I grew up just outside of Boston, Massachusetts as the son of a successful car dealer, so you could say the sales gene has always been in my blood. Whether it was lemonade stands, detailing cars, caddying, bussing tables, or cleaning vacation condos – I have always prioritized a strong work ethic and discipline in my growth. I fell in love with aviation as a kid – begging my mom to drive me to Hanscom Field where I would sit outside the fence and watch the jets buzz in and out for hours.
I studied Business Aviation Administration at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and at the same time started with an aviation insurance company, where I worked with turbine aircraft owners and commercial aviation businesses to manage risk and provide tailored solutions to meet their needs. I later transitioned into aircraft management, serving as Vice President of Fleet Development for two ARGUS Platinum aircraft charter/management companies, and in those roles grew their managed aircraft fleets by 4x-7x respectively.
I began transacting aircraft about eight years ago when I realized that, compared with most aircraft brokers who simply obtain data from databases or online, I had the capability and first-hand knowledge from operating aircraft. I chose to become a student on the technical side of aircraft acquisitions and absorbed as much information as I could so that when my phone rings today, I can provide high-level, informed guidance for my clients throughout the buying and selling process.
My background and personal passion for this business empowered me to think differently about the best approach to private aviation. There is an industry trend towards short-term, transactional style, which in my experience leads to mismanagement of both expectations and multi-million-dollar assets.
I created RL Aviation in early 2021 after a long-time client urged me to take the leap. I seek to create and foster long-term relationships that lead to organic growth, rather than one-time transactions. RL Aviation is grounded in a culture of integrity, professionalism, and exceptionally personalized service – from tip to tail.
The rest is history, and as of writing this, I have transacted over seventy aircraft with a combined valuation of over $400m with many more to come!