Four Shocker alums selected as 2025 NBAA 40 Under 40 awardees

Though Joshua Bell ’20, Michael Bradfield ’11/22, Rachel Douglass ’12 and Kara Wolf ’14 each found their own way to a career in aviation, their paths have in common a single locus: Wichita State University. And for this year’s National Business Aviation Association 40 Under 40 Awardees, it was their time spent here that prepared them to take their careers to new heights.

Aviation has always been a part of Joshua Bell’s story; his grandfather served as an aviator in the U.S. Marine Corps, and his father worked as a technician for Yingling Aviation and Cessna. After graduating from Maize South High School, Bell chose to continue in the family tradition by pursuing an electrical engineering degree at Wichita State. “In aviation, innovation and precision go hand-in-hand,” he says. “WSU helped me build a mindset that balances both.”

Now a senior engineer in interior research and development at Textron Aviation, Bell credits his time at WSU with preparing him to not only address problems with technical skills but also in seeing the bigger picture to the work he does. “My involvement in different programs – like STEMpact, which allowed me to return to my own high school as a mentor and share what I was learning at WSU – made me think about leadership, global impact and the ways that engineers can drive change,” he says. “Those experiences have stuck with me more than anything else.”

Rachel Douglass, senior manager of communications and external affairs at Textron eAviation, got her takeoff in aviation not in WSU’s College of Engineering, but its Barton School of Business. She connected with an internship opportunity at Greteman Group, a Wichita-based advertising agency supporting aviation clients, which led to a full-time position at the firm. “My internship experience was a defining moment, deepening my understanding of the industry and sparking a passion for business aviation,” Douglass says.

That passion continues to guide her professional career and her service to others. In February, she joined the Mentor Pilot Program in the Barton School, which pairs students with members of its Alumni Advisory Board. “The university’s ongoing developments and educational programs are a testament to its commitment to providing opportunities for future generations to succeed,” she says.

Michael Bradfield’s path to his current role as senior flight test pilot at Textron Aviation was a far cry from linear. “Unlike most, I had no idea what I wanted to do for a career. I focused on what I knew I enjoyed, math and troubleshooting,” he says. “As it turns out, those interests made engineering a good fit for me.”

Wichita State’s national reputation in aerospace engineering made his choice to attend a “no-brainer.” As a student, he focused on seizing opportunities to supplement his classroom instruction – the Senior Design course where teams design and build an airplane from the ground up, a co-op with Hawker Beechcraft that introduced him to the day-to-day operations of the engineering profession and graduate courses to hone his skills in the business sector. “Opportunities continued to present themselves and, along with hard work and dedication, I found a profession that I truly enjoy every single day,” he says. “It’s amazing what a quality education from WSU can do for you.”

Time spent at WSU was, for Kara Wolf, time spent discovering the field of business aviation – and herself. “My education and the support of faculty members provided me with more than business knowledge,” she reflects. “It taught me how to navigate complex situations and collaborate with diverse perspectives from around the world.” Studying marketing and entrepreneurship in the Barton School of Business, she learned to view a business as a holistic system where all segments must work together.

While a student, she landed an internship with Bombardier’s Flight Operations team. She currently holds the role of MSP engines sales manager for Honeywell Aerospace. “This industry is filled with professionals who not only drive progress but are also deeply committed to giving back,” she says.

The same can be said of Wichita State, the launchpad for each of these NBAA 40 Under 40 honorees.