Dallas-headquartered Mente Group's vice president of transactions Brian Hammer and vice president of strategic consulting Cole White have been designated certified aircraft sales brokers by the International Aircraft Dealers Association (IADA). They join Mente Group president and CEO Brian Proctor, who is also an IADA-certified aircraft sales broker.

“Brian and Cole are both consummate pros and certainly well deserving of this designation,” says Proctor. “As a strong IADA accredited aircraft dealer, Mente Group will eventually have all of its aircraft sales brokers certified by IADA.”

IADA executive director Wayne Starling adds: “They join an exclusive group of professional brokers who have passed rigorous evaluations in order to achieve recognition as highly skilled brokers at the top of their profession.”

IADA's broker examination is conducted by Joseph Allan Aviation Consulting and measures the skills and competencies that are required of aircraft brokers in order to effectively conduct their work. Joseph Allan has considerable experience in curriculum development as well as the development and management of examinations measuring knowledge-based competencies.

As vice president of transactions, Hammer is involved in business aircraft acquisitions, sales and leasing activity, and all aspects of the aircraft transaction process. Previously, he was vice president overseeing the technical aspects of aircraft transactions, including inspections, pre-buy inspections, completions and aircraft modifications. He has a broad background in aviation and has been involved in numerous transactions since joining the company in 2009.

His nearly 30-year aviation career includes serving as an aircraft technician in the US Air Force, in corporate aviation as a maintenance supervisor for a leading 135 certificate holder, as well as working as a director of maintenance for a Fortune 200 flight department. He has a BSc in business management from the University of Phoenix.

White heads Mente Group's strategic consulting activities. His division provides fleet planning and feasibility studies for business aviation owners and fleet operators.

White holds a degree in systems management from the US Military Academy West Point, and he also accomplished post graduate work at Southern Methodist University Cox School of Business. He served his country as an Armor Officer in the US Army after graduating from West Point, where he was recruited to play baseball for the Pittsburg Pirates organisation.