Timberline's Staff & Crew

Ammy Jorgenson President

Co-founder of Timberline Helicopters in 2004. Ammy is responsible for the Timberline Helicopters branding, including web, social media, apparel, and other marketing items. In 2016 she supervised a complete re-branding of the company’s media profile. She has an eye for style and has built a catalog of apparel that is well known in the industry. In addition to her work at Timberline she is a full-time mom raising two busy and growing kids.

Brian Jorgenson Vice President

Can fly helicopters - willing to travel. Brian has had a fascination with helicopter flight since he was four years old. After working in every job position on a helicopter logging site and completing a Bachelor of Business of Administration in the spring of 2004, he was able to realize his goal of becoming a helicopter pilot flying for Horizon Helicopters. In late 2004, Brian and his wife Ammy formed Timberline Helicopters with a single Kaman K-Max helicopter providing helicopter logging services in the Pacific Northwest. Since then, with Ammy’s support, he has been able to fly over 16,500 hours while growing Timberline from the single K-Max logging company to a well-known and successful utility helicopter company operating a fleet of ten helicopters ranging from the MD500 to the UH-60 “Black Hawk.” Still captivated by his interest in helicopter flight, you will find Brian at his happiest in the front seat of a helicopter building a ski lift or putting out a fire.

Travis Storro Chief Operating Officer

Travis began his career when he was 18 years old refurbishing Kaman H-43’s from bone yard to flight status for Horizon Helicopters where he met Brian and Ammy. After they formed Timberline, Travis worked for Timberline as a field mechanic on the K-Max. In 2007, Travis left Timberline to pursue his dream of flying at Hillsboro Aviation where he obtained Helicopter Commercial and CFI ratings before returning in 2010 as Timberline’s Director of Maintenance. Since then, he has been busy adding to THI’s list of capabilities including setting up a 145 Repair Station, leading the Restricted Category Type Certification project for Timberline’s UH-60A Blackhawk helicopters, and overseeing operations at Timberline’s home base in Sandpoint. In 2016, Travis accepted the role of Chief Operating Officer of Timberline Helicopters, Inc. and Timberline Aerospace, LLC.

Andy Platte Chief Financial Officer

Andy graduated with a degree in accounting from Central Washington University in 1993 and began his career as a CPA working for various accounting firms in the Pacific Northwest including LeMaster & Daniels and Ernst & Young. During this time, he frequently visited Sandpoint Idaho to go snowboarding at Schweitzer Mountain Resort and wake boarding on Lake Pend Oreille. He later moved to Sandpoint, started his family and opened his accounting practice. Brian and Ammy Jorgenson were one of Andy’s first clients and he helped them navigate the accounting and tax aspects of starting Timberline Helicopters. Over the years, the Company grew and so did Andy’s involvement to the point where he sold his accounting practice and joined the Company as its Chief Financial Officer.

Jerry Swanson Repair Station Accountable Manager

Jerry began his helicopter career in 1985 as a shop mechanic on Bell UH-1's. He has worked for several different companies filling positions including Shop Foreman, Chief Inspector, Director of Maintenance, Certification Manager, and General Manager. With experience including Bell, Agusta, MDHC, Sikorsky, and Kaman, he has a well-rounded background with rotary-wing aircraft. Jerry has also developed a PMA program and served as an FAA DMIR in the past. His extensive background with Restricted Category Helicopters and experience obtaining Type Certificates and several STCs for modifications makes Jerry a key part of our operations. He joined THI in 2014 to guide the Type Certification program for the UH-60A. In 2019 he assumed the duties of Repair Station Accountable Manager.

Hank Miller Director of Safety

Hank comes to Timberline Helicopters with over 20 years of aviation experience.  He is a graduate of Vermont Law School with both a Juris Doctor and master’s degree in Law.  He attended the United States Military Academy at West Point and Michigan State University but is a staunch Auburn fan.  He began his aviation career as a civilian helicopter flight instructor and continued his professional development as a commercial pilot.  His passion for aviation, and specifically helicopters, has led to successful leadership roles throughout the aerospace industry.   
Hank has enjoyed a successful career and gained valuable experience across a wide array of industries to include corporate flight departments, 135/121 air carriers, health care systems, public utilities, MROs, private equity, and asset financing.  Additionally, Hank has enjoyed time on “the Hill” lobbying for patients’ rights, aviation safety, and environmental issues.  Hank’s business, operations, and legal acumen are widely recognized in the aerospace industry.  As a result, he maintains strong relationships and access to industry experts.  Hank has been retained as an expert witness and executive advisor in aviation-related products liability, safety, operations, compliance, and strategic planning.  He has served as a board member for several aviation industry trade groups and associations.   
Hank believes in integrity, above all, and treating people with respect.  He typically seen as a “big picture” strategist with a keen eye for managing risk and reducing liability exposure.  His approach to business and safety is best stated by Woodrow Wilson: “I not only use all the brains that I have, but all that I can borrow”.

Dori Gordon Logistics Manager

Dori worked as the Administrative Manager for a doctor’s office for 11 years before joining Timberline in 2012. She has become Timberline’s primary point of contact in the office, serving as Logistics Manager and Part Procurement Specialist. Dori also fulfills multiple administrative duties and responsibilities for the Repair Station and flight operations. She is the glue that holds our operation together!

Michel Starnes HR/Accounting Manager

Michel joined the Timberline Team in the fall of 2017 and offers over 30 years experience in accounting and administration. Prior to joining the Team, she successfully owned and operated 3 businesses in the construction, real estate and service industries. Her eclectic background and ability to keep daily priorities in check has proven valuable to her position. Michel is proficient in QuickBooks, streamlining procedures, multi-state payroll, new employee onboarding and employee benefits, all of which are essential to our business. She performs a key accounting role in our organization and is a great addition to our team!

Cory Miller Compliance Manager

Cory is a self-described “plane geek” and joined our team in 2018 after a 3-year stint with Quest Aircraft as the Aftermarket Sales/Customer Care Manager. At Quest he kept close tabs on upgrade or maintenance projects for Kodiak aircraft owners as well as checking in with Kodiak owners worldwide ensuring their continued satisfaction with their airplane. Prior to joining Quest, Cory enjoyed a 21-year career in the United States Air Force, leading teams small and large using his HR skillset to ensure his teams were provided the best opportunities to succeed. Furthermore, he was responsible for compliance inspections for every U.S. Air Force base around the Pacific as well as managing a vehicle fleet that covered a military complex the size of West Virginia. A native Montanan, he and his family love calling North Idaho home! 

Chris Saunders Chief Pilot

Chris began his flying career after graduating from Oregon State University and entering the United States Marine Corps. After leaving the Corps as a Captain he started his commercial career as a logging support ship pilot and copilot in the Sikorski S-61. Overall it has been a diversified career involving logging, Part 135 operations, fire-fighting, roof top precision work, power line construction, ship board operations, seismic, experimental satellite recovery, and even a bit of movie work. He has occupied the role of chief pilot with two previous employers and director of operations at a third. He looks forward to mentoring the talented group of pilots and working with Timberline as a whole.

Darrell Davis Director of Maintenance

Darrell has over 35 years experience in the helicopter industry. He began his aviation career in 1983 as a UH-60 Blackhawk mechanic in the US Army, then transitioned to Civil Aviation in 1994. Since entering the civil sector, he has worked in most segments of the industry with operations utilizing many of the major helicopter manufactures aircraft, including Bell, Aerospatiale, Airbus Helicopters, and Sikorsky. Darrell has held positions both domestically and internationally: Overhaul Shop Foreman, Director of Maintenance-145, Maintenance Manager, Project Manager, and Program Director. He became Timberline Helicopters' Director of Maintenance in 2020.

Out Commitment to Safety

Safety is one of our core values. At Timberline, we are committed to safety in all that we do. We owe it to our employees, our families, our customers, and the communities we serve. To help meet this commitment, we implemented a Safety Management System in 2012. Since then, it has evolved and grown into the structured detail we have today. Safety Management Systems are an industry recognized standard for organized decision making.

Timberline Helicopters is pleased to announce that it has completed its Stage 1 IS-BAO certification as of August 26, 2020!

IS-BAO, which stands for International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations, is recognized in the business aviation industry as the standard for Safety. IS-BAO, developed by the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) and its member associations, is a recommended code of best practices designed to help flight departments worldwide achieve high levels of safety and professionalism. IS-BAO is an industry standard built for operators, by operators that provides standards based on the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPS). The FAA and other authorities worldwide recognize IS-BAO as meeting the ICAO standard.

This ongoing commitment is a critical step in helping Timberline Helicopters improve our safety risk profile and operating effectiveness. Timberline Helicopters strives to maintain the highest levels of safety and is proud to be an IS-BAO participant. We remain committed to industry best practices, continuous improvement, and enhancing our SMS initiatives to ensure we are one of the best and safest operations in the utility helicopter industry.

Timberline's History

Timberline Helicopters, Inc. has grown from our roots as a helicopter logging company to a global provider of utility and emergency support. Formed in 2004 with one Kaman K-Max helicopter by Ammy and Brian Jorgenson, we have never stopped developing our skills and capabilities. Currently we operate a diverse fleet of 8 helicopters across the globe supporting many different industries and governments.

At present, Timberline employs approximately 100 people in the following operations:

  • Firefighting in the US, Australia, Chile, and Indonesia
  • Powerline construction and maintenance services
  • Helicopter logging
  • Helicopter rebuild and refurbishment services
  • Type Certification of former military UH-60A “Black Hawk” helicopters
  • Development of Supplemental Type Certificates for utility helicopters