The National Business Aviation Association’s 40 Under 40 list recognizes rising leaders driving innovation.
Representatives of three private jet flight providers that offer programmatic flight solutions – Clay Lacy Aviation, Jet Aviation, and Thrive Aviation – were selected for the 2025 Business Aviation 40 Under 40.
The list recognizes “rising leaders who are driving innovation within the industry.”
Candidates are nominated by other industry members.
NBAA’s Young Professionals Council selects the final list.
The council is a group of business aviation professionals and NBAA staff liaisons.
NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen said, “This year’s honorees bring a wide range of experience and skills, showcasing leadership across numerous sectors within business aviation. Each year we receive hundreds of nominations, and the 2025 class truly represents the best of the best in our industry.”
Two up-and-coming team members represented Clay Lacy Aviation.
Flight Support Manager Kody Bjork was pursuing a music career, then working on the ramp and in customer service for US Airways.
Bjork says, “What excites me the most are the green initiatives like eVTOLs, SAF, and the new emission-cutting technologies that seem to come out daily. We are in the middle of an unprecedented time, and being here at the forefront of these changes is incredible.”
Director of Training Joseph Michael Toomey was a flight instructor in the military before coming to private aviation.
He says, “I want the next generation of rising stars, those coming from the military and collegiate routes, to see the incredible opportunities waiting in business aviation.”
Kelly Pryor is Vice President of People and Culture at fast-growing Thrive Aviation.
The company has rapidly become one of the largest operators in the industry.
She came to the Las Vegas-based private jet operator after working in the casino industry.
As one of two women on the executive leadership team, she is passionate about mentoring other women who want to excel in the industry.
She says, “There’s a massive opportunity within the industry over the next five to 10 years and I look forward to being on the forefront of it.”
Jet Aviation’s Aircraft Management Sales Director, Nikki Higgins, began her career as a scheduler, transitioning to client relations, charter sales, and now aircraft management.
She says, “I love that truly no two days are the same in business aviation, and I have felt that since the first time I smelled the beautiful aroma of coffee mixed with Jet A.”
Executive Jet Management Aircraft Maintenance Manager Mitch Patterson represented the NetJets, Inc. charter operator.
Patterson started in the U.S. Navy as a machinist mate.
There, he performed maintenance and inspections on helicopter recovery systems.
Patterson says, “In business aviation, every day is different with new challenges, and there are so many different career paths and opportunities.”
The full 2025 Business Aviation Top 40 Under 40 recipients are:
Find the perfect solution for your private aviation needs
Save Time. Buy Confidently.
Receive an apples-to-apples comparison of programs that meet your needs from more than 500 jet card and fractional options covering 65 points of differentiation and over 40,000 data points.
