Dennis O’Connell (right), president of Meridian Air Charter, celebrates 30 years at the company. He joins Meridian’s ‘30 Club’ along with, from left, Ken Forester, Aida Libiran and Betsy Wines

Meridian president's 30 year milestone

Teterboro, USA-based full aviation service provider Meridian is celebrating Dennis O'Connell's 30th anniversary with the company. Over his career O'Connell has flown some of the company's charter trips and is type-rated for the Gulfstream II/III/IV and Cessna Citation. In 1990, he became director of maintenance and from 2001 served as vice president, now president.

During his time there the company has pursued a measured growth strategy. O'Connell says: “I always knew that we would grow, but if you had asked me to look ahead 30 years I wouldn't have believed that we would have grown this much.” He is also appreciative of the longevity of others in the organisation: “There are several of us who have been here 25-30 years, which is somewhat unusual in the aviation industry.”

Meridian Hayward now open for business

The company has opened its new FBO at California's Hayward Executive airport. The facility will serve as a west coast base for Meridian Air Charter and Meridian Aircraft Management, and aircraft maintenance support is also available. CEO Ken Forester says: “Hayward is the keystone of our long-term growth strategy, which also includes a new hangar project at Teterboro and the continued expansion of our charter fleet.”