Elevate Aviation Group has named Randy McKinney as president, and appointed David Allen vice president of operations and Colleen McCauley vice president of sales and owner services at its Keystone Aviation subsidiary.

McKinney is an executive with strong leadership experience at major aviation brands. He will report to CEO Greg Raiff and will oversee all aspects of the company's charter, management, MRO and sales and acquisitions portfolio. He most recently served as COO for JSX, another fast-growing charter company, and has served as COO and EVP for DAL Global Services, a subsidiary of Delta Airlines with 19,000 employees supporting over one million flights annually. He also has customer service and vendor management experience with NetJets.

“Randy will oversee operations, leveraging his experience at larger companies to improve internal communication, productivity and execution. He will focus on scaling our aircraft management and MRO businesses,” says Raiff. “His previous strong operational experience and emphasis on safety makes him the right person to lead our company as we grow and reposition our focus.”

McKinney will lead the company as it branches out from its initial core holding, Private Jet Services, which arranges complex charters for large groups such as rock bands, sports teams, large corporate groups and political campaigns. In late 2021, the company acquired Keystone Aviation for traditional business jet charter and aircraft management services. The acquisition included Keystone MRO, a maintenance operation based in Salt Lake City, Utah.

“I look forward to providing day-to-day operational leadership and preparing for the long-term success of Elevate Aviation Group as well as ensuring the 100 per cent satisfaction of our customers,” says McKinney.

McKinney graduated from Purdue University with a BSc, is an Alumni of Harvard Business School and holds a variety of additional accomplishments at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Allen will lead operations and build on the success and growth of Keystone Aviation, which was acquired by Elevate Aviation Group in January 2022. He has more than 35 years of aviation experience, joining Keystone Aviation in 2018 as manager of air carrier safety and quality assurance, with responsibility for establishing its safety management system (SMS). Most recently, he was director of air carrier safety at the company's Salt Lake City operations.

“David has an extensive and impressive background working with Part 121 carriers, Part 135 operations, leading teams in airline hub environments with responsibility for all below-wing operations and aircraft movement,” says Raiff. “His operational experience and safety focus make him the right person to deliver benefits at scale to our clients without sacrificing safety or the personal touch.”

Prior to joining Keystone, Allen ran TAC Air's airline services, leading a team serving airline partners for all below-wing operations, charter operations and refuelling. He has held various management positions in both operations and customer service at major airlines including Delta, Northwest and US Airways.

“I'm pleased to work with a highly motivated team focused on the long-term success of Keystone Aviation as well as ensuring 100 per cent satisfaction for our customers,” says Allen, who is based in Keystone Aviation's Salt Lake City headquarters in Utah. He holds a Certificate of Management in Aviation Safety (CMAS) from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

Colleen McCauley has been appointed to the new position of vice president of sales and owner services. She joined the group's Elevate Jet sales unit last year with similar responsibilities. In January 2022, Elevate Aviation Group acquired Keystone Aviation's aircraft management and charter operations, plus Keystone MRO, and is now consolidating all sales and owner service activities under McCauley's leadership.

“Colleen is a stand out talent with the experience and drive to grow all these business lines and maintain the very highest satisfaction levels among our customers,” says Raiff.

The company manages more than 30 business aircraft with plans to add more. It charters aircraft domestically in the US and around the world. Keystone MRO in Salt Lake City, Utah offers major maintenance for multiple brands of turbine business aircraft.

Previously McCauley was director of charter sales at an aircraft management company for nearly 10 years, helping grow the fleet from 25 aircraft to over 185 aircraft. Prior to that, she was president and director of flight operations at charter firm Jetworks International for seven years. McCauley brings nearly 30 years of aircraft charter and management experience. She has a bachelor's degree from San Francisco State University in Environmental Sustainability and Social Justice.