SouthWings’ staff is dedicated to solving the region’s environmental issues by understanding tangible solutions and constructing flight experiences that inform and persuade our flight partners and target audiences to take desired actions.
Hume is a pilot and co-founder of SouthWings. Originally from Chattanooga, Tennessee, Hume graduated from the University of Richmond and later earned a Masters in Environmental Studies from Antioch New England University. As a professional aviator, Hume’s experience ranges from training Air Force cadets in Colorado to flying recreationalists and fire suppression missions throughout the backcountry of southern Utah. While based in the west, Hume began flying environmentally oriented flights, which ultimately inspired the creation of SouthWings.
Meredith first joined the SouthWings team in 2008 and previously managed our Appalachia flight program. Since 2012 she has led SouthWings’ work to protect and restore the ecosystems of the Gulf Coast, focusing in particular on the Mississippi River Delta. She holds an MPA and MS Environmental Science from Indiana University’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs and a BA in Environmental Studies from Oberlin College. In the past, Meredith coordinated environmental sustainability programs at each of her alma maters. Since September of 2016 she has served as SouthWings’ Associate Executive Director.
David joined SouthWings in November 2012. A native of Asheville, he earned a B.S. Degree in Industrial Design and Drafting from Appalachian State University in 2004. After graduating he quickly reversed course and started taking flying lessons full-time from WNC Aviation at the Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) and upon completion of his CFII rating several months later, began his aviation career as a flight instructor. He has since earned an ATP rating and has spent over 3000 hours aloft in a range of aircraft and outfits that include Cessna Skyhawks as an instructor, Canadair Regional Jets as a first officer with Comair, and most recently as a captain on a Pilatus PC-12 and Dassault Falcon 20-F for a private corporation based in Charlotte, NC. David is still a current and certified flight instructor and will occasionally fly as a contract pilot in the PC-12 on some weekends. When not in the office David enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife, mountain biking and working on bicycles, fly fishing, building a vintage record collection, and playing bass guitar along with the occasional accordion at his church.
Jake joined SouthWings in September 2018. Jake’s passion for conservation began when, at age five, he roped his mother into helping him write a letter to the Chinese government to save the pandas. After learning that Chinese was not just English with a different alphabet, he moved on to study environmental studies and conservation biology at Middlebury College, where he graduated in February 2017 on skis in his cap and gown. At Middlebury, Jake spent lots of time guiding nordic ski tours, banding migratory birds, and hiking the 46 Adirondack High Peaks. Jake also spent time researching social-environmental issues internationally, studying community-based resource management in Madagascar, sustainable development policy in northern Québec, and Arctic ecology and resource management in Finnish Lapland. Prior to joining SouthWings, he spent five seasons building and maintaining hiking trails in West Virginia, New York, and British Columbia with high school volunteers. In his spare time, Jake enjoys cooking Ethiopian food, contra dancing, and gawking at the biodiversity of the southern Appalachians.
Maggi joined SouthWings in January 2019. Prior to this position, Maggi led land conservation efforts for the Piedmont Environmental Council in two counties in Virginia, and most recently she worked to enhance and protect fisheries by engaging the public in Oregon.
Maggi holds a M.A. in Community Development and Planning from Clark University and a B.A. in Geography and Urban and Regional Studies from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Adel joined SouthWings staff in October 2016 based in the main office in Asheville, NC. Adel’s professional experience includes being the project manager for an annual corporate-wide operational improvement process for the 2nd largest utility in the U.S., managing construction projects in south Florida for an international homebuilder, and supporting an educational nonprofit focused on training school leaders how to use technology. At SouthWings Adel manages all internal and external communications, social media, database design and management, analytics and reporting, development support, and flight operations. Adel grew up in south Florida and developed a deep affinity for the outdoors at an early age. She uses her passion for writing and photography to raise awareness and inspire others to advocate for conservation and preservation of wilderness and wildlife. She also enjoys hiking, running, cooking, baking and watching films with friends.
Emmet is a lifelong resident of Southeastern Louisiana. He joined the SouthWings team in 2014, desiring to match his aviation skills and passion to protect the environment. In addition to flying with SouthWings, he is also an airline pilot, Assistant Chief Pilot with a flight school and Captain, mission pilot, safety officer and instructor pilot with the U.S. Air Force Civil Air Patrol. Emmet is also a volunteer diver with the Audubon Institute Aquarium of the Americas in New Orleans where he helps raise awareness of the fragile wetlands and ecosystem throughout Louisiana. When not in the air or underwater, Emmet enjoys running, hiking, tennis, motorcycling, boating and performing music and stand-up comedy.
Sara was excited to begin serving as Full-Charge Bookkeeper for SouthWings in 2009. She majored in Accounting at the University of North Carolina at Asheville, and has worked with several local organizations as an independent Bookkeeper since 2006. She enjoys not only the nuts and bolts aspects of accounting that some may find boring (and possibly nerdy), but also the ability to make a meaningful contribution to organizations she works with, allowing them to focus on the important work that is their mission. She particularly enjoys the challenge, and reward, of assisting Non-Profit organizations. When she isn’t focusing on the world of finances, Sara enjoys keeping busy with her husband and their three children. She also likes to cook, coupon and bargain hunt, and work on DIY or craft projects.