July 24, 2024
Charlie Creech will lead FlyExclusive’s growing maintenance, repairs, and overhaul group.
FlyExclusive, which has been championing vertical integration, has named Charlie Creech to lead its maintenance, repairs, and overhaul group.
Creech becomes SVP, MRO at its Kinston, North Carolina headquarters.
The fifth-largest private jet operator has been expanding its MRO services to bring 80% of its needs in-house.
Its latest hangar opened in early 2023, the fourth and final part of Phase II of its campus expansion plan.
In May 2023, the Federal Aviation Administration awarded Part 145 Certification to the company’s MRO operation.
The certification authorizes the company to perform maintenance, repair, paint, interior, and avionics services on third-party aircraft and its fleet.
MRO services have become more important for operators as post-Covid supply chain and labor issues continue.
READ: Why private aviation’s supply chain and labor crisis isn’t going away
Creech is one of the founding employees and former president of North State Aviation, an MRO holdings company.
During his tenure, the company grew to more than 350 employees and earned the Small Business of the Year award from the state of North Carolina. T
he company also received the North Carolina Airports Association’s President’s Award.
Before joining North State Aviation, Creech was the president of Pace Airlines, an FAA Part 121 Certified charter airline and an FAA Part 145 Certified MRO provider.
He started his career at Piedmont Airlines and worked at US Airways and Air South.
Creech is an alumnus of High Point College.
“I can’t think of anyone else in our industry who has the experience that Charlie Creech brings to FlyExclusive,” said Founder and CEO of flyExclusive Jim Segrave.
He added, “Our MRO team is one of the secrets to our success. By bringing maintenance in-house, we give ourselves more control over the quality of our customers’ experiences and are better able to meet their high expectations.”
In October 2023, the company announced it received a $30 million investment in a new headquarters and cutting-edge pilot training center from North Carolina’s state legislature. The construction is Phase III of flyExclusive’s plan to update its Kinston headquarters.
FlyExclusive went public via a SPAC-merger IPO in December.
