Executive Management

Northrop Rice Aviation Institute of Technology (NRAIT)

James Micheal Rice, Chief Administrative Officer

Mr. Rice has 15 years of experience in technical education administration, accounting and Human Resources. Recent experience includes Project Manger of a 1000 person aviation maintenance educational facility in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Other positions included Campus Director of a 200 person private technical school in Baltimore, MD and Vice President of Operations for a group of six technical education campuses located through out the U.S. Duties included operations management, accounting administration system development and installation, personnel selection and facilities. He also has experience in FAA school licensing and DOE financial aid approval. He has participated in regional accreditation self studies and site visits.

Mr. Rice has a BS Degree from the University of Texas - Austin in Architectural Engineering and a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Houston - Clear Lake. He is an active FAA rated pilot with multi-engine and instrument ratings. He is a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) and a member of the Society for Human Resources Management.

Dr. Mahmood Heyrat, Dean of Academics

Dr. Heyrat has over seventeen years of experience in the education business. He started his academic career as a professor and has held progressive management positions in aviation education including the Dean of Academics position at Northrop Rice Aviation Institute of Technology. Dr. Heyrat earned his Ph.D. in Physics from the University of California, Los Angeles. He has received several educational scholarships and has extensive teaching and research experience both at US and international institutions.

Dr. Louis B. Tharp, Director of Online Learning

Dr. Tharp has a B.A. degree in Philosophy from Yale University and earned his M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in Psychology from Claremont University. He has a wide range of experiences that include work as a professor, instructional designer, author, psychotherapist, and video producer. Dr. Tharp has conducted personal development seminars for employees at McDonnell Douglas, the FAA, and other organizations. He is the producer of several educational television shows and has done extensive research on the process of learning.

Sam Ariabod has a wide range of experiences in the computer industry. He has extensive knowledge of hardware, networking, programming, database administration, computer graphics, and web design. Mr. Ariabod has held several IT positions with increasing level of responsibilities. His work experience includes system engineering positions at CSS Laboratories. Mr. Ariabod is an MCSE and CNA. He also holds a Network+ certificate.

Northrop Rice USA Inc.

Dr. James W. Rice, Chairman

Dr. Rice has over forty years of experience in the aviation industry. He is the cofounder of Northrop Rice USA Inc and has developed and operated the largest system of aircraft maintenance schools in the United States. Dr. Rice has also developed and operated aviation schools overseas. Dr. Rice has held several executive positions at NRUSA and has also served in various administrative positions with Braniff and Continental Airlines as well as Lockheed Aircraft.  Dr. Rice is the founder of Advanced Educational Concepts, Inc. and has developed and patented a unique instructional technology that allows students to experience dramatic three-dimensional stereoscopic images. Dr. Rice holds a Doctor of Education degree from the University of Houston.

Mary Alice Rice, Vice-Chairman

Mrs. Rice has devoted thirty years of her professional career to aviation maintenance education. She is the cofounder of Northrop Rice USA and has served in various capacities within the company including President and Chairman of the Board of Directors. Mrs. Rice is a member of the Board of Directors of the Association of Women in Aviation Maintenance and is a member of Women in Aviation, International. She is a past officer of the Aviation Technicians Education Council and attended Benedictine College. Mrs. Rice is also active in other community, charity, and aviation organizations including the Northrop Rice Foundation.

Cathy Landry, President/CEO

Cathy Landry has over ten years of experience in managing A&P schools and coordinating aircraft maintenance training programs. She was responsible for curriculum development, equipment acquisition and the FAA certification process on several Part 147 schools in the NRUSA system.  Ms. Landry is currently responsible for the overall operations of NRUSA including project management for the development of the Malaysian Aviation Institute of Technology, a multi-million dollar contract awarded to NRUSA by the Malaysian government. Ms. Landry has also been a successful small business owner in the employee motivation and incentive industry. Ms. Landry holds a BS degree from Southwest Texas State University.

Mike Rice, Executive Vice President

Mr. Rice has 15 years of management experience in human resources, operations, and marketing and is currently responsible for NRUSA sales and marketing. Mr. Rice holds a B.S. ArchE from UT-Austin and an MBA from the University of Houston. His FAA pilot certificates and his experience in the Austin high tech industry bring additional value to Aerolearn. 

James Lukins, Vice President of Northwest Region

Mr. Lukins served as Director of Customer Support Training for Boeing and was responsible for managing over 200 staff in the development and delivery of aircraft maintenance training courses. Mr. Lukins has been actively involved in ATEC (Aviation Technician Education Council) for many years.  Mr. Lukins received a B.S. degree in Aerospace Engineering from Iowa State University. Mr. Lukins also acts as the President of the Northrop Rice Foundation. Mr. Lukins brings to Aerolearn.com over 35 years of experience in the aviation industry along with invaluable expertise on aircraft maintenance training.

Ibrahim Karim, Vice President of Sales (Asia)

Mr. Karim has extensive experience in international relations and business development. He has been instrumental in establishing strategic business relationships between the government of Malaysia and NRUSA. Mr. Karim is a graduate of  Northrop University where he earned a BS in Business Administration and an MS in Management of Technology.