A New Year Announcement From BWI Aviation Insurance
As we begin 2026, BWI Aviation Insurance is proud to share one of the most significant announcements in our 49-year history.
This year marks a new era for our company, one defined by renewed leadership, a bold return to national aviation events, major expansions in service and technology, and an even stronger commitment to the pilots, aircraft owners, drone operators, and aviation businesses we serve.
In this long-form update, we’re excited to introduce our new leadership promotions, outline our 2026 event tour across the United States, and share how BWI is preparing for the biggest year in our company’s evolution.
A Transformational Year Behind Us, And a Milestone Ahead
2025 was one of the defining years in BWI history.
We:
- surpassed 10,000 customers,
- welcomed exceptional new team members across multiple departments,
- improved internal systems and SOPs,
- strengthened our underwriter relationships,
- expanded our capabilities in iFlyQuote and FileMaker,
- and laid the foundation for significant AI-driven improvements.
Those accomplishments are not just metrics, they represent thousands of aircraft owners, pilots, and aviation businesses who trusted BWI to protect their aircraft and operations.
Now, in 2026, we are scaling that momentum even further.
Kristen Suarez Promoted to Chief Operating Officer
We are proud to announce that Kristen Suarez has officially stepped into the role of Chief Operating Officer at BWI Aviation Insurance.
Based in Warrenton, North Carolina, Kristen has been an integral part of BWI for nine years, shaping nearly every operational function within the company. Her journey includes leadership in:
- producer support
- account management
- operational systems
- team training
- process development
- customer experience
- strategic planning
Kristen’s deep mastery of aviation insurance operations, combined with her leadership, clarity, and high standards, has made her one of the most influential voices at BWI.
Her impact expands beyond the company:
- Member, Aviation Insurance Association Education Committee
- Elected Director of the Agent/Broker Division in 2024
These recognitions reflect her expertise and her broader role in elevating the aviation insurance industry.
As COO, Kristen will oversee:
- company-wide operations
- cross-department alignment
- strategic planning
- leadership development
- operational efficiency
- major company initiatives
- expansion into new product lines and markets
Kristen enters this role with the full support of our leadership team, and with tremendous excitement for the path ahead.
Ryan Ammerman Promoted to Sales Manager
We are also pleased to announce Ryan Ammerman as BWI’s new Sales Manager.
Ryan brings years of aviation insurance expertise and a deep understanding of the unique risks faced by:
- private pilots
- aircraft owners
- flight schools
- charter operators
- aviation businesses and fleets
Ryan has built a career defined by:
- clarity in coverage explanations
- relationship-based service
- technical precision
- responsiveness and availability
- the ability to navigate complex aviation risks
His approach aligns perfectly with BWI’s mission:
to deliver expert guidance, world-class service, and long-term value for every customer.
Ryan’s promotion marks a new chapter for our sales organization, one focused on leadership, service excellence, and national growth.
BWI Is Returning to the Aviation Community in 2026: Bigger Than Ever Before
For many years, BWI has been a familiar face at aviation gatherings across the country. From Anchorage to Lakeland, Oshkosh to Dallas, we’ve met thousands of customers, underwriters, and industry partners face-to-face.
In 2025, we intentionally stepped back from tradeshows to focus on internal improvements, growth planning, and the rollout of new systems and processes.
In 2026, we’re returning to the community, and doing it in a major way.
BWI will attend 12+ major aviation events this year, with teams on the ground across the country.
Each event provides a unique opportunity for pilots, drone operators, aircraft owners, and partners to meet our team in person.
Below is the official BWI 2026 Aviation Event Tour:
2026 BWI National Aviation Event Schedule
- Alaska Air Carriers Association Convention
Anchorage, Alaska
February 4–6, 2026
https://www.alaskaaircarriers.org/
- AOPA Fly-In
Buckeye, Arizona
February 13–15, 2026
https://www.aopa.org/
- HAI Heli-Expo / Verticon
Atlanta, Georgia
March 9–12, 2026
https://heliexpo.rotor.org/
- Women in Aviation International Conference
Dallas, Texas
March 19–21, 2026
https://www.wai.org/
- Sun ’n Fun Aerospace Expo
Lakeland, Florida
April 14–19, 2026
https://flysnf.org/
- Great Alaska Aviation Gathering
Palmer, Alaska
May 2–4, 2026
https://greatalaskaaviationgathering.org/
- Aviation Insurance Association Annual Conference (AIA)
Dallas, Texas
May 4–7, 2026
https://www.aiaweb.org/
- AUVSI XPONENTIAL (Drone Expo)
Denver, Colorado
May 11–14, 2026
https://www.xponential.org/
- EAA AirVenture Oshkosh
Oshkosh, Wisconsin
July 20–26, 2026
https://www.eaa.org/airventure
- Commercial UAV Expo
Las Vegas, Nevada
September 1–3, 2026
https://www.expouav.com/
- Cirrus Migration
San Antonio, Texas
September 17–19, 2026
https://www.cirruspilots.org/
- NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Expo
Las Vegas, Nevada
October 20–22, 2026
Why We’re Returning to Events in a Big Way
Each of these events plays a meaningful role in the aviation ecosystem, from general aviation and commercial rotorcraft to drones, corporate aviation, flight schools, manufacturers, and the insurance industry.
By attending, we aim to:
- deepen relationships with our customers
- collaborate directly with underwriters
- support the aviation organizations that support pilots
- learn from the community
- stay ahead of industry trends and technology
- strengthen BWI’s visibility and accessibility
There is no substitute for face-to-face connection in aviation, and we are excited to bring that back in 2026.
Looking Ahead: 2026 Will Be the Biggest Year in BWI History
Our Christmas speech this year included one central message:
This company is built on action.
Not ideas. Not “someday.”
Action.
And 2026 will reflect that mindset better than any year before.
This year, we will:
- Launch a Commercial Aviation Insurance Division
- Expand our renewal and service infrastructure
- Introduce the first wave of AI-powered tools in iFlyQuote
- Roll out automation across FileMaker
- Increase training and development resources for internal teams
- Strengthen underwriter partnerships
- Deliver more educational content to aircraft owners and operators
- Serve more aviation customers than ever in our history
2026 is also our 49th year in business, a powerful milestone that marks the beginning of our march toward 50 years of aviation leadership.
Thank You for Being Part of Our Journey
The aviation community is unlike any other, and the trust you place in us to protect your aircraft, your drones, your business, and your flying is something we never take lightly.
Thank you for being part of BWI’s story.
Thank you for helping us reach 10,000 customers.
And thank you for inspiring us to keep improving, innovating, and striving to be the best aviation insurance agency on planet Earth.
We cannot wait to meet many of you in person this year.
Fly safe,
The BWI Aviation Insurance Team
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