News Release

NATA welcomes three new members to board of directors

June 16, 2022:

Today, the National Air Transportation Association (NATA) announced its 2022-2023 board of directors, following its Annual Meeting of the Membership held in conjunction with its Aviation Leadership Conference in Washington, DC.

Clive Lowe, executive vice president of Atlantic Aviation Services, was reelected to serve an additional one-year term as board chairman. Clive's home base is in Arlington, Virginia. Curt Castagna, president and CEO of Aeroplex Group Partners in Long Beach, California, will continue to serve an additional one-year term as immediate past chair on NATA's Executive Committee.

Jeff Ross, president and CEO of Ross Aviation headquartered in Denver, was named chairman emeritus.

Marc Drobny of StandardAero, Geoff Heck of Signature Flight Support, Mike Magni of Monaco Air Duluth, Chris Rozansky of Naples Airport Authority and Megan Wolf of Flexjet were nominated for re-election to serve additional three-year terms.

Kimberly Herrell, owner and CEO of Schubach Aviation in Carlsbad, California; Jessica Naor, president of GrandView Aviation headquartered in Middle River, Maryland; and Chad Farischon, vice president of strategic development of West Star Aviation, LLC in East Alton, Illinois, were newly elected to serve at-large.

"Kimberly Herrell, Jessica Naor and Chad Farischon have been pillars on NATA's Air Charter and Airport Business committees. Now, their collective industry experience and individual voices on the board will enhance NATA's collaborative and proactive leadership for our members,” said NATA president and CEO Timothy Obitts. “As the aviation business environment shifts and advances, so must our member guidance and advocacy. We look forward to continuing to benefit from our newest board members' knowledge and perspectives, and we thank them for their dedication to advancing the safety and success of the aviation business community.”

Jessie Naor was named president of GrandView Aviation in 2022 after serving as its chief operating officer and chief marketing officer. In addition to her leadership of GrandView, she was elected to the National Air Transportation Association (NATA) board of directors and serves as vice chairman of the Air Charter Safety Foundation board of governors and former chairman of the Part 135 Committee; she was a member of the FAA's Duty & Rest Aviation Rule Making Committee; sits on the board of governors' for the Air Charter Safety Foundation; writes a monthly aviation safety column for Aviation Week and was a National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Top 40 under 40 in 2020.

Jessie holds an Associate's Degree in Air Traffic Control (Summa Cum Laude), CCBC Catonsville, and a BA in Aviation Business Administration (Cum Laude), Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and an MBA in Management & Finance from The Johns Hopkins University - Carey Business School.

Aviation industry veteran Kimberly Herrell joined PArt 135 operator Schubach Aviation in 2005, was appointed president in 2018 by company founder Henry Schubach and acquired the business in January 2020. As CEO, Herrell drives Schubach Aviation's overall vision and corporate values. Under her leadership, Schubach Aviation has instituted a “safety first” organisational culture, earning IS-BAO Stage III and Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) recognition. She oversees marketing, sales and business development initiatives with a strategic focus on future growth, positive company culture and delivering immersive aviation experiences for clients interested in customisable adventures. In 2018, Herrell launched Schubach's successful Elevated Excursions programme followed in 2020 by the company's VIP ACCESS programme, a curated collection of one-of-a-kind travel opportunities. A graduate of Utah Valley University, Herrell first made her mark in luxury hospitality prior to applying her experience to the private aviation industry.

Chad Farischon is vice president of strategic development for West Star Aviation, where he drives strategic growth opportunities through mergers and acquisitions, integration and business optimisation. Farischon's diverse background in aviation includes more than 30 years of expertise in operations and management. He cofounded the Lynx FBO network in 2016, holding the position of president and partner until 2021. During that time, Farischon grew the Lynx FBO network to nine locations. Prior to achieving industry-leading results with the Lynx FBO network, Farischon served as the eegional vice president of Landmark Aviation for six years. He earned a BS in Aviation Management from Southern Illinois University, holds a private pilot licence and serves as chair of the NATA Airport Business Committee.