Million Air hires White Plains resident as new General Manager

Lauren Rones-Payne

West Harrison, NY – June 27, 2018 –  Lauren Rones-Payne, a White Plains resident with more than 20 years of experience in luxury customer service, has been named General Manager of Million Air White Plains at Westchester County Airport.

Rones-Payne is excited to join the growing field of aviation. While she may be new to aviation, Rones-Payne is no stranger to customer service. She comes to Million Air from the luxury fashion industry, most recently as General Brand Manager for Gucci, where she was responsible for devising strategies to build clientele and grow revenue.

“We are very fortunate to have someone with Lauren’s extensive background in catering to the very consumers who will be frequenting our FBOs,” said Roger Woolsey, CEO of Million Air. “Lauren’s work with high-end clientele and her familiarity with Westchester and the surrounding area made her the perfect fit for the position.”

“This fast paced, high energy, 24/7 industry is increasingly attracting more women and female pilots,” said Lauren Rones-Payne, Million Air White Plains General Manager. “Aviation offers careers for anyone who has a passion for flying, for aircraft and the thrill of traveling. Million Air is about people and service, taking care of our customers and letting them know you care. When you are able to cater to their every whim and make it happen, customers remember that.”

Prior to Gucci, Rones-Payne worked for Nordstrom, where she held various positions in customer service and human resources. She is a graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology, an avid marathon runner and Westchester native. She is married and lives locally in White Plains.

At Westchester County Airport, the company recently opened a 52,000-square-foot hangar that is part of an $80 million expansion at the airport. Construction is currently under way on a new 18,000-square-foot terminal. Located adjacent to the new hangar, the two-story Adirondack-styled terminal is luxuriously designed with a resort-style ambiance including elegant seating areas, wood and rock features, stone framed dual fireplaces and wood beam ceilings. The new terminal will feature conference rooms, a pilot lounge with sleep rooms, barista staffed grand coffee bar, climate-controlled indoor valet area, and additional parking. The new terminal is expected be completed by the end of this year.