Sheryl A. Barden, CAM
Chief Executive Officer
Widely recognized as a top workforce expert in business aviation, Sheryl A. Barden, CAM, is the CEO of Aviation Personnel International, the industry's longest-running recruitment and HR consulting firm.
She is a frequent guest speaker, writer, and the monthly AINsight columnist for Aviation International News. Regularly quoted on HR-related topics, Sheryl offers expertise in compensation, the talent shortage, mentorship and retention strategies. She also shares creative workforce solutions that help aviation organizations attract and retain top talent, ensuring they become and remain an “employer of choice.”
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.
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 an active member of the National Business Aviation Association, Northern California Business Aviation Association, Georgia Business Aviation Association and Carolina Aviation Professionals Association. She previously served on NBAA’s Board of Directors, chaired its Advisory Council, and spent six years on its Business Aviation Management Committee.
She also belongs to the Association for Women in Aviation Maintenance, International Aerospace Women's Association, Women in Corporate Aviation and Society for Human Resource Management.
Beyond aviation, Sheryl serves on the Alpha Phi International Foundation Board and is a dual member of the International Women’s Forum of Georgia and Northern California. She is a past president of the IWF of Northern California and has held various fundraising roles with the Junior League of San Francisco.
Beyond aviation, Sheryl serves on the Alpha Phi International Foundation Board and is a dual member of the International Women’s Forum of Georgia and Northern California. She is a past president of the International Women’s Forum of Northern California and has held various fundraising roles with 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.