Tradewind Aviation has appointed Richard McKnight as Chief Financial Officer. A seasoned finance executive with a strategic mindset and more than 20 years of experience with multinational companies, McKnight is Tradewind Aviation’s first CFO, providing leadership on all financial, business, and operational aspects for the private airline. McKnight will focus on increasing profitability and growth and provide oversight on finance, accounting, and human resources.
The appointment of McKnight is accompanied by additional C-Suite changes at Tradewind Aviation. Co-Founder Eric Zipkin, formerly President, is now the airline’s Chief Executive Officer, Co-Founder David Zipkin, formerly Vice President, is now Chief Marketing Officer, and Adam Schaefer, formerly Director of Operations, is now Chief Operating Officer.
“With the extraordinary growth we have experienced as of late, the time was right for Tradewind to have a sharp-eyed, strategic financial expert on the team. With Richard’s impressive experience and enthusiasm, he ticked all the boxes for the talent we were looking for,” said Eric Zipkin, Tradewind Aviation’s CEO. “We are pleased to have Richard on board and look forward to tapping his expertise as we continue to strategize new ways to satisfy our clientele and move our company forward.”
McKnight joined Tradewind Aviation at an exciting time, with the private aviation industry having taken off during the pandemic as travelers sought safety, privacy and convenience not afforded by commercial aviation. The airline, which was recognized as one of the top five airlines in the U.S. in Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards in 2021, also recently announced the purchase of 20 new Pilatus PC12-NGX turboprops, with the first delivery expected from Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. in Q3 2022.
McKnight arrived at Tradewind Aviation from Eemax, Inc. (a division of Rheem Manufacturing Company) in Waterbury, Connecticut, where he spent close to six years as Director of Finance, including as Interim General Manager during his last three months. Previous roles for McKnight included Senior Finance Manager with Pitney Bowes in Danbury, Connecticut, and nine years as Director of Finance for the New York Stock Exchange in New York City. McKnight began his career as a Senior Risk Manager with Fidelity Investments in New York City in 2000.
Born and raised in Las Vegas, NV, McKnight earned a Bachelor of Science in economics from Penn State University, and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with an emphasis on finance and accounting from Fordham University. He currently resides in Fairfield, CT, where he enjoys golfing, attending his kids’ sporting events and spending time with his wife and three young children.
