospace platform, supporting aircraft and engine transactions, aviation investment opportunities, passenger-to-freighter conversion programs, and strategic alliances with airlines, operators, maintenance organizations, financial institutions, and industry partners. His extensive professional network and collaborative approach have helped position HAI for continued growth across global commercial aerospace markets.

A graduate of Baylor University with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science, Tom is a proud Texan who believes lasting business relationships are built on integrity, trust, and collaboration. He remains actively engaged in the Waco community and is committed to creating long-term value for HAI's clients, partners, and investors.

Alex Hart serves as Chief Financial Officer for Hemisphere Aerospace Investments and Hemisphere Aerospace Defense, bringing extensive experience in financial operations, accounting, government contracting, regulatory compliance, and organizational growth. He specializes in building scalable financial systems and teams capable of supporting rapidly growing organizations and complex operating environments.

Within the defense sector, Alex helped scale a finance and accounting organization supporting growth from approximately 30 to more than 200 employees. He directed cash disbursement operations responsible for approximately $1.5 billion in subcontractor payments, supported financial strategy associated with roughly $2.5 billion in government contract funding, and helped onboard more than 200 vendors under established compliance controls. He also led finance professionals specializing in regulatory compliance and government accounting standards and supported the development of financial systems for an international counterpart organization.

Alex's prior experience includes managing financial operations associated with more than $400 million in real estate assets across a nationwide portfolio. He has led accounting teams, developed financial processes and policies during periods of rapid organizational growth, and supported tax planning and business development across a diverse client base.

A graduate of Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting, Alex brings a disciplined approach to financial strategy, compliance, and operational planning that supports the continued growth of HAI and HAD. Outside of work, he is an avid Texas A&M fan and enjoys fishing and hiking.

Dalton Sawyer serves as Technical Director for Hemisphere Aerospace Investments and Hemisphere Aerospace Defense, providing technical leadership across commercial and defense programs. He works closely with engineering teams, program leadership, and strategic partners to ensure technical requirements, systems integration, and engineering efforts remain aligned with mission objectives and program goals.

Dalton's responsibilities include technical planning, engineering coordination, systems integration, and the development of technical standards that support complex aerospace initiatives. He helps translate program requirements into practical engineering solutions while coordinating cross-functional teams to ensure projects are executed efficiently, reliably, and in alignment with the strategic objectives of HAI and HAD.

Robert Riedell serves as Director of Programs for Hemisphere Aerospace Investments, bringing more than 30 years of aerospace leadership experience spanning commercial and military aviation, aircraft modification, engineering, heavy maintenance, certification, and complex program execution.

Prior to his current role, Robert served as General Manager of Level 5 Aerospace, where he led the establishment and FAA Part 145 certification of a new MRO operation. He previously managed a Boeing 737-800 modification program for HAI from acquisition through heavy maintenance, refurbishment, engineering changes, certification, and return to service. Robert also spent nearly a decade with L3Harris Integrated Aerospace Systems in senior engineering and program leadership roles and completed a 20-year career in the United States Air Force.

Robert holds a Master of Aeronautical Science in Aviation Aerospace Management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from North Carolina State University, and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP).