NFA Staff

Lieutenant Commander Kevin L. King, United States Navy Retired, a native of Miami, Florida, received his Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) and was commissioned through NROTC in 1988. He was designated a Naval Flight Officer (NFO) in 1990 and began his career with Attack Squadron ONE-SIX-FIVE (the “Boomers”), NAS Whidbey Island, Washington, in 1991 to fly in the A-6E Intruder, and after receiving a Master of Science in Engineering Management, transitioned in 1997 to EA-6B Prowlers. While in the Navy he served in many capacities all over the world receiving many awards, and is a veteran of Operations Desert Storm, Allied Force, and Iraqi Freedom.

In late 2005, LCDR King was assigned to Naval Aviation Schools Command, NAS Pensacola, FL, for his final tour. As part of the “Cradle of Aviation,” here he served as Director, Aviation Survival, and additionally volunteered as a flight/ground school instructor. He retired June 1st, 2008, after twenty years of faithful and honorable service. Mr. King now serves as the Vice President of the National Flight Academy.

Mike Smiley, a retired Navy Special Operations "SEAL" with 30 years of active duty service, was hired as the Program Manager to facilitate design and construction efforts of the NFA building and an associated expansion project to the National Naval Aviation Museum. Recognizing his acumen in terms of management and operations, he was promoted to Director of Operations, not only overseeing construction as the NFA’s "Owner’s Representative," but also involved in every facet of the development of the NFA facility, program and policies. Mike holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from National University and a Master of Science in Management from Troy University.

Teresa Gurka has joined the staff as the Executive Assistant to the Vice President of the NFA. Teresa has more than 10 years of comprehensive and senior level executive assistance experience, as well as experience in accounting, office management and human resources certification.

Chip Yarbrough has joined the NFA as Manager of Camp Operations. He has more than eight years of experience at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center (“Space Camp” and specifically “Aviation Challenge”) in Huntsville, Alabama. He also has experience as an evaluation and accreditation manager at Homeland Security. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications.