Hillsboro Aviation CEO and leadership

Max’s passion for flight began as a teenager while working for Evergreen Helicopters. A fourth-generation logger, Lyons first encountered the helicopter industry in 1974 as an equipment operator, climber, choker setter, and hooker underneath a Sikorsky S-64 Skycrane, before embarking on a solo trek around Europe, Africa, and Asia. Upon his return to the United States, he became involved in the traditional Japanese martial art of Aikido, which he continued for 25 years instructing and managing Aikido dojos in Portland, Oregon. During that time, he worked for a Japanese carpenter learning construction and opened his own construction company.

In 1983, Lyons started flying helicopters as a hobby, and joined Hillsboro Helicopters as a professional pilot in 1988. He is dual rated in helicopters and airplanes, including commercial instrument helicopter, single and multi-engine airplane, instrument airplane and multiengine seaplane. Lyons’ experience includes flight instruction, aerial firefighting, search and rescue, offshore oil exploration, aerial survey, and an array of utility operations. With a passion for and history with the Asian culture stemming from his time in Aikido, Lyons pioneered Hillsboro Helicopters’ first introduction to business partnerships in Asia, developing and managing the company’s foreign student pilot program.

In 1992, Hillsboro Helicopters sold to Ed Cooley, a Harvard Business School graduate and former CEO/Chairperson of Precision Castparts. Cooley mentored Lyons through a promotion to General Manager and Vice President responsible for operations. Together, Cooley and Lyons took the previously pilot-owned school into the world of business philosophy, implementing large company practices rooted in a relationship-first philosophy.

Under their leadership, the company expanded its portfolio with an increased focus on its contract and charter, sales, and service divisions. In 1996, the company’s name changed to Hillsboro Aviation to better reflect the full scope of the company’s helicopter and airplane operations. After leading the company for seven years as its general manager, Lyons purchased Hillsboro Aviation from Cooley and became its owner and CEO.

Over the following two decades, Lyons grew Hillsboro Aviation to become an internationally recognized brand. The company grew to over 285 employees and 90 aircraft, conducted business with customers from over 75 countries, and became one of the largest privately held flight training schools in the world training thousands of students. Hillsboro Aviation’s sales and service division grew into an organization representing over 55 of the aviation industry’s leading manufacturers and suppliers selling over 1,000 aircraft since 1980.

In 2014, Lyons sold the flight training division to a group of education-focused investors. The strategic sale of the flight division allowed the company to shift its sole focus to its contract & charter, sales, and service divisions, thereby expanding its service offerings, international reach, and customer experience.

In 2016, the company unveiled its state-of-the-art headquarters complete with 32,000 square feet of hangar space and 19,000 square feet of office space. In 2017, Hillsboro Aviation received the Varco Pruden Hall of Fame “Best of Category” award for transportation in recognition of excellence in design, quality of construction, and green sustainability.

Today, the company offers complete helicopter and airplane services comprised of five divisions: contract & charter, aircraft sales & management, service center, FBO, and parts sales. Serving domestic and international markets in the government, commercial, and private sectors and operates a fleet of turbine helicopters and airplanes for a diverse group of missions for both private and public sectors. It operates out of its award-winning headquarters at the Portland-Hillsboro Airport.

Lyons continues to serve as owner and CEO of Hillsboro Aviation. He has held positions as Chairman of the Board for Helicopter Association International; Foundation Board Member for Portland Community College; Board Member for Hillsboro Aero Academy; and owner of Lyons Aircraft Leasing and Lyons Properties.

Max is an avid traveler, pilot, and family man. When not at work, you can find him flying his Lockwood Aircam in the San Juan Islands, fixing up his 1938 Indian, and spending time with his wife of 33 years, daughters, and Australian shepherd, Quinn.

Brian joined Hillsboro Aviation in 2007 as a helicopter student in the flight training division where he earned his CFII. He spent time as a tour pilot in Nevada before returning to Hillsboro Aviation as a pilot in the contract and charter division. In 2018, Brian was promoted to Chief Pilot.

Initially drawn to aviation by the dynamic work environment, Brian has extensive experience in aerial survey, aerial firefighting, LiDAR, search and rescue (SAR), construction, Christmas trees, filming, and tours.

Brian holds a culinary degree from the Baltimore International Culinary College and loves dirt bikes, motorcycles, skiing, running, and, most of all, his kids.

Ryan first discovered a fascination for flight during the launch of Space Shuttle Columbia in 1980 and began taking flight lessons at the age of 13. After a detour into the world of commercial construction, Ryan began his tenure with Hillsboro Aviation in 2005 as a student pursuing his helicopter ratings. After completing his CFII rotor wing ratings with Hillsboro Aviation’s (former) flight training division, Ryan served in roles such as helicopter chief instructor and school director. In 2013, Ryan accepted the role of director of sales and service managing aircraft sales, the service center, parts sales, and the FBO. Following the sale of the flight training division in 2014, Ryan assumed the role of general manager responsible for overseeing the company’s sales, marketing, financial, and operational responsibilities.

In 2019, Ryan was promoted to vice president and chief operating officer (COO) responsible for driving the company’s growth, systems, and vision into the future.

In his spare time, you can find him spending time with his two young children and exploring the mountainous terrains of the Pacific Northwest.

Max’s passion for flight began as a teenager while working for Evergreen Helicopters. A fourth-generation logger, Lyons first encountered the helicopter industry in 1974 as an equipment operator, climber, choker setter, and hooker underneath a Sikorsky S-64 Skycrane, before embarking on a solo trek around Europe, Africa, and Asia. Upon his return to the United States, he became involved in the traditional Japanese martial art of Aikido, which he continued for 25 years instructing and managing Aikido dojos in Portland, Oregon. During that time, he worked for a Japanese carpenter learning construction and opened his own construction company.

In 1983, Lyons started flying helicopters as a hobby, and joined Hillsboro Helicopters as a professional pilot in 1988. He is dual rated in helicopters and airplanes, including commercial instrument helicopter, single and multi-engine airplane, instrument airplane and multiengine seaplane. Lyons’ experience includes flight instruction, aerial firefighting, search and rescue, offshore oil exploration, aerial survey, and an array of utility operations. With a passion for and history with the Asian culture stemming from his time in Aikido, Lyons pioneered Hillsboro Helicopters’ first introduction to business partnerships in Asia, developing and managing the company’s foreign student pilot program.

In 1992, Hillsboro Helicopters sold to Ed Cooley, a Harvard Business School graduate and former CEO/Chairperson of Precision Castparts. Cooley mentored Lyons through a promotion to General Manager and Vice President responsible for operations. Together, Cooley and Lyons took the previously pilot-owned school into the world of business philosophy, implementing large company practices rooted in a relationship-first philosophy.

Under their leadership, the company expanded its portfolio with an increased focus on its contract and charter, sales, and service divisions. In 1996, the company’s name changed to Hillsboro Aviation to better reflect the full scope of the company’s helicopter and airplane operations. After leading the company for seven years as its general manager, Lyons purchased Hillsboro Aviation from Cooley and became its owner and CEO.

Over the following two decades, Lyons grew Hillsboro Aviation to become an internationally recognized brand. The company grew to over 285 employees and 90 aircraft, conducted business with customers from over 75 countries, and became one of the largest privately held flight training schools in the world training thousands of students. Hillsboro Aviation’s sales and service division grew into an organization representing over 55 of the aviation industry’s leading manufacturers and suppliers selling over 1,000 aircraft since 1980.

In 2014, Lyons sold the flight training division to a group of education-focused investors. The strategic sale of the flight division allowed the company to shift its sole focus to its contract & charter, sales, and service divisions, thereby expanding its service offerings, international reach, and customer experience.

In 2016, the company unveiled its state-of-the-art headquarters complete with 32,000 square feet of hangar space and 19,000 square feet of office space. In 2017, Hillsboro Aviation received the Varco Pruden Hall of Fame “Best of Category” award for transportation in recognition of excellence in design, quality of construction, and green sustainability.

Today, the company offers complete helicopter and airplane services comprised of five divisions: contract & charter, aircraft sales & management, service center, FBO, and parts sales. Serving domestic and international markets in the government, commercial, and private sectors and operates a fleet of turbine helicopters and airplanes for a diverse group of missions for both private and public sectors. It operates out of its award-winning headquarters at the Portland-Hillsboro Airport.

Lyons continues to serve as owner and CEO of Hillsboro Aviation. He has held positions as Chairman of the Board for Helicopter Association International; Foundation Board Member for Portland Community College; Board Member for Hillsboro Aero Academy; and owner of Lyons Aircraft Leasing and Lyons Properties.

Max is an avid traveler, pilot, and family man. When not at work, you can find him flying his Lockwood Aircam in the San Juan Islands, fixing up his 1938 Indian, and spending time with his wife of 33 years, daughters, and Australian shepherd, Quinn.