Jet East, a Gama Aviation company offering full-service capabilities and 24/7 mobile maintenance across the US, is adding Mike Smith to its team. As the newly appointed Embraer product director, Smith brings a wealth of aviation expertise and a proven record of success in the industry.

His career in aviation began in Stuart, Florida when he joined a small structures shop building parts for Boeing. Driven by his internal drive for deeper knowledge and growth, Smith embarked on a new chapter in March 2012 when he joined Embraer's production line in Melbourne, Florida. Here, he played an integral role working on flight control cables and avionics software, catching the attention of the quality manager who recognised his exceptional potential. Encouraged to pursue further advancement, Smith diligently tracked his time and successfully obtained his Airframe and Powerplant licence in January 2015, adding to his expertise and opening new doors of opportunity.

Smith later transitioned to the MRO station of Embraer in Melbourne as an AOG technician, and then he assumed the leadership role over the service centre for the entire Embraer fleet of aircraft. This role provided him with exposure to the business side of MRO, enhancing his skill set and broadening his understanding of the industry. Building on his successes, he eventually found himself at West Star Aviation in 2020 as the Embraer team supervisor. Eventually, he transitioned into the project manager role before joining the Jet East team.

Smith notes: “Embraer was my entry into business aviation. Since that time, my relationships with customers, Embraer and my knowledge of aircraft have grown exponentially. I strive to learn and stay ahead of new developments and market trends to exceed customer expectations.”

Dan Podojil, COO retail operations at Jet East, comments: “We are fortunate to have someone with Mike's background and knowledge on the team. The addition of Mike to our team offers a unique level of experience and support that our customers deserve.”

Shellie Lewis is also joining Jet East as the company's Gulfstream product director. With an impressive career spanning more than 35 years in the aviation industry, Lewis brings a broad spectrum of experience and expertise to his new role.

Shellie began his career with the United States Navy where he served four years on active duty. Following his service in the United States Armed Forces, Shellie's journey in the industry took shape during his 26 years at Gulfstream where he held various positions such as mechanic, senior mechanic, senior airworthiness inspector, site lead and quality supervisor. This work experience provided him with a comprehensive understanding of Gulfstream aircraft and their intricate maintenance requirements.

Following his lengthy tenure at Gulfstream, Lewis made significant contributions at Leucadia Aviation, where he served as the director of maintenance, overseeing critical maintenance operations and ensuring compliance with industry regulations. Most recently, Lewis' expertise extended to Leviate Air Group, where he held positions including chief inspector, director of maintenance, and vice president of technical services prior to joining the team at Jet East.

In his new role, Lewis will lead the Gulfstream product line. Using his deep understanding of aircraft maintenance, quality control and leadership, he will work with the sales and operations to ensure that all aspects related to the maintenance of Gulfstream aircraft are handled and communicated to the highest standards in the business. His extensive industry knowledge and commitment to excellence align perfectly with Jet East's mission of providing top-tier aviation solutions for its clients.

“We are thrilled to welcome Shellie to the Jet East team as our new Gulfstream product director,” says Podojil. “Shellie's track record, combined with his expertise with Gulfstream aircraft, make him the ideal choice to lead our Gulfstream platform.”