People & Culture
The driving force behind everything we do.
Empowered People.
Power Us.
How We Do It
In our business, a smile and workable facility will only get one so far. Ross Aviation goes way beyond and is heavily invested in best-in-class facilities and operating procedures. Fundamental beliefs in safety, care, performance and drive guide every decision and every action.
Safety First
Our first priority always is protecting people and valuable assets. Respected industry experts, including Aviation & Marine Safety Solutions International (AvMaSSI), lead a cross-functional safety committee and we are proud of our safety record.
Diversity of Experience
Our team is comprised of industry veterans with over 100 years of combined FBO experience, and recent leadership additions bring fresh, innovative perspectives. Our strong local management is entrepreneurial and supported by a highly capable senior team based in Denver, Colorado.
Our Operating Philosophy
People
Everything starts with people. We hire, develop and incentivize a diverse team of hard-working and caring professionals.Operational Excellence
We are first-class operators with the tools and processes to deliver outstanding performance, and to drive results in all market conditions.Optimal Portfolio
We constantly work to strengthen and expand our network, and serve more customers.Marketing & Brand
Flight Hospitality is driven by carefully listening to our customers and our partners, who recognize us for safety, service and quality.Technology
We invest in technology that enriches the customer experience, improves operational efficiency and creates value.Our core beliefs
Inspired to soar higher
Operate as a unified company powered by our people, expertise and network to lead the industry as the #1 choice for aviation services.
Our vision statement is our compass, defining the direction of our growth.
Moved by a shared purpose
Our mission is to care for customers by anticipating and delivering on their individual needs while contributing to the communities we serve.
We fuel growth through innovation and continuous improvement and by preserving our culture of uncompromising safety, kindness, unified teamwork and individual empowerment.
Guided by fundamental beliefs.
Our values: Safety. Care. Performance. Drive. are woven into every activity we undertake, and demonstrated by our team members every day.
Safety
We are committed to keeping safety and security at the forefront to guide every decision. More than a core value, safety is the foundation of our culture.
- We will protect you, your assets, and the environment
- We will protect one another
- We will live by a culture of safety
Care
Care elevates our commitment to the highest level. It’s the foundation of our success. Caring means we are invested in every touch with Ross Aviation and our brands, be it a single interaction or a collection of experiences over time.
- We care with passion, professionalism and kindness
- We care for our customers, their assets, and the communities we live in
- We care about our people, their careers, and their well-being
Performance
Performance means are resolute, steadfast in our commitment to provide unparalleled aviation services and deliver value. We execute with pride, honor, and integrity.
- Depend on us to be reliable and efficient
- Depend on us to always do the right thing
- Depend on us to deliver results and achieve our goals
Drive
Drive describes the energy and passion we have for performance, innovation, and growth. We are determined to continuously better our best and to champion change for good.
- We focus on consistent quality day in and day out
- We grow with continuous, systematic improvement
- We challenge ourselves, each other and the status quo
Meet the Ross Aviation Team
Brian Corbett Chief Executive Officer
Brian joined Ross Aviation as chief executive officer in 2019. He brings experience in luxury hospitality, economic consulting and entrepreneurship to aviation. Brian established a vision of a unified platform built for growth with exceptional team and strategy, and he helps cultivate Ross Aviation’s special culture around the company’s core values of safety, care, performance and drive. Brian lives near the company’s Denver home base with his wife and two teenage sons. He proudly serves on a number of non-profit boards and is passionate about youth education and leadership development. Brian graduated from Boston University and holds an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.
John "Cy" Farmer Chief Operating Officer
Cy Farmer has approximately 44 years of experience in the FBO industry. Prior to joining Ross Aviation as COO, Mr. Farmer held several senior level, executive roles at the largest FBO companies in the world. Between 2014 and February 2016, Mr. Farmer was the Vice President of Special Projects and International Operations at Landmark Aviation. Mr. Farmer’s responsibilities at Landmark included overseeing operations of the European FBO platform. Between 1998 and 2014, John Farmer held several positions at Signature Flight Support including Vice President of Operations for the global network and Vice President of Network Development for the Americas. Mr. Farmer attended Barry University, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, and attended business courses at Ashridge University in the U.K. and the Goizueta Business School at Emory University.
Lance Allen Chief Financial Officer
Lance Allen joined Ross Aviation as their CFO in February 2020. Lance is responsible for the company’s accounting and finance functions, including banking relationships and financial reporting. He also oversees IT and Human Resources. Lance’s professional experience includes senior finance and operations roles with a multi-billion dollar privately held company and several private equity-owned businesses. He has extensive merger and acquisition and systems integration experience. Lance is passionate about building teams that partner with operations to increase value through strategy creation, operational execution and financial management. Lance began his career in public accounting at Deloitte & Touche in their Financial Services Practice in Denver and London, UK. He worked for Leprino Foods for 11 years in finance and eventually had full P&L responsibility for their international business. Lance graduated from UCLA with a B.A. in Business Economics.
Jeffrey Ross Chairman
Jeff Ross has approximately 25 years of experience in the FBO industry. Over the course of his career, Mr. Ross has acquired, owned and operated 28 FBOs. Previously, Jeff Ross co-founded Ross Aviation alongside Centre Partners in 2004, which he grew from one location to 20 locations by the time it was sold to Landmark Aviation in 2014. At the time of sale, Ross Aviation was the fourth largest FBO owner in the US (based on the number of FBOs). Between 1993 and 2003, Mr. Ross operated four FBOs alongside a predecessor investment vehicle of KSLCP including SNA. Jeff Ross currently serves on the Executive Committee of the world’s largest aviation industry trade group, the National Air Transportation Association (“NATA”), and is scheduled to become the Chairman in the summer of 2017. Mr. Ross graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and holds an M.B.A. from the Wharton School of Business.
Larry Jorash VP, Operations, Integration and Safety
Larry Jorash has approximately 33 years of experience in the FBO industry. Prior to joining Ross Aviation as VP Operations, Integration & Safety, Larry spent 20 years with Signature Flight Support in various roles; most recently as Senior Vice President of Operations over North America, Canada and the Caribbean. Larry also has an aircraft maintenance background with Signature Flight Support, Smyrna Air Center and Priester Aviation where he held various leadership roles in the engine & airframe maintenance and avionics business. Larry received his Bachelor of Science degree at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in 1986 and also attended business courses at Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management, Hensley College in the U.K., Goizueta Business School at Emory University in Atlanta and Duke University Executive Education program in North Carolina. Larry is a Commercial Pilot, ASEL & AMEL, a Certified Flight Instructor Instrument and continues to enjoy teaching and flying on a regular basis.
Kyle Schultz VP, Operations
Kyle Schultz joined Ross Aviation as Vice President of Operations in January 2021 and brings over two decades of extensive operations and integrations management experience to the team. Prior to joining Ross Aviation, Kyle was the President and Chief Executive Officer at MLS Courier, a private equity sponsored spin-off of the national courier division at Network Global Logistics (NGL). Previously, he was NGL’s Division President for courier services. Kyle has served as the Senior Vice President and General Manager at Recondo Technology overseeing the revenue recovery business unit and was the Senior Director of Operations for TransUnion Healthcare, responsible for sales support, implementation, contract management, and client support for the patient estimation business unit. Additionally, Kyle has held leadership positions with DaVita Healthcare Partners, Cigna and Great-West Healthcare. Kyle’s operations experience began in the United States Army where he served as an infantry paratrooper as an enlisted soldier and commissioned officer. Kyle graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point and holds an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.
Alicia Hornback Corporate Controller
Alicia Hornback joined Ross Aviation in September 2020 as Corporate Controller. Prior to coming to Ross Aviation, Alicia started her career working for a full-service accounting firm, providing tax and accounting services for companies in various industries. More recently, she has held several financial reporting and management roles for three different, growing construction businesses. During Alicia’s professional career she has had the opportunity to work on teams that have handled multiple merger and acquisitions processes, system conversions and financial reporting initiatives. Alicia is a licensed CPA in the state of Colorado and holds a B.A. in Accounting from Colorado State University as well as a Masters in Accounting from Texas A&M Commerce.
Eric Newman Director; Strategy & Business Intelligence
Eric Newman joined Ross Aviation in September 2019, focusing on data democratization, process improvement, and strategic growth. Prior to Ross Aviation, Eric worked as a strategy and M&A consultant in the federal technology & defense space, where he advised clients on both organic and inorganic growth. Eric’s professional career began as a Structural Engineer focused on designing large transportation infrastructure projects in New York City. He holds a Master’s Degree in Engineering Management from Duke University and a B.S. in Civil & Environmental Engineering from Bucknell University.
Marilyn Vela Director of Network Sales
Having first started working in the industry in 1989, Marilyn has a wealth of industry experience. Most recently Marilyn was the Regional Sales Manager for Signature Flight Support. Marilyn joined Signature in 2003 as the General Manager of the Morristown Airport FBO facility and quickly rose up the ladder at Signature do to her relentless work ethic and driven attitude. She holds a Masters of Family Therapy and a Bachelor of Science from Nova Southeastern University and is fluent in Spanish.
Marilyn lives near Hershey, Pennsylvania and has two children Sylvia, an RN and Paul, a mentor for young adults in the working environment. Marilyn enjoys spending time mentoring mothers and under privileged girls through her work with the Lower East Side Girls Club NYC is currently in the process of opening a “Boys club” in the Hershey area as well. Marilyn is also extremely passionate about historic homes, specifically of the Victorian era and volunteers her time restoring properties that add beauty, nostalgia, and historic significance to her community.
Sharyar Aziz Director; Corporate Development & FP&A
Sharyar Aziz joined Ross Aviation in April 2020 and is responsible for advancing acquisition efforts, including the sourcing, negotiating and closing of strategic transactions. He also drives other strategic financial initiatives in conjunction with the CFO. Sharyar brings extensive financial acumen to Ross Aviation, having previously worked at Moelis & Company as an M&A associate. Previously, Sharyar was a research analyst at Edgewood Management, a large-cap public equity investment fund. Sharyar began his career at GE Capital as a member of the Financial Management Program (FMP). He graduated from Yale University and holds an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.
Casey Cannone Senior Manager, Operations Planning
As Senior Manager of Acquisitions and Planning, Casey is responsible for many detailed aspects of the acquisition process including strategic planning, seller relationship management and the due diligence process. Additionally, Casey is responsible for operations support, to include customer experience throughout the Ross Aviation network. Prior to joining Ross Aviation in September 2016, Casey was the Manager of Operations Planning at Signature Fight Support, responsible for many of the detailed aspects of Operations Planning including: Customer experience, divisional reporting support to the President, capital expenditure, labor and expense control as well as analytical work on the various RFP's. Prior to taking Operations Planning responsibilities she was instrumental in the Business Development department within Signature Flight Support when she joined in 2011. Before joining Signature Flight Support, Casey was involved in airport management in the NY area as well as the Private Equity management sector for several years. Casey holds a MBA with a concentration in Aviation Management and is involved in various community and industry associations.
Ruben Nunez Vice President, Information Technology
Ruben Nunez joined Ross Aviation at it's inception in 2016 and was responsible for the design and setup of the Ross Aviation IT environment. Ruben has 25+ years of experience in the FBO industry serving in various roles. Previously, Ruben served at IT Director for Ross Aviation I, which sold to Landmark Aviation in 2014 and at the time was the 4th largest FBO chain in the US. From 1996 to 2008, Ruben was IT Director for Miami Executive Aviation based in Opa-Locka Executive Airport. Miami Executive Aviation was acquired by Ross Aviation I in 2008. Ruben attended FIU and hold a B.A. in Finance.
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