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Alpha Charlie is Next Chapter of Greteman Group Legacy

WICHITA, Kansas – The Air Capital’s premier aviation marketing agency flies into its next era under a new call sign. Beginning today, Alpha Charlie is the new name of Greteman Group, which has served aviation and community clients since 1989.

Ashley Bowen Cook
Principal & CEO
Alpha Charlie

In January of 2026, Ashley Bowen Cook completed the transition to full owner of the agency, after working alongside founder Sonia Greteman for 23 years. Alpha Charlie continues the company’s legacy of providing strategic solutions, creative design and lead-generating content across platforms to aviation manufacturers and services companies.

“Alpha Charlie builds on a foundation Sonia masterfully developed,” said Bowen Cook, the agency’s Principal & CEO. “Someone asked me about filling her shoes. Those shoes are one of a kind – they can’t be filled. But, Alpha Charlie can follow the trail she blazed for us.”

Alpha Charlie employs the phonetic alphabet commonly used in aviation, alluding to Cook’s initials, as well as its position in Wichita, the Air Capital. Alpha takes on additional meaning as the dominant position within the particular sphere of aviation; and the new beginnings the team creates for clients and their brands. Charlie doubles for Cook’s “why,” explaining her passion for the work and agency direction – her son’s name.

For 37 years, Alpha Charlie has created impactful marketing campaigns, branding and strategies for local, national and international aviation companies, in areas as diverse as Fixed-Base Operators (FBOs) to Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). It has worked for, and curated relationships with, some of the biggest companies and organizations, earning its reputation as aviation and aerospace experts.

If it flies, Alpha Charlie knows how to fuel the takeoff.

“When clients come to us, they know the expertise we bring to a project can’t be replicated,” Cook said. “That comes through years of living the industry, inside and out. Connecting, being agile and getting results. Understanding the unique challenges of business aviation, airports or airlines.”

Alpha Charlie, which has recently relocated to Wichita’s Waterfront district, will continue its aviation mission as members of the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), and by supporting charter, aircraft management, insurance, aftermarket and general aviation clients.

Cook, a 25+ year marketing veteran, came to the agency after Greteman hired her from a previous client. She has helped lead the firm’s new business development and ongoing evolution to stay abreast of aviation and marketing innovations. Cook brings a unique aviation legacy as the daughter of acclaimed aviation photographer Paul Bowen.

She is a Wichita Business Journal Power 50 honoree, 2023 Executive of the Year, 2008 40 Under 40 and the first female board chair of the Wichita Aero Club, the prestigious organization for which Alpha Charlie is a founding member. She and her husband, Josh, co-own Josh Cook Golf Academy.

ABOUT ALPHA CHARLIE

Alpha Charlie, formerly Greteman Group, has developed an international reputation as an aviation-specialty marketing agency based in Wichita, Kansas – the Air Capital. We apply deep sector knowledge to generate forward-thinking creative solutions for fractional, flight training, FBO, MRO, OEM, UAS, airport, insurance, interiors, inflight connectivity, brokers, charter, aircraft management, industry organizations, suppliers and support services. Clients include 5X5 Aviation Insurance, Aviation Partners, Clay Lacy Aviation, FlightSafety International, King Aerospace, NATA, the Northern Plains UAS Test Site, Piedmont Airlines, USAIG and Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport. It also supports causes and clients such as Mark Arts, the City of Wichita and MJE. The firm is a founding member of the Wichita Aero Club and a longstanding member of the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA). Since its founding in 1989, this certified women-owned business enterprise (WBE) has developed a team of purpose-driven pros. AlphaCharlieMarketing.com

01.30.26 · Alpha Charlie

Elevating Your Brand: The Strategic Role of Social Media and Brand Awareness

Top Takeaways

  • Social media’s role has evolved beyond direct sales; it’s now a strategic engine for cultivating trust, community and brand awareness.
  • The way clients discover, vet and choose brands has fundamentally shifted, requiring a refined approach.
  • Organic social media is crucial for building your brand’s narrative, fostering trust and establishing long-term credibility.

The Purpose of Organic Social Media 

In the world of aviation, where innovation is rapid but sales cycles are inherently long, it’s easy to prioritize immediate returns. For many seasoned executives, the purpose of organic social media remains anchored in a 2016 mindset: they want a direct pipeline to sales. In 2026, not only is this perspective outdated, it’s a missed opportunity. The process of how consumers discover, vet and ultimately choose their preferred brands has fundamentally shifted, which means your approach to reaching your target market must be refined.

At Greteman Group, we’ve witnessed firsthand the evolution of social media over the last decade. What was once a high-reach, direct-conversion channel has matured into something far more strategic: a critical engine for cultivating trust, community and brand awareness.

The New Digital Word-of-Mouth

Today’s consumers interact with brands differently than they did 10 years ago. For them, social media isn’t only about entertainment; it’s a primary research tool, a review aggregator and the new frontier of word-of-mouth. Before making a significant purchase, choosing a service provider or even selecting a new restaurant, they conduct online due diligence.

Imagine a potential client opens Instagram to find a private message from a friend. It’s a video from your account with a note that says, “Hey, I know you’re not happy with your current aviation insurance. This is who my dad uses.” They weren’t on Instagram shopping for insurance, but you were top of mind for their friend and an easy referral only took two taps to share. 

They click over to your profile, where your high-quality content showcases your expertise and establishes trust. They tap your link to get a free estimate, and now you’ve got a new lead. This is social proof in action, building client relationships long before a sales conversation begins.

Organic Social: Your Brand’s Narrative and Trust Builder

So, how should aviation brands approach organic social in 2026? The strategy centers on controlling your narrative, fostering genuine connections and cultivating a strong presence.

  • Positive PR Device: Organic social allows you to proactively share company news, celebrate milestones and highlight your contributions to the aviation community. It’s your platform to shape public perception.
  • Conversation Hub: It’s where you engage directly with your audience, answer questions, address concerns and listen to feedback. This two-way dialogue is invaluable for building relationships with customers and understanding market sentiment.
  • Trust and Brand Awareness: Consistently sharing valuable content, showcasing your expertise and offering a peek behind the scenes (think video tours of your MRO facility or interviews with your pilots) helps to boost brand awareness and cultivate trust. This “show, don’t tell” approach builds credibility that no ad can replicate.
  • Future-Proofing for AI & Search Bots: As AI and search bots increasingly influence how people find information, a robust organic social presence ensures your unique value propositions and solutions to customer problems are readily available and discoverable. 

Understanding the Balance: Organic vs. Paid Social

Organic social media is not a direct sales engine in the way paid social is. Paid social excels at converting leads, driving immediate traffic and targeting specific demographics for direct action. Organic social, conversely, is the long game. It’s about laying the groundwork, cultivating a loyal audience and increasing brand awareness through social media over time. It’s the foundation upon which successful paid campaigns are built.

In 2026, an active, thoughtful organic social strategy is a strategic imperative. It’s how you connect with the next generation of aviation leaders, build brand loyalty and ensure your brand remains relevant, trusted and top-of-mind in a competitive industry. It’s an investment in your future, ensuring that when the moment for a sale arrives, your brand has already earned its wings.

01.07.26 · Greteman Group