Our Team
Jed Toureau
Jed began his aviation journey at Ray Community Airport in 2019, earning his Private Pilot Certificate. Growing up with a father who was also a pilot, Jed developed a lifelong appreciation for aviation from an early age. Since then, he has earned his Instrument, Commercial, High-Performance, Complex, Multi-Engine, Seaplane, and CFI/CFII ratings. Driven by his passion for flying and dedication to quality instruction, Jed and his family founded Ascend Aviation to share that passion with others. Having benefited from excellent training himself, Jed is committed to providing students with the same high standard of instruction and an exceptional learning experience as they pursue their aviation goals.
Chief Flight Instructor/Owner
Nicole Toureau
Director of Operations
With over a decade of experience as a business owner, Nicole brings a sharp entrepreneurial spirit and a get it done mindset to her role as director of operations. She thrives behind the scenes managing the details, coordinating logistics, and ensuring everything runs smoothly and efficiently. Nicole is a natural leader and problem solver, known for keeping teams organized, businesses on track, and clients supported every step of the way.
Nathan Toureau
The summer after graduating high school, Nate started his private pilot license at Ray Community. Once finished with his private, he left for college to complete his training at Northwestern Michigan College on Cherry Capital Airport. Once he graduated from NMC, he went on to get his CFI/CFII at Magnolia Flight Training in Mississippi. Nathan has now completed Private, Instrument, Commercial, High Performance, Complex, Seaplane, Multi engine, and CFI/CFII. Nathan is now instructing for Ascend Aviation and hopes to move on to airlines in the years to come.
CFI/CFII
During the summer of his senior year of high school, Collin earned his Private Pilot Certificate through the Tuskegee Airmen museum program at Detroit City Airport. He then went on to complete his Instrument Rating and Commercial Pilot Certificate at Northwestern Michigan College at Cherry Capital Airport. Once he graduated from NMC, he went on to earn his CFI and CFII at the Florida Keys Flight Academy. Collin has now completed his Private, Instrument, Commercial, High Performance, and CFI/CFII certifications and ratings. Collin is now instructing at Ascend Avaition and hopes to move on to a regional airline in the years to come.
Collin. Pigloski
CFI/CFII
Blake Barterian
CFI/CFII
Blake started his training at Marine City Airport, and finished his private training at Oakland International Airport. From there he continued at Oakland to get his Instrument Rating, Commerical Rating, and CFI/CFII Ratings. Growing up near Selfridge ANG, Blake has always been obsessed with the idea of flying. He is now living that dream and instructing with us at Ascend Aviation with goals to be in the airlines later in his career.