Greg Hein, CEO
Over his lengthy career, Greg Hein has flown nearly 200
different makes and models of aircraft, sold aircraft ranging from antiques to
modern business jets, and been engaged in almost every facet of general
aviation. As a pilot, he has flown captains of industry, major political
figures, Royalty, and celebrities. He was recently presented the FAA’s
prestigious honor for pilots, The Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award, honoring
50 years of accident- and incident-free flying.
Greg was born and raised on a small ranch in what was
then rural Orange County, California. Fascinated with machinery and travel, he
began flight training while still in his late teens – obtaining his private
license and a commercial rating before he was even eligible to vote.
During commercial pilot training, Greg worked in
non-flying positions for his flight training provider, pumping gas, washing
aircraft, and assisting customers. He was hired as a pilot the day of his
commercial check ride and flew his first revenue flight three days later. Soon
after, Greg obtained his flight instructor rating and began instructing
students, including many classmates at Mount San Antonio College. He continued
as a flight instructor and charter pilot while completing his Associate of Science
Degree. These activities continued for several years, and additional education
in Aviation and Aerospace Science was pursued at Denver’s Metropolitan State
University.
In the early 1970’s, Greg joined the Newport Beach
Police Department and became an early pioneer in airborne law enforcement. His
position included crime suppression, search and rescue, support for the city’s
fire department and lifeguards, and medical evacuation. In addition to his
regular flying duties, Greg acted as a test pilot for the development and
certification of a low-light viewing device and was the designated speaker for
the department’s helicopter division. During this period, Greg continued fixed-wing
flight instruction on a part-time basis. Additionally, he served as a principal
in a company specializing in sales of vintage aircraft, parts, and memorabilia.
In the mid 1970’s Greg opened an aircraft brokerage in
Huntington Beach – specializing in light personal aircraft with an emphasis on
collectable airplanes. The company sold 40-50 aircraft annually – ranging from
J-3 Cubs to Aero Commander and Beechcraft Business Twins. During this period,
Greg also performed appraisals for major banks and insurance companies,
developing a broad understanding not only operational aspects of the general
aviation fleet but of aircraft value as well.
In 1979, Greg was recruited to become vice president of
marketing and facility manager for a large Southern California Piper dealer.
This company had three bases of operation, maintenance, a flight school,
charter department, and an active sales department for both new and used
aircraft. In addition to sales responsibilities, day-to-day management of the Carlsbad Palomar Airport location (and its pilots and personnel) was
part of the position.
In 1981, Greg joined with a partner to open a
full-service FBO at Palomar Airport. As President and CEO, he oversaw
management of many aviation services, including sales, charter, training,
maintenance, storage, fuel, and aircraft management. During this period, he
continued to appraise aircraft and began litigation support consulting on a
part-time basis. Greg also served on the Palomar Airport Advisory Committee,
acted as the aviation advisor to Congressional transportation committee member
Ron Packard, and served as designated speaker for San Diego County airports.
The FBO was sold in the mid 1980’s, with Greg
concentrating on sales, corporate aircraft flying, and some consulting as
Aviation Resource Group. During this time he acquired additional qualifications
and Jet type ratings, flying sophisticated corporate jets both domestically and
internationally. Greg’s marketing activities evolved primarily into
corporate-class turbine equipment – and this remains his primary sales focus
today.
The consulting business grew dramatically over the
years and Greg remains heavily involved in this activity – while also following
new developments in the operational and regulatory aspects of the industry.
Today, Greg enjoys a cherished balance of working with established and new
clients, travel, golf, deep-sea fishing, and family.
