Sutton James - Meet Us

Sutton James Incorportated Aviation Insurance Brokers

When we started our company in 1986, we set out to build a first-class organization. What sets Sutton James apart from our competitors is our people. The majority of our aviation brokers are licensed pilots with experience in aviation as well as insurance. In addition to this background, all of us spend a good deal of time each year keeping up with the latest developments in the worlds of general aviation and insurance.

Our goal is to develop a long term relationship with each of our customers. We are in a competitive business, and we have succeeded because every one of our people understands the need to provide the best service we can every day. Service is what we sell, and all of our people, both brokers and support staff, are aware of it.

And because there are nine of us, you will always be able to reach someone who is knowledgeable and who can help you, even if your regular broker is out of the office.

The experience, attitude and depth of our people are what set us apart. While each of us has our own story, a background in aviation is the common thread.

	Jon Doolittle (Junior) holds a BA from Trinity College and an MBA in Finance from New York University and the University of Connecticut. Jon started refueling airplanes while he was in college to pay for his flying lessons. He worked as a flight instructor and charter pilot, and later as a dispatcher for a regional airline. Jon spent 5 years in New York City as an underwriter for USAIG, where he handled commercial and corporate aviation accounts. He started the company in 1986 with one other person in a spare bedroom. Jon is a current CFII and an FAA Aviation Safety Counselor. He presents insurance and safety-related seminars on behalf of the FAA and other groups. He is also a contributor to several aviation publications including "The Aviation Consumer" and "Twin & Turbine" magazine.
	Shara Buffington Shara Buffington holds a BS in Aviation Management and Flight Operations from Daniel Webster College where she also learned to fly and earned her Private Pilot Certificate and Instrument rating. She continued with her pilot training and acquired her Sea Plane rating a few years ago, training on the Connecticut River. Prior to joining Sutton James Shara worked in the corporate aviation industry as a Placement Coordinator for a large jet management company. Shara is a licensed broker who is actively pursuing her Certified Insurance Counselor designation. She handles a wide variety of Sutton James clients which include both fixed and rotor wing, flight schools and FBO's.
	James Buffington holds a BS in Aviation Management and Flight Operations from Daniel Webster College. Jamie is a licensed Private Pilot with Single Engine Instrument and Sea ratings and has a passion for flying. Prior to joining Sutton James, Jamie gained experience in the corporate aviation industry as a dispatcher for a corporate flight department. Jamie is a licensed broker who is a lead member of the Robinson Helicopter insurance team and handles a wide array of insurance for his clients ranging from fixed and rotor wing aircraft to flight schools and commercial operators.
	Airika Robb is a broker at Sutton James who handles both rotor and fixed wing aircraft insurance policies. She also handles the majority of our aviation products policies and special risk accounts. Airika holds a BS in Aviation Management and an AS in Flight Operations from Daniel Webster College where she also became a licensed pilot. Prior to working for Sutton James, Airika gained further experience in the aviation field working for an FBO at Brainard Airport in Hartford, and a local avionics company.
	Caitlyn Jones-Henry holds a B.S. in Aviation Management and Transportation from the University of New Haven and is a commercial, instrument, single and multi engine rated pilot, as well as a certificated flight instructor. Prior to Sutton James, Caitlyn was the manager for a FAA Part 141 flight school located at Brainard Airport. She has also worked as a dispatcher for a FAA Part 91 and Part 135 operator, and has flown as a line pilot in a variety of single and twin engine aircraft. Caitlyn is a licensed broker who handles insurance for the Robinson helicopter program as well as all varieties of fixed and rotor wing aircraft and commercial risks.
	Richard Kenney earned his BS degree from Holy Cross College and completed graduate studies in business and insurance at Boston University. Since then he has earned the Certified Aviation Insurance Professional (CAIP), Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) and Associate in Risk Management (ARM) designations. He is one of the very few to have acquired all three diplomas. Dick began his insurance career as an underwriter with AIG and later transferred to the brokerage arena where he handled corporate aircraft and large commercial accounts, including in-orbit satellites for a New York broker. He moved to North Carolina in 1996 joining a major international aviation insurance broker and in 2004 affiliated with Sutton James. While enjoying all forms of aviation insurance, Dick specializes in the flight training environment and corporate aircraft. Dick has logged several thousand hours during his many years as a pilot. He now flies his Mooney from Sanford, North Carolina, where he is a member of the Wings of Carolina Flying Club and Chair of its Safety Committee. Dick is a well known figure in North Carolina aviation and insurance circles. Dick is married to Marie McHugh, a former Dean at Boston College. Between them, they have nine children and seventeen grandchildren. Although Marie is an accomplished golfer, Dick insists that flying is both his profession and his hobby.