The Corporate Jet Investor Podcast

Speakers: Claudio D'Amico , Vice President of Strategic Market Engagement, Business Aviation, Viasat Michael Schrage , Research Fellow, MIT Sloan School of Management In-flight connectivity providers have traditionally competed on peak network speed, even though the moments that truly define value — such as joining a board meeting without the connection dropping or watching crucial sporting m...

The challenges of attracting talent to the business aviation industry have not gone away. Especially for roles like pilots and mechanics. Neil Engerran, at Aircraft Commerce believes there may be a shortage of talent but there is also a shortage of attracting talent. Retaining talent, especially mechanics, can be difficult due to compensation differences compared to commercial aviation. Providing...

Join us this week with Mark Hardman, the founder of the business aviation company RightJet. Mark and Alasdair discuss the company's growth over the past 5 years, including expanding their showroom presence in the UAE and focusing on providing a full suite of services - from aircraft sales and charter to management. Mark shares his extensive background in the industry, having started in aviati...

"It's a relationship business" Ted Farid, Chairman at Jet HQ spoke to us this week about his 50+ year career in the business aviation industry.  Ted touches upon the dramatic technological and global changes that the industry has undergone over his career, from the early days of Blackberries to today's ubiquitous connectivity.  Evolution of aircraft design, shifting from engine...

Memo Montemayor is the founder of EMCJet , a boutique aircraft brokerage and consulting firm based in Houston, Texas. EMC Jet specialises in larger business jets like the G650 and Gulfstream models. They also sell turboprops like the King Air. Memo has expanded the company with offices in Atlanta, India, and Thailand. Memo is very focused on building relationships and networking, sponsoring athlet...

Anthony Tivnan , from Magellan Jets , discussed the company's aviation solutions, including on-demand charter, jet cards, aircraft sales and management, and a new fractional programme.  Magellan has invested heavily in technology and AI to improve efficiency and the customer experience, such as integrating the Stellar platform, developing internal AI expertise, and automating various processe...

  Stewart Lapayowker , founder of Lapayowker Jet Counsel , fell into aviation law early in his legal career when a partner at his law firm asked him to handle a private jet transaction. This meant that he had to learn the industry from scratch. To prevent this happening to others, he has just published his first book: Buying a private jet? What you don't know' . His advice for first-time...

Fabian Bello, CEO of Journey Aviation and author of 'Remade in America', shares his personal story of immigrating to the US from Cuba as a child and the journey that led him to a successful career in business aviation.  He discusses the challenges and rewards of running an aircraft management company, navigating the complex relationships with aircraft owners, brokers and passengers.  Bel...

This CJI podcast episode welcomes Phil Winters, Vice President of Western Aircraft and Chair of the International Aircraft Dealers Association (IADA).   Phil discusses IADA's role in setting standards for aircraft transactions, the evolution of the single-engine turboprop market, and the challenges facing aircraft manufacturers and dealers, including tariffs on Swiss-made aircraft.  He shares...

In this episode, David Dixon reflects on his remarkable 50-year career in aviation, which began with selling small piston aircraft in Africa before transitioning to business jets, including a 33-year tenure at Bombardier .  He explores the evolution of the business jet market, highlighting the distinct challenges and opportunities in Asia compared to North America and Europe, where infrastructure...

Craig Picken is an executive recruiter, ICF-trained executive coach, writer, and speaker who specialises in the business aviation and aerospace industry. With over 400 executive-level searches completed since 2008, he focuses on placing senior leadership, sales, and operations talent with top OEMs, aircraft operators, financial institutions, and MRO providers. Craig is unique in the industry - he...

In this episode, Dustin Cordier - Founder of StepZero Coaching , a coaching platform for business owners - shares how he helps leaders grow their businesses with intention, clarity, and long-term purpose. Drawing from his background in the Air Force, banking, and aircraft sales, Cordier now focuses on supporting family-owned and entrepreneurial companies, especially within the aviation industry. H...

The Corporate Jet Investor podcast features Ben Shirazi , Founder and owner of Smart Jets , who shares his extensive experience in the business aviation industry.  Ben discusses his early start in the family business, selling his first aircraft before turning 18, and the evolution of his ventures - Smart Jets for aircraft brokerage and VIP Completions for cabin retrofitting. He emphasises the impo...

In this episode of the Corporate Jet Investor podcast, Alasdair Whyte chats with Garett Jerde , founder of JetHQ , about his unexpected journey from aspiring airline pilot to launching one of business aviation’s fastest-growing brokerages. Garrett explains how an internship at Raytheon Aircraft ignited his passion for corporate aviation, leading him around the world - delivering aircraft, navigati...

This recorded Corporate Jet Investor Town Hall session dives into bonus depreciation for business aircraft, featuring insights from tax and aviation experts Ryan D’Amour (MySky), Angel Hook (Hook & Christensen), and David Shannon (Lewis Brisbois). The panel explains how the 100% first-year tax deduction works, emphasising that it should only factor into purchases when the aircraft is truly nee...

Brad Harris, president and CEO, Dallas Jet explains how he puts "make offer" on listings to make potential buyers contact his firm and start communicating.  In this interview, he explains how he started selling jets, why he loves building relationships and why AI will aid, but never take over aircraft sales. Harris also explains how Shawn Dinning - now senior partner at Dallas Jet - got...

Jason Zilberbrand , President of VREF the aircraft valuation company, believes the pre-owned aircraft market is changing . He sees demand slowing, financing getting harder, high interest rates, and rising operational costs and geo-political uncertainty hitting values.  Zilberbrand also delves into his personal path from promoting punk concerts in college to working at JSSI, the company his father...

Luiz Sandle r, the Founder of Jet Match , takes us through the complexities of doing deals in Brazil (the world's second largest business jet market). Sandler started his business aviation career at Embraer and also sold new aircraft for Gulfstream. He never thought he would end up as a salesperson and warns that it is a tough business: "Life is more about dealing with frustration than d...

Alireza Ittihadieh founded Freestream Aircraft 33 years ago. In this open podcast he criticises rival aircraft brokers for undervaluing their expertise. "The dealer side is still rewarding but today, unfortunately, broking has become nothing more than a commodity," he says. "Today some companies treat you like you are providing toilet paper to the company." Ittihadieh now focus...

The recent changes in trade tariffs have sparked significant discussion in the aviation industry, particularly regarding cross-border aircraft transactions. In this insightful panel discussion, industry experts break down the implications of these new tariffs and what they mean for buyers, sellers, and operators. Key Discussion Points: Are Canadian aircraft now exempt or facing new challenges? How...

Don Dwyer , co-founder of Guardian Jet and aviation sales veteran, on his decades of experience with manufacturers like Mooney and Hawker Beechcraft. He discuss the evolution of aircraft sales, emphasizing client relationships and trust-building.  Guardian Jet's consulting model is explored, focusing on data-driven reports that help clients navigate purchases. The conversation highlights cult...

Jay Mesinger, CEO and founder of Mesinger Jet Sales discusses trends and challenges in the business aviation industry.  With over 50 years of experience in the aviation industry, Jay is a published Aviation Journalist and Industry Leader. He is a member of the International Aircraft Dealers Association (IADA); a member of the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Leadership Council; a memb...

Brian Proctor , president and CEO , Mente Group discusses how being shot in a random incident led him to focus on growing his business.  Proctor shares insights on the business aviation industry's evolution, noting a generational shift as older leaders retire and new ones emerge. He also discusses market trends post-Covid, emphasising the increased value of business aviation for time efficien...

Janine Iannarelli, president, Par Avion talks about how she turned down a role in advertising to research business jet owners. She explains how she moved into business jet sales – both as a broker and dealer – before launching her own company. Janine tells Alasdair Whyte that owners should not chase transactions and that there is always another aircraft out there. She discusses being a woman in a...

What do tariffs mean for aircraft transactions. This Emergency Town Hall will look at how the tariffs will affect both new and pre-owned aircraft transactions.  Speakers: Jonathan Epstein, Holland & Knight Ehsan Monfared, YYZlaw Tobias Kleitman, TVPX Hear more topics like this at CJI Miami 2025 - November 4-6, 2025 | Fontainebleau Miami Beach Book your spot HERE