Private aviation company Jet Linx is bringing in Brent Wouters, the former President & CEO of Cirrus Aircraft, to be the new CEO. Jamie Walker, who has been President and CEO since 2007, will become Chairman of the Board.
Background
Jamie Walker joined Jet Linx in 2002 as its Director of Sales & Marketing alongside his father Denny Walker – who founded the Company in 1999 in Omaha, Nebraska. By 2004, they had a vertically-integrated organization, with a jet card program and a formal aircraft management program, providing full-service, local support to oversee maintenance, management of personnel and pilot training.
In 2008, Jet Linx Indianapolis became the second private terminal outside of Omaha, while locations in Dallas and Denver soon followed. Today, Jet Linx operates private terminals exclusively for its aircraft owners and jet card members featuring local pilots, local aircraft and local flight concierge in more than 20 cities nationwide - from the East Coast to Florida, the Midwest, Texas and beyond.
Jet Linx has grown from a dozen total team members to over 585, and from eight pilots to more than 265. With a current fleet size of over 110 private jet aircraft, Jet Linx maintains a 1-to-12 aircraft-to-member ratio, supporting its commitment of guaranteed jet availability for its members.
Another core event orchestrated under Jamie Walker's leadership is the Jet Linx Safety Summit, an annual all-hands Summit that began in 2017 and was a first-of-its-kind for airlines. Every year, Jet Linx voluntarily grounds its fleet and ceases retail flight operations for a full business day, allowing for a Company-wide assembly to examine and improve safety practices and standards.
The safety focus clearly works at Jet Linx, which is an IS-BAO Stage 3, ARGUS Platinum Elite and Wyvern Wingman PRO safety rated operator, and is the first company to achieve all three elite safety ratings.
Brent Wouters
With more than 32 years of professional experience, Brent Wouters joins Jet Linx from Iron Valley Supply, a global outdoor shooting sports, equipment and adventure company, where he served as President & CEO for three-and-a-half years. He was also previously President & CEO of Cirrus Aircraft, a technologically advanced aircraft manufacturer, and during his 10-year tenure took the company from a small domestic startup to the best-selling aircraft in 60 countries.
“I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Brent and trying to recruit him to our team for the last 10 years. Over this time, I have remained impressed with the pure passion and leadership he demonstrates in everything he does. I’m beyond excited the stars have aligned and we were able to bring him on board at just the right time for our Company,” said Jamie Walker, Chairman of Jet Linx. “With our commitment to double the size of the fleet by the end of 2026 – in partnership with Brent, our Board of Directors and executive leadership team – we will usher in a new level of operational excellence together.”
“I’ve known Jamie and Jet Linx for a number of years and have stayed in close contact – they’ve built a great company and brand. I see a very large growth opportunity in front of us and I look forward to working with each Jet Linx team member to capture it,” said Brent Wouters.