D&J Aviation’s leadership team brings together decades of aviation experience, professional expertise, and a shared passion for developing the next generation of pilots. Our leaders aren’t just business executives – they’re active pilots, aviation professionals, and industry experts who understand what it takes to succeed in modern aviation careers.
This combination of business acumen and real-world aviation experience ensures that every decision at D&J Aviation is made with students’ success and safety as the top priorities.
Dave Carus is a Shareholder and Registered Patent Attorney at Orlando based Allen Dyer, P.A., and Co-Founder of D&J Aviation. Dave practices in the areas of patent prosecution, patent litigation, and aviation law.
Dave’s patent experience includes the areas of electrical and electronic equipment including, for example, mobile wireless communications devices, antennas, finger biometric sensing devices, display technologies, haptics, cables, optical devices, radar devices, and semiconductor devices, mechanical devices, and Internet related inventions, for example, e-commerce, digital couponing, and Internet of Things (IOT) systems. Dave has consistently been recognized by industry leaders and his peers as one of the top lawyers in his field.
Prior to his legal and aviation careers, Dave served as a Test and Evaluation Engineer for defense contractor Northrop Grumman. As part of the flight test crew at Northrop Grumman and logging over 500 in-flight hours, Mr. Carus designed and tested aerial ground surveillance and battle management systems on the Joint Stars E8-C Aircraft platform. In addition to his law degree, Dave holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering and Masters of Business Administration. Dave is a commercial multi-engine pilot and serves on the Advisory Board for the College of Psychology and Liberal Arts at Florida Institute of Technology.
Outside of his work, Mr. Carus plays ice hockey and enjoys flying to new places and spending time with his family.
Justin Ash is a seasoned Captain on the A-320 for JetBlue Airways and the Owner of D&J Aviation, LLC, a reputable flight school and aviation services provider. With a strong aviation background as a second-generation pilot, Justin’s flying skills are innate. He obtained his pilot license and gained experience as a flight instructor while pursuing his education at the University of Central Florida. Transitioning from a flight instructor to a corporate pilot, regional airline pilot, and eventually a major airline pilot, Justin has excelled in various aviation roles. His career has seen him take on management and training positions, including serving as an Assistant System Chief Pilot at a regional carrier and currently as an Airline Transport Flight Instructor at JetBlue University.
Committed to nurturing a love for aviation, Justin co-owns a leading flight school in Florida with multiple locations across Central Florida, shaping the next generation of pilots.
Based in Orlando, Florida, Justin values family time, enjoys coaching his daughter on the basketball court, playing golf, and exploring new golf courses in his leisure time.
Jess brings 20+ years of financial leadership and real-world business experience to D&J Aviation. Before landing here, she founded and scaled a passenger transportation company from a true startup into a multi-million-dollar operation, eventually exiting through acquisition. That adventure gave her a rare mix of operational grit, strategic instinct, and the ability to keep a fast-growing business steady even when the turbulence hits.
At D&J Aviation, Jess oversees all things finance — from budgeting and forecasting to long-term planning and system design. Her focus is building strong financial engines, tightening workflows, and giving the leadership team clear, dependable data as the company continues expanding its fleet and footprint. She’s based in Tennessee and works remotely, keeping the numbers flying straight while the rest of the crew keeps the airplanes in the air.
Outside of work, Jess is usually traveling, hanging out with her family and dogs, or fearlessly taking on a karaoke mic. (She can’t fly a plane, but she can absolutely land a power ballad.)
As the Director of Operations, IT & Marketing at D&J Aviation, I combine my tech expertise with my passion for aviation.
As a private pilot with an instrument rating, my career in IT and cybersecurity focuses on human-centric communication while maintaining strong security solutions.
At D&J Aviation, I integrate technology and aviation, leading IT initiatives while driving marketing and operational projects. This role allows me to blend my professional skills with my love for flying.
When I’m not at work, you’ll find me planning my next flight, spoiling my pets, or playing golf.
When you choose D&J Aviation, you’re choosing a flight school led by people who understand both the business of aviation and the reality of building pilot careers.
But they are only part of the equation.
Everyone at D&J creates exceptional flight training experiences for our students.
