The Corporate Jet Investor Podcast

In our latest episode we are joined by Yann Nado, business development director at multi-service business aviation company Global Jet Concept. With 22 years in business aviation sales, Yann's passion was sparked not by aircraft but by the clientele he serves. A champion of transparency and long-term partnerships, he specialises in large-cabin aircraft management, sales and charter. We discuss...

If it feels like people are throwing money at you, it’s probably too good to be true. Sellers have been motivated by easy money in past business cycles, and there’s a real danger of that happening again now.   Jay Mesinger, CEO and President of Mesinger Jet Sales, says this goes all the way back to the days when aircraft sales were conducted via fax machine. The machine would ring and unsolicited...

Mike Swift, group vice president of sales responsible for Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific at Gulfstream, takes us through the bright spots in his huge region. This includes increased momentum in China, why India's growth story is finally arriving, and why the Middle East and Africa keep delivering despite the headlines.  Mike also unpacks what separates buyers across regions...

Shawn Holstein, President/CEO and co-founder of Holstein Aviation, joined host Al to discuss the company's 16-year journey. Founded in 2010 by Shawn, his father Jim, and colleague Brad Stancil after leaving Hawker Beechcraft, Holstein has grown into a top-10 global brokerage built on integrity, objectivity, and deep industry relationships. Shawn discussed a slight market softening in mid-2025...

In our latest episode we welcome James Chitty, CEO and partner at Talon Air.  Chitty has been in the aviation business for nearly two decades. He founded PlaneClear in 2008 and led it through to 2016 before partnering with Apollo Jets and then taking on the role of CEO at Talon Air following its acquisition in 2018. Three years later, Vista acquired a minority stake in Talon before Chitty, and his...

Mike Mikolay, founder of Mikolay Jets, has been selling aircraft for almost 30 years. He started as an intern at Beechcraft, helped launch Guardian Jet and then started his own advisory firm two-and-a-half years ago. Mike shares the highs and lows of going independent, why saying no to the wrong clients early on was critical, and how a long-time client's candid nudge gave him the push to fina...

Emily Deaton, jetAVIVA, is CEO of one of the world’s largest aircraft brokers. But rather than getting involved in individual transactions, she leads of team of aircraft-type specialists. In this podcast, she explains why jetAVIVA uses this approach, how it makes hiring the right person harder and why customers benefit from it. She also discusses how jetAVIVA launched and why they want to grow slo...

In our latest episode we are joined by Florent Venturini, co-founder and managing partner of Ellipse Aviation. Venturini explains how he and his partner Pierre-Emmanuel de Tailly’s combined experience at Dassault, Textron and Gulfstream led them to create a brokerage focused on long-term ownership care, not just one-off transactions.  Launched in December 2025, Venturini details Ellipse’s three di...

Johnny Foster returns for a second appearance to discuss a major milestone for OGARAJETS: the transition to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).  After exploring private equity and other exit routes, Jonny chose the ESOP model to preserve the culture and legacy he and his father have built over 46 years. Some 30% of the company has now been transferred into a trust for employees, with more sha...

Sponsored by Mesinger Jet Sales  In this Town Hall, we will piggyback on the last edition and take the value discussion to the Legal, Management, and Insurance areas of the transaction. In our January edition, we focused on the brokerage side of the transaction, welcoming Mike Dwyer from Guardian Jet and Chad Anderson from Jetcraft. We also delved into the maintenance side of the transaction, welc...

Dan Drohan, founder and CEO of Solairus, shares his remarkable journey from aviation enthusiast to building a leading aircraft management company. In this episode, he discusses Solairus' unique entrepreneurial culture, the challenges of scaling a business in the aviation industry, and his personal evolution as a leader.  Listen here for insider insights into the private aviation sector and di...

In this episode, we are joined by Jason Middleton , CEO and founder of Silver Air Private Jets . A former elite triathlete turned pilot, Middleton brings an "all-in" mentality to aviation. He shares how Silver Air survived the 2008 financial crisis through relentless focus, and why he prioritises specialisation over vertical integration. Middleton is a vocal critic of unregulated charter...

Stephen McCullough , Executive Vice President of Engineering, Product Development and Bombardier Defence , shares his deep passion for aviation and the sheer thrill of bringing aircraft like the record-breaking Global 8000 to life. With more than 36 years at Bombardier, Stephen offers a rare insider’s look into the high-stakes world of elite aircraft development - from pushing the boundaries of sp...

Welcome to another CJI Town Hall. This edition, kindly sponsored by Textron Aviation , will be exploring how customers should go about choosing the right aircraft for their respective missions. We have a great line up of speakers including: Duncan van de Velde, Vice President Aircraft Sales, Textron Aviation Bob Gibbs, VP Special Missions Global Sales, Textron Aviation Dave Connor, CEO, RVL Group...

In this episode, Daniel Kilkeary , Founder of The Aviation Office , discusses his journey from working in his family's aviation business to launching his own advisory firm.  He shares insights on the evolving aircraft brokerage industry, the importance of senior-level expertise, and how he aims to provide a more personalised, high-touch experience for aircraft owners. 

This week, we are joined by Jeff Reis , CEO at My Flight .  Jeff Reis , a 35-year veteran of business aviation, discusses how AI and automation can be applied in practice to enhance operations and the customer experience, without replacing the human touch that is essential in the industry.  He shares insights on optimising websites for AI-driven search, using AI to improve pricing and availability...

Corporate Jet Investor Town Hall: Navigating Tariff Opportunities and Risks Following a Supreme Court ruling that invalidated the Trump administration's AIIPA tariffs, new Section 122 tariffs have been introduced with a notable exemption for civil aircraft imports. This creates a temporary window for aircraft buyers and sellers to operate in a zero-tariff environment. However, legal experts c...

Join us as Ève Laurier, Head of Marketing Communications at Bombardier , reveals how the company transformed its brand and communications strategy over the past 5 years.  Discover the secrets behind re-engaging stakeholders, delivering consistent luxury experiences, and navigating the evolving private aviation industry.  From sustainability initiatives to digital marketing innovation, this candid...

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In this episode we are joined by Philip Kingsley-Dobson, co-founder of UK-based electric aviation charging infrastructure specialist Aerovolt . Aerovolt has just launched a carbon credit programme designed to support operators in reducing reported flight emissions, it is calling Electric Book & Claim.  Kingsley-Dobson discusses the programme, the reasoning behind its introduction, why business...

Tune in to this week's episode featuring Moiz Sunwalla , the 22-year-old founder of Dubai-based private jet charter company Velari Jets .  Moiz discusses how he aims to redefine luxury travel by providing a more personalised, high-touch service for ultra-high-net-worth clients.  Moiz shares insights on the evolving private aviation industry and his vision for Velari Jets to be a trusted, nich...

In this episode, Jared Fox , the CEO of Desert Jet , discusses his journey into the business aviation industry and the evolution of his company. Jared shares how his lifelong passion for aviation led him to various roles, from working at an FBO to managing aircraft operations and fuel distribution. He emphasises the importance of networking, building relationships, and developing a strong personal...

In the first Corporate Jet Investor Podcast episode of 2026, we hear from Aoife O'Sullivan on her background and how she got into aviation law, initially wanting to be a horse trainer before becoming a lawyer. Aoife is an internationally recognised aviation lawyer with expertise across private, corporate, and commercial aviation. She advises a global client base, primarily high-net-worth indi...

CJI Town Hall | Picking your dream team: It's not about price, it's about value Speakers include: Jay Mesinger, CEO & President, Mesinger Jet Sales Chad Anderson, CEO, Jetcraft Mike Dwyer, Owner, Guardian Jet Mike Minchow, President, Duncan Aviation 2026 will bring to light a series of new series of Town Halls sponsored by Mesinger Jet sales and broadcast on the CJI Town Hall Network...

Jamie Walker , Executive Chairman of Jet Linx Aviation , recently returned to a more active role after a 2-year break.  Jetlink focuses on a local market approach, with private terminals or partnerships in over 20 locations. They have found success in acquiring and integrating smaller local charter operators.  However, they have struggled with illegal charter competition in some markets. Walker em...