AVIATION SAFETY • EMERGENCY RESPONSE
RISK • INVESTIGATIONS • GUIDANCE • SAFETY MANAGEMENT
ABOUT
The Team Behind Safety Operating Systems
Safety Operating Systems (SOS) has been servicing clients since 2004 in areas of flight management, accident investigations, Safety Management System oversight and implementation, and emergency response planning and training along with providing technical representation in a legal capacity when in accident investigations.
Our team has consists of leaders in the aviation safety industry with a breadth of experience that spans over 40 years and includes former military and commercial pilots as well as aviation maintenance experts.
SOS Is Expanding Our Team
Graham Joins SOS and ASC Leadership Team
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We are thrilled to announce that Michael E. Graham, former Vice Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board, has joined Safety Operating Systems (SOS) and Aviation Safety Compliance (ASC) as of October 3, 2026 This landmark appointment significantly enhances our national-level safety leadership and advisory capabilities. Graham will work Captain John Cox, founder and CEO of SOS, and Captain Jim Hosey bringing together an exceptional team of experienced transportation safety leaders. Together, they will provide unparalleled expertise in addressing complex and highsequence risks in the transportation sector.
BIO: The Honorable Michael Graham
Michael Graham joined SOS in October 2026 after serving as Vice Chairman and Board Member of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), where he was appointed in January 2020. At the NTSB, he presided over public Board meetings, evaluated accident investigations and probable causes, and approved investigation reports, safety studies, and safety recommendations across aviation, marine, highway, transit, railroad, pipeline, and commercial space transportation. He also served on major accident “Go Teams,” coordinating investigations, briefing the media, and supporting victims and families.
Prior to the NTSB, Graham spent 22 years with Textron Aviation, where he served as Director of Flight Operations Safety, Security and Standardization. He oversaw flight operations safety, the Safety Management System, emergency response, air safety investigations, and company airports. He also established the company’s Aviation Safety Action Program, which became a model for Part 91 operators.
Graham held leadership roles with several industry safety organizations, including Chairman of the Air Charter Safety Foundation. He received the Flight Safety Foundation’s 2019 Business Aviation Meritorious Service Award.
Graham began his career as a U.S. Navy Naval Aviator, flying A-7s and F/A-18s and completing two operational deployments supporting Southern Watch over Iraq and Kuwait. He later served as an F/A-18 instructor, evaluator, and model manager.
He holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of New Mexico and is a certified Airline Transport Pilot with more than 10,000 flight hours and type ratings in six Citation models.
Our Team
Captain John Cox, founder
With over 14,000 flying hours and 10,000 hours in command of jet airliners, Captain John Cox is a veteran in major airline, corporate, and general aviation. He has also been an instructor, check pilot, and test pilot, while being actively involved in global air safety. He has been a pioneer in introducing Safety Management Systems to the aviation, gas and electric utilities, and media industries since the 1990s. John is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society and a member of their Flight Operations Group, a Liveryman in the Honorable Company of Air Pilots, a Certified Registered Safety Professional, and a member of the International Society of Air Safety Investigators. John was honored with the FAA's prestigious Master Pilot award He has been the aviation analyst for NBC, MSNBC, CNBC and the Weather Channel for the past 15 years, appearing in the news media worldwide to discuss aviation safety. He was also a regular contributor to the show “Air Disasters”, and wrote the column “Ask the Captain” for USA Today’s website until 2022.
Dale Hoth
For a number of years, Dale was an Aviation Safety inspector for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). He had previously served as an aircraft mechanic in the US Air Force. Dale was part of the “Systems Group” during the accident investigation of US Air Flight #427 and was also involved in the National Aviation Safety Inspection Program (NASIP) with Northwest Airlines (NWAA). He was responsible for the re-certification of Air France and the re-write of the FAA De-icing and Weight and Balance Program Advisory Circulars. Additionally, Dale was a key contributor to the merger of multiple airlines.
Jim Hosey
Jim has been in the aviation industry for over 40+ years, and has extensive experience as a Safety Manager, Senior International Captain, and Aviation Auditor. He has over 17,000 flying hours in command of jet aircraft both in the military and corporate flight departments.. He is capable of conducting operational audits, investigations, inspections, and training in best safety practices. Additionally, he has experience with Safety Gap Analysis processes and has worked with various Fortune 500 US corporate operators and manufacturers of business aircraft. He has also been an instructor, and commander in the Air Force C-5 and various other jet aircraft, while being actively involved in global air safety
Jeff Guzzetti
A distinguished aviation safety leader, Guzzetti brings decades of executive experience from senior roles at the FAA, NTSB, and U.S. Department of Transportation, where he directed national accident investigation policies and oversaw critical safety audits. His career is marked by high-profile contributions, including leading the investigation into Alaska Airlines Flight 261 and serving as a key advisor to the Columbia Accident Investigation Board. Currently the President of GuARD, he leverages his deep expertise as a consultant, expert witness, and instructor for the University of Southern California’s Aviation Safety & Security Program.
Bill Thorton
Bill Thornton is a highly experienced aviation professional with over 53 years in the field and over 12,000 flight hours under his belt. In 2020, he was honored with the FAA's prestigious Master Pilot award. Bill has held numerous roles throughout his career, including Part 135 Captain, Part 91 Chief Pilot, Part 135 General Maintenance Manager, Safety Officer, and IS-BAO Auditor. With a degree in transportation, he holds expertise in both ground transportation and aviation. He is type-rated in the Gulfstream G-4 as well as several models of the Cessna Citation series of aircraft. Bill is an IS-BAO-certified auditor, having conducted audits for various Fortune 500 aviation companies and federal aviation departments. Additionally, he works with aviation safety consulting firms to help flight departments improve safety management systems, emergency response, and crisis management.