Our Team

Mark Ballard
Lead Mechanic

Email:  [email protected]
Phone: 434-791-5752

Mark started turning wrenches at about age 5 helping his dad restore antique cars. At the early ages of 14 and 15, he studied engine mechanics and welding at Patrick Henry Community College and was encouraged by an instructor to pursue a career in either Nascar or Aviation. A few years later, Mark graduated high school and was working in a furniture factory until a back injury helped him decide that it was time to go back to college. After working on cars his whole life, he wanted to try something different and chose aircraft mechanic’s school at Guilford Technical Community College in Jamestown, N.C. and graduated in 1985. Mark worked for a local Ford dealer until he heard about and was hired for a job at Danville Regional Airport in September 1988.  He worked under the Lead Mechanic until 1996 when he took over the role and has been running the maintenance department at the airport ever since. Mark is a man of faith and takes great pride in providing safe aircraft for customers and the AU student starting their career.