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Our aviation professionals are here to serve you and enhance your flight and operations experience.
Andy Priester serves as Chairman and CEO for Priester Aviation and Mayo Aviation.
He is the third generation of Priesters to lead the business, the largest and oldest family-owned Management and Charter company in the world. The Priester family has a rich aviation history starting in 1945 including owning Palwaukee Airport – KPWK (now renamed Chicago Executive Airport), operating a flight school, operating multiple FBOs, providing 145 maintenance services, and operating an aircraft sales division.
In 2022, Andy led the strategic acquisition of Mayo Aviation, a customer-focused, family-led company with decades of history similar to Priester. Priester currently focuses solely on Aircraft Management and Global Charter after the strategic sale of the other business units, while Mayo Aviation is the Rocky Mountain region’s expert in Aircraft Management, private jet charter, and also operates an FAA Diamond Award-winning Part 145 repair station. In this role, Andy is dedicated to leading the organization’s growth and enhancing Priester and Mayo’s position as the preeminent choice in aircraft management, aircraft charter, maintenance support, and related aviation services. During Andy’s tenure at Priester, he has grown the fleet from seven aircraft to over 85 managed between Priester and Mayo from 20 bases globally today.
Andy currently sits on the board of the Air Charter Safety Foundation, as well as the Advisory Board for the O’Malley College of Business at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. He is past Chair of the National Air Transportation Association (NATA) and YPO Chicago – Windy City. Andy is a proud University of Dayton Flyer and holds a Master’s degree from Concordia University.
Andy is the proud father of Madison, who manages Priester and Mayo’s marketing efforts, and Quinn, who is a professional baseball player for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Andy participates philanthropically at his local Food Pantry, the Chicagoland Urban League, and Feed My Starving Children. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with family and friends in the mountains, on the water, or exploring the outdoors.
Andy Priester serves as Chairman and CEO for Priester Aviation and Mayo Aviation.
He is the third generation of Priesters to lead the business, the largest and oldest family-owned Management and Charter company in the world. The Priester family has a rich aviation history starting in 1945 including owning Palwaukee Airport – KPWK (now renamed Chicago Executive Airport), operating a flight school, operating multiple FBOs, providing 145 maintenance services, and operating an aircraft sales division.
In 2022, Andy led the strategic acquisition of Mayo Aviation, a customer-focused, family-led company with decades of history similar to Priester. Priester currently focuses solely on Aircraft Management and Global Charter after the strategic sale of the other business units, while Mayo Aviation is the Rocky Mountain region’s expert in Aircraft Management, private jet charter, and also operates an FAA Diamond Award-winning Part 145 repair station. In this role, Andy is dedicated to leading the organization’s growth and enhancing Priester and Mayo’s position as the preeminent choice in aircraft management, aircraft charter, maintenance support, and related aviation services. During Andy’s tenure at Priester, he has grown the fleet from seven aircraft to over 85 managed between Priester and Mayo from 20 bases globally today.
Andy currently sits on the board of the Air Charter Safety Foundation, as well as the Advisory Board for the O’Malley College of Business at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. He is past Chair of the National Air Transportation Association (NATA) and YPO Chicago – Windy City. Andy is a proud University of Dayton Flyer and holds a Master’s degree from Concordia University.
Andy is the proud father of Madison, who manages Priester and Mayo’s marketing efforts, and Quinn, who is a professional baseball player for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Andy participates philanthropically at his local Food Pantry, the Chicagoland Urban League, and Feed My Starving Children. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with family and friends in the mountains, on the water, or exploring the outdoors.
Rich Ropp serves as President and comes to Priester with 30+ years of industry experience in aircraft management and aviation sales. Ropp opened the base location in his native St. Louis for Jet Linx Aviation. In addition to serving as the company’s Base President of St. Louis, he was responsible for leading its growth as Vice President of Business Development and Aircraft Management Sales. Ropp also served as National Sales Director at Jet Aviation, where he was the single point of contact for major clients and flight departments to the global platform of services. His experience includes driving aircraft management and jet card membership, as well as developing and executing strategic plans, and building up teams.
Rich is pursuing a light sport pilot’s license and has been involved in several charitable organizations in the St.Louis area including Wings of Hope, Special Olympics, and the Children’s Miracle Network. A medical mission trip through Wings of Hope took him and his wife to Ecuador in 2005 and most recently in 2011 and 2013, two church mission trips landed him in Gressier, Haiti with a construction team building home structures and facilities at an orphanage following the great earthquake in 2011. He has also traveled to Europe, the Caribbean, Middle East, Mexico, Hawaii, Alaska, Canada, and the Bahamas with his sights set on many other destinations around the world.
Over the past several years, he was instated as President for the Greater St. Louis Business Aviation Association (GSLBAA) and as a Board of Directors Member for Wings of Hope in Chesterfield, Missouri. He was a member of NBAA’s Schedulers and Dispatchers Committee for six years. He is an active member of Calvary Church and served as a small group leader, greeter, and Sunday school teacher in the children’s ministry. Additionally, he was a coach for a fourth-grade girls’ basketball team through CYC. He always finds time for family, is a daily runner, loves to cook, prefers to be outdoors whenever possible, and absolutely loves to travel.
Rich Ropp serves as President and comes to Priester with 30+ years of industry experience in aircraft management and aviation sales. Ropp opened the base location in his native St. Louis for Jet Linx Aviation. In addition to serving as the company’s Base President of St. Louis, he was responsible for leading its growth as Vice President of Business Development and Aircraft Management Sales. Ropp also served as National Sales Director at Jet Aviation, where he was the single point of contact for major clients and flight departments to the global platform of services. His experience includes driving aircraft management and jet card membership, as well as developing and executing strategic plans, and building up teams.
Rich is pursuing a light sport pilot’s license and has been involved in several charitable organizations in the St.Louis area including Wings of Hope, Special Olympics, and the Children’s Miracle Network. A medical mission trip through Wings of Hope took him and his wife to Ecuador in 2005 and most recently in 2011 and 2013, two church mission trips landed him in Gressier, Haiti with a construction team building home structures and facilities at an orphanage following the great earthquake in 2011. He has also traveled to Europe, the Caribbean, Middle East, Mexico, Hawaii, Alaska, Canada, and the Bahamas with his sights set on many other destinations around the world.
Over the past several years, he was instated as President for the Greater St. Louis Business Aviation Association (GSLBAA) and as a Board of Directors Member for Wings of Hope in Chesterfield, Missouri. He was a member of NBAA’s Schedulers and Dispatchers Committee for six years. He is an active member of Calvary Church and served as a small group leader, greeter, and Sunday school teacher in the children’s ministry. Additionally, he was a coach for a fourth-grade girls’ basketball team through CYC. He always finds time for family, is a daily runner, loves to cook, prefers to be outdoors whenever possible, and absolutely loves to travel.
Stephanie Waldron is Priester Aviation’s Chief Financial Officer, reporting to President, Rich Ropp. Waldron provides executive leadership to the company and is responsible for overseeing all financial activities and Priester Aviation’s MIS department. Prior to joining Priester, she served as controller and held senior executive roles at various organizations. During her career, Waldron has successfully implemented new technology to promote efficiencies and cost savings. She holds a B.S. in Accounting from DePaul University.
Kozin joined Priester in 2004 where she began her career as a trip coordinator in the Logistics department. Over the years, Kozin was instrumental in developing Logistics into a global 24/7/365 operation, and ultimately promoted to Vice President of Flight Logistics. Prior to joining Priester, Kozin worked for the Chicago Executive Airport (KPWK) studying and benchmarking airport noise. Kozin is a graduate of Lewis University with a B.S. in Aviation Administration, International Business and holds an FAA Approved Aircraft Dispatcher License.
Ally Waterloo brings to Priester Aviation more than 7 years of Human Resources experience. Ally joined the Priester team May 2022 where she leads talent development, benefits, onboarding and recruiting functions. Prior to joining Priester, Ally spent much of her career in the manufacturing industry and various industries as a business partner. Ally holds a Master’s degree in Conflict Resolution & Mediation from Roosevelt University.
Carl Bennett serves as Vice President of Quality and Safety for Priester Aviation and Colorado-based Mayo Aviation, which joined with Priester Aviation last year. His role extends to both companies. Bennett is an accomplished aviation safety and regulatory expert with more than 35 years of experience in Part 135 on-demand passenger and cargo operations.
In 2021, Bennett was among a select group to receive the Dr. Tony Kern Professionalism in Aviation Award, bestowed annually by the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) to those who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in support of aviation safety. Bennett was also a founding board member of the Regional Air Cargo Carriers Association (RACCA), a contributor to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Part 135 Aviation Rulemaking Committee and is a past Chairman of the Radiopharmaceutical Shippers and Carriers Committee (RSCC).
Greg has been a strategic pioneer in the business world for more than 22 years specializing in private aviation solutions. Greg previously served as an executive at Bombardier, FlexJet and most recently was Vice President of Sales for Fractrade. Greg has completed hundreds of transactions for customers across the globe providing solutions including ad hoc charter, jet cards, fractional sales, and whole aircraft transactions.
Anthony Burks brings more than 20 years of aviation experience to his role as Vice President of Flight Services. Burks joined the Priester team in 2010 where he began as a logistics coordinator. Burks was later promoted to Vice President of Flight Logistics before taking on his current role as Vice President of Flight Services. Anthony holds a B.S. in Aviation Science from Saint Louis University (Parks College) as well as a Commercial Single and Multi-Engine Pilot Certificate and Aircraft Dispatcher licenses.
James Schnell joined the Priester team in 2005 and now leads the Owner Services Department. As Director of Owner Services, Schnell oversees the client relationships, ensuring the client is at the heart of all we do. Schnell is dedicated to providing a seamless client experience from trip inquiry to day-of trip execution. He is the fourth generation of Priesters to work in a management role. Schnell graduated from St. Norbert College holding a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications.
David Prescott oversees the company’s Maintenance Control Department. Prescott’s work in the aviation industry has designated him as an experienced industry veteran who is well respected throughout the aviation community. Prescott served 10 years in the US Air Force, after which he worked for a regional Part 121 air carrier, and for United and American Airlines as a maintenance manager. In addition to his time as a maintenance manager, Prescott served as an Aircraft and Engine Project Manager, handling full scale aircraft refurbishment, pre-purchases, heavy inspections and overhauls for nearly nine years.
Craig Stinson oversees the maintenance and airworthiness responsibilities of Priester Aviation’s managed fleet of aircraft. Craig boasts 30+ years of industry experience working in many hands-on positions on aircraft in both domestic and international operations. Working as a Technical Support Representative for a leading corporate aircraft manufacturer for many years, Craig is analytically and technologically sophisticated, delivering high-quality guidance to maintenance teams while consistently collaborating with aircrews and maintenance operations centers.
Phil Dacy oversees Priester Aviation’s global flight operations. He brings nearly 40 years of aviation experience, including over 20 years at Priester Aviation. As a lifelong pilot, Dacy holds an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) rating with over 10,000 hours of flight time, and is the captain on Priester’s managed Hawker 4000. He has also been instrumental in the development and implementation of Priester Aviation’s industry-leading Operational Control Verification process.
Jay Gilbert oversees the company’s global flight operations as the Chief Pilot and is a Captain on Priester’s Hawker 4000. Gilbert was a former Chief Pilot and Director of Operations for two different major management and charter operators. In those roles, Gilbert successfully grew and mentored hundreds of pilots. Gilbert demonstrates a deep understanding of Part 135 regulations and leads initiatives to improve safety and operational excellence. Gilbert holds an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and English from the University of Mississippi.
We’re always looking for hardworking, customer-focused individuals to join our team. Apply today.
