Aaron Hollander

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
First Aviation Services Inc.
Tel: (203) 291-7700
Email: ahollander@firstaviation.com

Aaron P. Hollander has combined his passion for aerospace, motor sports and business during his career.  As principal, he has led the turn around and growth for several aviation, defense, and motor sports companies. Today Mr. Hollander is Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of Firs Aviation Services Inc. which he co-founded in 1995 as a leading provider of repair and overhaul services to the aviation industry worldwide. First Aviation’s principal operating subsidiaries are Aerospace Turbine Rotables, Inc., Evōlution Aerospace, Inc., Aviation Blade Services, Inc., Heliblade International and Piedmont Propulsion Systems LLC. From December 2001 to July 2009, Mr. Hollander also served as CEO of Skip Barber Racing School LLC and on the Board of DART Aerospace until its sale in May of this year.  Aaron Hollander co-founded First Equity Group in 1985 advising the aerospace and defense industries on some of the most significant transactions impacting those sectors.

Prior to co-founding First Equity, Mr. Hollander worked for the Boston Consulting Group, and as a CPA and CMA with Arthur Young & Company (now Ernst & Young). Mr. Hollander held SEC Series 7, 63, 24 and 27.             

Mr. Hollander holds an Airline Transport Pilot License (ATP) with instrument, multi-engine, helicopter, seaplane, and glider ratings and with type ratings for Learjet 25/35/55, Lear 40/45, Embraer Phenom 100 and Citation CE-510S.  He has been a speaker at various aerospace industry conferences, including the National Business Aircraft Association, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and the Federal Aviation Administration and is a life member of the National Aeronautics Association. 

Mr. Hollander received his B.S. in Economics from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and earned an M.B.A. with distinction from Harvard Business School, where he received the Copeland Award.

Mr. Hollander is on the Board of Directors of Tango Flight, Inc. and serves as a Trustee of the Yale-New Haven Health System and Yale New Haven Hospital.  Mr. Hollander has been on the board of directors or served in a volunteer capacity for numerous not-for-profit organizations including the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, the American Red Cross and the Boy Scouts of America, Yankee Council where he was awarded the Silver Beaver.  Mr. Hollander served as the Chairman of both Fairchester Chapter of the World Presidents’ Organization (WPO) and the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) and was past Chairman of the Aviation Network.

Joshua Krotec

Executive Director
First Aviation Services Inc.
Tel: (203) 291-7700
Email: jkrotec@firstaviation.com

Joshua T. Krotec leads corporate strategic initiatives for First Aviation and its subsidiaries: Aerospace Turbine Rotables ("AeTR"); Aviation Blade Services, Inc. (“ABS”); Evōlution Aerospace, Inc. (“EVO”); Heliblade International, LLC (“HBI”); Master Support, Inc. (“MS”); and Piedmont Propulsion Systems ("PPS").   Josh also serves on the Board of Directors of First Aviation affiliate PropWorks Propeller Systems Ltd.  PropWorks operates two approved maintenance organizations in western Canada. 

Josh’s efforts primarily aim to grow the First Aviation’s aircraft component maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) and parts manufacturing businesses.  AeTR, ABS, HBI and PPS provide repair and overhaul services for various aircraft systems such as rotor blades, propellers, landing gear, flight control actuation, electronics, and pneumatics, among others.  In addition, the companies also offer Engineering Services, developing and certifying aircraft parts and repairs to solve Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Supply (DMSMS) issues, shrink repair Turn Around Times, and reduce life-cycle costs.   EVO and MS manufacture parts for rotor blades, propellers, aircraft lighting systems, landing gear, oxygen systems, fire suppression systems, motors (brushes) and actuators under FAA PMA certification.

Josh also directs merger, acquisition and other corporate development projects. 

Based on his experience working with the United States Government and his knowledge of the aviation industry, Josh serves as Vice President of the Board of Directors for the Aeronautical Repair Station Association (ARSA), and is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Modification and Replacement Parts Association (MARPA).  Josh has also been appointed by Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai to the Industry Trade Advisory Committee on Aerospace Equipment representing the U.S. aeronautical repair station and parts manufacturing industries for the 2022-2026 charter term. Josh previously served as a member of the Associate Member Council of the Regional Airline Association (RAA), and as Chairman of ARSA’s Government Affairs Committee.

Prior to First Aviation’s May 2022 sale of DART Aerospace Ltd., Josh served on DART’s Board of Directors.  DART is a manufacturer of helicopter mission equipment and aftermarket components that was jointly owned by Greenbriar Equity Group, L.P. and First Aviation.

In 2016, Josh was recognized as a “Top 40 under 40” / Next Generation Aviation Maintenance Professional of the Year by Aircraft Maintenance Technology magazine.  Similarly, under Josh’s leadership, First Aviation Services Inc. was named the “MRO of the Year – Military Center of Excellence” by the editors of Aviation Week & Space Technology.

Prior to First Aviation’s March 2013 divestiture of Aerospace Products International, Inc. (API), Josh was also responsible for API’s Supply Chain Programs business unit.  Between 2003 and 2009, Josh worked directly for API as Vice President of Supply Chain Programs.  Josh created API’s Program Management organization and contract management processes that have since become synonymous with high customer satisfaction and reliable delivery of supply chain performance.

Under Josh’s leadership, API’s Supply Chain Programs business unit saw tremendous profitability and phenomenal growth.  Business unit revenues grew to $40M from $12M in just four years, including 50% growth during the 2009 global recession.  More importantly, Josh achieved this growth by building long-term relationships with marquee aerospace industry corporations such as Honeywell Aerospace, Rolls-Royce, FedEx Express and Lufthansa.  In addition, API’s revenues from military and government customers grew from 1% to 12% between 2007 and 2010.  This new customer base diversified API’s revenues and has reduced the company’s traditional reliance on a fragmented base of small, unprofitable, GA customers. 

Prior to joining API, Josh served as an analyst and associate with First Equity Development, Inc. At First Equity, a boutique M&A advisory firm serving the aerospace industry, Josh’s responsibilities included assisting with the execution of transactions, valuation and financial analysis, market research, and project development. 

Josh holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Strategic Management with Honors and Director’s List recognition from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.Josh also earned a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Economics with concentrations in Finance and Accounting from Wharton, graduating Magna Cum Laude and earning Nelson Foundation and Joseph Wharton Scholarship honors.In addition, Josh holds a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Systems Engineering (focus in Logistics Systems) with a minor in Mathematics from the School of Engineering and Applied Science at the University of Pennsylvania. Josh also worked in the Department of Finance at The Wharton School where his research led to publications in the field of investment management and trading.

Josh holds Commercial Pilot and Remote Pilot airman certificates with EMB-500, CE-510(S), single-engine, multi-engine and instrument airplane ratings.  Josh resides in Wilmington, Delaware, USA.