Dave Monaco - Aviation Insurance Broker, Co-Owner 
After graduating from Longwood College in 1985 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a minor in Economics, I spent three years as Regional Credit Adjuster for the Mid-Atlantic region with Wells Fargo Credit Corporation. 

I decided to switch to an aviation career, and graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Studies.  I hold a Commercial Pilot's License with single engine, multi-engine, instrument, seaplane and helicopter ratings.  I own and fly a Cessna 185 and a Hughes 500 helicopter. 

I started my aviation insurance career in 1990 as a sales underwriter for National Aviation Underwriters in Pennsylvania, then transferred to the Scottsdale Arizona branch office.  When National Aviation Underwriters consolidated offices in 1993 and closed the Scottsdale branch, Mark Nichols and I formed Southwest Aviation Insurance Group.

Mark Nichols - Aviation Insurance Broker, Co-Owner 
I had a love for aviation ever since I could remember and started flying when I was 15 with a teenage flying club in NY state.  My father owned a J3 on floats and a Piper Cherokee but they were gone before I had a chance to fly in them. 

I graduated Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 1978 with a Bachelors of Aeronautical Science degree with an Associates in Aviation Management.  I hold a Commercial Pilot's License with Multi-Engine & Instrument rating. 

In November of '78, I started my career in the aviation insurance industry when hired on with Avemco as a Sales Underwriter in Ft. Worth Texas.  Two years later I was transferred to their Northwest branch in Seattle where I specialized in insuring Experimental Aircraft and Alaska Risks. 

In 1988 I was offered a National Aviation Underwriters Regional Manager position and moved to Scottsdale Arizona.  I was there until their parent company closed NAU down in March of 1993.  That is when Dave Monaco and I created Southwest Aviation Insurance Group (SWAIG).  Over many years we built SWAIG into a first-rate insurance brokerage that is known for its fast and professional service. 

Colleen Jones - Office Manager 
I am a native of Detroit, Michigan, and my family and I moved to Scottsdale, Arizona in 1996.  I joined Southwest Aviation Insurance Group (SWAIG) in 2002 and currently serve on the team as Office Manager.  Through my diverse career background of business, I have grown and expanded my managerial, organizational, and computer skills and brought them to Southwest Aviation Insurance Group.  Throughout my work history, I have proven to have great leadership abilities, strong business ethics, and am very loyal.  I am honored to be a member of the team at SWAIG, a company proven to have the same attributes. 

Providing excellent customer service is my primary focus.  I take great pride in regularly exceeding expectations and finding solutions to ensure our office is managed as efficiently as possible in order to better serve our valued clients. 

Mark Nichols and Dave Monaco have always inspired us with their vision, support, dedication, and great leadership to make us a successful team.  I feel blessed and honored to work with such an amazing team of people at SWAIG. 

I like to fill my spare time with family, friends, fitness, volunteer for my community, and flying in helicopters… especially with Dave Monaco. 

 “Take good care of your customers and they will take care of your business.”  

Grant Parsons - Aviation Insurance Broker   
“Thank you for calling Southwest Aviation Insurance, this is Grant, how can I help you?” 

For over a decade, I have been establishing and maintaining customer relationships by always being ready to serve.  Having grown up in Scottsdale, I learned about customer service while working at some of the finest restaurants and resorts in the world.  I used the money to pay for my flight instruction and obtained my Pilot's License, while attending Arizona State University’s Aeronautical Technology program. 

After graduation, I landed a job as an Aviation Insurance Underwriter for COMAV, which became AIG Aviation.  During this time, I also went back to college and obtained my Master of Business Administration degree. 

After 9 years of underwriting, this valuable experience enabled me to come over to the customer service side of the business, where I belong, working as a licensed insurance broker for Southwest Aviation Insurance Group.  I enjoy providing excellent customer service, playing golf, and dining at the resorts and restaurants where I used to work. 

Ken Roberts - Aviation Insurance Broker  
When I was a young boy, my uncle was a pilot and always wanted to take me flying, but he passed away before I could go up with him.  I always looked up to him and decided that I was going to give flying a try.  I learned to fly at a small municipal airport in Connecticut and continued flying in college.  I graduated from Florida Institute of Technology in 2007 with an Aviation Meteorology degree.  I hold a Commercial Pilot's License with Multi-Engine & Instrument rating. 

In 2008 I began my career after being hired by AIG Aviation as an Underwriter in their light aviation division.  4 years later I was hired by Swiss Re in New York City to help manage the creation of their aviation primary insurance division.  While at Swiss Re my specializations included large quota share accounts, excess liability, and non-standard risks. 

In 2013 I returned to Phoenix and joined Southwest Aviation Insurance Group (SWAIG).   I am very thankful to be employed with such a highly regarded brokerage in the aviation world.  I am happy to say SWAIG is known nationwide as the best example of honesty and integrity in the industry. 

Melina Daggett - Workers Compensation & Property Specialist   
Like Susan Budde, my specialty here at Southwest Aviation is in handling the collateral lines for our Aviation clients, such as Property, Business Auto, Work Comp, Premises Liability, D&O, etc.  

Susan Budde – Aviation Collateral Lines Broker  
Hi!  I come from a long background as a Commercial Lines Underwriter, having underwritten all types of coverage for over 3 decades.  In recent years, my focus was on Workers' Compensation.  My specialty here at Southwest Aviation is in handling the collateral lines for our Aviation clients, such as Property, Business Auto, Work Comp, Premises Liability, D&O, etc.  It is also very interesting and rewarding to be working for a firm that specializes in Aviation.  I work with an awesome group of smart, talented and fun people and I feel very fortunate to work for such a fine organization. 

As for my background prior to my career, I was raised in Lincoln, NE, (and the Huskers were good back then!).  I then left Lincoln and headed for South Bend, IN, where I graduated magna cum laude from Notre Dame.  I moved to Kansas City a few years later and lived there for many years before coming to Scottsdale in 2003. 

I've always enjoyed insurance because it allows me to use both my analytical and people skills.  Great customer service is paramount to me and I truly love working with our great customers!