Behind the Scenes at jetAVIVA: Meet Justin Darche
Since joining jetAVIVA, Sales Operations Specialist Justin Darche is already making his mark. He brings a disciplined, competitive mindset to fast-moving aircraft markets and a humble, team-first approach that resonates across business aviation. His story is one of patience and perseverance: he waited nearly a year for the right opening to join jetAVIVA, and he draws daily on lessons learned from overcoming a fractured back during his high school sports journey. That adversity taught him to stay steady, keep perspective, and focus on the next best move.
Justin’s entry into aviation began with a single phone call during his senior year at the University of Kansas. A close friend who recognized Justin’s talent and passion for sales encouraged him to speak with Brittany Kelso, VP of Transactions, about jetAVIVA and the industry. “After that first call, I fell in love with the industry, the company, and the possibility of a chance to bet on myself,” Justin recalls. There wasn’t an opening at the time, so he kept in touch and stayed patient through months of conversations. When the opportunity finally arrived, he moved quickly. “The wait was worth it,” Justin says.
That intentional patience mirrors a pivotal moment from his youth. As a defensive end and long snapper on his varsity football team, Justin’s junior season vanished after he fractured his back. For a young leader whose world centered on competing at a high level, it was a jolt. The takeaway endures: setbacks happen, and there is always a next opportunity if you keep preparing. In sales operations, that mindset shows up in how he processes constant change, absorbs information, and adapts to fast-evolving market dynamics without losing stride.
At jetAVIVA, Justin thrives on the proximity to leadership and the culture of accessibility. Titles don’t build walls here; questions get answered, ideas move quickly, and mentorship is active. Working under VP of Sales Operations Michael Barber, Justin values leadership that spans both strategy and detail, from deal dynamics to the right way to structure inputs into the CRM. The refrain he hears consistently from Michael—“What can I do for you?”—sets the tone.
Day to day, Justin focuses on market analysis and operational rigor: tracking aircraft movements and pricing, spotting where demand accelerates or stalls, and understanding the factors behind volatility and keeping a close eye on how segments behave differently over time. The work scratches both sides of his makeup: the competitor who wants to “beat the number,” and the connector who finds satisfaction in helping buyers and sellers reach the outcomes they want.
A Kansas City native and devoted Chiefs fan, Justin keeps his competitive edge sharp on the golf course and his weekends simple with friends, sports, and a plate of Q39 charred wings. He’s a KU alum with a Marketing major, a Professional Selling minor, and a certificate in professional selling—proof of how early he zeroed in on sales and pursued it with intention.
For clients and industry peers, Justin represents grit without bravado, curiosity without ego, and a commitment to clear, timely market insight. He waited for the right door to open. Now that he’s in, he’s all-in: steady, prepared, and focused on helping our clients make confident and informed decisions.
