REIMAGINING AIR TRAVEL FROM THE RUNWAY UP

Boeing 777-200ER flying over a field

Gridiron Air is a new kind of airline.  With the Charter industry’s most modern and reliable fleet of wide-body aircraft, and backed by vast airline experience, our team excels at the highest level.

Leadership

Experience you can trust

CEO and President, Paul Kirby's, portrait CEO and President, Paul Kirby's, portrait

Paul Kirby

President & CEO

20+ year aviation industry veteran with extensive experience in aircraft operations, aircraft transactions, and aircraft leasing.

headshot of Joe Drobnich headshot of Joe Drobnich

Joe Drobnich

Head of Sales

40+ years of aviation experience in senior sales, marketing and investment capacities for companies that include commercial airplane manufacturers, aircraft/engine lessors, private-equity firms and airlines, located in the U.S., Latin America, Europe and Asia.

(817) 961-1428 (EXT 6)
Headshot of John Hale Headshot of John Hale

John Hale

Chief Operating Officer

40+ year industry veteran and ATP rated Captain with over 17,000 fight hours. Served in many leadership positions both in the US Air Force and the US commercial airline industry. Recently retired as Vice President of Flight Operations for the world’s largest airline.

Headshot of Michael Stovall Headshot of Michael Stovall

Michael Stovall

Chief Commercial Officer

30+ years of aviation industry experience with senior leadership positions in airline business operations and global sales.

Headshot of Ken Wright Headshot of Ken Wright

Ken Wright

Chief Technical Officer

With 38 years of technical and operations experience, Ken previously held senior management positions with U.S. airlines, commercial aircraft leasing firms, and heavy maintenance organizations.

Headshot of Jennifer Gerzsenyi Headshot of Jennifer Gerzsenyi

Jennifer Gerzsenyi

Director of Inflight

Tasked with establishing the Gridiron Air Inflight Department for both Part 125 and Part 121 Certification, Jennifer is committed to delivering exceptional customer hospitality by managing the Inflight, Customer Care, Passenger Service, and Catering teams. She started her career as a Flight Attendant, having worked for two commercial airlines, and was part of the Inflight Training Management team.

headshot of Jim Thomas headshot of Jim Thomas

Jim Thomas

Chief Pilot

Over 35 years of pilot leadership at a major airline working in flight operations. Leads Gridiron’s corps of aviators with a strong emphasis on safety, superb training, and standardization. Type rated in several aircraft, including the B787, B737, and A321, and is currently a B777 Check Pilot at Gridiron.

Headshot of Steve Brewster Headshot of Steve Brewster

Steve Brewster

Director of Training

37 years of experience with a major U.S. airline, extensive training experience under part 121 operations as a B777 Captain, Check Pilot, FAA Designated Examiner, Standards Coordinator, B777 Fleet Training Manager and Director of Training, former U.S. Air Force pilot.

Headshot of Thomas Howell Headshot of Thomas Howell

Tom Howell

Director, Safety and Security

With 45 years in aviation, Captain Howell has held key roles such as VP of Safety and Regulatory Compliance. He excels in flight operations, safety programs, and regulatory challenges, developing training, expanding capabilities, and leading safety initiatives with dedication to aviation excellence.

Headshot of Eli Cohen Headshot of Eli Cohen

Eli Cohen

Director of Quality

38 years of commercial airline technical operations experience and several relevant certifications, including FAA Airframe & Powerplant, FCC Radio-Telephone Operator, ISO9001 and CQA. Recently worked in quality assurance with a leading major US airline, where compliance with safety and regulatory standards were the primary focus.

headshot of Burke Whipple headshot of Burke Whipple

Burke Whipple

Head of Finance

20 years of finance experience working for three different commercial airlines, including financial planning & analysis, flight profitability, international finance, and division finance. Finance experience includes two major airline mergers in addition to an aviation startup building a commercial IT platform. Focused on data analysis and storytelling to drive results.

CEO and President, Paul Kirby's, portrait CEO and President, Paul Kirby's, portrait

Paul Kirby

President & CEO

20+ year aviation industry veteran with extensive experience in aircraft operations, aircraft transactions, and aircraft leasing.

headshot of Joe Drobnich headshot of Joe Drobnich

Joe Drobnich

Head of Sales

40+ years of aviation experience in senior sales, marketing and investment capacities for companies that include commercial airplane manufacturers, aircraft/engine lessors, private-equity firms and airlines, located in the U.S., Latin America, Europe and Asia.

(817) 961-1428 (EXT 6)
Headshot of John Hale Headshot of John Hale

John Hale

Chief Operating Officer

40+ year industry veteran and ATP rated Captain with over 17,000 fight hours. Served in many leadership positions both in the US Air Force and the US commercial airline industry. Recently retired as Vice President of Flight Operations for the world’s largest airline.

Headshot of Michael Stovall Headshot of Michael Stovall

Michael Stovall

Chief Commercial Officer

30+ years of aviation industry experience with senior leadership positions in airline business operations and global sales.

Headshot of Ken Wright Headshot of Ken Wright

Ken Wright

Chief Technical Officer

With 38 years of technical and operations experience, Ken previously held senior management positions with U.S. airlines, commercial aircraft leasing firms, and heavy maintenance organizations.

Headshot of Jennifer Gerzsenyi Headshot of Jennifer Gerzsenyi

Jennifer Gerzsenyi

Director of Inflight

Tasked with establishing the Gridiron Air Inflight Department for both Part 125 and Part 121 Certification, Jennifer is committed to delivering exceptional customer hospitality by managing the Inflight, Customer Care, Passenger Service, and Catering teams. She started her career as a Flight Attendant, having worked for two commercial airlines, and was part of the Inflight Training Management team.

headshot of Jim Thomas headshot of Jim Thomas

Jim Thomas

Chief Pilot

Over 35 years of pilot leadership at a major airline working in flight operations. Leads Gridiron’s corps of aviators with a strong emphasis on safety, superb training, and standardization. Type rated in several aircraft, including the B787, B737, and A321, and is currently a B777 Check Pilot at Gridiron.

Headshot of Steve Brewster Headshot of Steve Brewster

Steve Brewster

Director of Training

37 years of experience with a major U.S. airline, extensive training experience under part 121 operations as a B777 Captain, Check Pilot, FAA Designated Examiner, Standards Coordinator, B777 Fleet Training Manager and Director of Training, former U.S. Air Force pilot.

Headshot of Thomas Howell Headshot of Thomas Howell

Tom Howell

Director, Safety and Security

With 45 years in aviation, Captain Howell has held key roles such as VP of Safety and Regulatory Compliance. He excels in flight operations, safety programs, and regulatory challenges, developing training, expanding capabilities, and leading safety initiatives with dedication to aviation excellence.

Headshot of Eli Cohen Headshot of Eli Cohen

Eli Cohen

Director of Quality

38 years of commercial airline technical operations experience and several relevant certifications, including FAA Airframe & Powerplant, FCC Radio-Telephone Operator, ISO9001 and CQA. Recently worked in quality assurance with a leading major US airline, where compliance with safety and regulatory standards were the primary focus.

headshot of Burke Whipple headshot of Burke Whipple

Burke Whipple

Head of Finance

20 years of finance experience working for three different commercial airlines, including financial planning & analysis, flight profitability, international finance, and division finance. Finance experience includes two major airline mergers in addition to an aviation startup building a commercial IT platform. Focused on data analysis and storytelling to drive results.

Core Values

WHAT MATTERS TO US

Safety

Your safety is our top priority. We are dedicated to ensuring the well-being of our team members, guests, and aircraft through rigorous safety standards and continuous training.

Hospitality

We thrive on hospitality, fostering a warm, welcoming environment for both our guests and team members in every interaction.

Reliability

We deliver consistency you can count on. Our operations are designed to be dependable, ensuring that every flight meets our high standards of reliability and performance.

Excellence

We are relentless in our pursuit of perfection in every aspect of our operation, from aircraft maintenance to flight operations.

Innovation

We are committed to daily innovation, embracing continuous improvement and finding new ways to
inspire and delight those we serve. Our approach ensures we remain at the forefront of the aviation industry.

Integrity

We believe in doing the right thing. With honesty and fairness in all our interactions and business practices, integrity guides our actions and decisions, fostering trust and respect among team members and guests.

Inclusivity

We cultivate a culture of belonging where every unique difference is valued and embraced. We are committed to ensuring every team member feels respected, supported, and integral to our collective success.

Sustainable Growth

We prioritize strategic innovation and efficiency to drive profitability and ensure long-term financial success for our company.

Boeing 777-200ER flying over table top mountains

Air travel, perfected.