Rich Ropp

Background

About Rich Ropp

A literal “grass roots” beginning in aviation cleaning trainer aircraft in exchange for flight lessons led me to pursue increasingly advanced aviation roles over the last 35+ years at companies including Million Air, Midcoast, JetCorp, Sentient, JSSI, Jet Aviation, Jet Linx, and Priester Aviation now George J. Priester Aviation (Priester, Mayo, & Hill Aviation Brands/Locations). Additionally, I founded Aircraft Appearances with service locations in Florida and Missouri and operated it for eight years. I currently serve as Chief Sales and Service Officer (CSSO) implementing best sales and service processes to our aircraft owners and charter clients. Daily initiatives involve driving new business development efforts and offerings while modifying and improving our overall client experience interfaces thereby improving client retention (inside sales) at our Priester (PWK), Hill (FTY), and Mayo (APA) Aviation Bases. It takes all of us to succeed in serving our clients best and that success stems from offering proactive and creative leadership and decision making support while remaining nimble to proactively move with market changes. I served 3 terms as Treasurer, 1 term as President and Past President for the Greater St. Louis Business Aviation Association (GSLBAA), 3-year Wings of Hope Board Member (including chair of annual gala), was a 5-year member of the NBAA Schedulers and Dispatchers Committee, and currently a volunteer in hospitality, youth ministry, and leadership development at Calvary Three mission trips took me to the 3rd world countries of Ecuador and Haiti which changed my perspective and gave me a deeper appreciation for life overall. My dad worked ground service for TWA and I was blessed to see exemplary airline service first-hand since we could fly for free/non-rev. This sparked my passion for travel and set a benchmark for premium service in the very early stages of my life. I always find time for outdoor exercise, running, cycling, writing, and travel. My passion for aviation has not wavered and I am more excited than ever about the opportunities, experiences, and challenges that await me! Specialties: Management, leadership, sales, networking, partnership development, aircraft charter services, aircraft management sales, flight support services, jet card sales, MRO, FBO sales and customer service, etc. Excellent communicator, team builder, net-worker, and well-versed and trained on most software systems/apps/programs.