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Don Campion and his wife, Sueanne, are project leaders in the revitalization of his father’s hospital in Egbe, Nigeria.
for all aircraft sales and management. He serves on the executive committee for the Pinnacle Air Network, and in 2009 he was elected chairman of the National Aircraft Resale Association (NARA). Previously he held roles as secretary, treasurer and vice-chairman at NARA. He is an active pilot and holds an Airline Transport Pilot license (ATP), instrument, multi-engine land and seaplane ratings, and type ratings in King Air 300/350 Turboprops and Cita- tion 500 series jets. He holds an undergraduate degree in finance and a Master’s of Business Administration from Embry Riddle University.
I asked Michael during a visit in 2021 how the business had adjusted and found success through the pandemic. He said, “It has been unbelievable. Historically, we had a large portion of our business from south of the border. During the pandemic, we saw that change to mostly all North American business due to travel restrictions. Even with the restrictions and our customer profile changing, we have experienced our biggest months in terms of fuel sales and aircraft maintenance and sales ever.”
They credit the success to their unrelenting adherence to the principles of service and focus on customer needs. Serving customers’ needs means that Banyan Air Service needed to provide the best in new aircraft acquisition. They are the southeast’s premier HondaJet dealer. It is a perfect fit for Banyan’s business of providing best-in-class products and services.
Selling and servicing airplanes do not make up all that Don Campion does in life these days. He and his wife, Sueanne, are now project leaders in the revitalization of his father’s hospital in Egbe, Nigeria. Often traveling to Nigeria, they recruit personnel, raise financial support, ship medical equipment and supplies and provide over- sight to establish medical care to this needy region. The hospital also is a training center for nurses and doctors. They work closely with 4KIDS of South Florida, a child
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welfare agency dedicated to foster care and His Caring Place, which provides a safe harbor for teenagers.
Some of Don’s awards and recognition include:
• Serving on the National Aviation Transportation Association Board and Awarded Distinguished Service Award
• Served on Everglades University Aviation’s Program Advisory Committee
• Received International Business Award from the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce
• Inducted into FATA Entrepreneurial Excellence Hall of Fame 2009
• Junior Achievement South Florida Business Hall of Fame Laureate 2011
• Received Excalibur Award 2011
• FXE Achievements in
Community Excellence Award 2018
• FXE Distinguished Service Award and City of Fort Lauderdale Proclamation for 40 Years at FXE 2019
These days when you visit Banyan Air Services, the lineup of services has greatly expanded since its early times. Visitors can take advantage of the world’s largest pilot shop (according to Banyan’s website), grab a burger at the Jet Runway Cafe, relax in the terminal lounge, or schedule various services for your aircraft from the air- frame to engine to interior or exterior work.
Lance Phillips is an aviation professional, writer, pilot and photographer. He is executive director for the Pinnacle Air Network and owns Phillips Aero Services, an aviation mar- keting services provider. You can contact Lance at lance@ phillipsaeroservices.com.