Oklahoma Aviation has been dedicated to shaping the future of aviation training since its
beginning in 2004.

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 our 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.

Chase was born and raised in Oklahoma City. In 2010, he started flight training at Oklahoma State University where he earned his pilot certificates and ratings. In 2014, Chase started flight instructing at OSU in the mornings and commuting to MetroTech in Oklahoma City for airframe and powerplant mechanic school in the evenings.

In March of 2016, Chase graduated from MetroTech with his airframe and powerplant mechanic ratings and certificate. He married his wife, Jenny, in April of 2016 and continued flight instructing and working as an A&P mechanic at OSU. In September 2017, Chase was promoted to Assistant Chief Flight Instructor at OSU, and he held this position until August 2023. August 1, 2023, Chase was hired at Oklahoma Aviation as Chief Flight Instructor/SIC in the Citation Sovereign+.

Chase and Jenny live in Stillwater and are blessed with four children, Jack, Ella, Chip, and Cal.

Edward became interested in aviation in the summer of 2021 and enrolled at Oklahoma Aviation not long after. Over the course of a year and a half, Edward strengthened his joy and passion for aviation. In 2022 he was then hired as a CFI for Oklahoma Aviation where he shares his love for flying through teaching others. In 2023 Edward took his next step in his aviation journey through a charter position with Soulbird and as one of our Assistant Chiefs at Oklahoma Aviation.

Steven Zercher has had a passion for aviation from the day his grandfather took him for a ride in a seaplane when he was just five years old. He began his flight training in 2017, and graduated from the University of Oklahoma Aviation Program in 2020. He earned his CFI and CFII certificates here at Oklahoma Aviation in 2023 and was then hired as a CFI shortly after. Steven now serves as an Assistant Chief at Oklahoma Aviation.

Christian Nollert is a dedicated aviation professional currently working as a Certificated Flight Instructor and Cirrus Training Center Instructor. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Aviation Management with a minor in Business from the University of Oklahoma in December of 2022. Christian has spent the past two years advancing his career as a flight instructor. Known for his exceptional customer service and instructional knowledge, Christian is now an Assistant Chief Flight Instructor at Oklahoma Aviation. In his free time, Christian enjoys playing disc golf and spending time outdoors with his wife, Ana.

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.

Monica serves as Assistant Flight School Administrator for Oklahoma Aviation. She is qualified as PSI Proctor for FAA Testing and School Certifying Official for VA students. Monica was born and raised in NE Oklahoma in Mayes County and attended Rogers State University in Pryor, Oklahoma with a passion for social work. Joining the Flight School Administration in 2024, she enjoys meeting new people and her passion is to help students succeed! Monica has over 20 plus years of Paralegal/Customer Service experience, managing a Law Firm for over a decade and having worked closely with foster families at OKDHS as a Child Welfare Caseworker. Throughout the years she has served on several boards, including United Way, Rotary, and Make a Wish Foundation, Mayes County and Yukon Chamber of Commerce. Monica and her husband Douglas have 3 sons, Colton, Kobe and DJ and two little dogs. Monica enjoys spending time with her extended family, buying and selling antiques and classic cars and enjoys attending classic car shows and volunteering her time for anything that has to do with supporting autism.