Jet Linx has hired Paul Kloet as director of mergers and acquisitions and has promoted Jason Vanis from senior VP to senior VP of integrations, both new leadership positions. Kloet is responsible for managing and leading all facets of M&A opportunities, including identifying Part 135 acquisition opportunities and value-added ventures, optimising integration priorities and developing integration strategy. Vanis will continue to oversee select Jet Linx base locations while also leading projects to integrate newly acquired companies into Jet Linx. The announcement was made by Jamie Walker, president and chief executive officer of Jet Linx.

“We have witnessed exponential growth in recent years, and we are excited for Paul and Jason to lead us into our next phase of expansion through the acquisition of select Part 135 operators in both existing markets we already serve and new markets we have slated to open,” says Walker. “Paul brings to Jet Linx an impressive skillset and deep experience in leading M&A transactions that will undoubtedly advance our growth strategy and allow us to accomplish our business objectives through strategic ventures and acquisitions. Jason, who has been an integral part of the Jet Linx team for almost two decades, is intimately familiar with our brand and operations, which makes him the perfect person to facilitate our post-acquisition integration activity. We look forward to the many exciting initiatives Paul and Jason will be pursuing in the coming months.”

Kloet brings to Jet Linx over 12 years of experience building and leading businesses to success in diverse and dynamic environments. Previously, he served as the first chief financial officer of Chicago-based BIG Construction, where he successfully led the company through the rapid growth experienced during its first two years of operations while supporting $70 million of revenue. He has also held several senior level and leadership roles at influential companies and firms, including Uber, Victory Park Capital, Goldman Sachs & Co. and Bank of America Merrill Lynch.

Kloet comments: “I am honoured to be joining Jet Linx at such an exciting and pivotal time for the company. As a true innovator and leader in the industry, Jet Linx's portfolio of products and services are truly unrivalled, and I am thrilled to be working with such an impressive team in accelerating the brand's growth.”

Vanis, an industry veteran with over 23 years of experience in aviation, has spent a collective 19 years with Jet Linx. He first joined Jet Linx in 2002 as a flight department manager, where he was responsible for overseeing the scheduling of aircraft and crew. After six years with the company, he launched Aviation Integration as a managing partner in order to provide efficiencies and training to the aviation industry. Mr. Vanis returned to Jet Linx in 2010 as the manager of scheduling and dispatch and has since held the roles of VP of flight operations, VP of operations, VP of business intelligence and technology and, most recently, senior VP overseeing the management of its base locations nationwide.

Vanis says: “I am delighted to assume this new and expanded role as we prepare to enter the next phase of our growth strategy. I have had the pleasure and fortune of being part of the Jet Linx family for over 19 years and have never been more excited about the future. I look forward to supporting Jet Linx in perfecting our post-acquisition strategy and integration process.”

The executive appointments follow a year of growth for Jet Linx, which includes the acquisition of Meridian's aircraft management and charter business in July 2020, the largest Part 135 operator serving New York and the tri-state area. Recently, Jet Linx announced that Jet Linx Miami, its 20th location and first in Florida, will open in autumn 2021, followed by a new private terminal for Jet Linx Omaha that will debut in June 2022.