jetAVIVA Expands Market Research Team: Supporting the Future of Business Aviation
Date
October 18, 2024At jetAVIVA, our commitment to the future of business aviation goes beyond aircraft sales—we are passionate about developing the next generation of aviation professionals. As part of this mission, we have expanded our Market Research team, with a focus on education, mentorship, and industry collaboration.
Through our involvement with universities and organizations, we have successfully recruited a number of talented individuals who will play a critical role in supporting our Sales Directors and shaping the future of the industry. Our efforts to connect with students at Auburn University, Florida Institute of Technology, Embry-Riddle, and Kansas State’s National Strategic Selling Institute have provided invaluable opportunities to engage with the brightest minds. We are proud supporters of Central Florida Business Aviation Day and active participants in IADA’s University Committee, connecting with aviation honor society Alpha Eta Rho.
These educational outreach efforts are crucial for the long-term success of business aviation, and they have directly led to the recruitment of several key members of our Market Research team. We are excited to introduce Raphael Valor, Carter Tos, Grant Gilmer, and Jack Carroll to the industry next week at BACE.
- Raphael Valor: Raised in Venezuela, Raphael is in his final year at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, where he is pursuing a degree in Aeronautics with a minor in Finance. He is a licensed pilot and A&P mechanic, offering a broad technical and operational understanding of aircraft. Raphael is also multi-lingual, which adds significant value to our team’s international dealings. During his time as an intern at Guardian Jet, he gained hands-on experience in the business aviation market. Additionally, Raphael is an active member of the Central Florida Business Aviation Association (CFBAA) and was recently awarded the prestigious IADA Foundation Scholarship. Raphael is passionate about his future in business aviation and looks forward to attending NBAA’s Leadership Conference in 2025. At jetAVIVA, Raphael will support our sales efforts across several core markets, including the Citation Mustang, M2, CJ, CJ1, and CJ1+ models.
- Carter Tos: A Wichita native, Carter has grown up around the business aviation industry, gaining an early understanding of its unique culture and opportunities. He holds a degree in Human Health Biology with a minor in Professional Strategic Selling from Kansas State University, where he honed his sales acumen. With a deep understanding of customer relations and strategic selling techniques, Carter will lend his proven skills to the further development of jetAVIVA’s presence in the Large Cabin market segments, including Gulfstream’s G450, G550, and G650, as well as Dassault’s Falcon 7X, 8X, and 900 models. His personal background and professional training uniquely position him to contribute to the growing demand in these high-value market segments.
- Grant Gilmer: A recent graduate of Auburn University, Grant earned his degree in Professional Flight with minors in General Business and Marketing. A certified private pilot with both instrument and commercial multi-engine ratings, Grant has extensive flight experience and a well-rounded understanding of the aviation business landscape. He has gained valuable industry insights through internships with both jetAVIVA and Soljets, where he developed skills in market research, client relations, and business development. Grant will be supporting our midsize cabin sales efforts, monitoring the markets for aircraft like the Citation XLS+, Latitude, Sovereign+, Challenger 300, and Gulfstream G280. His technical expertise and hands-on experience make him a valuable addition to our team.
- Jack Carroll: Another Auburn University graduate, Jack holds a double major in Aviation Management and Business Management. Jack was introduced to aviation through a unique segment—hot air ballooning—thanks to his father’s passion for the sport. This early exposure to aviation gave Jack a broad appreciation for the industry. He brings with him excellent customer service skills, developed through prior experience, and a natural aptitude for sales. Jack will be responsible for monitoring the Citation CJ2/+, CJ3/+, CJ4, and Pilatus markets, supporting jetAVIVA’s efforts in these sought-after light jet categories.
These new hires join Egan Rzonca, who brings a wealth of experience and expertise to our Embraer Sales Team. Egan is a graduate of the University of North Dakota, home to one of the most renowned aviation programs in the country. While at UND, he earned his Commercial Multi-Engine, Instrument, and CFI ratings. Egan’s industry experience includes more than two years leading Embraer’s pre-owned market research initiative, where he also helped evaluate and process trade-in aircraft. Prior to his work at Embraer, Egan served as an Aircraft Sales Associate at Elliott Jets in Minneapolis, further enhancing his deep understanding of aircraft sales and market dynamics. His role at jetAVIVA focuses on providing industry-leading intelligence and market insights to support our Embraer Sales Team, and our new hires will certainly benefit from his mentorship.
This expansion of our Market Research team underscores our commitment to both our clients and the future of business aviation. We encourage you to connect with our new team members on LinkedIn and visit our website to learn more about their backgrounds and expertise.