Elite Jets has added a pilot and four operations team members as the Naples-based private charter company.
Elite Jets owns four Embraer Phenom 300 jets and one Embraer Legacy 500 jet that transport passengers to destinations across North, Central and South America, as well as the Caribbean. It also provides management services for a Gulfstream G550 jet capable of long-haul flights to Europe and Asia.
Additionally, the company has a Bell 407 helicopter that provides sightseeing and travel services across southern Florida.
“We now have nearly 30 pilots on staff, and because our jets are in the air more often, we needed to grow our operations team on the ground,” said Stephen Myers, CAM, senior vice president at Elite Jets. “Ever since the pandemic started, affluent business and leisure travelers have turned to private charters for their travel needs, and we have grown our workforce to ensure we continue providing an exceptional travel experience.”
Elite Jets hired Eric Cooter as a first officer for the Phenom 300, a jet that transports up to nine passengers with a 2,000-mile range. Cooter, a certified flight instructor, notched his first solo flight on his 16th birthday and has served as a chaplain and cadet in the Air Force’s Civil Air Patrol since 1979. He earned a bachelor’s degree from East Tennessee State University and a master’s degree from The University of the South.
As director of finance, Mary Hosey is responsible for all aspects of finance and accounting at Elite Jets, as well as human resources. Hosey has more than 35 years of financial and accounting experience, and recently served as a controller for a large manufacturing company. Hosey earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Scranton.
Elite Jets has added three flight operations specialists, which oversee the logistics and scheduling for six jets and the helicopter.
Andre Labadie previously was flight manager for an international flight support company, handling permits, mission support, fuel and other duties in addition to solving complex regulatory issues. He also has experience as a flight dispatcher for an air ambulance company. Labadie earned a bachelor’s degree from Lynn University.
Rawan Pornbowornkiat was a student flight dispatcher who tracked student flight activities, maintained aircraft maintenance records and updated databases. She also has experience as a technical assistant for an aviation club. Pornbowornkiat earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
P. Blake Stephens started flight training at age 15 and later earned private pilot, commercial drone and skydiving licenses. He served in the U.S. Army and was co-owner of a drone videography company. Stephens earned a bachelor’s degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
