Page 26 - TNT Dec 2017

Some of the volunteer members of the PALS Sky Hope disaster relief team assembled during the recent efforts following Hurricane Harvey.
WHO:
Robin Eissler
WHERE:
Georgetown, Texas
POSITION:
COO of jetAVIVA
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
Founder and
Program Director PALS Sky Hope Disaster Relief Program
Private Pilot
24 • TWIN & TURBINE
by Rebecca Groom Jacobs
1. You’ve been in aircraft sales for more than 20 years. Can you describe your start in the industry?
I grew up around the industry helping my dad with his aircraft sales business. At the age of 18, I had an opportunity to go to work for one of the largest preowned aircraft sales companies at the time. I jumped at the chance! After working there for two years, I then took at position at Banyan Air Service while I finished college. I loved the FBO business, but my heart was in aircraft sales. In 1999, my dad and I founded Jet Quest, Inc. And just this year, I sold the business to jetAVIVA, which is where I am today.
2. Aircraft sales is a predominantly male profession. What type of hurdles have you faced as a female? How did you overcome those hurdles?
My dad and I actually started Jet Quest after I was told by another aircraft sales company that they would never hire any women salespeople. Being female and not having an ATP certificate, I have always had to work harder to establish my credibility. One way of doing so was in 2008 when I was one of the first women to take the NBAA Certified Aviation Manager exam and distinguish my skills.
3. jetAVIVA projects energy, urgency and innovation embodied in its branding and slogan “Life is short, fly a jet.” Why do you take special pride in mentoring the younger members of the company’s team, many of which are women?
There is nothing more exciting than watching someone you have trained and mentored delight a customer through the sale or acquisition of their airplane. When I started in the business, “young professionals” meant you made the coffee! Now, it’s a great feeling to be able to pass along the skills and techniques I’ve used for 20 years to help our young members of the team grow.
December 2017