Duncan Aviation has announced that it has expanded its aircraft interior design teams with four new design assistants, Tara Schamehorn (in Battle Creek, Michigan), Halle Russell and Schyler Hoberty (in Lincoln, Nebraska) and Taelyn Fauset )in Provo, Utah.
Their appointments complement the addition of new full-time designers and provide added support for the important behind-the-scenes work that shapes the customer experience throughout an aircraft refurbishment.
Duncan Aviation says that when customers begin planning a new aircraft interior, the most visible decisions often involve colours, materials, patterns and finishes. But the company points out that behind each of those selections are many details that must be researched, organised, documented, communicated, and carried forward throughout the project.
Design assistants work alongside Duncan Aviation’s designers to help prepare material samples and presentations, research options, organise customer selections, maintain design documentation, and support communication with the teams responsible for bringing each concept to life. As selections evolve, they help ensure the most current information remains organized and accessible throughout the project.
Although customers may not see every step of that work, they experience its value. The additional support allows designers to remain focused on listening to customers, understanding how they use their aircraft, and developing interiors that reflect their preferences. It also helps create continuity between the design presented to the customer and the details ultimately executed by Duncan Aviation’s production teams.
Tara Schamehorn | Battle Creek, Michigan
Schamehorn earned a Bachelor of Science in Fashion Merchandising from Western Michigan University. Before joining Duncan Aviation on 24 August 2026, she spent five years as a bridal consultant, where she developed a strong understanding of how fabrics, colours, textures, and other materials work together.
Although new to the professional interior design field, Schamehorn’s previous role gave her valuable experience listening to clients, understanding their preferences, and helping them make highly personal selections. Those skills translate naturally to aircraft interior design, where every material and finish contributes to the overall appearance and atmosphere of the cabin.
Schamehorn had long been interested in interior design when a close family friend in the aviation industry encouraged her to explore aircraft interiors as a potential career. After touring Duncan Aviation’s facilities and connecting with several team members, she became increasingly interested in the company and the specialised work performed by its design teams.
She approaches design with close attention to detail and believes each selection should contribute to a cohesive story. As she begins her career in aviation, Schamehorn looks forward to helping customers explore new ideas while remaining focused on their priorities and overall vision for the aircraft.
Halle Russell | Lincoln, Nebraska
Russell earned an Associate’s Degree in Architectural Design from Southeast Community College. Her interest in design began during high school, when an interior design class introduced her to the creative and technical considerations involved in shaping a space.
She continued developing that interest through her education at Southeast Community College. Russell first learned about Duncan Aviation when Recruiter Drew Carmen visited her class to discuss the company and its career opportunities. The possibility of designing private aircraft interiors immediately stood out as a unique way to apply her education and creativity.
Russell joined Duncan Aviation as an intern in January 2026. After completing the internship, she was promoted to design assistant.
Her design interests centre on creating spaces that feel comfortable, inviting, and personal. She also enjoys incorporating colour, intricate patterns, and distinctive details that give an aircraft its own recognisable personality. Russell approaches each project with an openness to new ideas and a desire to help create an interior that feels memorable and individually suited to the customer.
Schyler Hoberty | Lincoln, Nebraska
Hoberty graduated from Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design. Her interest in design began at an early age through her father, who worked as a carpenter and frequently included her in his projects.
Watching those projects progress from an initial idea to a completed space helped Hoberty appreciate both the process of creating something and the reaction it could inspire. Seeing the excitement and emotional impact of a completed project ultimately led her to pursue a career focused on creating meaningful spaces for others.
During her four years at Fort Hays State University, Hoberty gained experience in concept development, space planning, material selection, research, presentations, and technical design software. A senior-year Airbnb project gave her an opportunity to apply those skills in a more realistic setting and consider how an interior would function for actual users.
Hoberty joined Duncan Aviation in June 2026 as a design assistant in Lincoln. The opportunity to return to Nebraska and begin her professional career appealed to her, but the people and culture she experienced throughout the interview process ultimately made Duncan Aviation feel like the right fit.
She believes interior design involves more than creating an attractive space. Her approach balances creativity with functionality, comfort, and purpose while keeping the experience of the person using the space at the centre of the process. Hoberty looks forward to continuing to develop those skills while learning about the specialized world of aviation interior design.
Taelyn Fauset | Provo, Utah
Fauset has long been interested in the process of bringing different elements together to create intentional, cohesive spaces. Design courses helped her strengthen her skills and deepen her interest in pursuing design professionally.
Before joining Duncan Aviation, Fauset worked as a design assistant supporting residential and commercial projects. That experience taught her the importance of balancing visual appeal with functionality while listening closely to each client’s needs and preferences.
Fauset joined Duncan Aviation on 21 September 2026, as a design assistant in Provo. She discovered the opportunity online and was immediately drawn to the specialised nature of aircraft interior design, as well as Duncan Aviation’s reputation as a genuine and talented organisation.
Thoughtful, detail-oriented, and open to new ideas, Fauset approaches each project with the goal of creating a space that feels purposeful and visually cohesive. Although aviation interiors are a new area for her, she looks forward to expanding her knowledge, contributing her previous design experience, and helping the team develop aircraft interiors that reflect each customer’s individual vision.
With these four additions, Duncan Aviation’s design teams at all three full-service facilities gain support at important touchpoints throughout the refurbishment process. Their work will help keep customer selections organised, project information current, and design intent clearly communicated as each concept moves closer to completion.
