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AAR Corp. is an independent manufacturer of aviation and defense products for worldwide government markets. The company is a trusted expert in the aftermarket segment with competencies for global passenger and cargo transportation. Get to know AAR Corp. leaders, founders, and executives.
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AAR Corp. Corporate Officers
AAR Corp. corporate officers oversee different business goals of the company in the aviation aftermarket industry. They are appointed by the Nominating and Governance Committee and approved by the Board of Directors. Take a look at the AAR Corp. Corporate Officers right here.
John M. Holmes, Chairman, President, & Chief Executive Officer
John M. Holmes assumed the responsibility as AAR Corp.’s President in 2017, Chief Executive Officer in 2018, and Chairman in 2023. As AAR Corp. CEO, he manages overall operations and heads other executives in achieving the business goals and objectives of the aftermarket company.
Holmes has been with AAR Corp. for over 20 years, holding increasing responsibilities from senior management to executive leadership. He provided substantial growth in sales and profits, delivering double-digit growth through new business development strategies.
Here are Holmes’ previous roles and responsibilities since joining the company in 2001.
- Chairman (2023 – Present)
- Chief Executive Officer (2018 – Present)
- President (2017 – Present)
- Chief Operating Officer (2015 – 2018)
- Group Vice President (2012 – 2015)
- General Manager (2003 – 2018)
- Director of Mergers and Acquisitions (2001 – 2003)
Before joining AAR Corp., Holmes was the Investment Banking Analyst at William Blair from August 1999 to August 2001.
John B. Cooper, Vice President of Global Government and Defense
As the Vice President of Global Government and Defense, John B. Cooper manages AAR Corp.’s affairs with government and commercial defense sectors. He assumed the position in October 2019 to provide strategic planning and execution services for the company’s range of aviation programs.
For more than 35 years, Cooper served in increasing responsibilities in the United States Air Force. He served as a Wing Commander in July 2008 and ultimately served as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, Engineering, and Force Protection upon his retirement in August 2018.
Sarah L. Flanagan, Vice President of Financial Operations
Sarah L. Flanagan serves as the Vice President of Financial Operations at AAR Corp. She was appointed in July 2017 to lead the company’s global financial activities and contract organizations. Her leadership role also includes serving as the Group Chief Financial Officer for AAR’s Aviation Services segment.
Flanagan’s previous experiences included serving in the Aerospace strategic business units and Commercial Propulsion segment at Honeywell International. She also held various positions at PriceWaterhouseCoopers, where she gained expertise in firms auditing, manufacturing, healthcare, and more.
Jessica Garascia, Vice President, General Counsel, Chief Administrative Officer, & Secretary
Jessica A. Garascia is the Vice President, General Manager, Chief Administrative Officer, and Secretary at AAR Corp. She joined the company in February 2020 to manage litigation, compliance, and corporate governance activities across its operations.
Before joining AAR Corp., Garascia was with USG Corporation, where she held increasing responsibilities and ultimately served as the Deputy General Counsel. Previously, she worked in corporate legal development at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, Jenner & Block, and KLD Research & Analytics, Inc.
Rahul Ghai, Vice President and Chief Digital and Technology Officer
Rahul Ghai leads the digital arts and technology sector of AAR Corp. as the Vice President and Chief Digital and Technology Officer. He joined the company in July 2019 to manage the digital transformation initiatives for enterprise-wide IT transformation.
Ghai has over two decades of experience in digital technology transformation strategies. He worked at United Airlines, Sterling Commerce, Deloitte Consulting, Case Western Reserve University, and Siemens Ltd. Additionally, he serves as a board member of various organizations, such as Rizse, ProvenAir Technologies, LLC, and American India Foundation.
Sean Gillen, Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
Sean Gillen has assumed AAR Corp.’s Vice President and Chief Financial Officer role since January 2019. As AAR Corp. CFO, he is tasked to take over the management responsibilities in accounting, taxation, investor relations, and other financial-related capabilities of the company.
Gillen has a comprehensive executive experience in financial leadership. He served as the Vice President and Treasurer at USG Corporation, holding responsibilities in capital strategy, banking activities, mergers and acquisitions, hedging performance, and more. His earlier roles include Invest Banking Analyst, Associate, and VP at Goldman Sachs.
Nicholas P. Gross, Vice President of Integrated Solutions
Nicholas P. Gross was appointed the Senior Vice President of Integrated Solutions at AAR Corp. in 2019. He manages the company’s commercial and government programs and worldwide fleet management services, including the supply chain of aviation products and contractor logistics support.
Upon joining AAR Corp. in March 2016, Gross took over the Vice President position for the Integrated Solutions for Government Programs department. Previously, he served as the Operations executive at Michael Baker International, KS International LLC, and Sallyport Global. Early in his career, he was part of the U.S. Air Force as the Emergency Services Management.
Christopher A. Jessup, Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer
As the Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at AAR Corp., Christopher A. Jessup is responsible for growth and business development strategies, including sales, marketing, and operational leadership responsibilities.
Jessup was part of the senior executive leadership team atAvborne, Inc. He joined AAR Corp. upon its acquisition of the company in 2008. From 2008 to 2015, he played various roles for AAR Corp’s MRO Services group. In 2015, he was promoted to Chief Commercial Officer for the AAR’s Aviation Services and eventually to Vice President and CCO in 2017.
Lori A. Knudson, Vice President, Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer
Lori A. Knudson joined AAR Corp. as the Vice President & Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer in October 2021. Her responsibility covers managing the ethics and compliance department, including legal and corporate affairs of the company.
Knudson is an attorney by practice. Previously, she was with Thompson Coburn LLP in the Corporate and Securities department. She also held increasing responsibilities at Aegion Corporation and ultimately served as the Senior Vice President of Compliance, Risk, and Internal Audit.
Salvatore J. Marino, Vice President of Parts Supply
Salvatore J. Marino is the Vice President of Parts Supply at AAR Corp., leading the strategic direction of the largest supplier of aircraft and engine parts. He oversees the company’s inventory management services, spanning operational and financial performance.
Marino has over two decades of aviation experience in different niche markets. He had short stints at Trans World Express and American Eagle before joining AAR Aircraft Turbine Center in 1994. He served in increasing responsibilities across various departments of the corporation. He was assigned to his current position in 2017.
Eric S. Pachapa, Vice President, Controller, & Chief Accounting Officer
Eric S. Pachapa has served as the Vice President, Controller, & Chief Accounting Officer at AAR since July 2016. He joined the company in April 2014 as the Senior Director of Financial Accounting and Reporting and assumed the Corporate Controller position in 2016.
Pachapa’s responsibilities include managing all global accounting practices, internal controls, income taxes, and more. He gained his Controller experience and financial expertise through working at Glanbia Performance Nutrition and Ernst & Young LLP.
Tracey Patterson, Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer
Tracey Patterson is the Vice President & Chief Human Resources at AAR Corp., overseeing human resources, communications, and other human capital functions. She joined the company in February 2023.
Patterson’s deep knowledge in human resources and management was gained through working with Accenture for more than 17 years. She held the Senior Manager position of HR Services for over 11 years and Managing Director for over five years. She was also part of Hewitt Associates as the IT Project Manager for over five years.
Brian E. Sartain, Vice President of Repair and Engineering
Brian Sartain joined AAR Corp. as the Vice President of Repair and Engineering in January 2018. He oversees the MRO Services, Component, Repair, Engineering Services, and Landing Gear Services to customers in over 100 countries.
Sartain is an industry veteran with over 25 years of experience in segments such as commercial airlines, militaries, and energy companies. He served in executive leadership positions at Goodrich, United Technologies, Silicon Sensing Systems Ltd., and Chromalloy.
Dylan Wolin, Vice President of Strategic and Corporate Development & Treasurer
Dylan Wolin handles AAR Corp.’s strategic development activities, such as mergers and acquisitions, treasury, corporate finance, banking, risk management, and other financial responsibilities. He assumed the position of Vice Vice President of Strategic and Corporate Development in May 2017 and Treasurer in May 2020.
Before joining AAR Corp., Wolin was a long-time executive at The Boeing Company. He held increasing responsibilities, ultimately serving as the Director of Corporate Development. Other companies where he held notable positions are Deutsche Bank, McManus & Miles, and Putnam, Hayes & Bartlett.
(Above Executive Photos from AAA Corp. Official Website)
AAR Corp. Senior Leaders
Aside from Corporate Officers, Senior Leaders also lead AAR Corp. They directly report to John Holmes, the company’s Chairman, President, and CEO. Here’s a list of the company’s Senior Leaders.
- Jessica Garascia, Vice President, General Counsel, Chief Administrative Officer, and Secretary
- Rahul Ghai, Vice President & Chief Digital and Technology Officer
- Sean Gillen, Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
- Nicholas P. Gross, Vice President of Integrated Solutions
- Christopher A. Jessup, Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer
- Frank Landrio, Vice President of OEM Solutions
- Salvatore J. Marino, Vice President of Parts Supply
- Tracey Patterson, Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer
- Brian E. Sartain, Vice President of Repair and Engineering
- Art R. Smith, Vice President & Chief Quality Officer
- Gerianne Tatone, Executive Office Director
AAR Corp. Board of Directors
The Board of Directors oversees AAR Corp.’s strategic direction and financial and operational management. The stockholders elect the board to increase the success rates of the company’s endeavors and activities.
- John M. Holmes, Chairman, President, & CEO
- Anthony K. Anderson, Independent Business Consultant
- Michael R. Boyce, Retired Chairman of PQ Corporation
- John W. Dietrich, President & 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
About AAA Corp.
AAR Corp. is an independent provider of aviation products worldwide. The company offers various products, including airframe parts, engine solutions, OEM solutions, mobility solutions, and more. As an industry-leading enterprise, the company has led digital innovation for products such as AARIVE, Airvolution, and The PAARTS Store.
While AAR Corp. is known as a prime supplier of aftermarket supplies in the commercial aviation sector, the company is also a trusted government contractor, winning contracts such as General Services Administration’s ASTRO, MASPO, CMMARs, F-16 International Training, and other government contract vehicles.
Who is the founder of AAR?
AAR Corp. was founded as Allen Aircraft Radio by Ira A. Eichner in 1955 as a supplier of radio and other commercial aviation equipment. Following its quick global expansion in the 1960s, the company officially changed its name to AAA Corp. in 1969.
Where is AAR Corp. headquarters?
AAR Corp. is headquartered in Wood Dale, Illinois. The company has various operations, offices, and solutions across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Central and South America, New Zealand, the Middle East, and Australasia.
Increasing Efficiency While Maintaining High Levels of Quality, Service, and Safety in the Commercial Aviation Industry
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AAA Corp. leaders, founders, and executives increase efficiency in the commercial aviation industry. The company provides award-winning expertise and aftermarket solutions to help customers increase efficiency and reduce costs while maintaining high quality, service, and safety levels.
