CITATIONAIR® JOINS WITH WEST COAST-BASED SALES ADVISORY TEAM

7/27/2011

CITATIONAIR® JOINS WITH WEST COAST-BASED SALES ADVISORY TEAM

Jet Edge International Becomes Extended Sales Team for CitationAir

Greenwich, CT, July 27, 2011 – CitationAir, a leader in private jet transportation solutions, today announced a new relationship with Jet Edge International, a California-based private aviation sales organization.  Under the relationship, Jet Edge International will serve as an extended sales team for CitationAir in the Western United States & Canada region.  The Jet Edge International leadership team previously worked for NetJets® and Marquis Jet®, as well as for several other private aviation companies.

“We’re thrilled to have enlisted Jet Edge International to assist with our Western region sales,” said Steve O’Neill, president of CitationAir.  “The entire Jet Edge International team has an impressive amount of experience in the private aviation industry, and we are very pleased to be working with them to ensure that we extend our presence to reach new customers and provide them with the best travel solutions for their personal and business needs.” 

Jet Edge International, founded by five veteran private aviation industry executives with more than three decades of jet card, fractional, charter, aircraft management, and whole aircraft sales experience, will offer CitationAir’s full suite of products to potential clients.  The Jet Edge International team will assist each client in determining which CitationAir product options and aircraft are best able to satisfy a customer’s current needs and adapt to the client’s changing private aviation needs.

“As the private jet industry has evolved, customers demand flexibility, newer aircraft, superior operational standards, personalized service, financial security, and a diversified product offering with one phone call,” said Bill Papariella, president of Jet Edge International.  “CitationAir has positioned itself extremely well to meet those client demands, and our executive team is excited to have joined with CitationAir to sell its exceptional products”.

Full bios for all Jet Edge International team members are included below.

NetJets®  is a federally registered trademark that is exclusively licensed to NetJets Inc.
Marquis Jet® is a federally registered trademark of Marquis Jet Partners, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of NetJets Inc.

About CitationAir

CitationAir is an industry leader offering individuals and businesses the advantages of private jet travel through its innovative programs, including Jet Card, Jet Access, Jet Shares, Jet Management and Corporate Solutions products. CitationAir flies Cessna’s popular Citation aircraft exclusively—the Citation CJ3, Citation XLS, Citation Sovereign and Citation X—which are serviced and maintained at the factory-level.  CitationAir operates one of the youngest fleet of aircraft in the industry by highly trained pilots, setting the standard for superior customer service.  CitationAir’s parent company is Cessna Aircraft Company, a Textron (NYSE: TXT) company. More information about CitationAir and its offerings are available at www.citationair.com.

About Jet Edge International

Jet Edge International is a boutique private aviation sales organization for CitationAir.  To learn more about Jet Edge International, visit www.flyjetedge.com.

Bill Papariella
Bill is a seasoned senior executive within the Aviation Industry. Before co-founding Jet Edge International, he spent the previous six years within the private aviation industry working at NetJets, Marquis Jet, and Sentient. As Senior Vice President at NetJets, Marquis Jet and Sentient, Bill was responsible for advising and educating individuals as well as corporate clients on a variety of private aviation solutions including fractional ownership, jet card membership, charter and whole aircraft management. During his tenure in the private aviation industry, Bill’s efforts have consistently propelled his sales teams to #1 in total new business year over year.
In 2001, Bill founded 9th Floor Media, an entertainment and professional sports marketing firm, which he sold to Bard Capital Group in 2006. During his time at 9th Floor Media, Bill created and produced a library of motion pictures as well as PGA Tour golf events. In 1997, Bill was named Senior Vice President of Baldwin/Cohen productions on the Universal Studios lot, where he developed and/or co-produced the motion pictures The Patriot, Mystery Alaska, Sahara, Ray and Swimming Up Stream.
Bill is a native of Pittsburgh, PA and was educated at Ohio University.
billp@flyjetedge.com

D.J. Hanlon
D.J. has spent over the past ten years in the private aviation industry. Working at NetJets, D.J. Hanlon was a Vice President responsible for sales on the west coast. Starting in Northern California, and Pacific Northwest states, D.J. then moved to Los Angeles and took over the responsibilities for sales in Southern California and Nevada. He takes a consultative approach while advising and educating individuals and corporate clients on a variety of private aviation solutions including, fractional ownership, jet card membership, charter and whole aircraft management. Prior to joining NetJets, D.J. worked in the non-profit space and was responsible for all of the events and operations of the Tiger Woods Foundation. He also previously worked in the hotel industry at the Rio Hotel Casino in Las Vegas. D.J. was educated at Boston University.
dj@flyjetedge.com

David Pritchard
David is a veteran sales professional in the private aviation industry. Before co-founding Jet Edge International, David spent nearly 11 years at NetJets, Inc. where he sold in various territories throughout the US. After relocating to the west coast, he took over responsibilities for sales in Northern California, Oregon, and Washington. The past two years were spent also helping drive sales in the Los Angeles market. With extensive experience in fractional ownership, jet cards, charter, and aircraft management options, David brings a consultative approach to addressing his clients' travel needs. David started his sales career in the IT industry where he started and worked for numerous IT consulting firms. His success was found developing client accounts through the sale of complimentary services to existing hardware and software sales. David earned both BA and MS degrees from Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia, PA.
david@flyjetedge.com

Kevin Schwimer
Prior to Co-Founding Jet Edge International, Kevin spent 5 years building professional sales and client management experience in the private aviation industry. A Los Angeles native, Kevin began his tenure with Marquis Jet / NetJets focusing on new client growth in the Southern California area. As a result of his success, Kevin rose to the position of Vice President of Sales, expanding his responsibilities to include the Pacific Northwest and Western Canada. After NetJets acquired Marquis Jet in 2010, Kevin lead a team charged with the management of both new and existing fractional jet share and jet card owner accounts in the region, providing custom tailored travel solutions from the entire suite of NetJets private aviation services.
Kevin attended the University of Southern California, where he earned a BA degree in Communication with an emphasis in Entertainment from the Annenberg School of Communication.
kevin@flyjetedge.com

Stephanie Greer
With over 10 years of high-level sales experience, Stephanie is a dedicated professional who puts intense focus on the goals and objectives of her clients. Her combined experience working for two Fortune 500 companies has prompted a high level of professionalism with unparalleled commitment to customer service. Specializing in sales and account management, Stephanie’s primary concentration is providing customized solutions for her clients. She prides herself on building strong relationships throughout the sales process and becoming her clients’ trusted aviation consultant. Prior to co-founding Jet Edge International, Stephanie spent three years in the private aviation industry at NetJets/Marquis Jet.
Stephanie is a Southern California native and earned her BA from UCLA.
stephanie@flyjetedge.com

Patrick Burns
Having over fifteen years’ experience in accounting and finance, Pat specializes in improving operational procedures, manufacturing efficiencies, purchasing power, and customer service. Before joining Jet Edge International, Pat spent over five years as CFO for PBC Companies. While at this $83 million construction company, he evaluated and implemented employee stock option programs including valuation and financing. He previously spent about five years at Source Refrigeration & HVAC as their Corporate Controller where he helped in a management buy-out leading to the company’s sale to a private equity group. Pat also led the accounting and manufacturing operations for Harmon Industries during a divisional turn around, resulting in the sale of the division to General Electric. Pat also gained startup experience from his time at Dyncorp Division, where he the helped shape the accounting department, processes, and internal systems.
Pat attended California State University, at San Bernardino where he earned a BS in Business Administration with a major in Public Accounting.
patb@flyjetedge.com

Media Contacts:

CitationAir
Renee Levine, rlevine@citationair.com
203-542-3339   

Goodman Media International
Emma Mittelstadt, emittelstadt@citationair.com
212-576-2700 x250