NBAA’s Young Professionals in Business Aviation announces formation of its inaugural YoPro Council

Washington, DC, 2016-Aug-09 — /Travel PR News/ — Consisting of 25 young professionals from all segments of business aviation, the council will be responsible for planning YoPro events and initiatives, including the group’s highly anticipated reception and educational session at the 2016 NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE), to be held from Nov. 1 to 3 in Orlando, FL.

Sierra Grimes, YoPro founder and NBAA’s manager of registration, said the newly formed council will help the group expand its ability to reach young people in the industry.

“Our goal with YoPro is to provide a community for young professionals looking to make their mark on business aviation, and the experience and enthusiasm our new council members bring will be crucial to that effort,” she said.

YoPro has been in existence since 2014, hosting high-profile events such as the premiere of Aviation Business’ “Top 40 Under 40” at NBAA-BACE 2015, but the council marks the first time leadership has extended beyond NBAA to the industry at large. The new council members represent a variety of aviation career paths including pilots, air charter brokers, executives and more.

“This council lineup really reflects the diversity of professional roles within business aviation,” said Grimes.

For Jessica McClintock, client relations manager at FuelerLinx in Van Nuys, CA, one of her motivating factors for joining the council is the opportunity to make industry newcomers feel welcome. “Being able make them feel like they’re instantly part of a family, and to be able to help with that journey is pretty amazing,” McClintock said.

Arthur Ramey, captain for Haymon Sports, LLC in Las Vegas, NV, said he joined the council because he wants to “be a part of something that fosters people getting to know each other,” and building professional relationships.

“Giving younger people that haven’t quite defined themselves in the industry the opportunity to dive into that – and to facilitate making that easier – was a big deal for me,” Ramey said.

Chris Quiocho, co-owner of Indy Asset Exchange and managing partner at Solutions Air Charter, both in Indianapolis, IN, said he was inspired to join the council because of the opportunity to build bonds between generations of business aviation professionals.

“To have a group of young people step up and say ‘Hey, teach us, mentor us, groom us, let us carry on your legacy,’ means this industry doesn’t take a step back, we continue pushing forward,” Quiocho said.

SOURCE: National Business Aviation Association