Flexjet, Inc. announced that its Chairman, Kenn Ricci, has been appointed to the Board of Trustees of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Ricci’s appointment was effective on March 29, 2024.
“It is vital to the growth of the aviation industry that we continue to attract, coach and retain young talent. In fact, that is one of the many reasons I felt it vital to develop the Flexjet Innovation and Career Center at Embry-Riddle in 2017 and why I am so eager to play a role in the education of young aviators as a member of the Embry-Riddle board,” Ricci said. “Our companies – which employ 5,000 currently – and the overall aviation industry continues to grow at a phenomenal pace. Sustaining that growth would not be possible without a pipeline of young talent that is well educated and inspired.”
With a distinguished career spanning more than four decades, Ricci brings a wealth of aviation industry expertise to Embry-Riddle. He is the founder and principal of Directional Aviation Capital, a firm that owns and invests in a wide range of aviation-focused businesses including Flexjet and its affiliates, FXAIR, a private jet charter company and Sentient Jet, a jet card provider, SimCom Aviation Training which provides professional simulator training and REVA, an air ambulance company. An accomplished pilot in his own right, Ricci’s aviation business interests also include maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services, aircraft engineering, aircraft brokerage, aircraft management and aviation sustainability initiatives.
“Kenn is second-to-none when it comes to deep understanding of the aviation business and a successful track record in the industry,” said Mori Hosseini, chairman of the Embry‑Riddle Board of Trustees. “He will not only be an outstanding board member, but he shares our mission of molding the next generation of talent in aviation and aerospace.”
Embry‑Riddle President P. Barry Butler, Ph.D., added: “Trustee Ricci is a pillar of the aviation industry. His unique leadership skills, business acumen, passion and vision will be incredible assets, and I look forward to working with him.”
