Jet Linx, a private aviation company founded in 1999 in Omaha, Nebraska, with 14 locally-operated Base locations nationwide, today announced the launch of Jet Linx Chicago, it’s 15th location.
The new Base location offers aircraft management and Jet Card membership programs through a more focused, personalized approach to private aviation. Jet Linx, known for its local private terminals, planes and pilots, will service all Chicagoland airports through a soon-to-open private terminal at Chicago Executive Airport.
“We see a great opportunity to offer Chicago the benefits of our unique service model. Local clients will enjoy our guaranteed jet card and aircraft management programs through the convenience and support of our local Chicago team,” said Jamie Walker, President and CEO of Jet Linx.
Jet Linx has formed a partnership with several Chicago area business leaders to help establish Jet Linx Chicago as the region’s top provider. The lead investor of that partnership is Christopher “Topher” Merrill who is the Co-Founder and CEO of Harrison Street, a real estate private equity firm with more than $16 billion of client assets. Merrill will serve as the Board Chair of Jet Linx Chicago. The investor group includes, among others, Joe Shenton who will serve as Member of the Board. Shenton is a Partner of Summit Trail Advisors, a private investment office with more than $7 billion of client assets.
Leading the daily operations of Jet Linx Chicago is Base President Cameron Gowans, who has over 25 years of experience in sales, marketing and executive leadership within the private jet aviation industry. Most recently, Gowans served as Vice President of Sales and Marketing with JetSuite; prior to that, he was Vice President of Sales for North America West at Embraer Executive Jets. He is joined at the local Base by Director of Jet Card Sales Katy Glynn. Glynn has 14 years of experience in the aviation industry, including international aircraft sales, airport security, and unmanned systems operations. She is a former President of The Chicago Area Business Aviation Association, and presently serves as Chairman of CABAA Communications.
“Jet Linx Chicago bridges the gap between the personal touch of a local provider and the infastructure, guarantees and safety standards of a national operation,” said Gowans. “We are thrilled to offer Chicago-area residents the all-encompassing, hyper-personalized experience that has been missing here in private aviation options.”
The addition of Jet Linx Chicago marks the 15th Base location in Jet Linx’s national portfolio. Jet Linx recently celebrated the grand opening of its new, private terminal facility in Detroit, MI and continues to expand with new Bases planned throughout the Northeast, including in New York and Boston.