Solairus Aviation is taking aviation services to new heights
– from the hangar to the runway, our clients satisfaction takes flight.
– from the hangar to the runway, our clients satisfaction takes flight.
Solairus is raising the bar in aviation charter and aircraft management and is setting a high standard of excellence in the industry as an aviation company that is comprised of a passionate team of flight and aircraft specialists who are unilaterally focused on one primary objective - exceeding the expectations of their clients. Delivering more than exceptional charter flight services, and offering more than outstanding asset optimization solutions that truly go above and beyond standard aircraft management, Solairus has set course to redefine truly integrated aviation services.
EXECUTIVES BIOS
Dan Drohan — CEODan Drohan, an active Airline Transport rated pilot with more than 6500 flight hours, has been in the aviation industry his entire career. Drohan founded Sunset Aviation Inc. in 1992 with an entrepreneurial drive and business and sales acumen that quickly established the company’s reputation for safety and service. As the primary architect of Sunset’s growth, he oversaw the acquisitions and infrastructure initiatives that catapulted the company – now Solairus Aviation – to the forefront of the aircraft charter and management business. As a result of Drohan’s leadership, Solairus now manages one of the nation’s five largest fleets of well-appointed, late-model aircraft, serving clients both domestically and internationally, and boasts one of the industry’s most experienced and respected management teams.
Jake Cartwright — Vice ChairmanIn his position as Solairus Aviation Vice Chairman, highly respected industry veteran Jake Cartwright plays a pivotal role in growing the company’s domestic and international business, tapping a depth of experience in aircraft management that is virtually unmatched in the business aviation industry. Cartwright was previously at TAG Aviation USA, where he served as President and CEO. A former Marine Corps F-4 Phantom pilot who served in Vietnam, he has logged more than 10,000 hours of flight time as a commercial pilot. In 1989, Cartwright joined Aviation Methods Inc., where he oversaw flight operations, charter sales and marketing, and new business development. Cartwright became president of TAG Aviation USA in 1998 when the TAG Group acquired Aviation Methods. A graduate of Princeton University, Cartwright has served on the Associate Member Advisory Council of the National Business Aviation Association and on the board of the National Air Transportation Association.
John King — PresidentJohn King brings to his position as Solairus Aviation's President more than 25 years of business and financial management experience in a variety of fields, including software, systems integration and investment banking. Prior to his role as President, King played an integral role as CFO of the former Sunset Aviation for 4 years. Additionally, King is a commercial pilot and has been involved with multiple aviation endeavors in a more than 30 year air industry career. King holds a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science from the University of San Francisco.
Greg Petersen — Chief Operating OfficerA respected veteran of two decades in the aviation industry, Greg Petersen brings to his role as Solairus COO a thorough grounding and proven expertise in flight operations and business development. Prior to Solairus, Petersen oversaw the operations of Utah’s leading full-service, fixed-base operator, specializing in the sale and acquisition of business aircraft for clients while helping the company achieve the distinction of being named one of Utah’s fastest growing companies for four consecutive years. Petersen began his career in aviation and gained valuable flight and operations experience while serving 14 years in the United States Navy as an F/A-18 pilot and instructor. Petersen holds a Bachelor of Science degree in finance from Indiana University.
Dave Weil — Chief Financial OfficerDave Weil has over 17 years of experience as a senior business manager in the aviation industry. He boasts extensive expertise in many diverse areas of business aviation finance and operations. For the last decade, Weil served as the Chief Financial Officer for one of the country’s leading private air transportation service providers. Formerly he held the esteemed position of chairman for the National Business Aviation Association tax committee. Weil holds both a Bachelor of Arts and masters of business administration from UCLA. Additionally, Weil is a Certified Public Accountant.
Mark Spindler — Senior Vice President of Aircraft ManagementMark Spindler boasts a resume that includes more than 30 years of customer service experience across a broad variety of industries. Spindler spent the past eight years overseeing client and aircraft management services at one the country’s leading private air transportation service providers. Spindler’s career in customer service and introduction to aviation began at retail giant The Gap, where he spent 13 years developing and managing corporate services, including overseeing all corporate aircraft. Spindler earned a Bachelor of Arts in history from California State University, East Bay.
Doug Giese — Senior Vice PresidentDoug Giese is a Senior Vice President with Solairus and brings over 25 years of aviation industry experience after a distinguished tenure with Hawker-Beechcraft, where his roles included multiple international and domestic sales positions, including five years as Regional Vice President of Sales for Europe, Africa and the Middle East. For the past nine years, Doug has managed Hawker’s sales efforts in the Western US, earning multiple awards for outstanding service and performance. He attended the American University of Paris and graduated from George Washington University with a Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs. Doug is an experienced ATP rated pilot with type ratings in multiple turboprop and turbojet aircraft.
Gil Wolin — Senior Vice PresidentWith more than thirty-five years’ aircraft management, charter and FBO management experience, Gil Wolin is Senior Vice President, East Coast Operations for Solairus Aviation. Prior to joining Solairus, he served in a similar role for TAG Aviation USA and was publisher of Business & Commercial Aviation and A/C Flyer from 1999 to 2004. Wolin headed sales and marketing at Executive Jet Aviation (now NetJets) during the mid-70s, and directed marketing at Combs Gates, a leading US FBO chain, throughout the 1980s. Before joining Business & Commercial Aviation, he served as president of Mayo Aviation, a leading Rocky Mountain-based aircraft management and charter company. Wolin is a past director of the Rocky Mountain Business Travel Association (RMBTA) and the National Air Transportation Association (NATA). He currently serves on the Advisory Boards for Corporate Angel Network and GE Capital Solutions-Corporate Aviation. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Lafayette College.
Marla McGatlin — Vice President, Client Flight ServicesMarla McGatlin brings nearly three decades of experience in international management of business aircraft and customer service to her position at Solairus. McGatlin is adept at building a customizable service product and excels at exceeding clients’ expectations. Prior to joining Solairus, McGatlin spent 12 years with a national aircraft services company in a number of client service and management roles. McGatlin holds a Bachelor of Science degree in aviation flight operations from San Jose State University and a Master’s degree in aviation management technology from Arizona State University, where she was listed on the National Dean’s List.
Craig Zirzow — Vice President, Business DevelopmentCraig Zirzow brings an impressive track record over the past 10+ years in sales and business development within the corporate aviation industry. In his position as vice president of business development at Solairus Aviation, he plays an integral role in leading the charter sales team and other key sales initiatives for the company. Over his career, Zirzow has been recognized for his sales leadership in previous positions and was instrumental in successfully building Sunset Aviation’s charter business. Zirzow is a licensed pilot and graduate of San Jose State University with a Bachelor’s degree in aviation management.
Tom Benvenuto — Vice President, Flight OperationsA pilot since 1989 and a Gold Seal flight instructor, Tom Benvenuto brings to his position at Solairus an extensive and varied background in commercial aviation, having worked at several internationally recognized airlines flying 737s and other transport category aircraft to destinations across the country. A member of the executive team of Solairus’ predecessor, Sunset Aviation, Benvenuto was the driving force and project leader for achieving the prestigious ARG/US Platinum certification. Benvenuto holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Geography/Climatology from the University of California, Davis.
Rene Cervantes — Vice President, MaintenanceWith over 15 years of experience in Part 91 and 135 operations, Rene Cervantes brings an unwavering focus on safety to his position of vice president, maintenance at Solairus. Before joining Solairus, Cervantes was the director of maintenance for an esteemed high-utilization Part 135 operation with an ARG/US Platinum rating. Cervantes began his aviation maintenance career during a six-year stint in the United States Navy, maintaining jet aircraft aboard a forward deployed aircraft carrier. His awards include the Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal.
