MICHAEL MURPHY
USA
Summary
Dynamic aircraft sales executive, senior military officer, and command pilot with over 19 years of extensive aviation industry expertise, recently as the top-performing sales director, successfully driving the largest orders of aircraft and deliveries with Honda Aircraft Company to date. Proven sales execution at the executive, board level, and flight department levels, with a focus on relationship management, dynamic negotiations, and financial forecasting, while complemented with over 4,000 flight hours operating high-performance aircraft. Adept at leading teams and fostering strategic partnerships to achieve exceptional results.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Executive Sales Director & Pilot
Dallas Jet International
Westlake, TX
07.2025 - Current
- Facilitated the transactional sales cycle for buyers and sellers of business and general aviation aircraft.
- Executed safe, professional, domestic and international Part-91 Pilot-in-Command operations for the HA-420, HondaJet operations.
Military Pilot & Aircraft Commander
U.S Air Force Reserves
United States
05.2009 - Current
- Current pilot and Lieutenant Colonel for the Boeing C-17A aircraft for strategic airlift and global operational contingencies.
- Held various fighter pilot, mobility pilot specific and unit leadership roles at the Squadron and Wing levels at various Air Force bases throughout the United States.
- Extensive operational experience with the following military aircraft: T-6II, T-38C, F-16 C/D, and C-17
- Graduate from the highly selective Euro NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training at Sheppard AFB, TX.
Executive Advisor to Board of Directors
Solera National Bancorp
Denver, CO
03.2025 - 06.2025
- Contracted to advise on development and structure of the aviation financing and aircraft investment portfolio within a $300 million concentration lending limit.
- Managed operations and piloting of bank-owned aircraft to ensure compliance with safety regulations.
Senior Sales Director & Demo Pilot
Honda Aircraft Co.
Greensboro, NC
07.2018 - 02.2025
- Achieved recognition every year as top-performing sales executive, driving corporate, fleet, and government sales globally.
- Directly responsible for the inception of both of the largest fleet orders in Honda Aircraft history.
- Managed domestic and international dealer network to enhance market reach and support.
- Served as HondaJet Type-Rated Pilot and International PIC captain for operational excellence.
- Direct retail sales efforts across the U.S. East Coast territory.
- Focused on strategic financial planning, ensuring accountability for profit and loss.
- Oversaw Salesforce management to optimize customer relationship strategies.
- Led aircraft financing initiatives and special missions in domestic and international markets.
- Acted as technical sales and marketing advisor for future aircraft and product development.
Sales Manager & Demo Pilot
Piper Aircraft Co.
Vero Beach, FL
01.2016 - 03.2018
- Technical Sales leader and Demo Pilot.
- Duties included aircraft sales transactions, direct customer interface, business development, special mission related marketing, marketing implementation, proposal negotiations, demonstration flights, and worldwide airshow/expo representation.
Contracting Officer
United States Air Force
, Worldwide
05.2006 - 04.2009
- Direct liaison to private sector business for government procurement related activities.
- Negotiated and awarded commodity, service and construction contracts working with a wide array of defense contractors and small businesses registered with the U.S. Government.
- Attained an unlimited procurement warrant and proficient with Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR).
- During year-long deployment (Tikrit, Iraq) served as the direct representative and contracting officer to defense contractor's KBR and Haliburton within the northern Iraq region.
Education
USAF Air Command & Staff College - Military Strategy & Leadership
Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ01-2024
MBA - International Business
The Citadel
Charleston, SC09-2014
Executive Certificate - Negotiations
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN05-2007
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration
The Citadel
Charleston, SC05-2006
Skills
- Aviation industry expertise
- Aircraft sales expertise
- FAA ATP-MEL Pilot License
- Sales pipeline management
- Negotiation expertise
- Technical sales presentations
- Key relationship manager
- Fluent in Spanish
Timeline
Executive Sales Director & Pilot
Dallas Jet International
07.2025 - Current
Executive Advisor to Board of Directors
Solera National Bancorp
03.2025 - 06.2025
Senior Sales Director & Demo Pilot
Honda Aircraft Co.
07.2018 - 02.2025
Sales Manager & Demo Pilot
Piper Aircraft Co.
01.2016 - 03.2018
Military Pilot & Aircraft Commander
U.S Air Force Reserves
05.2009 - Current
Contracting Officer
United States Air Force
05.2006 - 04.2009
USAF Air Command & Staff College - Military Strategy & Leadership
Arizona State University
MBA - International Business
The Citadel
Executive Certificate - Negotiations
University of Notre Dame
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration
The Citadel