Story ID: 
Elevate Plans Keystone MRO Expansion after Acquisition
By: Jerry Siebenmark
Caption: Keystone Aviation MRO expansion includes organizational changes and a third MRO site.
Word Count: 222
Private aviation services provider Keystone Aviation will expand its MRO capabilities following its acquisition by Elevate Holdings in early January. Elevate Holdings, the parent of Private Jet Services and Elevate Jet, has earmarked additional capital for expanding MRO capabilities, which it calls “a cornerstone of its growth strategy.”

“Together, Elevate Holdings and Keystone Aviation are focused on growing our executive fleet nationwide and developing a robust customer-centric aircraft maintenance organization,” said Elevate Holdings CEO Greg Raiff. “The next six to 12 months will set the stage for long-term, sustainable growth while increasing our current ability to deliver maximum value to our customers.”

The expansion plans include organizational changes at Keystone. Among them: appointing Jim Slack, Elevate Holdings senior v-p of maintenance strategy, as president of a new MRO entity for Elevate that will oversee Keystone’s Part 145 repair stations in Salt Lake City and Scottsdale, Arizona. Keystone v-p of aircraft maintenance Bill Hoddenbach will continue as director of maintenance for Part 135 operations while Jimmy Ray remains its chief inspector. Keystone’s president, Aaron Fish, will manage its Part 135 certificate.

Elevate said it has identified an additional MRO site for the Keystone expansion but isn’t disclosing this location. “This transition positions us to compete more effectively in the U.S. private aviation market,” Slack added.