Tag: PrivateFly

Inside Directional Aviation Capital: The World’s Largest Aviation Investment Firm

2Apr

By Alya KulikovaNo Comments

Analysis

Inside Directional Aviation Capital: The World’s Largest Aviation Investment Firm

Headed by Kenn Ricci, the legendary aviation executive and pilot, Directional Aviation has become the largest aviation firm in the world by profit through its ownership of more than a dozen companies. With over 2,200 employees worldwide, $2.5 billion in revenue and over 200,000 flight hours annually, Directional Aviation operates in nearly every aspect of business aviation, competing with the likes of NetJets, VistJet and even Cessna to various extents! (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Background Before Directional Aviation was born, Kenn Ricci was a University of Notre Dame graduate and former ROTC cadet who'd begun working as a pilot. Early into his career, however, he was laid off as a result of the early 1980's recession. After talking ...

1Jan

By Salomón MarcoNo Comments

Analysis

Inside Kenn Ricci’s Private Aviation Empire

Though few know his name, Kenn Ricci sits at the helm of arguably the largest private aviation empire ever built, one who operates 150 aircraft, employs more than 2,200 people worldwide and has more than $2.5 billion in revenue! Who is Kenn Ricci? Kenneth C. Ricci, known as "Kenn" to his friends, was born on September 3 1956 and grew up in a suburb of Cleveland, Ohio. A mathematically gifted student, Kenn decided he wanted to become an accountant and enrolled at the University of Notre Dame to help make this happen. Following the advice of "Use your time in college to find your passion" given to him by his father, as well as help him pay his tuition, Kenn got involved with the US Air Force's Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) and learned to fly. Later, he grad...