Great Lakes Diamond Aircraft Sales deals only in Diamond Aircraft. We are passionate about the quality and safety of Diamond’s product, and we have assembled a strong team to sell and support this fine aircraft line. Each of our affiliated dealers is an independent business, allowing each to focus on delivering the highest quality service in his or her local market. Our principals and our dealers have decades of aviation and sales experience to guide new and experienced buyers in all aspects of new aircraft purchases. We have a strong network of service and training facilities in our region to ensure a quality post-sale experience, and foundational to our success has been the returning customer.
Andy James began flying in 1968 as a student pilot in Illinois. In 1970, his work for Bell Systems took him to New Jersey where he joined a 40 member flying club and earned his CFI and CFII privileges. In 1973, Andy established his first owned flying club, and in 1976, he returned to Illinois and started X-Country flying Club at Lewis University Airport, growing that club to 38 aircraft and nearly 400 members by 1999. In 2000, Andy sold his FBO and Air Taxi businesses, A&M Aviation, to devote all of his efforts to the sales of new Diamond Aircraft through A&M Aircraft Sales.
Andy began selling the two-place Diamond Katana (now named the DA20 Eclipse), and added new models as Diamond introduced them. His management and sales expertise draw from 28 years of management positions in the Bell System and as a full-time Flight Instructor, FBO and air taxi business operator for 22 years.
Dan Eldridge joined with Andy in 2008 to form Great Lakes Diamond Aircraft Sales, a company solely focused on the sales and support of new Diamond Aircraft in the upper Midwest. .
Born in Washington, DC, Dan learned to fly in the crowded skies over New York City, where he lived after graduation from Hamilton College in 1987 with a Bachelors Degree in Economics. Dan has led sales and business development for two enterprise software companies, taking one from venture-funded startup to successful sale, and has held senior research, trading and business development positions at two of the largest hedge funds in the industry.
Dan holds an FAA commercial pilot certificate with multi-engine airplane and instrument ratings. He has more than 3000 hours of pilot-in-command time, and for four years commuted between New York City and Boston in a light single.
Dan makes his home in Naperville with his wife of more than 10 years and their two children.
Since 2007, Chris has been the exclusive sales representative for New York and New England on the behalf of the local Diamond Regional Distributor, and in 2009, Chris joined the Great Lakes Diamond organization to continue Diamond sales and support work in those states.
Chris is committed to delivering the best customer service possible to our aircraft buyers and flight school operators, offering guidance for the full lifecycle of aircraft ownership.
Chris grew up in a small town in North Carolina, moving to Vermont with his wife to raise a family there in 2002. He is based out of Rutland, VT.
Mark Woods brings diverse sales knowledge and aviation experience as GLDAS' Upper Midwest dealer. "My father had airplanes as far back as I can remember," says Woods. Early in his career, Woods gained sales experience in a variety of industries, including automobiles and financial services. He has always been a top performer, exceeding sales goals wherever he went. Mark was the original Michigan representative for the previous Diamond Distributor in that state, and he is thrilled to again be associated with the sales of the Diamond line.
Mark has over 4000 hours of flight time and holds a Commercial certificate with multi-engine and instrument ratings. One of his favorite flight memories is a honeymoon trip in 1997 when his bride and other relatives followed the Alaskan Highway to Fairbanks and back. "My family loves the outdoors and skiing," Woods says, "so flying over all that pristine snow and incredible scenery made it a trip non of us will forget."
Mark is based in Brighton, MI, where he makes his home with his wife and two children.
John Layne manages Dixie Chopper Air in Greencastle, IN. Dixie Chopper is a full service Diamond facility: Sales, Diamond Service Center, and Diamond Flight Center.
John's flying experience spans a wide range of aircraft, from LSA's to Business Jets.
Jeff Nelson is based out of Norther Illinois and, seasonally, Montana.
He is an experienced aircraft and Motor Glider pilot with more than 3000 hours total time.
Jeff operates in the Chicagoland area from Lake in the Hills airport, where he bases his HK36 as well as a pressurized piston twin.
You may reach Jeff at
(800) 962-9437 x8
Joe Miller brings a personal passion and wealth of aviation experience as the Eastern States dealer for Great Lakes Diamond. Joe earned his Private Pilot certificate in March of 2004 and has since accumulated an more than 5000 flight hours in a variety of aircraft. He now holds a Commercial Multi-engine certificate with Instrument ratings and is a Certified Flight Instructor with Multi-engine and Instrument ratings with nearly 2000 hours of dual given - mostly in Diamond aircraft.
Joe's expertise extends beyond flying, covering all aspects of aircraft ownership. His knowledge of the training, insurance, financing, and tax compliance aspects of ownership are a true benefit to any buyer - first-time or experenced.
Joe is based at the Delaware Municipal Airport in Delaware, OH, and he lives with his wife Mollie and their English Bulldog in Columbus, OH.