Meet Your Instructors
The Human Performance Instructor (HPI) Course is led by a diverse team of instructors with extensive backgrounds in aviation, energy, and high-reliability operations. Each brings unique experience in leadership, coaching, and human performance.
Below are examples of two of our HPI instructors and their professional backgrounds:
Will “Toast” Burney
A retired U.S. Navy Commander, Will served as a two-time instructor and Commanding Officer at TOPGUN, the Navy Fighter Weapons School. With a career spanning multiple combat missions over Iraq and Bosnia, Will now applies his experience from aviation, defense, and energy sectors to help organizations build elite performance cultures.(Naval Academy, Naval War College, Aviation Safety Officer, and TOPGUN graduate.)
Monty Ashliman
Recently retired Navy Captain, Monty brings over 32 years of executive and combat leadership experience. He has commanded a strike-fighter squadron and the Navy’s largest jet base, NAS Lemoore, overseeing more than 30,000 personnel and 300 aircraft. A former TOPGUN Instructor, Monty is known for his ability to translate high-stakes military performance principles into practical leadership strategies for industry.