It's Official Scheeringa's gone Ricci and team are In

[WabiSabi]

My guess is that MS will "resign" from the board within six months to "pursue other interests." Good riddance....

Those other interests being hatchet jobs at the next brand X.

 

[Semore Butts]

Is he the kind of guy

That would bring back the 70 as a show of change?

Wouldn't that be wonderful?

 

[B19 Flyer]

Flight Options Names New Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

CLEVELAND, OH, Jul 21, 2008 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) -- Flight Options, a leading and highly innovative private jet company, today named Kenn Ricci as chairman and Mike Silvestro as chief executive officer of the business.
Kenn Ricci returns to the Flight Options family after six years. He founded Flight Options in 1998 and quickly grew the business from a start up to the second largest company in the fractional industry with over $800 million in annual sales. During his time away from Flight Options, Ricci has served as chief executive officer of Mercury Air Centers and principal of Directional Aviation Capital. Directional Aviation Capital is a private investment firm focusing on business aviation.
"Kenn is a true visionary in the aviation industry," said Doug Berman, executive managing director of H.I.G. Capital. "He has a tremendous track record of building great businesses with a focus on high quality customer service."
"Flight Options is a leader in the ever-evolving industry of private aviation," said Kenn Ricci. "The Flight Options platform provides a significant opportunity for adaptation and growth in the changing world of business aviation."
Mike Silvestro is also returning to Flight Options, where he was previously vice president of sales and marketing from 2000 to 2005. Since leaving Flight Options in 2005, he has held a senior executive position with a leading fractional provider.
"Mike has unmatched knowledge of the private aviation marketplace," stated Kenn Ricci. "He is the ideal leader to take Flight Options into its next phase of innovation."
"Flight Options has made significant progress over the past several years as we developed and successfully executed the Go-Forward plan," said S.
Michael Scheeringa, former chief executive officer for Flight Options. "I am confident the Company will have continued success and new growth under the leadership of Kenn and Mike."
"The turnaround Flight Options has been through under Michael's leadership is extraordinary," added Kenn Ricci. "We are pleased Michael has chosen to continue with the Company as an investor and strategic advisor at the board level."
About Flight Options
Flight Options, LLC has earned a reputation as a leader and innovator within the private aviation industry. The Cleveland, Ohio-based company marks its 10th Anniversary in 2008 and offers the complete spectrum of programs from Fractional First(TM) ownership to leasing, aircraft management, charter and JetPASS Membership. The company is an industry leader in private aviation safety as well, having been selected by the FAA to partner and participate in the development and implementation of a formal Safety Management System (SMS) soon to be required for all air service providers. Flight Options provides personalized service to its Owners and Members, with a fleet of 120 aircraft consisting of the Hawker 400XP, Hawker 850XP, Citation X and Embraer Legacy.

 

[dime line]

Do you have your resume ready, Da19, your next!!!!

 

[learflyer]

Congrats guys! You deserve the best. I left there in 06'. We all thought it was bad when Ricci was there. Then John Nahill came along and implemented the "slide to poverty" pay scale, and so began the union drive.

 

[993_Pilot]

That would bring back the 70 as a show of change?

Wouldn't that be wonderful?

He is the kind of guy who fired several pilots for "not fitting into the flight options culture" right after the merger with Travel Air. However, we all know it was more than that... which is why the law suites by those union supporting individuals were settled for an undisclosed amount. Be very careful boys and girls, I doubt that his feelings towards unions has changed, and I am sure he learned from his mistakes.

 

[RNObased]

Well RNO..it cant be any worse!! besides you don't work here anymore anyway..do ya?

Never did work there. Interviewed there and was hired, however met Ricci during this process and that was all it took for me to call Executive Jet at the time, and ask when the next class date was. He remined me a little too much of a snake oil salesman.

Anyway, hope it works out for you guys having him back.

 

[p3hawk]

Incredible, Ricci back in. Well good luck with that.
Cheers P3

 

[jetwash]

Ricci is already making changes.

Some note worthy points for pilots

- No more training contracts
- no more crew rot at FBO's
-crew eat what they want and when. (company pays)
-dedicated crewing of aircraft (maybe?)
-he will be sitting in on negotiations to get them done as soon as possible
-acquisition of another company
-adding another type to fleet
-bad horoscope schedule ( believe it or not its back again)
-making the pilots happy who will then make the PAX happy.



I am cautiously optimistic but, still need it all in writing in a contract.

 

[learflyer]

-bad horoscope schedule ( believe it or not its back again)
-.

What is that? The circadian rithym thing?