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We are a team of dedicated aviation professionals with extensive expertise and experience in aircraft management, charter, sales, and acquisitions. We share a common passion for customer support and personalized service rarely found in business today. Corporate Jets takes very seriously the trust you place in us.
EMPLOYEE BIOS
Richard Hodkinson took the reins of Corporate Jets LLC after purchasing the company from Landmark Aviation who had acquired it as part of its FBO roll up. Landmark retained the Scottsdale FBO (formerly known as Corporate Jets) and sold the aircraft management and charter business to Hodkinson.
Hodkinson, who returned to aviation in July of 2008 after a two year hiatus, has been on an impressive building and acquisition campaign. He opened FirstFlight’s West Coast Division in July of 2008 then purchased the division in January of 2009. He combined those assets with that of his newly acquired Corporate Jets in March of 2009. The combined companies are now known as “Corporate Jets, LLC”. The company has offices in Scottsdale, AZ, and Van Nuys, CA. Hodkinson brings more than 30 years of aviation experience and an impressive track record of success to Corporate Jets. In addition, he has assembled an impressive team of mid-level managers, many of whom he has worked with in the past.
Hodkinson is a nationally known industry leader with a strong record of success in aviation. In 1994, Hodkinson founded Elite Aviation, headquartered in Van Nuys, CA. where he served as the CEO/COO. Elite is a corporate jet aircraft management, charter, and sales company. In June of 2004, he sold his interest in the business, remaining as President/COO through June of 2006. During his tenure at Elite, the company assembled a fleet of 24+ jets operating worldwide. Hodkinson built an impressive team that earned an excellent reputation in the aircraft charter and management business.
Prior to Elite Aviation, Hodkinson managed other charter companies and flight departments. His aviation career began by running a small charter company and serving as captain of a Beechcraft King Air 200. Hodkinson went on to fly as captain on numerous jet aircraft worldwide for various companies, celebrities, and high net-worth individuals. He amassed more than 14,000 hours of accident/incident free flying and holds Safe Flying awards issued by the National Business Aviation Association.
Jim Cira joined the team (then known as FirstFlight’s West Coast Division headed by Richard Hodkinson) as a G-IV Captain in August 2008. Hodkinson’s purchase of FirstFlight’s West Coast Division and subsequent combination of assets to form Corporate Jets, LLC, was complete in March 2009. As Director of Operations, Jim brings 15 years of diverse aviation experience to our group of management professionals.
Jim is a graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with a B.S. degree in Aeronautical Science. He has 15 years of aviation experience and over 6,500 hours of flight time. His experiences includes captain and Check Airman on the Boeing 757, as well as being instrumental in the certification of Primaries Airlines, a worldwide FAR Part 121 on-demand Flag Carrier. Jim has both 121 and 135 Air Carrier experience holding both crew member and non-flying positions. Jim has been and will continue to be a check airman and line captain on the Gulfstream IV aircraft operated by Corporate Jets. Corporate Jets large cabin aircraft routinely fly to destinations all over the world.
With his accomplishments and industry knowledge, Jim is a valuable addition to the Corporate Jets team.
Lynn Sloan joined the Corporate Jets team in March of 2009. Lynn was hired in a dual role as the Director of Safety and the Director of Training. Lynn has more than 31 years of flight experience and has accumulated more than 10,500 total flight hours, 7200 of which are in jet aircraft.
Lynn has a long history with Richard Hodkinson who hired Lynn in 1985 as pilot of a King Air 200 for a charter company Hodkinson was running in Van Nuys. Lynn went on to fly for Spirit Aviation from 1986 to 1995. During Lynn’s tenure at Spirit, he was nominated Chief Pilot and company check airman on the King Air, Lear Jet and Westwind aircraft.
Lynn and Richard joined up again in 1995, when Richard hired Lynn to be the Chief Pilot for Elite Aviation. Lynn remained in the Chief Pilot position for Elite Aviation for 14 years, maintaining company check airman responsibilities and authorization, as well as managing more than 75 pilots.
Lynns’ impeccable reputation, coupled with his years of experience in the industry, make him a valuable asset to the Corporate Jets team.
Mark Wise teamed back up with Richard Hodkinson in July of 2008 as Director of Maintenance for FirstFlight’s West Coast Division. Hodkinson purchased that division from FirstFlight and combined it with other assets including Corporate Jets LLC. Now as Corporate Jets’ Director of Maintenance, Mark brings the company more than15 years of aviation experience as well as a high level of dedication and professionalism.
In 1992, Mark joined and served in the United States Navy. During his years of service, he was stationed on multiple aircraft carriers, most notably the USS Constellation in the Persian Gulf during “Operation Desert Shield”. After serving his country, Mark entered corporate aviation as an avionics technician with The Air Group in Van Nuys, CA.
In 1999, Mark joined Elite Aviation in Van Nuys, CA. While at Elite, Mark held positions ranging from Inspector, Chief Inspector and finally Director of Maintenance. As Director of Maintenance for Elite, Mark was responsible for the airworthiness of 24+ aircraft, most of which were operated on Elite’s air carrier certificate. Mark directly oversaw multiple conformity inspections, pre-purchase inspections and was the single point of contact for the FAA and the aircraft owners as it pertained to maintenance. Following his eight year tenure at Elite, Mark held Director of Maintenance positions with Vulcan Flight Management in Seattle WA. (Paul Allen’s flight department) and JetSource, in Carlsbad, CA.
Mark’s credentials include an Airframe and Power Plant Certificate (A&P license) and Inspection Authorization (IA). In addition, Mark holds a private pilot’s license and was formerly a member of the Gulfstream Customer Advisory Board.
Joe Snell joined Corporate Jets LLC. in April of 2009 as lead captain on the Gulfstream V. Joe became Chief Pilot for Corporate Jets in October of 2009. Joe brings over 25 years of aviation experience and nearly 12,000 hours accident and incident free flight time to our management team.
Joe is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Superior. As a retired Air Force officer and Pilot, Joe’s experience includes air force and civilian assignments as Captain, pilot evaluator, Chief Pilot and Operations Officer. Joe retired from the USAF in 2003 where he was the Gulfstream G-III & G-V Chief Pilot/Instructor Pilot for the 89th Airlift Wing at Andrews Air Force Base. Joe was responsible for the standardization, budgeting, training, and currency of 45 pilots operating both the G-III and G-V aircraft which conducts worldwide Special Air Missions in support of the US President, Vice President and other US and foreign dignitaries.
With his accomplishments and industry knowledge, Joe is a valuable member of the Corporate Jets team.
Rebekah Herbert started her career in aviation as a Customer Service Representative for Jet West International, a fixed base operator (FBO) and Charter Company in Van Nuys, CA in 1998. Shortly after being hired as a Customer Service Representative, she was promoted into the charter department where she worked for 2 years as a Charter Coordinator and Supervisor for the charter department.
In May of 2000, Rebekah joined Elite Aviation, which at the time was owned and operated by Richard Hodkinson. Rebekah worked for Elite for eight years. During the first 5 years, she worked in the charter department as a Senior Flight Coordinator. Her responsibilities included sales and dispatch for the 20+ aircraft operated by Elite. Rebekah was then was promoted to Owner Operations where her efforts were concentrated on the communication between Elite and the owners of the managed aircraft. She was responsible for dispatching their trips as well as coordinating maintenance and crew schedules. During the last year of her tenure at Elite, Rebekah also supervised a staff of 5 Flight Logistics Coordinators and 4 Sales Support Coordinators implementing many policies and procedures that improved the company.
Rebekah joined back up with Richard Hodkinson in September of 2008 shortly after he opened the West Coast division of FirstFlight which was subsequently merged with Corporate Jets under Hokinson’s ownership. We are excited that Rebekah is with Corporate Jets, her many years of experience are a definite asset to the company.
Dee Maxie teamed back up with Richard Hodkinson in June of 2009 as Flight Operations Specialist for Corporate Jets. Dee brings the company more than seven years of aviation experience as well as a high level of work ethic and professionalism.
In February of 2002, Hodkinson hired Dee at Elite Aviation. Dee proved her abilities and dedication to aviation by building up her knowledge base of the industry with hard work and a real drive to succeed. Dee developed many procedures which were very helpful in the Operations Department and contributed to the success of the company. Dee’s responsibilities included manual writing and revision control, Wyvren and ARG/US communications, and crew recordkeeping. Her responsibilities will be the same at Corporate Jets.
Dee’s background includes working for the accounting firm of Deloitte & Touche, where she held several administrative positions over the 13 years with the firm. She began as an accounting clerk, and worked her way up to management in the IT department. She relocated to their Michigan office in 1999, and left the company to come back to California in December of 2001.
Dee enjoys a good reputation in the industry with her positive attitude. She is a welcomed “Go To” person for flight crews and others in the company.