Sheryl A. Barden, CAM
Chief Executive Officer
Widely lauded as the preeminent workforce expert for the business aviation industry, Sheryl A. Barden, CAM, is particularly regarded for her extensive knowledge of the aviation talent shortage issue and for sharing creative workforce solutions that help aviation organizations become and remain an “employer of choice.”
As the CEO of Aviation Personnel International, the longest-running business aviation recruitment and HR solutions firm, Sheryl is an author and frequent guest speaker and contributor to the monthly “AINsight” column for Aviation International News.
Admired as a visionary and world-class HR professional, Sheryl has developed and honed several workforce solutions that offer a synergistic approach to placing team members in the right roles, thereby elevating service levels and enhancing team productivity. She is regularly quoted as an authority on HR-related topics, such as compensation, succession planning, mentorship and retention strategies.
Sheryl grew up in the world of aviation recruiting under the tutelage of her mother, Janice K. Barden, who founded API in 1971. Having experienced tremendous business success as a product manager in the packaging industry, Sheryl joined API in 2001 as the firm’s Vice President of Business Development. Soon after, in 2003, she assumed the critical role of President, and added Chief Executive Officer responsibilities in 2013. As API’s owner, Sheryl has been instrumental in leading the company’s exponential growth. Throughout her tenure, Sheryl’s leadership of API has remained loyal to the company’s founding principles of integrity, confidentiality and industry-leading client service.
Sheryl is a member of the International Aviation Women's Association (IAWA), Women in Corporate Aviation (WCA), the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM), and the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA). She previously served on the NBAA’s Board of Directors, chaired the NBAA Advisory Council, and served on the NBAA’s Business Aviation Management Committee for six years. She also participates in nonprofit leaderships roles and serves on the Alpha Phi International Foundation Board. She is a current member and past president of the International Women’s Forum of Northern California, and has held various fundraising positions within the Junior League of San Francisco.
After earning a Bachelor’s degree in Management from Pennsylvania State University, Sheryl received her MBA from the McLaren School of Business, at the University of San Francisco. She holds a Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) credential, and was inducted into the NBAA's inaugural CAM Fellows Program. Additionally, Sheryl is the recipient of the prestigious Frances E. Willard Award for her achievements and outstanding business success on an international level.