Our Team. Your Aviation Family.
Introducing our Vertical Vision team: a group of flight instructors and administrators who prioritize your journey in aviation. With expertise and passion, our instructors guide you to new heights.
Founder / CEO
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Ed has a zeal and zest for life. Becoming a pilot has been on his bucket list for decades, but when his oldest son took his girl to move several states away it became too much to put off any longer. What began as flight training for himself continued into the formation of Vertical Vision Flight Academy when he saw that things could be made better by not only implementing the best technology available across the board but more importantly by putting the student and the company’s people at the center. Ed is a strange combination of an extroverted people person, engineer, tech nerd, philanthropist, psychologist, DIY’er, and adventurer all thrown into one. He owns businesses in aviation, real estate, and performance diesel automotive, but also enjoys dabbling in financial investments. He loves things that go fast and is always down for an adventure. He holds his Second-Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do and has a deep appreciation for martial arts. Traveling to dozens of countries throughout his life has led to a wide love of people and an even greater desire to serve others. Before being bit by the entrepreneurial bug, he led a widely diverse life in the corporate world, the most prominent of which was being able to build and hone the operational and security standards by which not only the Powerball and MegaMillions lottery games perform nationally, but also how lotteries across the globe do the same. Serving the community and giving people another voice to see that their goals can readily become their reality regardless of their past fuels him. He may or may not have been called the human manifestation of the Energizer Bunny(TM) on more than one occasion. While he obtained his undergraduate degree in business administration with a concentration in computer science and holds multiple technical certifications, his far greater life growth has been through his interactions with the world around him. Ed is humbled to offer up Vertical Vision Flight Academy as a different experience, a truly different way to do flight training, and even a deeply different way to…be.
General Manager
Chief Flight Instructor
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Omer Marciano is our Chief Flight Instructor. Originally from Israel, he moved to the United States in 2020 to complete his aviation studies with El Al’s Israeli Airline Academy at Aviator College of Aeronautical Science in Florida. There, he earned his full range of flight certifications (CFI, CFII, MEI) along with an Associate’s Degree in Aeronautical Science.
Since joining Vertical Vision in 2022, Omer has been a dedicated member of the instructional team, guiding students through every stage of their training with professionalism and a focus on safety. Beyond aviation, he is a proud veteran of the Israel Defense Forces and holds a black belt in Krav Maga, reflecting his discipline, resilience, and commitment to excellence. His long-term goal is to fly across the globe as a cargo pilot, operating the largest aircrafts in the world.
Administrative Manager
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As Vertical Vision's Administrative Manager, Gage keeps the academy running smoothly behind the scenes, so our students and instructors can stay focused on flying. Born and raised in Iowa, he studied business management at DMACC and brings that background to everything from day-to-day operations to the projects that help Vertical Vision grow.
Gage's love for aviation grew during his time at Vertical Vision. Working alongside our instructors, students, and aircraft every day turned a job into a genuine passion, and he enjoys helping new pilots take their first steps toward their goals.
Outside of aviation, Gage loves spending time with his wife, Vanessa, and the rest of his family. He's also a lifelong learner who enjoys picking up new trades and skills, and he's always looking for the next thing to figure out and master.
Scheduling Supervisor
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Paul was born and raised in Yonkers, New York. He attended the University of Connecticut where he was a collegiate rower and graduated with a Mathematics and Statistics degree. After college, he road tripped around the United States for a couple of months and decided he wanted to travel for a living and pursued a career in aviation. He then moved to Iowa and began flight training at Vertical Vision. Shortly after he completed his Private Certificate, he started as Vertical Vision’s scheduler and now assists Vertical Vision in any of their ferrying needs.
Paul’s favorite aspect of working at Vertical Vision is seeing and assisting in student’s progress and watching them move on to various aviation jobs and following their passion. Outside of aviation, he enjoys racing triathlons, teaching kids how to swim, and directing local road races in the Des Moines area.
Flight Instructors
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Milton Ventura Toro, another one of our career track students, began his PPL training with Vertical Vision in March of 2023, completed his CFII in October of 2024, and added his CMEL and MEI within a matter of 3 weeks. With a love for teaching, learning, and flying, Milton is one of our most worldly flight instructors, speaking English and Spanish, and has traveled to multiple countries throughout his life.Born and raised In Honduras, Milton grew up enjoying simple things like traveling to new places, watching movies, playing sports, and spending time with family and friends.
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Davis began his flight training in Iowa at the University of Dubuque. He is originally from San Diego, California but has lived in many different states across the nation.
He enjoys meeting new students and reaching important aviation milestones with them. He’s always thrilled when he sees a students pass their private checkride because it’s such a huge milestone and gateway to their future success.
Outside of flying, Davis enjoys hanging out with friends and family, watching the LA Chargers, and going on random adventures like driving 10 hours overnight on a whim to get meet up with friends at Airventure in Oshkosh, WI.
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Born and raised in Iowa and originally from the Quad Cities, Hunter’s passion for aviation began after a family vacation that first sparked his fascination with flight. Since then, he’s been all-in—and has completed all of his flight training right here at Vertical Vision Flight Academy.
Hunter hopes to one day own his own airplane and travel the country with family and friends, exploring new places and sharing the freedom of flight with the people who matter most.
Outside of aviation, Hunter enjoys spending time with friends, trying new restaurants, reading, watching movies, and listening to music. Whether he’s in the hangar or out with friends, Hunter brings a positive energy and a genuine love for learning everywhere he goes.
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Brady began flying in 2019 at Flying Cloud Airport near Minneapolis while attending college in the Twin Cities. After returning to aviation in 2023, he completed his Instrument, Commercial, CFI, and CFII ratings at Vertical Vision Flight Academy and joined the team as an instructor. He enjoys helping students build confidence, sharpen their skills, and develop the judgment needed to become safe and successful pilots.
Before aviation, Brady worked as a paramedic and medical underwriter. Outside of flying, he enjoys traveling, going on adventures with his wife, and spending time with family and friends.
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William Klees was born in Mississippi, but grew up in rural southern Iowa. He was homeschooled through 12th grade, and later graduated from DMACC, Mercy College, and Iowa State University. He is a former police officer, and worked in various units including Uniform Patrol, Rapid Deployment Force, Gang Suppression, and Honor Guard. He is an NHTSA certified Drug Recognition Expert and National Registry EMT.
William began his aviation career at Vertical Vision in 2023, and upon completion of his Commercial and CFI/CFI-I ratings remained with the company as an instructor. He enjoys training Judo and jiu jitsu, lifting heavy things, cooking, music performance, and learning foreign languages.
He believes that as a pilot, police officer, and certified forklift operator, it is his legal duty to have a moustache.
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Casey is one of our home-grown instructors who started here for his PPL and continued through his CFII! A Des Moines native, Casey has been an aviation nut since he was a young lad. He participated in the Civil Air Patrol as a teenager and can name just about any airplane he sees in the sky.Casey’s passion is vintage aviation and he would love, one day, to be seen flying a P-51 Mustang or even a WACO YMF-5 biplane around the skies of the Northern Planes.
Motorcycles, video games, travel, hiking and enjoying the outdoors are what Casey does when he has more than 5 minutes outside of an airplane.
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Brandon is one of our home-grown instructors who completed all of his flight training right here at Vertical Vision Flight Academy, progressing from his first lesson through his advanced certifications. His journey gives him a unique perspective when working with students, as he understands exactly what it takes to succeed in the program from day one.
His interest in aviation developed from a young age, growing up around F-16s while his dad served in the Iowa Air National Guard.
Some highlights of Brandon’s training include building time on cross-country flights, with memorable experiences flying over Lambeau Field and along the Kansas City skyline during long cross-country trips.
Outside of aviation, Brandon enjoys fishing, going to concerts, staying active in the gym, and cooking new recipes for family and friends.
Director of Belly Rubs
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Every flight academy needs a mascot, and ours happens to be a Belgian Malinois named Stitch. Stitch belongs to our Chief Pilot, Omer Marciano, and he takes his role at Vertical Vision very seriously, mostly by making sure no one walks past him without stopping to say hello.
Stitch is a very good boy who loves attention, and he isn't shy about asking for it. He's also one sharp pup. Like the rest of our team, he's always learning, and he's mastered a long list of tricks he's happy to show off for anyone willing to watch (treats are appreciated but not required). When he's off duty, you'll usually find him with one of his beloved stuffed animals close by.
Whether you're a first-time discovery flight guest or a CFI candidate in the middle of a long study day, Stitch is here to remind everyone that a little fun belongs in every flight plan. Stop by and say hi!
