Atlantic Jet Taps 40-Year Vet to Helm Expanding MRO Division

LEXINGTON, NC – March 30, 2026 – Atlantic Jet Partners has made a significant move to fortify its maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) operations, appointing 40-year aviation veteran Steve Takacs as the new VP of Maintenance and General Manager of its Sky Aircraft Maintenance subsidiary. The appointment is a clear signal of the company's commitment to operational excellence as it continues an aggressive expansion in the competitive business aviation MRO market.

In his new role, Takacs will assume leadership of all maintenance activities at the rapidly growing Sky Aircraft Maintenance facility at Davidson County Executive Airport (KEXX). His responsibilities will encompass the oversight of all scheduled maintenance events, management of a growing corps of technicians and maintenance leaders, and the critical task of upholding the highest standards of safety, regulatory compliance, and customer service. The move places a leader with deep, multi-sector experience at the helm of a key component of Atlantic Jet Partners’ integrated aviation services strategy.

“Steve represents exactly the kind of leadership we’re building across Atlantic Jet Partners — experienced, disciplined, and focused on operational excellence,” said Dan Dolan, CEO of Atlantic Jet Partners, in a statement announcing the appointment. “His ability to lead complex maintenance organizations and develop strong teams will play a critical role as we continue to expand our MRO capabilities.”

A Veteran's Hand on the Helm

Takacs brings a formidable resume to the Lexington-based MRO. His career, which began in the disciplined environment of the United States Air Force, spans more than four decades and touches nearly every significant corner of the aviation maintenance world. He has held senior leadership roles in Part 121 airline operations with United Express, as well as in the demanding Part 135 on-demand charter sector with prominent names like Wheels Up, Mountain Aviation, and Travel Management Company. This diverse background has given him a comprehensive understanding of the distinct operational pressures and maintenance requirements of airline, corporate, and charter fleets.

Throughout his career, Takacs has built a reputation for improving dispatch reliability and optimizing maintenance workflows, having managed operations for fleets exceeding 70 aircraft. His expertise in Part 145 repair station environments is seen as a direct asset to Sky Aircraft Maintenance's growth trajectory. This appointment is not merely a personnel change but a strategic injection of seasoned leadership aimed at refining processes, enhancing efficiency, and scaling operations without compromising quality.

Driving a 'One-Stop Shop' Strategy

Takacs' appointment is a crucial piece of a much larger strategic puzzle for Atlantic Jet Partners. The company has been methodically building a vertically integrated, “one-stop shop” for aircraft owners and operators, aiming to provide end-to-end support that simplifies ownership and minimizes downtime. This strategy extends across aircraft sales, maintenance, avionics, engine programs, insurance, and parts support.

Recent acquisitions underscore this strategy. The company has brought Aerodyne Turbine Repair & Maintenance in Florida and Great Lakes Turbines in Ohio into its portfolio to bolster its engine and component repair capabilities. It also acquired Aerospace Design & Compliance (ADC) to expand its in-house engineering and certification expertise, further enabling streamlined modifications and upgrades. The significant and continued investment in Sky Aircraft Maintenance, which has grown from a single hangar to a multi-hangar operation running double shifts, is the cornerstone of its MRO ambitions. Placing a leader like Takacs in charge is the logical next step to ensure this rapid physical expansion is matched by world-class operational leadership.

Impact on Aircraft Operators

For the Part 91 and Part 135 operators that constitute Sky Aircraft Maintenance's core clientele, the practical implications of Takacs' leadership are expected to be substantial. The company has already established a strong reputation for its work on light to mid-sized business jets, including Beechjet, King Air, Hawker, Learjet, and Citation models. The focus is now on leveraging Takacs' experience to elevate service delivery even further.

Joe Rizzo, Chief Operating Officer of Atlantic Jet Partners, highlighted the customer-facing benefits. “Steve is a hands-on leader who understands what it takes to run a high-performing maintenance organization,” Rizzo stated. “He brings structure, accountability, and a strong culture that directly benefits our customers through reduced downtime and consistent, high-quality maintenance.”

This translates into more predictable maintenance schedules, faster turnaround times, and enhanced aircraft availability—all critical metrics for operators who view their aircraft as essential business tools. Sky Aircraft Maintenance’s specialized services, from avionics installations with its major dealer authorizations to pioneering TBO extensions for JT-15 engines, are set to be managed under a framework of heightened efficiency and process discipline.

Cultivating Excellence at a Growing Hub

The Davidson County Executive Airport is quickly becoming a major hub for business jet maintenance, with Sky Aircraft Maintenance at its center. The facility's ability to draw aircraft from 37 different U.S. states in 2024 alone speaks to a national reputation that transcends its North Carolina location. Managing this growth and cultivating the talent required to sustain it will be one of Takacs' primary challenges.

His background in building and mentoring high-performing teams, a skill honed over decades in various aviation environments, will be essential as Sky Aircraft Maintenance continues to scale its workforce and operational tempo. The human element is critical in a high-stakes field where safety and precision are paramount.

Takacs himself acknowledged the potential ahead. “I’m excited to join Sky Aircraft Maintenance and contribute to the team’s continued growth,” he said. “There is a strong foundation here, and I look forward to building on that to deliver reliable, efficient maintenance solutions for aircraft owners and operators.” His arrival marks a new chapter for the MRO, one focused on harnessing its rapid growth with the discipline and structure needed to establish it as a long-term leader in the industry.