The Corporate Jet Investor Podcast
#11 Ben Shirazi: Smart Jets “Every project is my favourite until it’s finished”
This week, the Corporate Jet Investor podcast features Ben Shirazi, founder and owner of Smart Jets, who shares his extensive experience in the business aviation industry. Ben discusses his early start in the family business, selling his first aircraft before turning 18, and the evolution of his ventures – Smart Jets for aircraft brokerage and VIP Completions for cabin retrofitting.
Offering advice to first-time buyers, he emphasises the importance of understanding operational costs and maintenance forecasts. The conversation provides valuable insights into the complexities and rewards of the business aviation world.
#10 Garett Jerde: Jet HQ “Helping people helps my business”
In this episode of the Corporate Jet Investor podcast, Alasdair Whyte chats with Garrett Jerde, founder of JetHQ, about his unexpected journey from aspiring airline pilot to launching one of business aviation’s fastest-growing brokerages. Garrett explains how an internship at Raytheon Aircraft ignited his passion for corporate aviation, leading him around the world – delivering aircraft, navigating economic turbulence, and ultimately founding JetHQ in Dubai at the age of 28.
For him, every day brings new opportunities disguised as problems – that’s what keeps him going and he wants to encourage the next generation and as many people from across the globe as possible.
#9 Can Şaşmaz, Falcon Luxe “We will be the biggest business aircraft operator in the world”
This week we were in the UAE for Corporate Jet Investor Dubai. One of the standout sessions was with Can Şaşmaz, CEO of Falcon. Şaşmaz joined Falcon – the aviation business of Alex Investments in 2024.
Falcon is aiming to grow all parts of its business – aircraft charter (Falcon Luxe), FBOs (Falcon Elite), maintenance (Falcon Technic) and trip planning (Falcon Flight Support).
But it is not looking for small growth. Şaşmaz wants Falcon to be the world’s biggest business aviation. By 2030.
#8 Luiz Sandler – “Each aircraft is like an individual”
Luiz Sandler, the founder of Jet Match, takes us through the complexities of doing deals in Brazil (the world’s second largest business jet market). Sandler started his business aviation career at Embraer and also sold new aircraft for Gulfstream.
He never thought he would end up as a salesperson and warns that it is a tough business: “Life is more about dealing with frustration than dealing with success.”
Sandler discusses: the differences between selling new and pre-owned aircraft; how selling to entrepreneurs made him want to launch his own business; and why he did not staying as an airline pilot.
#7: Alireza Ittihadieh – “When people are cute and clever, I am cuter and cleverer.
Alireza Ittihadieh founded Freestream Aircraft 33 years ago. In this open podcast he criticises rival aircraft brokers for undervaluing their expertise. “The dealer side is still rewarding but today, unfortunately, broking has become nothing more than a commodity,” he says. “Today some companies treat you like you are providing toilet paper to the company.”
Ittihadieh now focuses on dealing large business jets – buying them and then making a margin when you sell them on. He believes that there are just a handle of dealers who can really buy aircraft (not everyone will agree).
He also admits that he can get heated when negotiating aircraft: “It is all about mutual respect.”
#6 The one with Don Dwyer, Guardian Jet
Don Dwyer of Guardian Jet shares key insights from his aviation sales career, from roles at Mooney and Hawker Beechcraft to co-founding Guardian Jet. He discusses the evolution of aircraft sales, client needs, and trust-building, along with private equity’s impact post-2008.
It is available on all podcasting platforms.
Hosted by Alasdair Whyte and brought to you by the team at Corporate Jet Investor.
#5 The one with Jay Mesinger, Mesinger Jet Sales
Jay Mesinger, CEO and founder of Mesinger Jet Sales discusses trends and challenges in the business aviation industry.
He discusses President Trump’s first 100 days, giving out mobile phones to customers and early days of sales videos.
#4 The one with Brian Proctor, Mente Group
Brian Proctor, president and CEO, Mente Group discusses how being shot in a random incident led him to focus on growing his business.
Proctor shares insights on the business aviation industry’s evolution, noting a generational shift as older leaders retire and new ones emerge. He also discusses market trends post-Covid, emphasising the increased value of business aviation for time efficiency and safety.
#3 The one with Janine Iannarelli, Par Avion
Janine Iannarelli, president, Par Avion talks about how she turned down a role in advertising to research business jet owners. She explains how she moved into business jet sales – both as a broker and dealer – before launching her own company.
Janine says that owners should not chase transactions and that there is always another aircraft out there.
She discusses being a woman in a male dominated field, lessons from showjumping and why failure was never an option.
#2 The one with Johnny Foster, OGARAJETS
In this second this episode we chat with Johnny Foster, President & CEO of OGARAJETS.
OGARAJETS has grown over 44 years but remains a family business with core values. Johnny tells us more about joining the business and how they work to maintain these values established by his father and retain the trust of their clients.
Johnny tells Alasdair Whyte why transparency is so important as a broker, why the company needs to grown and why a commitment to excellence was key when planning to take the reins as leader of OGARAJETS.
#1 The one with Chad Anderson, Jetcraft
In this first episode, we speak with Chad Anderson, CEO of Jetcraft.
Chad shares his thoughts on what lies ahead in the world of business aviation for 2025. Is there enough inventory? How to keep the team motivated and what does it mean to ‘choose hard’?
