Lou Pepper, who has been leading FBO chain Atlantic Aviation as its CEO for more than 30 years, is stepping back from his role. Effective August 14, Jeff Foland will take over as CEO of the company, leaving Pepper to “fully focus on his role as a member of Atlantic Aviation’s board of directors.”
Foland has nearly three decades of experience in the aviation, travel, and transportation industries, including as a senior executive at United Airlines and Hertz Global Holdings. Most recently, he was CEO of The Parking Spot, which offers auto parking near airports.
“Jeff is a highly accomplished and innovative leader with a strong track record of overseeing growth at industry-leading companies and a deep commitment to providing an unmatched customer experience,” said Dash Lane, a partner at KKR, which acquired Atlantic Aviation in 2021. “I would like to thank Lou for his exceptional leadership over the past 30 years. As a result of Lou’s long-standing service, Atlantic Aviation is in the strongest position in its history, and I am confident that the company will continue to thrive under Jeff’s leadership. We are pleased that Lou plans to continue to contribute his deep experience as a member of Atlantic’s board.”
Under Pepper’s leadership, Atlantic Aviation has grown from 16 FBOs into one of the biggest chains with more than 100 locations in the U.S. and Caribbean.