Hiller Aviation Museum

Staff Management Team

 

Lanie Agulay

Private Events Manager

Lanie Agulay joined Hiller Aviation Museum in 2004. She plans and manages all aspects of daytime and evening private events from large-scale to small meetings and functions. She also coordinates vendors, onsite resources, and event logistics for private events held at the Museum.

Grace Ali

Development Coordinator

As the Development Coordinator, Grace manages the museum’s membership program, helping to build and strengthen relationships. She works to ensure members stay engaged, appreciated, and connected to our mission. She holds a B.A. in Labor and Employment Studies from San Francisco State University and an A.A. in Behavioral Sciences. She loves to answer inquiries and questions regarding memberships. Helping others is her passion; history is a close second.

Audie Amirkiai

Vice President of Development

Audie joined the Museum in 2023 after serving as the Community Relations Manager for the San Jose Earthquakes MLS soccer team. Audie manages donor relations, along with fundraising events, initiatives, and campaigns. She earned a BA in Sociology from Saint Mary’s College.

Sophie Brown

Collections Manager

Sophie is responsible for stewarding the Museum's collection of aircraft, artifacts and archives. She holds a bachelor's degree in history from California State University Channel Islands and is pursuing her graduate studies at San Jose State University.

Linh Fanger

Vice President of Education & Public Programs

Linh joined Hiller Aviation Museum in 2011 and has grown into executive leadership over more than 15 years with the organization. With a background spanning museum education, youth programs, and classroom teaching, she leads educational initiatives while overseeing field trips, camps, public programs, and community engagement. Linh holds a Bachelor of Arts from UC Berkeley and a California Clear Multiple Subject Teaching Credential.

Katie Farlie

Camp Coordinator & Education Operations Associate

Katie oversees the Museum’s public programs, camps, and special visitor experiences that inspire curiosity through science, engineering, and technology. After first volunteering with Aviation Camp as a teenager, she officially joined the Museum team in 2018. Today, Katie helps lead educational operations and public programming, creating engaging experiences that connect visitors of all ages with the excitement of aviation and STEM learning.

Katherine Garcia

Museum Store Manager

Katherine has developed and implemented marketing strategies for diverse organizations, including KQED, Nichirei Foods America and Brae Corporation. She graduated from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburg, PA and has an MBA from San Francisco State.

Tanya Gist

Director of Education

Tanya joined the Hiller Aviation Museum staff in 2016 and brings more than a decade of experience in education and nonprofit operations. After serving in multiple roles, including Events Assistant and Volunteer Coordinator, she now serves as the Museum's full-time Director of Education. Tanya holds an A.S. degree in Business Administration, Economics, and Psychology from Cañada College and is currently pursuing her bachelor's degree in Business Administration.

Esperanza Halili

Bookkeeper

Esperanza Halili manages the day-to-day aspects of the museum’s finance operations. She has provided accounting and payroll services for numerous Bay Area firms and received a BS Degree in Business Administration – Finance from San Francisco State University.

Heather Stein

Events & Marketing Assistant

Heather first joined the Hiller Aviation Museum as a high school volunteer and later worked as a staff member in the Education to help support the Aviation Camp program. Heather graduated from San Jose State University in 2022 and now helps publicize the museum’s diverse educational programming as well as assists with events at the Museum.

Zoe Timmerman

Volunteer Coordinator

Zoe serves as the Volunteer Coordinator, bringing experience in volunteer management, nonprofit operations, and museum education. Prior to joining Hiller, she coordinated volunteer programs at the Museum of American Heritage, where she oversaw volunteer onboarding, training, scheduling, communications, and recognition efforts. Zoe holds a Master’s degree in Museum Studies from Johns Hopkins University.

Willie Turner

Vice President of Operations & Marketing

Willie Turner joined the Hiller Aviation Museum in October 1995. He manages the overall marketing department and creates the promotional events supporting the organization’s overall mission. He plans and manages all aspects of daytime and evening private events from large scale to small meetings and functions. He also coordinates vendors, onsite resources, and event logistics for private events held at the Museum. He has successfully developed, the Museum’s premier events including Vertical Challenge, Biggest Little Air Show, Day of Drones, Noon Years, and the lecture series. A graduate of California State University, Chico, he also holds a Private Pilot Certificate.

Jon Welte

President & CEO

Jon joined the museum in 2007 as Education Programs Manager and was responsible for the development and implementation of programs for children and the general public. Since 2023 he has served as the museum’s President & CEO. Jon was captivated by aviation and science at a young age. He logged his first hour of dual instruction at age 13 and received his first telescope that same year. Jon holds a BS in Astronomy from UC Berkeley, an MBA from California State University Long Beach, and a Private Pilot Certificate.