Premier Private Jets Appoints Stephen West President of Charter Division

Stephen West, an industry leader with a track record of growing charter organizations, has joined as President of Charter Division. Josh Birmingham, CEO of parent Premier Private Jets, sought out West to strengthen the management team as Premier has expanded with major new MRO capabilities and new FBOs. "I'm so thrilled to have Stephen aboard. He's a great fit for this role with a great sense of how to methodically expand a charter organization, while maintaining the highest level of customer service," said Birmingham. "Meanwhile, I'll have more opportunity to manage our growing operations and continue to look for additional growth opportunities through acquisition or organic expansion."

In little more than a year, Premier acquired and expanded a major MRO and FBO facility in Dayton, then acquired a larger FBO in Dayton to integrate with MRO operations, and last month acquired a former Wheels Up FBO in Cincinnati. It now has a network of three FBOs in the Upper Midwest, including one in Pontiac, Michigan.

"We are expanding prudently with an eye for value," said Birmingham. "We look for opportunities, mainly FBOs, to expand in our current primary charter area of the Eastern United States."

West joins with an impressive record as President and CEO of Ultimate Jets based in Akron, Ohio. There he led year-over-year growth of more than 30 percent, doubling charter business in just three years, while achieving the Argus Platinum rating, cementing the organization's credentials. In the process, he added new aircraft models to the fleet, expanding capabilities for customers.

"Josh and I have aligned philosophies," said West. "It is fundamentally about managing growth and expanding an organization in sync, while adding new aircraft in a thoughtful, financially conservative way, while always keeping the focus on the customer."

Previously, West had a stand-out sales track record with Sentient Jet, contracting more than $150 million in Jet Card sales. He also brings strong hands-on operational knowledge from an earlier stint as an Operations Control Manager for Flight Options and experience with Raytheon Travelair.