Our team
Posted on July 16, 2024 • 7 minutes • 1307 words
At Wings of Tomorrow, our Board of Directors is composed of distinguished naval aviators and industry professionals who bring a wealth of experience, passion, and leadership to our mission of mentoring the next generation of aviation professionals.
Lieutenant Andrew B. Coen
Chief Executive Officer
Andy Coen is from the small Gold Rush town of Placerville, CA. He graduated from the US Naval Academy in 2017 with a B.S. in Ocean Engineering as a Burke Scholar. He was the top graduate in flight school and earned his Wings of Gold as a Naval Flight Officer in 2019. Since then, he has led aviation teams in fifteen countries throughout the Arctic Circle, the Middle East, Africa, and Central America onboard the Navy’s premier intelligence aircraft, the P-8A Poseidon.
Personal mentorship has been pivotal throughout Andy’s career. His mentors empowered him to break out of his rural hometown to lead the nation’s best and brightest airmen to accomplish distinguished aviation missions around the world. In 2024, Andy was inspired to give back to the aviation community by empowering the next generation of aviators through the power of mentorship.
Lieutenant Avery Nwokike
Chief Development Officer
Lieutenant Avery C. Nwokike is a native of Charleston, SC. He received his commission in 2017 upon graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Ocean Engineering. Following graduation he reported to Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Florida, for Aviation Preflight Indoctrination.
Nwokike graduated from Training Squadron (VT) 2 at NAS Whiting Field, Florida and earned his “Wings of Gold” in 2019 with VT-31, NAS Corpus Christi, Texas. He then reported to the “Pro’s Nest” of Patrol Squadron (VP) 30 aboard NAS Jacksonville, Florida.
In 2020, he joined the “World Watchers” of Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron (VQ) 1 aboard NAS Whidbey Islnd, Washington. While at VQ-1 he qualified as an EP-3E Electronic Warfare Aircraft Commander (EWAC), Mission Commander, and Instructor Pilot while completing deployments to 5th, 6th, and 7th Fleet, conducting Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance missions in support of Theater, Fleet, and Task Force Commander tasking.
He reported to Scientific Development Squadron (VXS) 1 in September 2023 and currently serves as the Safety Officer, Aviation Safety Officer, and P-3C Naval Air Training and Operating Procedures Standardization (NATOPS) Instructor. He also qualified as a RC-12M Transport Plane Commander, and assists with the Command Fitness Leader and Command Finance Specialist programs.
Nwokike has accumulated over 1,350 hours in the EP-3E Aries, P-3C Orion, and RC-12M Huron. His personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and various other unit and campaign awards.
Lieutenant Yanni Vrotsos
Board Member
Yanni Vrotsos is from Titusville, Florida. He graduated from the US Naval Academy in 2017 with a B.S. in Ocean Engineering. He earned his Wings of Gold as a Pilot in April of 2019 and was stationed out of NAS Whidbey Island for his Sea Tour flying the P-8A Poseidon. He has nearly 100 hours of Aircraft Commander time and completed deployments and detachments all over the world, including various counties in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. He is currently on his Shore Tour stationed in Washington, DC and enthusiastically joined Wings of Tomorrow in order to provide valuable insight that he wished he received before Flight School.
Lieutenant Changdae Hahm
Board Member
Lieutenant Changdae “Big Bird” Hahm, is a native of Boulder, Colorado. He was commissioned in 2017 after graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy, and holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Systems Engineering. Following initial flight training at Training Squadron FOUR (VT-4) in Pensacola, Florida, and earned his Wings of Gold in August 2018. He selected follow on training in the E-2C Hawkeye at Airborne Command & Control Squadron (VAW) 120 in Norfolk, Virginia. LT Hahm then reported to VAW-116 in Point Mugu, California in November 2019. With the “Sun King” he completed an INDOPACOM and CENTCOM deployment in 2020 and an INDOPACOM deployment in 2023. While in VAW-116 he served as the squadron’s Legal Officer and Avionics Division Officer. In April 2023, LT Hahm reported to the VAW-120 “Greyhawks” in Norfolk, Virginia where he served as the Legal Officer and NFO Training Officer, where he has instructed over 120 of the next generation of Naval Flight Officers in the E-2 C/D Hawkeye. LT Hahm has accumulated over 1,100 flight hours in the E-2 Hawkeye. His awards include the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Operation Inherent Resolve Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various unit and service awards. Upon completion of his Naval service, he aspires to earn his MBA and join a top consulting firm.
Lieutenant Matt Coen
Board Member
Matt grew up with his older brother Andy in the small Historic town of Placerville, California. He attended college at the University of California, Berkeley and graduated in 2018 with a B.S. in Molecular Environmental Biology. While at Cal, Matt was a member of the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) Program. Days after graduating, he earned his commission as an Ensign and set off for Pensacola, Florida for his initial flight training. He earned his Wings of Gold as a Naval Aviator in 2020, where he selected follow-on training in the Mighty MH-53E Sea Dragon, the Navy’s dedicated Airborne Mine Countermeasures (AMCM) and Heavy Lift aircraft. Matt spent time at both Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron (HM) 14 and HM-15 flying the “Big Iron,” and completed two deployments in U.S. Seventh Fleet and Fifth Fleet AORs, serving alongside and learning from the Navy’s top AMCM Pilots. As the 53 is an antiquated and aging aircraft, its legacy will soon come to an end as the airframe is removed from service in the coming years. Matt was fortunate enough to be able to continue his passion for aviation and love of learning, as he was selected to become an instructor pilot in the MH-60S at HSC-2 in Norfolk, Viriginia—he’ll be mentoring and training the next generation of Fleet Replacement Pilots to employ the Seahawk worldwide in a variety of missions. Throughout Matt’s career, his mentors have instilled in him the power of teaching and his love for aviation. Through the Wings of Tomorrow organization, he hopes to return the favor and inspire and mentor those interested in the aviation industry.
Lieutenant Zach Michel
Board Member
Zach “Babs” Michel is a native of Jacksonville, FL. Babs graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2017 with a B.S. in Economics and earned his Wings of Gold as a Pilot in 2019. Shortly thereafter, he joined the World Famous Pelicans of VP-45 onboard the P-8A Poseidon. As a Pelican, he completed three deployments in the Asia-Pacific region. Growing up as a military brat, Zach was lucky enough to have mentors who guided him into the world of aviation. These mentors inspire him to this day to not only lead but help the next generation of aviation professionals. He can’t wait to see a future where the skies are filled with diverse and talented individuals who are as passionate about aviation and service as he is.
Miguel Moravec
Board Member
Miguel Moravec is a non-profit professional with years of campaign and policy experience. Miguel’s advocacy has taken him from congressional hearings to main stream media features, including CNN and the Washington Post. As a young man, Miguel completed 2 years of training at the US Naval Academy. To this day, he has a special appreciation for the sacrifice and courage of our nation’s naval aviators. He now works at an energy non-profit.
Our board members, united by their naval background and shared dedication to aviation, work tirelessly to ensure that Wings of Tomorrow provides the best guidance, support, and opportunities for young people interested in pursuing careers in aviation. Together, they lead our organization with integrity, passion, and a commitment to excellence, paving the way for the next generation to soar.