Current Faculty

Berentsen, Lowell W. ,Assistant Professor Office: Helicopter Lab/Hangar-Room 3 Phone: (618) 453-9285; E-mail: lberent@siu.edu Web Site:Berentsen's Homepage

Degrees Earned: A.S., Aviation Technology, LeTourneau University, Longview, TX, 1976; B.S., Industrial Technology Education, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, 2001; M.ED., Industrial Technology Education, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, 2003.
Teaching Areas: Propellers, Helicopter Theory and General Maitenance Practice, Helicopter General Maintenance Lab, Helicopter Power Train Lab.
Certification/Licenses: Private pilot license, 1975; Airframe & Powerplant Certificate, 1976; Inspection Authorization Certificate, 1987; Secondary Education Teaching Certificate-State of Idaho, 2001.
Experience: Twenty-three years working as an A&P mechanic/technician in Fairbanks, AK--much of this work was done in remote arctic areas on field contracts. Worked on the following fixed-wing aircraft: De Havilland DHC-6 (Twin Otters), Piper PA-31-350 (Navajos), Aero Commanders (560 and 680), a Gulfstream Commander 1000, Lockheed L-382 Hercules, Boeing 737-200s, -300s, 400s, and a variety of Cessna and Piper light, single engine aircraft. Helicopter field maintenance experience included Bell 206B series & 206L series helicopters, Bell 205A-1, 212 & 412 helicopters, and Sikorsky S-76 helicopters.

Burgener, Michael A. ,Associate Professor and Department Chair Office: Room 117A Phone: (618) 453-9262; E-mail: burgener@siu.edu Web Site:

Degrees Earned: A.A.S., Aircraft Maintenance Technology, Trident Technical College, 1991; B.S., Workforce Education and Development, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, 1996; M.B.A., The Citadel, Charleston, SC, 2001.
Teaching Areas: Federal Aviation Regulations; Ignition Systems; Propellers; Jet Propulsion Powerplant.
Certification/Licenses: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Accident Prevention Counselor, 1998-2002; FAA Designated Mechanic Examiner, 1997; FAA Inspection Authorization, 1997; FAA Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic Certificate, 1991.
Experience: Associate Professor, Department of Aviation Technologies, College of Applied Sciences and Arts, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Program Coordinator, Aircraft Maintenance Technology, Trident Technical College, Charleston, SC; 1996-2002; Maintenance Program Coordinator, Piedmont Airlines, Salisbury, MD, 1994-1996.; A&P Mechanic, Piedmont Airlines, Salisbury, MD; 1992-1994; Aircraft Ground Support Equipment Mechanic, United States Air Force, Charleston AFB, SC; 1987-1991.

Cheek, Billy C. ,Assistant Professor Office: Room 126 Phone: (618) 453-9213; E-mail: cheek56@yahoo.com Web Site:

Degrees Earned: A.A.S., Shawnee Community College, 1977; B.S., Advance Maintenance, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, 2002; M.S., Aviation Safety, Central Missouri State University, 2004.
Teaching Areas: Aircraft Aerodynamics, Aircraft Structures, Aircraft Weight & Balance, Airframe Inspections, and Metals Processing.
Certification/Licenses: FAA Airframe and Powerplant.
Experience: U.S.A.F. retired. Performed duties in the aircraft structural maintenance career field for 20 years. Instructor at Chanute AFB, 1979-1983. Maintained C-5 and C-141 at Travis AFB, CA, 1983-1991. Maintained C-130 and F-15C, D, and E's, and E-3 aircraft at Elmendorf AFB, AK, 1991-1995. Maintained C-130 aircraft at Little Rock AFB, AR, 1995-1999.

Cotter, John D. ,Assistant Professor Office: Room 112 Phone: (618) 453-9201; E-mail: jcotter@siu.edu Web Site:

Degrees Earned: A.S. in Aviation Technology, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, 1975; A.S. in Avionics Technology, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, 1976; B.S. in Aircraft Systems Technology, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, 1976; M.S. ED., Southern Illinois University Carbondale, 1988.
Teaching Areas: Electronic Control Systems, Flight Management Systems, Management Information Systems for Aviation.
Certification/Licenses:Airframe and Powerplant; Inspection Authorization.; Private Pilot.
Experience: Priester Aviation, Palwaukee Airport, Wheeling, IL.; T.W.A. (Chicago, New York, Los Angeles).

Hannon, Dennis R. ,Assistant Professor Office: Room 142 (Avionics Lab 2) Phone: (618) 453-9208; E-mail: kb9paz@aol.com Web Site: Hannon's Homepage

Degrees Earned: B.S., Loyola University Chicago, 1970; B.S., Southern Illinois University Carbondale, 1999.
Teaching Areas: Basic Electricity, Radar, Avionics, EFIS Systems.
Certification/Licenses:FCC Commercial Radio Operator/Repair; FCC Radar Operation/Repair; FCC Amateur Radio Operator.
Experience: State of Illinois, Laboratory Instrument Repair/ Calibration--25 years; Domestic Electronic Systems Repair/Installation--5 years; Avionics Systems Repair/Installation--5 years.

Harrison, Matthew W. ,Assistant Professor Office: Room 106B Phone: (618) 453-9205; E-mail: harrison@siu.edu Web Site:

Degrees Earned: A.A.S., Aviation Maintenance Technologies, Southern Illinois University, 2000; B.S. Aviation Management, Southern Illinois University, 2002.
Degree in progress: M.S. Ed, Southern Illinois University.
Teaching Areas: Currently: Flight management Systems and Powerplant Inspections. Also Ignitions, Weight and Balance.
Certifications/Licenses: FAA Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic with Inspection Authorization. Private Pilot.
Experience: Assistant Instructor SIUC Fall 2004 to Present. Preceding three years as a corporate and general aviation mechanic. Maintained and serviced King Air C90's, and 100's, Beechjet 400A, Hawker 400, Cessna Citation II and 650, Saab 340, Jetstream 32, all makes/models piston singles and twins.

Degrees Earned: B.S., School of Technical Careers, Southern Illinois University, M.S., Aeronautical Science, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
Teaching Areas: Airframe and Powerplant Technician curriculum and the helicopter specialization
Certification/Licenses
Experience: Worked in several capacities for over 21 years for the helicopter division of the Boeing Company. Most recently he was a Flight Test Engineer on the V-22 Osprey developmental test program at NAS Patuxent River, MD.

Mitchell, Keven ,Assistant Professor Office: Room 107 Phone: (618) 453-9203; E-mail: mitchell@siu.edu Web Site:

Degrees Earned: M.S., Applied and Natural Sciences in Aviation and Space sciences, Oklahoma State University.
Teaching Areas:
Certification/Licenses:
Experience: Columbia Aircraft Company, Bend Oregon, as Production Manager for the Columbia 350 and 400 line; Commander Aircraft Company as Avionics Manager and his 20 year career with the U.S. Air Force.

Most, Michael T. ,Associate Professor Office: Room 136A Phone: (618) 453-9211; E-mail: mtmost@siu.edu Web Site:

Degrees Earned: B.B.A., Boise State University, Boise ID, 1972; M.A., Central Washington University, Ellensburg WA, 1974.
Teaching Areas: Advanced Propulsion.
Certification/Licenses:FAA Private Pilot License; FAA Airframe and Powerplant Licenses.
Experience: Faculty, Department of Aviation Technologies, College of Applied Sciences and Arts, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, 1987-2002; Instructor, Aviation Maintenance Program, Rice Aviation, Houston TX, 1986-1987; Lead Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) Technician at Avro Aviation Corporation, Houston TX, 1985-1986; Line A&P for NL Industries, Houston TX, 1984-1985; Line A&P at Dowell, Division of Dow Chemical, Houston TX, 1980-1984.

Rodriguez, Charles L. ,Assistant Professor Office: Room 117C Phone: (618) 453-9215; E-mail: crod@siu.edu Web Site:

Degrees Earned: A.A.S. in Aviation Technology, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, 1977; B.S. in Aircraft Systems, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, 1978; M.S.Ed, Educational Administration, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, 1987; Ph.D., Workforce Education and Development, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, 1997.
Teaching Areas: Carburetion, Fuels, and Lubes; Power Plant Testing; Power Plant Inspections.
Certification/Licenses: FAA Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic; FAA Inspection Authorization; FAA Private Pilot.
Experience: Mechanic for commuter airline; mechanic for Cessna dealer and fixed-base operator; instructor at Southern Illinois University Aviation Technologies Program since 1977.

Degrees Earned:
Teaching Areas:
Certification/Licenses:
Experience:

Sullivan, Karen J. ,Assistant Professor Office: Room 106 Phone: (618) 453-9210; E-mail: ksulliva@siu.edu Web Site:Sullivan's Homepage

Degrees Earned: B.S. in Aviation Maintenance Technology, Central Missouri State University, Warrensburg MO, 1999.
Teaching Areas: Aircraft Weight and Balance.
Certification/Licenses:FAA Airframe and Powerplant.
Experience: Maintained CMSU training fleet, 1998-1999. Maintained general aviation aircraft for Air Evac Life team, 1999-2000. Field mechanic on Bell 206L Helicopters for Air Evac Life team,

Faculty (Emeritus):

Cannon, Richard H., Assistant Professor, Emeritus, B.S., Southern Illinois University Carbondale, 1982.
Kolkmeyer, Robert O., Associate Professor, Emeritus, M.S. ED., Southern Illinois University Carbondale, 1971.
Milton, William C., Assistant Professor, Emeritus, M.S., Southern Illinois University Carbondale, 1986.
O'Brian, Benjamin H., Assistant Professor, Emeritus, M.S., Southern Illinois University Carbondale, 1985.
Ohman, Lennart R., Assistant Professor, Emeritus, B.S., University of Illinois, 1964.
Sanders, Robert F., Assistant Professor, Emeritus, M.S. ED., Southern Illinois University Carbondale, 1986.
Staples, Laurence C., Assistant Professor, Emeritus, B.S., Southern Illinois University Carbondale, 1975.
Verner, Gerry D., Assistant Professor, Emeritus, B.S., Southern Illinois University Carbondale, 1973.