west star aviation

West Star Aviation announces the promotion of Bill Richards to regional sales manager of the Midwest. Richards transitions to the role after excelling as Falcon project manager at the company’s East Alton, IL (ALN), facility, succeeding Keith Schroeder's nearly five-decade career.

West Star Aviation announces Jon Hein as its new regional sales manager of Landing Gear and Accessories, effective Dec. 2024. Hein joins West Star with more than 21 years of aviation experience, stepping into the role following the retirement of long-time leader Steve Fleeman.

West Star Aviation announces the promotion of Jeremy Camren to program manager for the avionics department at its East Alton, IL (ALN), facility. In his new role, Camren will oversee avionic repairs and install programs, guiding projects to success with the same commitment to excellence he has shown throughout his career.

West Star Aviation announces the promotion of Dan Sies to Falcon program manager at its East Alton, IL (ALN), facility. He will be responsible for leading the Falcon team, focusing on customer satisfaction, overseeing profit and loss, and implementing positive changes while continuing to grow the Falcon program.

West Star Aviation announces the promotion of Lee Smieja to Gulfstream program manager at its Chattanooga, TN (CHA), facility. His responsibilities will include being involved in maintaining effective cost controls for budgets, monitoring manpower, managing schedules, and implementing any new procedures for the growing Gulfstream program.

West Star Aviation announces plans for major expansion with the construction of a new hangar at its full-service Grand Junction (GJT) maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility, adding an additional 109,000 square feet of hangar, office, shop and ramp space. The project comes as the Grand Junction Airport is in the midst of a multi-year runway improvement project, an effort that enhances both the airport and West Star’s service offerings.

West Star Aviation announces the promotion of Michael Ditmeyer to director of maintenance at its Chattanooga, TN (CHA), facility. He will oversee all maintenance programs, ensuring project flow and work processes align with customer expectations.

West Star Aviation announces the promotion of Ray Sharp to director of maintenance at its East Alton, IL (ALN), facility, overseeing all maintenance programs. Sharp’s diverse experience includes working with a wide range of airframes, such as Falcon, Hawker, Lear, Cessna, Challenger and Gulfstream.

West Star Aviation Academy (WSAA), established in January 2024 by West Star Aviation in partnership with Southwestern Illinois College (SWIC), celebrates the graduation of its inaugural class in the presence of employees, families, community members and industry leaders. These 23 graduates are now in the process of testing for their FAA Airframe License. West Star also welcomes 25 new apprentices into WSAA, with their graduation anticipated in spring 2025.

West Star Aviation announces that its Denver satellite facility, located at Centennial Airport (APA), has moved into a larger hangar to accommodate customers with larger airframes, while also being able to expand its services.