Jim Blessing

Jim has spent his entire career working in the field of aviation. He has been a private pilot since 1988 and earned his B.S. in Aviation from Florida Institute of Technology. This, along with his background in finance, helped prepare Jim for his position as a CFO for a government contractor and FAR repair facility. With this group, Jim helped manage a unit responsible for airline background investigations, was a program administrator for Department of Defense and United Nations projects in Canada, Africa, the Caribbean and South America.  As CFO, Jim supported the strategic and financial initiatives of this contractor.

At AirFleet, Jim oversees all functions of the company.  He is responsible for strategic planning, marketing and sales, and also participates regularly in credit evaluation and underwriting.  Jim loves talking to our clients and you will often see him walking the floors at tradeshows, talking with customers, manufacturers and vendors.  Jim is a proud 25-year AOPA member and a lifetime member of EAA, and in May 2014 he was appointed to sit on the Board of Directors of the National Aircraft Finance Association (NAFA).  Aviation is also a family pastime – his wife, Cathy, is also a pilot, holding instrument and seaplane ratings.

Favorite Airplane: The F4 Super-Corsair is an airplane I’ve always wanted to fly – Over 3,000hp in that engine! I’d place the P-38 Lightning as a close 2nd.
Best Aviation Moment: Attending my first airshow in Newburgh, New York back in 1986 – it totally opened my eyes to aviation. The runner-up was flying a Piper Vagabond (tail-dragger) in and out of a grass strip near my home in Connecticut.
Words I live by: Carpe Diem – Seize the Day.
Where I got my start: I interned in Airport Planning & Design (airport architecture) before deciding to take a more entrepreneurial business track. My first aviation job was with STI Aviation – started as a niche government contractor in 1992 and I worked my way up through business development and then the finance group. I was employee number 3 and today it is owned by a publically traded defense contractor.
Outside of the office: Rooting for the Red Sox, enjoying a nice glass of wine with my wife Cathy, reading, cooking (BBQ), and enjoying time with friends and family.