AAR Corp. holds a demonstrated history as an independent aviation services provider for commercial and government customers worldwide. Since its incorporation in 1955, the company has garnered multiple awards through its aftermarket expertise in increasing efficiency and reducing costs while maintaining the highest levels of services to its global partners and clients.
Discover AAR Corp.’s foundation, history, and significant achievements in the aviation industry.
What does AAR Corp. do?
AAR Corp. is a leading independent provider of aviation and aftermarket services worldwide. The company has a diverse portfolio of aircraft products, mobility solutions, and digital innovation, propelling its position as a prime government contractor for General Services Administration contracts, including F-16 International Training, ASTRO, MASPO, and CMMARs.
Products, services, and innovations of AAR Corp.
AAR Corp. offers a range of passenger transport, cargo systems, supply chain solutions, and aviation parts for commercial and government customers. Leading its arsenal of world-class products, services, and digital innovations are:
- Airframe parts
- Engine solutions
- OEM solutions
- Mobility systems
- Airframe maintenance
- Landing gear services
- Component repair services
- Wheels and brakes services
- Engineering services
- AARIVE
- The PAARTS Store
- Airvolution
- Trax
Where is AAR Corp.’s corporate headquarters?
AAR Corp.’s corporate headquarters and warehouse is based in Wood Dale, Illinois. It is located near Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, supporting MRO Services networks in the United States and Canada. The company has global operations across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Central and South America, the Middle East, Australasia, and New Zealand.
When was AAR Corp. founded?
AAR Corp. traces its beginnings in the aviation industry as Allen Aircraft Radio, established in downtown Chicago in 1955. The company was founded by Ira A. Eichner to supply radio equipment to nestling aviation companies. Over half a century later, AAR Corp. continues to create award-winning integrated solutions for commercial airlines and develop government programs for the Department of Defense, the Department of Air Force, the Intelligence Community, and more.
A look into AAR Corp.’s Foundation, History, and Significant Achievements through the years
From its small beginnings as a radio supplier to small companies, AAR Corp. has grown into a $1.8 billion enterprise, providing aviation services in over 100 countries. Take a look at the company’s milestones throughout the years.
- 1962 – Allen Aircraft Radio diversified its product offerings in avionics and instruments for its new FAA repair station located in Elk Grove Village, Illinois.
- 1967 – The company saw significant growth as it went public, expanded internationally with the opening of the Allen Airmotive component repair facility in Amsterdam, and acquired the Mars Aircraft Radio component repair shop in New York.
- 1969 – Allen Aircraft Radio was renamed to AAR Corp.
- 1971 – AAR Corp. acquired its first aircraft maintenance business at Will Rogers Airport, Oklahoma City.
- 1981 – The company acquired AAR Mobility, boosting its capabilities in rapid deployment equipment for pallets and containers.
- 1982 – The company entered the market in the Asia-Pacific Region with the opening of its office in Singapore.
- 1985 – AAR Corp. secured various contracts to repair their F-15 and F-16 military aircraft of the U.S. Air Force, Dutch Air Force, and NATO.
- 1991 – The company played a crucial role as a supplier of rapid deployment equipment for Allied Forces during Operation Desert Storm.
- 1997 – AAR Corp. expanded aggressively by acquiring two businesses related to parts and distribution and ATR International, which was later renamed AAR Composites. It also moved its corporate headquarters to a 250,000 sq ft. facility in Wood Dale, Illinois.
- 2000 – AAR Corp. shifted its focus by increasing its presence in military aviation activities amid a decline in commercial aviation demand.
- 2008 – The company opened a maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) services facility near a landing gear services facility at the Miami International Airport.
- 2012 – The company realized massive expansion efforts, including the opening of a new 188,000 sqft maintenance facility in Duluth, Minnesota, kicking off operations for vertical replacements, and having its Airlift business named as the top contractor in Afghanistan.
- 2017 – Another huge year for AAR Corp. was 2017 by acquiring two MRO facilities from Premier Aviation in Canada, improving supply chain management by opening parts warehouses in Shanghai and at Dubai World Central Airport, receiving the first work order from the U.S. Department of State, beginning the transition phase of the Worldwide Aviation Support Services contract, and celebrating its 50 years since operating component repair in Amsterdam.
- 2023 – John M. Holmes assumed office as the Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of AAR Corp.
Who are the executives of AAR Corp.?
Taking enormous credit for AAR Corp’s rise as an aviation aftermarket expert, supply chain innovator, service integrator, and trusted partner are executives and leaders with decades of industry experience. The leadership team comprises corporate officers, senior leaders, and the board of directors, holding different responsibilities for various aviation interests of the company.
Corporate Officers of AAR Corp.
AAR Corp.’s Corporate Officers are finalized through the nomination of the Nominating and Governance Committee and the approval of the Board of Directors. Each officer assumes a specific duty for the growth and development of the company’s objectives in the aviation aftermarket industry.
- John M. Holmes, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer
- John B. Cooper, Vice President of Global Government and Defense
- Sarah L. Flanagan, Vice President of Financial Operations
- Jessica Garascia, Senior Vice President, General Counsel, Chief Administrative Officer, and Secretary
- Rahul Ghai, Senior Vice President and Chief Digital & Technology Officer
- Sean Gillen, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
- Nicholas P. Gross, Senior Vice President of Integrated Solutions
- Tom Hoferer, Senior Vice President of Repair & Engineering
- Christopher A. Jessup, Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer
- Lori A. Knudson, Vice President and Chief Ethics & Compliance Officer
- Salvatore J. Marino, Senior Vice President of Parts Supply Group
- Eric S. Pachapa, Vice President, Controller, and Chief Accounting Officer
- Tracey Patterson, Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer
- Art R. Smith, Vice President and Chief Quality Officer
- Dylan Woolin, Vice President of Strategic & Corporate Development and Treasurer
Senior Leaders of AAR Corp.
Joining AAR Corp.’s leadership are Senior Leaders who report directly to the Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer, John M. Holmes.
- Jessica Garascia, Vice President, General Counsel, Chief Administrative Officer, and Secretary
- Rahul Ghai, Senior Vice President and Chief Digital & Technology Officer
- Sean Gillen, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
- Nicholas P. Gross, Senior Vice President of Integrated Solutions
- Tom Hoferer, Senior Vice President of Repair & Engineering
- Christopher A. Jessup, Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer
- Frank Landrio, Vice President of OEM Solutions
- Salvatore J. Marino, Senior Vice President of Parts Supply Group
- Tracey Patterson, Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer
- Andrew Schmidt, Senior Vice President of AAR Digital Services and Trax
- Art R. Smith, Vice President and Chief Quality Officer
- Gerianne Tatone, Executive Office Director
Board of Directors of AAR Corp.
AAR Corp.’s Board of Directors oversees authority, strategic direction, and financial success to maintain and cultivate the company’s fundamental interests. They are elected by stockholders to supervise the management of leaders and officers.
- John M. Holmes, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer
- Anthony K. Anderson, Independent Business Consultant
- Michael R. Boyce, Retired Chairman of PQ Corporation
- John W. Dietrich, President and Chief Executive Officer of Atlas Air Worldwide
- Robert F. Leduc, Retired President of Pratt & Whitney
- Ellen M. Lord, Former Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment
- Duncan J. McNabb, Retired General of the U.S. Air Force
- Peter Pace, Retired General of the U.S. Marine Corps
- Jennifer L. Vogel, Co-founder of Invista Advisors LLP
- Marc J. Walfish, Founding Partner of Merit Capital Partners
Leading the aviation aftermarket with the highest quality, cost-saving solutions
With AAR Corp.’s foundation, history, and significant achievements spanning more than a century of expertise, the company has become a go-to enterprise for the aviation aftermarket needs of government and commercial markets. The company’s flagship solutions have built a successful portfolio of helping customers increase efficiency and reduce operational costs.
