NATA Presidents Council Member Spotlight NATA’s Presidents Council provides executives of member companies with an ongoing program of advice, access and information to excel as leaders, while developing a closer affiliation with their peers and NATA’s leadership. Council participation is extended to company principals and aviation business thought leaders within the NATA membership. The Presidents Council is comprised of a group of seasoned aviation business leaders representing companies of all types and sizes. NATA’s leadership takes advantage of their diverse backgrounds and experience to ensure it receives the best advice possible to improve the association’s operation and effectiveness. Each quarter, this column provides an opportunity for our readers to get to know these leaders. Contact Ellen Miller at (202) 774-1535 or [email protected], if you are interested in becoming a NATA Presidents Council member. EDWARD M. KILKEARY, SR. Founder and CEO (L.J. Aviation) Edward M. Kilkeary, Sr. is the Founder and CEO of L.J. Aviation at the Arnold Palmer Regional Airport in Latrobe, PA. Kilkeary served in the United States Army as a combat helicopter pilot during the Vietnam War. After completing his military service, he became a freelance owner-operator in a trucking business, hauling steel around the country with the aim of someday returning to his passion of flying. In 1975, Kilkeary took his first flying job as a helicopter pilot for an established family-owned coal company. Convinced by Ed that it could generate revenue with on-demand charter, the coal company agreed to purchase a Learjet 25D in 1980. The company was named L.J. Associates, Inc., denoting Learjet, and later added a DBA of L.J. Aviation to better reflect the nature of the operation. Since its inception in 1980, L.J. Aviation’s fleet has grown to over 30 managed and owned aircraft, including five satellite bases throughout the U.S.—flying over 10,000 worldwide flight hours per year. L.J. Aviation has estab- lished itself as an industry leader, listed regularly among Professional Pilot Magazine’s Best Charter Services. L.J. Aviation remains true to their founding principles: responsibility, reputation, relationships and doing the right thing the first time. Kilkeary was the Vice Chairman and still serves on the Westmoreland Airport Authority. In 2004, Kilkeary was nominated for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award, and in 2016, NATA recognized Kilkeary with the William A. Ong Memorial Award for his “extraordinary achievement and extended meritorious service to the general aviation industry.” “NATA is the ‘voice of aviation business,’ focused on FBOs and charter operators. They went to battle for us over the tax issue about applying FET to aircraft management services until we received a favorable conclusion.” 80 Aviation Business Journal | 3rd Quarter 2018
