Next Level Aviation Taps Veteran Lou Kucia to Navigate Booming USM Market

DANIA BEACH, Fla. – February 04, 2026 – Next Level Aviation® (NLA), a prominent global supplier of used serviceable materials (USM), has strategically bolstered its leadership team by appointing Louis (Lou) Kucia as its new Vice President of Procurement. The move signals a significant push to expand its inventory and supplier network in a market grappling with unprecedented demand and supply chain volatility.

Kucia brings two decades of specialized expertise in Boeing and Airbus aftermarket purchasing to the Florida-based company. His appointment comes at a critical juncture for the aviation industry, where the reliance on USM has shifted from a cost-saving measure to an operational necessity. As airlines contend with a record backlog of over 17,000 new aircraft orders and extended OEM lead times, the ability to source reliable, flight-ready used parts is paramount to keeping fleets in the air.

In his new capacity, Kucia is tasked with leading all USM purchasing activities, expanding NLA's global vendor base, and building a team of buyers to support the company's ambitious expansion. This appointment is not just about filling a role but about acquiring a seasoned expert whose skills are perfectly matched to the challenges of the current aerospace aftermarket.

A Strategic Play in a High-Stakes Market

The global air transport USM market, valued at approximately $8.8 billion in 2024, is projected to climb towards $13 billion by 2034. This surge is fueled by several factors: airlines are flying their planes longer, with the average fleet age reaching a record 14.8 years, and the push for greater sustainability has made repurposing components a key industry goal. For suppliers like Next Level Aviation, the primary challenge is not demand, but the scarcity of high-quality inventory as fewer aircraft are being retired and dismantled.

This is precisely where Kucia's appointment becomes a strategic masterstroke. His deep industry connections and proven negotiation skills are expected to be instrumental in securing the steady flow of parts needed to serve NLA's core market: the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 families. These narrowbody aircraft constitute over 65% of the global commercial fleet and are the workhorses of the industry, making their maintenance and parts supply a top priority for airlines worldwide.

Next Level Aviation's focus on this segment places it at the epicenter of USM demand. Kucia's mandate to aggressively build inventory directly addresses the market's most pressing need, positioning NLA to capitalize on opportunities that competitors may miss due to supply constraints.

From Business Partner to Key Executive

The story behind Kucia’s hiring adds a compelling narrative layer to the strategic business decision. His relationship with Next Level Aviation and its leadership predates his employment by over a decade. NLA's Founder, Chairman, and CEO, Jack Gordon, revealed a long and fruitful history with his new VP.

“We did millions of dollars' worth of USM deals with Lou in the early years of Next Level Aviation® while he was on the opposite side of transactions at one of his previous employers,” Gordon commented. He praised Kucia's “impressive analytical and negotiation skill sets,” noting the company was pleased to finally bring his talents in-house to “further grow our business.”

This history of mutual respect and successful dealings underscores the trust-based nature of the appointment. Kucia is not an unknown quantity but a proven professional who has demonstrated his capabilities to NLA’s leadership for years. His transition from a valued industry partner to a core member of the executive team is a testament to the strong relationships he has cultivated.

For his part, Kucia expressed a deep familiarity with and admiration for the company he is now helping to lead. “I've had the pleasure of working with Next Level Aviation since the day they launched,” he stated. “As one of my personal favorite aftermarket business partners in the industry, I've watched their success story from the front row for the last 13 years, and joining the team today feels like stepping right into an epic movie, already in progress. Stay tuned!”

The Technical Edge in Procurement

Beyond his commercial experience, Kucia possesses a crucial credential that sets him apart: an active FAA Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) license. In the highly regulated world of aviation parts, this license is a significant differentiator for a procurement executive. It signifies a deep, hands-on understanding of aircraft mechanics, systems, and airworthiness requirements.

This technical acumen provides NLA with a powerful advantage. When evaluating potential USM acquisitions, Kucia can assess not only the commercial value but also the technical integrity, condition, and traceability of the components. This expertise is vital for ensuring quality, mitigating risks associated with non-conforming parts, and making more accurate valuations during negotiations. It directly reinforces NLA’s existing commitment to quality, as evidenced by its ASA-100 accreditation and compliance with FAA Advisory Circular 00-56B, a standard for ensuring the traceability and eligibility of aircraft parts.

An A&P-licensed leader can engage with MROs, teardown facilities, and other suppliers on a technical level, fostering credibility and enabling more thorough vendor evaluations. This ensures that every part entering NLA’s inventory meets the stringent standards required to keep modern aircraft flying safely.

Fueling an Aggressive Growth Trajectory

Kucia’s arrival is a key component of Next Level Aviation’s well-defined and well-funded growth strategy. The company has demonstrated robust financial health and a clear intent to expand, having recently increased its revolving credit facility with PNC Bank by 60% to a total of $80 million across its U.S. and Irish entities. This capital infusion is explicitly intended to support increased inventory acquisition and geographic expansion.

This financial strength follows a period of strong performance, including the early redemption of a $15 million preferred equity investment in mid-2025. With substantial capital at its disposal, NLA is poised for aggressive purchasing, and Kucia is the executive charged with deploying it effectively. His mission is to leverage his expertise and NLA's financial firepower to build a world-class procurement operation that can sustain the company’s impressive growth.

As the aviation industry continues to navigate a complex and challenging supply chain landscape, the ability to expertly source, validate, and manage used serviceable materials has become a critical competitive advantage. By placing a seasoned expert with rare commercial and technical prowess at the helm of its procurement, Next Level Aviation is making a decisive move to solidify its leadership position and shape the future of the aerospace aftermarket.