Executive Leadership

Elizabeth Bjerke, Ph.D.

President

Bio

Dr. Elizabeth Bjerke was appointed as the AABI President in July of 2024, after over 20 years volunteering in various roles for the organization. Dr. Bjerke has served as a visiting team member, visiting team chair and sat on the AABI Board of Trustees from 2007-2016. Elizabeth was awarded the Dr. Paul Whelan Aviation Educator Award in 2016 partly due to her work in helping to lead the Pilot Source Study research that helped to justify the requirements of the Restricted-ATP. Dr. Bjerke also serves as the Associate Dean and Professor of Aviation at the University of North Dakota.

Mark Dusenbury, Ph.D.

Vice President of Accreditation

Bio

Dr. Mark Dusenbury is the vice president of accreditation for the Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI). Before accepting the role of vice president, Mark served as an accreditation evaluator for AABI. In addition to his AABI duties, Mark is a professor at the University of North Dakota (UND), where he serves as the graduate director. Before his work with AABI and UND, Mark worked as an airline pilot for American Eagle and served in the United States Marine Corps.

Cecilia 'Ceci' Shirley

Vice President of Operations

Bio

Ms. Cecilia ‘Ceci’ Shirley is the vice president of operations for the Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI). She has been with the non-profit organization since 2001 and was the 2008 recipient of AABI’s President’s Award. Prior to joining AABI, she was an account executive with a full-service marketing and communications firm in Pennsylvania. In her role there, she handled over 40 accounts, which included universities, organizations and industrial corporations. She is a member of the National Scholars Honor Society.

Victoria 'Vic' Montañez

Bio

Ms. Victoria ‘Vic’ Montanez, has been with the Aviation Accreditation Board International since 2009 and was the 2019 recipient of AABI’s Chairperson’s Award. Prior to joining AABI, she was the scene shop assistant for Auburn University’s Theatre Department. In her role there, she built sets and props for the theatre productions, supervised students and maintained the scene shop. She attended Humber College of Arts and Technology in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, where she earned her degree in Radio Broadcasting; and Auburn University where she graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatrical Technology and Design. She is a member of Phi Kappa Phi and the Golden Key Society.

Executive Leadership

Elizabeth Bjerke, Ph.D.

Mark Dusenbury, Ph.D.

Cecilia 'Ceci' Shirley

Victoria 'Vic' Montañez

RAISING THE STANDARDS OF AVIATION ™