About Us
Ron Reichel
Senior Consultant
Ron Reichel is an accomplished Airport Manager, Safety & Risk, and SMS Manager at Sacramento International Airport (SMF).
At SMF, Ron's commitment to excellence is evident in his successful establishment of an Airport SMS program, which is currently in the continuous improvement stage per the new FAA Airport SMS rule. His remarkable efforts led SMF to become the first airport in the United States to submit an SMS Implementation Plan to the FAA when the Airport SMS rule came into effect on April 24, 2023.
With over 20 years of aviation safety and training experience, Ron's expertise extends from his law enforcement pilot and senior leadership roles at U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). His journey with Safety Management Systems (SMS) began in 2010, when he spearheaded the implementation of a successful SMS for CBP Air & Marine Operations.
During his tenure with CBP Air & Marine Operations, Ron exhibited exceptional leadership skills, overseeing and managing the health and welfare of the world’s largest civilian aviation and maritime law enforcement organization by leading safety, risk management, training, standardization, and accident investigation programs.
With a Bachelor of Science degree in Aviation Sciences and ongoing professional development, including certifications from AAAE and completion of prestigious programs such as the USC Viterbi School of Engineering's Safety and Security Certificate Program, three NTSB accident investigation courses; Leadership Strategies, The Effective Facilitator, and Human Factors Analysis and Classification Systems, also known as HFACS, Ron brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his role. In addition, Ron has been an FAA licensed pilot for the past 35 years.
With Ron's leadership and vast experience, SMF continues to advance its safety objectives through his engagement in hazard assessments, SMS Committee meetings, and Safety Risk Management Panels. Ron's dedication to aviation safety, combined with his extensive background in safety, training, and SMS implementation, make him an invaluable asset to the EZ Airport SMS and its stakeholders.
Merton Cox
Consultant
Merton Cox is a retired member of the Federal Senior Executive Service (SES) who served as Executive Director of Operations (2013-2015) and Executive Director of Training, Safety, and Standards (2009-2013) for U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Air and Marine Operations, the world’s largest civilian law enforcement aviation organization. Merton serves as an Adjunct Instructor for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and since 2013 has taught SMS, aviation safety, human factors, as well as numerous homeland security, global crime and criminal justice, and intelligence operations courses. Following his federal retirement and 36 years of law enforcement and aviation service, Merton chose to continue serving his community as an aeromedical pilot & safety officer, university instructor and aeronautical consultant.
Merton has been a certificated pilot since 1987 and holds an Airline Transport Pilot – Multi-Engine Land rating as well as Commercial Pilot certification in Airplane Single Engine Land & Sea, Rotorcraft Helicopter, and Instrument Helicopter. Merton holds Flight Instructor certification in Airplane Single and Multi-Engine Land, Instrument Airplane and Rotorcraft Helicopter, Advanced and Instrument Ground Instructor ratings and a Remote Pilot certificate rated in small unmanned aircraft systems.
Merton’s experience with SMS began in 2010, while serving as the Executive Director of Training, Safety, and Standards where he provided executive oversight of the development, implementation, and continued refinement of SMS for CBP Air & Marine Operations. While leading this initiative, he was responsible for developing budgets, allocating resources, defining and managing goals and timelines, leading a diverse team of safety professionals, and providing informational briefings to internal and external stakeholders including the Commissioner of CBP and the FAA.
Merton’s diverse education provides him insight into not only the technical aspects of SMS but also into the security and people aspects that create a strong, successful, and sustaining program. He holds a Master of Aeronautical Science with dual specializations in Aerospace/Aviation Systems Safety and Aerospace/Aviation Management, a Master of Science in National Security and Strategic Studies, and a Master of Arts in Counseling. Merton is additionally a graduate of the National Transportation Safety Board’s Aviation Accident Investigation course and has previously served as a volunteer safety professional for the FAA.