Curtis Kruger

Curtis has led his teams through some of the most challenging environments in the business aviation industry, including start-ups, growth and acquisition, economic downturns, mergers, restructurings, and closures. While leading his teams through these challenges, he remained focused on team members, primarily as a developmental coach to prepare for advancement and as an intervention coach for individuals at a professional crossroads. As a recruiter, he recruited and selected candidates to ensure the right mutual fit, coached them through the career change decision process, and prepared them to join organizations of all sizes, including Fortune 100 companies.

Leadership positions: Army Officer, Corporate Recruiter, Chief Pilot, Training Center General Manager, Director, Vice President, and Chief Operating Officer. His leadership experience also includes sales, marketing, and customer service, and he has led teams from 3 people up to over 400 team members.

Notable achievements:

• Developed and grew a business jet company from a start-up to a full 24/7 operation. Selected the leadership team, established regulatory and safety compliance, managed sales, built and instructed the customer service program, and ran all the daily operations. In 18 months, the company received the highest industry ratings from an independent third-party auditing company.

• Led the largest Business Jet pilot training center in the world with revenue of over $10MM /month, over 400 personnel, and 44 full flight simulators at two separate locations that provided pilot training to 35 countries.

• Served as a project manager for building a new training center, while simultaneously managing major remodels and upgrades to the primary center, all while phasing in new flight simulators.

• Established and led several employee and customer service communication and feedback programs to ensure the highest levels of company performance and customer connection.

• Bachelor of Business and Marketing, University of Idaho

• College and semi-professional football player and Head football coach at the high school level in Europe

• Army helicopter and fixed-wing pilot and Business Jet Pilot in Command

• Supports and participates in Cincinnati’s performing arts community