NATA Pays Tribute to Jerry Holland, Visionary Founder of Sheltair Aviation

NATA (the National Air Transportation Association) joins the aviation community in honoring the life and legacy of Jerry Holland—a visionary and patriarch behind Sheltair Aviation, the family-founded FBO network that grew from a single operation at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (KFXE) into a 16-location enterprise spanning four states.

“Jerry Holland was a visionary whose impact on general aviation will live on for generations. With humble beginnings and an unwavering belief in what was possible, he built far more than an FBO network—he built an extended family. Jerry infused every part of Sheltair with the same values that guided his own life: hard work, humility, loyalty, and care for others,” stated NATA President and CEO Curt Castagna. 

In January 2020, Jerry entrusted the Sheltair’s leadership to his daughter, Lisa Holland, whose stewardship continues to honor his vision—growing the company, sustaining its family-first principles, and defining excellence across an evolving aviation landscape. Sheltair is an American success story and remains a testament to Jerry Holland’s life’s work and enduring impact on the aviation community.

“NATA and our entire community offer our heartfelt condolences to the Holland family, as well as to the many lives he has touched. Jerry shaped the aviation community through his leadership, generosity, and ability to lift others along the way. He will be profoundly missed,” added Castagna.