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HeliService USA is proud to be the first and only helicopter operator supporting the development of offshore wind in the United States. We have a proven track record of performance having been ready for our customers on-time and are currently serving all developers and major tier-1 suppliers. It is a privilege to be leading from the front of such an important new industry, providing our customers with the highest levels of standards and service.
HeliService USA is a Veteran owned and operated business, staffed locally, with over fifty percent of our employees having served in the military. As a first of its kind operation in the United States, working in an industry already well established in Europe, HeliService USA recognized the need and competitive advantage of bringing the experience and know-how of a proven operator to the table.
We’re proud to have partnered with HeliService Germany, the world’s leading helicopter operator in the offshore wind market. HeliService USA has been able to build off their over three decades in operation, supporting offshore wind customers with crew-transfer, hoisting, cargo, and helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS).
CEO & Founder
Director of Business Operations & Marketing
Director of Operations
Director of Sales & Business Development
Safety Manager & Lead Communications Specialist
Director of Finance & IT
Michael Tosi
CEO / Managing Director
Our CEO and founder Michael Tosi is an experienced leader, entrepreneur, and pilot. With a lifelong passion for aviation, he started flying in his teens while pursuing an undergraduate degree in business and marketing. Upon graduation he joined the Air Force as a Combat Search and Rescue helicopter pilot where he deployed to Iraq and the Horn of Africa, flew Civil Search & Rescue missions in Alaska, and supported multiple disaster relief efforts around the world.
Eager to enter the private sector, Michael founded his first company in his mid-twenties – A helicopter tour, instruction, and Part 135 charter company serving Southern Rhode Island. Fortuitously, the company’s most popular tour flew directly over the Block Island Wind Farm as it was being constructed by large vessels with helidecks that were notably going unused. Offshore helicopter operations providing wind turbine hoist and crew-change services are tremendously complex and no such service existed in United States. It was in large part from this exposure and subsequent research that led Michael to the foundation of HeliService USA and a technical partnership with HeliService GmbH to safely provide these services to the nascent offshore wind industry in the United Sates.
In addition to managing HeliService USA, Michael is an active member of the helicopter community – He’s a contributor to Vertical Magazine, manages a substantial social media presence (@jolly_pilot) with over 50k followers, and serves in the Air Force part-time as a Major and Aircraft Commander for the New York Air National Guard flying the HH-60G Pavehawk Combat Search and Rescue Helicopter.
Sophie Krenn
Director of Business Operations
The aviation industry is everchanging and requires both critical thinking and adaptability. As the Director of Business Operations, Sophie Krenn helps shape the mission and culture of HeliService USA as it grows in the offshore sector. Sophie has a diverse background ranging from law, economics, and business. She completed her Business Law degree at the Vienna University of Economics and Business before furthering her education as a Fulbright scholar at Columbia University in New York. Before joining the HeliService USA team, Sophie was a Legal and Sales assistant to the CEO at Swimsol, an international Solar energy company with a business concentration in the tropics. She also served as an advisor at the Austrian Mission to the United Nations, reporting on economic and fiscal policy and global impact of migration. Sophie now helps steer the overall business operation at HeliService USA with a focus on legal, compliance, and marketing strategy.
Paul Russo
Director of Operations
Jacob Lewis
Director of Maintenance
Our Director of Maintenance brings a diverse background in civil and military search and rescue (SAR) operations, maintenance, and inspections. He served as the SAR Program Manager at PHI Helicopters, developing comprehensive SAR strategies and protocols. With expertise on various helicopter models, including SH92, AW139, S76, BK117, AW109, AW119, EC135, EC145, and EC225, he offers valuable knowledge to HeliService USA.
Previously, Jacob excelled at CHI Aviation/Bristow Group as a SAR Manager, Chief Crewman, and ALSE Manager, overseeing SAR operations. He also held a role as a Quality Control Inspector at ERA Helicopters, specializing in the AW139 and ensuring effective communication for audits.
With a military background as a UH-60 Helicopter Repairer in the U.S. Army, Jacob gained extensive experience in UH-60 Blackhawk maintenance and repair, serving in various roles including Phase Team Lead, Maintenance Technician, and Crew Chief.
Zach Leggett
Chief Pilot
Our Chief Pilot brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from a career spanning multiple continents and diverse flight operations. At HeliService USA, he upholds a strong commitment to excellence in aviation, leading with a focus on safety, operational proficiency, and regulatory compliance. His expertise strengthens our dedication to providing top-tier aviation services and ensures we consistently meet the highest industry standards.
He began his commercial pilot career in the Gulf of Mexico, first with Rotorcraft Leasing in 2008, followed by Petroleum Helicopters in 2010. In these roles, he flew increasingly complex aircraft in challenging environments, laying the foundation for his skill, professionalism, and leadership, and solidifying his commitment to aviation safety.
For several years, he worked closely with the Columbia River Bar Pilots, flying in one of the most perilous environments in the Pacific Northwest. As a company Instructor Pilot and Check Pilot, he conducted extensive Single Pilot IFR and Human External Cargo (HEC) operations, both day and night, ensuring the safe and efficient transfer of the Columbia River Bar Pilots to and from vessels in challenging conditions. His dedication to precision and safety helped establish the safety standards required by the harbor pilot transfer industry.
In 2019, he founded Pacific Lift Aviation, a Part 133, Part 135, and Part 137 certificated operation, where he served as both Director of Operations and Chief Pilot. Under his leadership, Pacific Lift Aviation expanded its services to include specialized external load operations, air taxi services, and agricultural missions.
He also served as Chief Pilot for a Part 135 operator in Saudi Arabia, where he gained valuable international experience managing flight operations across diverse terrains and ensuring full compliance with both local and international aviation standards.
Johann Sweitzer
Training Manager
Our Director of Training grew up in Rhode Island, right next to our base operations, bringing a deep understanding of the local aviation landscape. With a wealth of experience from a career in Helicopter Air Ambulance. He possesses the expertise to uphold the highest standards within HeliService USA. Johann’s extensive background includes several years serving as a Check Airman at Seven Bar Aviation and Global Medical Response where he trained and evaluated pilots and implemented quality training programs. He diligently ensures that all pilots meet the required competency standards, while actively contributing to the development of training protocols and procedures.
Chris Campo
Director of Sales & Business Development
Andrew Estus
Ground Ops Manager
Hana Beauregard
Lead Communication Specialist
Ken Porter
Director of Finance
