Denver, Colorado, June 27, 2006 – Ross Aviation, based in Denver, Colorado, today confirmed that it has entered into a definitive contract to acquire Corporate Aircraft at Fresno Yosemite International Airport in Fresno, California. This is the fourth major acquisition for Ross Aviation in the past 18 months. The FBO will continue to operate as “Corporate Aircraft,” joining Scottsdale AirCenter, Denver AirCenter and Santa Fe AirCenter as strategic locations in a growing network.
Fresno is located 180 miles southeast of San Francisco in the San Joaquin Valley. Fresno’s central California location provides quick and direct access to major California population centers by highway, rail and air. In 2004, Inc. magazine rated Fresno as number four nationally on its list of the top 25 medium-sized cities for business.
Ross Aviation president and CEO, Jeff Ross, commented that, “Corporate Aircraft is an extremely well-run FBO located in an area which has demonstrated strong recent growth. We are very pleased with the foundation of the business and hope to build upon Corporate Aircraft’s success, while aggressively looking at expansion opportunities including constructing a substantial new hangar facility.”
Corporate Aircraft is the dominant FBO on the Fresno Airport. Its facilities include 32,600 sq.ft. of hangar; 6,000 sq.ft. of shop; 3,000 sq.ft. of terminal space; 3,000 sq.ft. of rentable office space; and an 80,000-gallon fuel farm. Corporate Aircraft also operates a prominent Part 145 Repair Station, which is one of Cessna’s largest factory authorized service and parts distribution centers. Jeff Ross also noted that, “The existing management team, led by Chuck Wilson will continue to provide first class customer service to transient general aviation visitors, based tenants, long-term maintenance customers, the military and commercial airlines. All of the line, customer service, aircraft maintenance and avionics professionals that Corporate Aircraft customers have come to know and trust will continue to anticipate needs and skillfully deliver services swiftly, safely and a personal touch.”
Ross Aviation was established through a partnership between Centre Partners and industry veterans Jeff Ross and Greg Ross. Ross Aviation acquired Denver AirCenter at Jeffco Airport in the northwest Denver metropolitan area in December 2004. In 2005, Ross Aviation acquired Scottsdale AirCenter in July and Santa Fe AirCenter in October. Bruce Pollack, Managing Partner of Centre Partners said, “We are pleased to expand our FBO platform and broaden our core competencies with the addition of a proven and growing aircraft maintenance operation. Fresno fits well with the other opportunities we are pursuing.”
Ross Aviation brings together extensive FBO ownership and operating knowledge with the ability to quickly close large and complex transactions. Its principals are experienced FBO investors, having acquired, operated and divested premier properties, including Vail/Beaver Creek Jet Center, Million Air La Quinta, Million Air Palm Springs and the Newport Jet Center.
Centre Partners, with offices in New York, Los Angeles and Dallas, is a private equity investment firm focused exclusively on supporting strong middle market companies. Founded in 1986, Centre Partners and its affiliates have invested over $3 billion of equity capital in more than 80 private equity transactions.
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