Originally from Mombasa, Kenya, Shohaib “Sho” Kassam brings an international perspective to Soulbird. Sho began his flying career in Norman, Oklahoma in 2000 as a flight instructor.

Sho later accepted a role as chief pilot at Oklahoma Aviation in 2004 and was later promoted to director of operations. The company became available for sale in 2010 and having missed the ownership opportunity once before, Sho didn’t hesitate the second time. He became an owner in 2011 and has not looked back since.

Sho stays active as a pilot and is also type rated in the Cessna 525, Beech 400, Hawker 750 and Citation Sovereign+ jets. His focus is to continuously work with our team in delivering the best in class, private aviation flight experience to Soulbird clientele.

Bryan Carey joined Soulbird in 2025, bringing with him a wealth of experience and expertise. Originally from West Virginia, Bryan has made Oklahoma his home for the past 16 years.

Before his current role, he served as Chief Financial Officer at Lagoon Water Midstream, where he played a pivotal role in the company’s completion of a full investment cycle culminating into a successful exit for its private equity investor. He also worked 14 years at Chesapeake Energy, where he held various leadership positions supporting Corporate Accounting, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Corporate Reserves, and serving as a strategic advisor to cross-functional teams. Prior to his tenure at Chesapeake Energy, Bryan spent four years at Triana Energy, a start-up private equity firm and parent to Columbia Natural Resources, which achieved a $3.2 billion exit value conversion from a $300 million entry investment.

In addition to his extensive experience in the energy sector, Bryan is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and an instrument-rated Commercial Pilot (ASEL). This unique combination of credentials allows him to leverage key disciplines from both business and aviation settings. Bryan’s comprehensive skillsets include Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A), capital markets, treasury, risk management, FP&A, and public/private financial reporting. He integrates this experience with precision, elegance, and a high- performance mindset, empowering business operations, adapting robust financial frameworks, and deploying innovative growth strategies.

Bryan holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting and a Master of Business Administration, both from Marshall University, and he is a member of Leadership Oklahoma City, Signature Class 41.

Russ and his family have lived locally in Edmond, OK, for the better part of 25 years. First moving to Oklahoma in 1997 while still on active duty in the U.S. Navy, he and his wife Denice have made Oklahoma their family home along with their four grown children.

After graduating from Georgia Tech in 1989 and commissioning in the U.S. Navy, Russ headed off to naval flight training in Pensacola, FL, and Kingsville, TX, eventually earning his Wings of Gold as a Naval Aviator in July 1992. Dreams became reality and he was selected to fly the F-14 Tomcat and stationed in San Diego, CA, at NAS Miramar. While in San Diego, Russ and Denice were blessed with the birth of their first child, Ashley. Later stationed at NAS Oceana in Virginia Beach, VA, they were again blessed with the birth of their twins, Chase and Courtney. His final tour of active duty was at Tinker AFB flying the E-6B Mercury. It was here in Edmond that their fourth child, Zach, was born in 2000. After separating from active duty in May 2000, Russ continued to serve in the U.S. Navy Reserve for the next 18 years, eventually retiring from the Reserves in January 2018. In addition to his military roots, he has flown various aircraft during scheduled air carrier operations, on demand charter, and corporate operations for high-net-worth individuals.

Russ and Denice have been married over 30 years and remain extremely close with their four grown children.

A native Oklahoman, Ryan Burroughs has had a passion for aviation since his first airline flight when he was 15 years old. Pursuing this passion, he graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor’s of Science in Aviation Management with a minor in business. After becoming a certified flight instructor, he was hired by Oklahoma Aviation (a sister company to Soulbird) in 2014 and has been there ever since. In 2019, he became the Chief Flight Instructor of the part 141 flight school, administering end-of-course checks under examining authority. Through the years, he has also become a Gold Seal Flight Instructor and Cirrus Standardized Instructor Pilot.

A part 135 Charter line pilot since 2018, Ryan has been a captain on the Citation CJ4, Citation Sovereign, and HondaJet. Well-versed in FAA regulatory compliance, he brings years of experience to the table as the new Part 135 Chief Pilot of Soulbird. Ryan has a passion for Soulbird and the quality-of-life balance the company brings to what can be a very volatile industry. He looks forward to the years to come!

Nic Hawker is the Director of Maintenance. Born in Flint, Michigan, he grew up outside of Tampa, Florida. With a strong desire to travel, he achieved his Airframe and Powerplant Certification through Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach in 1999.

Nic worked his way through the ranks of aviation maintenance as a technician for a Part 135 Charter and Part 141 Flight School in Florida and then achieved his Inspection Authorization Certificate. He relocated to OKC in 2003 to be an Aircraft Inspector for a Part 145 Repair Station. As a person always looking and finding efficiencies, he was promoted multiple times within the company to become a Maintenance Control Manager and then a Director of Maintenance. In 2010 he earned the opportunity to become the Director of Maintenance of a large fleet of specially modified aircraft that were under contract to provide Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) to the U.S. Government and her allies in support of the Global War on Terror. At the helm of this fast-moving ISR aircraft fleet, spread all over the world, Nic was able to fulfill his desires to travel by going to and managing aircraft maintenance in some of the most austere and remote environments on the planet while supporting over 133,000 flight hours and innumerable sorties. He joined the Team at Soulbird in 2022 to be a part of this large and dynamic fleet. He enjoys motorcycling and restoring vintage International Scouts.

Anne Buthion serves as Director of Charter and Marketing for Soulbird. She joined the Oklahoma Aviation team in 2017 as Charter Associate.

Anne grew into the director role in early 2021, parallel to the charter department’s transition to Soubird. She oversees a wide range of charter travel, including domestic and international travel. She’s helped to execute numerous missions, each unique to her client’s needs. Anne considers herself fortunate to work alongside some of the most elite aviation professionals in the industry. She is engaged in the successful execution of aviation and concierge services from start to finish. Anne has a true affinity for Soulbird, and brings 15 years of experience in managing and supervisory roles, with an emphasis on client relations and communication. Anne holds a bachelor’s degree and Master of Science degree from the University of Central Oklahoma. Prior to joining the Soulbird team, she served as Speech-Language Pathologist at OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center, providing neuro-cognitive and dysphagia rehabilitation services.

Paige Garrison is the Accounting and Human Resources Coordinator for Soulbird, Oklahoma Aviation, and Avion Aero companies. A University of Arkansas graduate, Paige has built her career on a foundation of accuracy, efficiency, and teamwork. She combines technical expertise in accounting, payroll, and HR with a genuine interest in helping employees thrive, making her a trusted partner for both leadership and staff.
She ensures the company’s financial operations run smoothly while fostering a supportive, people-focused workplace.
Paige brings experience across a variety of roles—including Team Lead at Paycom, Financial Teller at Walt Disney World, and Payroll Specialist at a local accounting firm in Oklahoma City. These experiences have given Paige a well-rounded perspective on both finance and human resources. Outside of work, Paige is deeply involved in her community. She serves as Treasurer of her daughter’s school's PTA and is an avid performer, singing in community choirs and theatre productions. These passions reflect her love of connection, creativity, and giving back.
Paige brings precision, empathy, and positive energy to everything she does, from managing budgets, developing processes, supporting her team, or performing on stage.

Harrison is originally from Orange County, California, and has a bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Business Management.

Following graduation, he is pursuing a career in business aviation and enjoys applying the skills he obtained at university to his role at Soulbird.

Born and raised in Oklahoma City, Skye attended Oklahoma State University for a degree in General Psychology. In 2021, she began her aviation career working in operations for a part 135 company and quickly discovered her passion for the industry. Skye currently serves as a Charter Sales Associate, where she continues to deepen her knowledge of aviation and client relations. She is eager to learn and grow from her experiences and from the leaders who shape the industry.

Originally from Edmond, Oklahoma, Amelia earned her bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Event Management from Oklahoma State University. She is passionate about applying her marketing expertise and attention to detail to her role, contributing to exceptional client experiences and the continued growth of the business aviation industry.

Originally from Tokyo, Japan, Yuyu moved to Oklahoma in 2020 and earned her Bachelor's degree in Marketing. Her introduction to the aviation industry came in 2017 during an internship at All Nippon Airways, where she gained firsthand experience of its dynamic operations.
Later, she discovered her passion for contributing to the aviation industry from behind the scenes. Presently, she serves as part of the charter team at Soulbird, where she finds immense value in the opportunity to learn from some of the elite professionals in the industry. Yuyu provides unwavering support for her husband's service to the U.S. Navy while simultaneously pursuing her career aspirations.

Based out of Kashmir, India, he believes flying is integral to his life and is passionate about aviation. Rawhan graduated from high school in 2017 and began his aviation journey in the same year. He enrolled in Oklahoma Aviation and acquired his Commercial Pilot License in Multi-Engine and Single-Engine Aircraft. He is currently pursuing his Bachelor’s in Business Administration while simultaneously working toward his aviation career. Rawhan aspires to be an airline pilot in the future.