WHO WE ARE

Founder and President

A retired U.S. Navy aviator, Luke has flown fighters, transports, and numerous civilian aircraft throughout his career and remains an active pilot today. He is also the Co-Founder and CEO of AeroGroup, Inc., a Virginia-based aviation company.

Through his own experiences navigating mental health care and the complexities of FAA medical certification, Luke gained firsthand knowledge of how difficult and time-consuming the process can be. Although he received considerable help along the way, finding the right professionals, understanding the requirements, and navigating the system required significant effort. In the process, he developed a strong network of mental health professionals, aviation medical specialists, and other valuable resources.

Luke founded The Hangar Door Foundation with the belief that aviators and their families deserve a safe, confidential place to seek help without unnecessarily jeopardizing their careers. He recognizes that fear of professional consequences often prevents aviators from seeking the support they need. His mission is to remove those barriers by connecting people with trusted professionals, reliable information, and experienced mentors. Above all, he believes no aviator or family should have to blaze their own trail to find help.

Vice President

Paula Craw brings more than 30 years of leadership experience in higher education and financial services to The Hangar Door Foundation. Throughout her career, she has managed student loan portfolios valued at hundreds of millions of dollars and led national outreach and financial education initiatives, helping students and families navigate significant life transitions.

A retired U.S. Navy Reserve Chief Petty Officer, Paula combines extensive professional experience with a lifelong commitment to service.

Her dedication to mental health advocacy is also deeply personal. Following the loss of her beloved nephew to suicide in 2015, Paula became determined to help others facing mental health challenges. Since 2019, she has served on the board of Active Minds, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit dedicated to changing the conversation about mental health among young people.

At The Hangar Door Foundation, Paula brings together her military experience, professional leadership, and personal commitment to mental health advocacy to help ensure that naval aviators and their families have access to the understanding, resources, and support they need when facing life’s most difficult challenges.