Epic’s Program Advisory Committee

Stephen Austin has lived in local area since 2004. His aviation career started 1986 with an enlistment to the Air Force as a Crew Chief (aircraft mechanic) on the F-15 Eagle. 

While in the Air Force he obtained his A&P license and took flying lessons at the Aero Club. After four years of active duty service, he joined the New York Air National Guard as a Flight Engineer on the C-5 Galaxy and served there for 10 years. He then transferred to the Air Force Reserves as a CAP liaison. He retired from the military in 2007.

His pilot career started with a northeast commuter airline and then in 1996 to TWA where he flew the MD80 and Boeing 757/767. During a 13-year furlough from American Airlines, Steve joined NetJets Aviation flying a variety of business jet aircraft. His college education comes from the University of New Haven where he holds a Bachelor of Science in Air Transportation Management.

Currently, he is a Captain on the Airbus 319/320/321 for American Airlines based in New York. Steve is the president of a local homeowners’ association and has served on the Epic Flight Academy scholarship selection committee since its inception. He enjoys boating, hiking, flying RC airplanes, and traveling with his family.  

Suzanne Markle is President and Chief Executive Officer of Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics, overseeing the strategic direction and daily operation of all PIA locations and programs.

Since joining the organization in 1999, Markle has served in various positions. These include general studies faculty, coordinator for educational development, assistant to the dean, director of alumni services, and director of admissions. From 2010 until her appointment as President/CEO in 2017, she served as PIA’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Having held such a variety of positions within PIA, Markle enjoys a unique vantage point from which strategic initiatives can be launched. She has a firm understanding of operational and budgetary capability, regulatory compliance, curriculum design, and the needs of the market and industries served by Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics.

Markle holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education from California University of Pennsylvania. She also hold a Master of Business Administration degree from Seton Hill University. A native of the Pittsburgh area, Markle serves on the Board of Directors for Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics and the Pennsylvania Association of Private School Administrators. In 2020, the US Department of Transportation appointed her to serve on its Women in Aviation Advisory Board (WIABB). She serves as a team leader for the Accrediting Commission for Career Schools and Colleges. Additionally, she is an active member in a host of other business and education associations which support the school’s mission.

With a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a love for people, Laurie Elliott started her aviation career as a flight attendant for Northwest Airlines, which later merged with Delta Air Lines. As a flight attendant, she developed a passion for world travel and everything aviation.

Since then, she knew that the aviation industry was where she belonged.

Her other passion is education, so she was excited for the next opportunity to work at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. There she held positions of Academic Advisor II, Project Manager-Career Services and Assistant Director of Student Affairs.

While working on an advanced degree at Embry-Riddle (MS-Management), Laurie chose to broaden her knowledge of aviation and took a position at Epic Flight Academy. As the Admissions Manager, she had the pleasure of overseeing a team, guiding aspiring pilots on to their chosen career path.

Laurie has always had an interest in assisting others with job searching. That led her into the world of aviation recruiting. As a Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist for CommuteAir, she was excited to learn more about the regional airline industry. Working for a United Aviate Partner, definitely helped her see the importance of airline cadet / pipeline programs.

In her current role at JSfirm, Laurie has put her previous experience together creating a job that suits her perfectly. She has exposure to all aspects of the industry, developing partnerships with schools and associations to promote aviation careers. As a Partnership Manager, she spends a lot of time presenting to students on career preparation and the value of networking.