Three decades working in aviation might slow anyone down, especially in this tough economic environment. Yet with the energy and drive that has propelled Robert to success in the past, he revamped SoCal Jets into becoming the premier corporate aircraft maintenance facility at the Van Nuys Airport. Robert’s drive for success, high energy level, and amiable persona encourages loyalty among employees because Robert guides them to develop and grow to their utmost potential. Clients have full confidence in Robert’s ability to get things done, manage their aircraft’s needs with precision and detail, and communicate effectively the progress of a work scope. He has an ability to negotiate with those of contrasting perspectives: clients, employees, vendors, and investors. Colleagues and customers alike always look to Robert to get on the same page: that being of superior value, a strong work ethic, and open communication.As the coach to a strong team, Robert builds a solid foundation of teamwork that impresses the clients of SoCal Jets and encourages them to return for service on their aircraft. His knack for energizing and encouraging employees creates an enviable environment for SoCal Jets, despite the often-hectic demands surrounding corporate aviation. The workplace supports career advancement of its employees and provides a solid organization of which aviation professionals are proud to be members of. This has created a great place to work effectively, and it yields enormous benefits for the clients of SoCal Jets.

The compass of SoCal Jets, Ann Roig is the key person directing the long-term path of the organization. Having 25 years behind her running an aviation business from the perspective of an “outsider,” Ann is able to objectively determine the best course for SoCal Jets to take as a growing business. She, along with Robert, successfully navigated the skies of corporate aviation from their humble beginnings as a two-person shop. Now, with SoCal Jets continuing into the next decade, Ann is prepared to handle the ups and downs of growing and maintaining a new aviation business in this ever-changing economic landscape.

SoCal Jets’ ability to properly record and file necessary paperwork with the FAA is due to the excellent organizational and technical skills of Dale Rardin. In two decades providing aviation maintenance service, Dale has built a vast range of technical knowledge for Hawker, Challenger, Falcon, Astra, Westwind, Gulfstream, Learjet and Citation. Of those 20 years as a licensed A&P/IA, he has worked 12 years as a chief inspector dealing extensively with the FAA, making sure that the corporate aircraft maintenance facility adheres to the required regulations. Dale will not only repair and maintain your corporate jet, but also make sure the FAA is satisfied with the aircraft’s records keeping.Dale graduated from Northrop Rice Aviation Institute of Technology, and has had factory training on Hawker 700/800/ 800 XP, Challenger 601, Hamilton Sundstrand T-39, T40C8D1, FAR 145 Repair Station Manual Course, and an “Aviation Human Factors” Training Course. Dale’s education combined with his aviation background contributes to SoCal Jets’ ability to effectively manage aircraft maintenance.

SoCal Jets’ “analytical motivator,” Scot, brings to the team solid entrepreneurial experience. As a former business owner, Scot understands the need for solid financials, ethical conduct, and a strong work ethic. He governs our monthly board meetings, generates detailed reports and brings a cohesive message to our clients on how we offer superior value with first class service.With over 20 years of accounting and operational management experience, Scot provides SoCal Jets with extensive knowledge on how to navigate through this stormy economy with a strong financial position and an ability to envision the “big picture.” His work experience gained from working with both large companies such as Universal Studios and small businesses like The Racer’s Edge 2, gives SoCal Jets the necessary insight to be nimble for innovation and secure for long-term viability.

To describe Jim Lauer’s aviation background you must start with his impressive 47 years of avionics experience, including 30 years as a leader of IFR Avionics. Jim Lauer started out as an avionics technician for the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War earning multiple awards. He remained with the Naval Air Reserve while he built up his private sector experience. In 1978, Jim began work at a small shop called IFR Avionics. When he rose to be President of IFR Avionics in the early 80’s, Jim led the company to become the largest and most technically proficient avionics facility at the Van Nuys Airport.A snapshot of some of the work Jim completed while at IFR Avionics illustrates his vast involvement in the avionics industry. He was the Arial Coordinator for events such as the Los Angeles Olympics, worked with JPL to develop and install on-board systems for a remotely piloted vehicle, and helped the FAA with designing, installing and testing avionics equipment for their own aircraft. Jim also served on the Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA) for 28 years, including 3 terms as chairman. After a long and successful career in aviation, he decided to retire in 2008.

During his brief retirement, Jim quickly became bored and chose to utilize his avionics background. Desiring to charter new growth for avionic services in one of the toughest economic environments private aviation has ever faced, he is bringing a high level of technical expertise combined with decades of business leadership skills to SoCal Jets. Jim serves on our Board of Directors providing keen insight to the workings of the avionics industry while also overseeing the expansion of our avionics department. With SoCal Jets, Jim Lauer is once again developing the most skillful avionics installation facility at Van Nuys Airport.

When you call our office, you’ll most likely hear the lovely voice of Karen, the administrative foundation at the office. This young lady provides our company with 5 years of clerical expertise gained from working in a variety of corporate office environments. She has been a loan consultant, guiding clients to home ownership, a dispatcher handling a large volume of calls and distributing schedules, along with performing general office duties at Bank America. Proficient with using the tools of a modern office in a traditional industry, Karen quickly adapts to corporate aviation’s rapidly shifting environment. Whether it’s a busy day full of client visits and vendor interactions, or a calm day of necessary office paperwork, Karen smoothly glides over each task with a cheerful approach. Her bi-lingual skills are advantageous when interacting with our Latin American clientele, supplying SoCal Jets with another powerful instrument from her arsenal of communicative abilities.

This is the SoCal Jets point man on the hangar floor.  Rodney manages the work-scope for your aircraft as our technicians methodically accomplish the aircraft’s maintenance needs. He is central to the management of SoCal Jets maintenance and avionics division.  The maintenance team takes directions from him to efficiently resolve issues on your aircraft per its maintenance manual requirements.  For the avionics team, Rodney guides them in troubleshooting and oversees proper installation methods for various avionics equipment.  He supervises the entire crew working in the hangar, providing the link between SoCal Jets’ business team and its maintenance technicians.With 14 years in aviation as an avionics technician and 5 years as a Director Of Maintenance, Rodney’s invaluable experience is another reason SoCal Jets’ technicians all together are an exceptional team.  Mr. Bryant’s impressive background as a U.S. Navy avionics technician coupled with successful work in sales for a commercial security and surveillance firm, explains why he is able to work under tremendous pressure and communicate effectively.

The senior supervisor at SoCal Jets is none other than the unusual and talented Mr. Ron Chase. A quarter of a century working in the field of corporate aviation has given Ron a wealth of knowledge that he is now passing on to our next generation of aircraft technicians. Our crew looks up to Ron’s vast technical and operational background to improve upon, grow, and deliver the best corporate jet maintenance experience at Van Nuys airport.Ron has worked with Robert (SoCal Jets’ President) and Dale (Chief Inspector) for two decades in and around the VNY. This enduring relationship provides a strong bond of teamwork. When the business, regulatory, and technical aspects of managing a maintenance operation come together, the results for our clients are astounding. Getting a workscope done quickly, efficiently and economically is the result of our team acting as a well-oiled machine firing on all cylinders.

The storied history of Ron Chase’s work history covers the basics of corporate aviation maintenance to the most complex and difficult aspects of the industry. He has managed maintenance for an entire fleet for local charter operator, led a team of technicians as their manager for another local maintenance shop, served as a machinist for a local vendor, and traveled all across the world to service aircraft at their home airport. He’s worked for big corporations, small shops, and everything in between. Ron brings to SoCal Jets big corporate-type professionalism with small business attitude and modesty.

The Flight Safety rating classes for Ron Chase are to numerous to list, but a few notable examples of official training include: Gulfstream II, III, IV series aircraft, Astra/G100 models, Learjet 60, Honeywell 731 line maintenance, and Dallas Airmotive GTCP 36-100 line maintenance. To sum it up, this education coupled with his vast experience is unique amongst aviation professionals.

SoCal Jets’ deep commitment to its Latin American customers is clearly illustrated by Max Escobar’s relentless pursuit of quality service and open communication during his travels to Mexico City. A respectable 14 years of aircraft maintenance experience, Max has garnered an ability to work with both light aircraft and corporate jets. His technical expertise covers aircraft such as the PT6, Piper Lance, Chieftain and Navajo, the Beechcraft 1900, King Airs, to Hawkers, Premiers, and Learjets. Max’s ability to communicate effectively in Spanish allows our Latin American customers to quickly ascertain the current status of their aircraft, whether it’s here in Van Nuys, Mexico City, or anywhere else. A strong corporate background with the Hawker service center, backed with solid enthusiasm for aviation, makes Max an instrumental figure in providing support for SoCal Jets’ client aircraft.

With a strong background maintaining Challengers, Hawkers, Gulfstreams, Westwinds, Falcons, Citations, and Lears, Kelly Hadsell is pivotal to bringing your aircraft back in service. His factory training and ten years of corporate aviation experience give him the necessary knowledge to resolve any technical issue facing your aircraft. Kelly has been working with SoCal Jets’ President Robert Roig and its Chief Inspector, Dale Rardin, for close to ten years, and they have developed a unique bond of teamwork that repairs your aircraft safely and on time. This capable technician provides SoCal Jets with a dependable and loyal hand; ever ready to effectively maintain your corporate jet.

When an avionics system need to be fitted for your aircraft, a steady mind and a precise hand is vital to a smooth installation. As one of our Senior Avionic Technicians, Jose Delgado oversees the full work scope of an aircraft installation or service. His aircraft electronics proficiency spans 15 years of service and includes full avionics system installations for aircraft such as the Eurocopters, Blackhawks, Gulfstreams, Challengers, Falcons and Boeings. Jose has operated with a multitude of avionic systems from manufacturers that include Universal Avionics, Collins, Aircell, Sandell and Honeywell. A hands-on approach coupled with a methodical mindset contributes to Jose’s unique ability to service and install avionics equipment with precision and speed. Yet, even with the capacity to work quickly, Jose doesn’t skip over essential details inherent in avionics work. Taking cues from his golfing talent as a scratch golfer, Jose patiently observes every small detail in an avionic work scope prior to initiating a resolution. In short, our client aircraft receive the highest level of attention to every avionics issue due to Jose Delgado’s superior technical capabilities.

Even-keeled technician, Mark, brings two decades of work experience maintaining corporate jet aircraft. This commitment to the industry shows up in his technical education for a variety of aircraft, including Gulfstream II, III, and V, Falcon 2000, and the Global Express. He has performed maintenance on old and new aircraft, with a technical aptitude spanning the GII and 1980’s era Sikorsky Helicopters, to the latest Falcon 2000, Challenger 605 and Global 5000. His past work history includes working for local charter companies where timely aircraft preparation for scheduled flights is vital for success. SoCal Jets values this approach to servicing its clients, where timely deliveries are a top priority to keeping our clients satisfied. Technical expertise coupled with swift operations enables us to deliver an aircraft on time.Mark has variety of knowledge running computer management systems that handle the data from maintenance work scopes. SoCal Jets utilizes Continuum’s Corridor software to manage the record keeping for our clients. Mark easily transitioned to this system due to his diverse understanding of such software. He is able to oversee the progress of an aircraft’s maintenance progress not only by physically being in the hangar, but by interpreting the computer data as well. Mark’s technical aptitude and caring approach to both fellow employees and aircraft maintenance ensures a job well done.

Calm, cool and precise define Alan, who is always keenly aware of the time constraints placed by clients in aviation. Previously he was the Crew Chief for a US Navy Strike Fighter Squadron, which continually demanded aircraft readiness for combat missions. While the time pressures here in corporate aviation are often not that critical, the success of SoCal Jets does depends on timely delivery of client aircraft. Alan provides our crew with an appropriate and dedicated sense of urgency, steadily working to deliver an aircraft on time. Our success is due in part to crewmembers like Alan, who respect clients’ needs and push to get the workscope completed on time and squawk free.Alan has been in and around aviation for almost 30 years, starting in the US Navy Strike Fighter Squadron. He then spent over two decades in the private sector, starting in 1989 with McDonnell Douglas. His experience ranges from working in large aerospace-manufacturing facilities to smaller composite assembly and fabrication businesses, and aircraft maintenance companies. Our organization is stronger having a technician with such varied expertise, a smooth demeanor, and respected training.

About 15 years ago, Tommy began his experience in Logistics managing a supply chain warehouse of the United States Marine Corps.  Within four years, he was responsible for inventory valued at $6 million as the warehouse supervisor for a group of marines.Eventually he transitioned to the private sector, where Tommy utilized his logistics management skills to begin a career in aviation parts management.  The 6+ years of work experience in aviation part departments gave him valuable knowledge about the commerce of aircraft parts.  As the Parts Manager for SoCal Jets, Tommy relies on a combination of military and private sector logistics expertise to fulfill all aspects of managing aircraft parts procurement.  His insight on relating with our part vendors beyond the transactional level helps our company get the right part in the shortest amount of time.  Tommy appreciates the competition amongst our vendors while always being aware of actual parts availability.  He understands how each transaction influences the business of SoCal Jets and the bottom line of our client aircraft maintenance costs.

A positive attitude coupled with a great personality have guided David in his young career here at SoCal Jets.  As the Senior Assistant to the Parts Manager, David fields calls from parts vendors, ensures every part that goes in and out of the Parts Department is accounted for, and readily drives to pickup or drop off a part to prevent delays from occurring.  Everyday he learns something new about parts management, jet maintenance, and the business of corporate aviation.  He enjoys expanding his knowledge of the aviation industry and is looking to focus on the technical side of maintaining a corporate jet.David’s partiality to the technical side of aviation stems from his own interest in motorcycles, a passion that began at 14 years of age.  He was motivated to learn everything he could about motorcycles, which led him to enrolling and then graduating with honors from the Motorcycle Mechanics Institute in Phoenix, Arizona.  David’s job experience includes working for the best burger joint in SoCal (In-N-Out) and being a lifeguard at the YMCA.  He brings to SoCal Jets the practical experience of promptly serving customers while keeping alert to every function of the active Parts Department.

The hangar remains spotless and organized due to the disciplined work of our Hangar Attendant. A clean shop is reflective of the pride our technicians have in the important work that they do. Ian appreciates this by staying keenly aware of the entire facility’s cleanliness, especially when clients stop by to visit their aircraft. Our maintenance technicians value Ian’s contribution. A clean hangar allows them to focus on the aircraft work scope without being bogged down by loose tools, a cluttered hangar floor, or a rogue spill.Ian is currently studying to receive his business degree and hopes to one day own a business. He recognizes that a successful business has different gears that need to run together. No job is too big or too small for anyone. SoCal Jets is fortunate to have Ian, our cheerful Hangar Attendant to keep our facility clean.

This “out of the box” thinker aims be part of the next generation of aviation professionals. To achieve that, this young man initiated his career with his first job here at SoCal Jets. With a long-term focus on becoming a maintenance and avionics technician, James Roig has begun working in our Parts Department where he is learning the “ins” and “outs” of aircraft parts management. Currently he is responsible for shipping/receiving and inventory management. He’s developed a technical aptitude from his extra-curricular activities such as riding (and then fixing) his dirt bike and working with (and then fixing) his truck. Due to his penchant for hands-on learning, James graduated early from high school in order to fly directly into the technical aviation profession. He will soon pursue a formal aviation education that will further develop his career. The President of SoCal Jets is pleased to not only employ James, but to also mentor this young man’s growing journey in aviation.