KINSTON, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--flyExclusive, a leading provider of premium private jet charter travel, today announced that it is expanding its leadership team with the addition of Col. Donn Yates to the role of Chief Operating Officer. Yates will use his experience from more than 28 years in the United States Air Force to optimize fleet operations and logistics for flyExclusive as the company continues its growth as one of the largest private charter operators in the United States.
Yates brings unparalleled expertise in fleet management to his role at flyExclusive. In 2018 he assumed command of the 4th Fighter Wing at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina. Throughout his career he has led at every level of the Air Force and cultivated experience working in highly volatile situations, including a wealth of combat experience and more than 2,000 flight hours in the F-15 aircraft.
“We are honored to welcome Donn Yates to flyExclusive, as his military background and expertise in cutting-edge operational practices make him the perfect addition to our leadership team,” said Mike Guina, president, flyExclusive. “As both a passionate flyer and an innovative thinker, he brings deep knowledge of fleet logistics and operations that will be invaluable in helping us grow flyExclusive and deliver the world-class service our customers and partners expect.”
Yates’ addition marks another milestone in flyExclusive’s rapid growth as a leader in private charter aviation. flyExclusive continues to expand its floating fleet of more than 60 light to heavy jet aircraft and has added 11 aircraft in 2020 while extending its global capabilities with the launch of flyExclusive International. Additionally, flyExclusive’s direct-to-consumer Jet Club program offers some of the most aggressive private flying memberships available and has grown by more than 800 percent in 2020.
flyExclusive continues to bring economic development opportunities nationally and in its headquarters in Kinston, North Carolina, with new, state-of-the-art paint facilities and interior operations. Yates, who joins flyExclusive through the company’s partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense SkillBridge program, will be instrumental in aligning partnerships and expanding across both the country and the region to continue this economic leadership.
“flyExclusive has a tremendous opportunity to fuel ongoing growth and I look forward to working with Mike and the team to make this opportunity a reality,” said Yates. “Together we will continue to grow flyExclusive into a customer service leader in private aviation, a great place to work and a great partner, both locally in North Carolina and nationwide.”
Those interested in learning more about flyExclusive’s private charter offerings or enrolling in the Jet Club membership program should visit www.flyexclusive.com.
About flyExclusive
flyExclusive is an owner/operator with services provided across North America, Caribbean, Central America, South America and now extending to Europe, Asia and beyond. Built on decades of industry experience in fleet logistics and management, the company maintains a floating fleet of more than 60 light to heavy aircraft as well as point-to-point fleet operations, proprietary quoting technologies and operational expertise in delivering safe, reliable and competitive solutions for its customers. Additionally, flyExclusive’s Jet Club membership program simplifies private aviation with a premium experience and the most attractive rates in the industry. flyExclusive is ARGUS Platinum and Wyvern Wingman certified and executes in accordance with a fully integrated SMS platform in its maintenance and operations. To learn more, visit www.flyexclusive.com.
