DANIEL DROHAN KENN RICCI LIFETIME AVIATION ENTREPRENEUR AWARD

It is no exaggeration that Dan Drohan has turned his lifelong love of aviation into a distinguished business career. As a pre-teen, Dan worked line-service and office duties at a small Northern California airport. By age 17 he had attained his private pilot certificate and by age 19 Dan launched Sunset Aviation, an air tour company operating flights over Wine Country and the San Francisco Bay Area in a Beechcraft Baron. Sunset grew over the next 15 years into a robust regional Part 135 operator, eventually operating a small fleet of jet and turboprop aircraft from a network of bases throughout California. In 2007, seeking to evolve Sunset into a larger operation, Dan sold the company to JetDirect, a national “roll-up” of air charter companies.

In 2009, Dan launched Solairus. The new venture married Dan’s passion for aviation, his entrepreneurial drive, and his industry experience with a resilient team of talented and renowned aviation leaders. Dan’s vision and strong business and sales acumen quickly established Solairus as one of the industry’s most highly respected aircraft management firms. After fourteen years under Dan’s leadership, today Solairus manages and operates one of the world’s largest fleets of business jets, supported by one of the most experienced and well-regarded teams in the industry. The company employs over 2000 team-members throughout the United States overseeing over 300 Gulfstream, Bombardier, Dassault, Citation, Beech, Embraer, Airbus and Pilatus aircraft.

Dan and his wife Cybelle have three sons and live in Northern California. He continues to fly both professionally and personally as an ATP-rated pilot with type ratings/qualifications in Gulfstream 550, Hawker 800, Citation 525 & 550, King Air 300/350 and Pilatus PC-9 aircraft. Aviation is a family passion for the Drohans, and all three of Dan’s sons are now pilots. Above all, his favorite hours are those spent flying with them.

Mike Silvestro Aviation Industry Leader Of The Year Award

Michael J. “Mike” Silvestro is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Flexjet, a world-wide leader in the private fractional aviation travel business. Mr. Silvestro began his aviation career at Flight Options in 2000, where he served as Vice President of Sales and Marketing from 2000 to 2005.

Mr. Silvestro left Flight Options after Raytheon Travel Air’s investment that ultimately led to its acquiring majority control of the company. He held a senior position with fractional provider Citation Shares from 2005-08.

Mr. Silvestro returned to Flight Options as CEO in 2008 after its acquisition by Directional Aviation, whose principal is Kenn Ricci, and helped to lead its recovery through the recession of 2008-09. During 2009-12, Mr. Silvestro strategically positioned the company for growth by modernizing its fleet with a mix of new and refurbished aircraft.

In 2013, Mr. Silvestro also became CEO of Flexjet after its acquisition from Bombardier Aerospace by Directional Aviation. Under Silvestro’s leadership, Flexjet experienced significant new business growth gaining market share due to a complete transformation and diversification of its fleet, expanding from solely Bombardier products to also include key Gulfstream and Embraer aircraft.

He further differentiated the company with key initiatives: most notably, Red Label by Flexjet, a premium offering that features non-union flight crews dedicated to a single aircraft, custom cabin interiors, and the world’s most modern fractional jet fleet.

Most recently, under Silvestro’s leadership, Flexjet expanded its operations to Europe with offices in London and Milan. Additionally, the company has grown its presence in the United States with multiple branded FBOs at select airports and expanded its maintenance infrastructure.

Silvestro currently is the longest-serving CEO in the fractional jet industry.

He holds a business degree from The University of Notre Dame and is a member of the Board of Trustees at Ursuline College. Mr. Silvestro is also very active in support of several Catholic and child-education initiatives alongside his wife of 40 years, Mary Lynn Silvestro.