Expert Faculty
PIA proudly employs an accomplished, experienced faculty. Some of their photos and profiles are below.
Bernard (Butch) Adams
Adams has been an instructor at PIA for seven years, teaching mostly second-quarter (electrical) along with third-quarter shop (electronics), first-quarter Ohm’s law, physics, blueprint drafting, hand tools, safety, and digital electronics. Also in his time with PIA, Adams has made electrical “Training Panels” to be sold to other schools, reconditioned the “Ohms Law” trainers, and is currently working on updating the electrical shop training panels.
Adams has served on several committees for local Vo-Techs, and he coordinates PIA’s trips to AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. He also teaches courses in electronics, basic troubleshooting, and advanced troubleshooting at a local Community College.
Before coming to PIA, Adams held a position at a nationwide service organization where he repaired electronics down to the component level. Adams was employed there for 25 years.
James R. Zack
Zack is an electronics instructor at PIA, specializing in fiber optics, radio communications, digital circuits, computers, and programmable logic control.
Before joining PIA, Zack held several positions at IBM, including Advisory Engineer/Systems Analyst and Manager of Electronic Design Automation. Prior to that, Zack was a Senior Designer for electrical systems and automation controls at ALCOA.
Brianne Goodwin
Goodwin has been instructing courses in physics, basic electricity, and drafting at PIA since the spring of 2007. Prior to this, she taught in the Pittsburgh Public School District and did substitute teaching in the Keystone Oaks and Upper St. Clair School Districts.
Goodwin graduated in 2006 from Clarion University with a bachelor's degree in Education and a certification in Physics. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree through Clarion University as well.
Todd Kruszka
Kruszka instructs three English courses at PIA and works on the school’s newsletter, The Technician. Kruszka graduated from Penn State University and has been writing and teaching since 2000. Kruszka worked as a substitute teacher, instructing various subjects in several grade levels, until joining the instructional staff at PIA.
Creighton Bryan
Bryan has been an airframe instructor at PIA since November of 2000. In this position, he instructs students in the areas of aircraft hardware, weight and balance, fabric covering, non-destructive testing, and sheet metal.
Bryan is a PIA alum. Prior to teaching at PIA, he worked in general aviation and with US Airways in Pittsburgh.
Warren Guthrie
Before coming to PIA to utilize his experience and training by instructing students, Guthrie held several positions as a mechanic and worked for Allegheny Airlines in the overhaul department. Guthrie also flies, which he learned recreationally while in the United States Air Force. After being drafted, Guthrie joined the Air Force to remain around aircraft, an interest he developed working for American Airlines in New York.
During his time in the Air Force, Guthrie attended electronics school in Denver, Colorado. His first degree, however, came from PIA in 1960.
Leroy Nicholson
Nicholson is a Powerplant instructor at PIA, teaching courses in engine maintenance and overhaul. He has also been a part of the Jump Start program at PIA, teaching Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) training. Nicholson earned his Associate in Specialized Technology degree from PIA and holds his FCC GROL (General Radiotelephone Operator’s License) and FAA A&P (Airframe & Powerplant) certification. Nicholson also holds single-engine airplane and commercial helicopter licenses. He is currently building a four-place airplane that he hopes will be airworthy in the next year.
Susan Veverka
Veverka has been a math and aviation history instructor at PIA since 2004. Prior to this, she held teaching positions at Baldwin High School, Bethel Park High School, Robert Morris University, and the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC). She has also worked as a cost accountant, an income tax preparer, and a free-lance accounting consultant.
Veverka has a master's degree in Business Education and a bachelor's degree in Accounting from Robert Morris University.
David Koehler
Koehler, one of PIA's electronics and instruments instructors, is known for the breadth and depth of his lessons. Few may know that Mr. Koehler, now celebrating his tenth year at PIA, climbed North America's highest summit of Mt. McKinley in 1986. After a career that began with auto repair, he enrolled at PIA and graduated in 1992 with both an avionics and aviation maintenance degree. He worked up from a line mechanic to maintenance controller to Manager of Planning and Records, before joining the faculty at PIA. Mr. Koehler still enjoys working on cars and is President of the Washington County Model Aviation Association.
