Elite Jets adds three to team as charter company again expands

NAPLES, Fla. – Amid unprecedented growth, Naples-based private charter company Elite Jets has added one pilot and a pair of administrative team members to its expanding team.

Elite Jets owns four Embraer Phenom 300 jets and one Embraer Legacy 500 jet that transport passengers to destinations across North, Central and South America, as well as the Caribbean. The luxury charter service for affluent business and leisure travelers also provides management services for a Gulfstream G550 jet capable of long-haul flights to Europe and Asia. The company additionally has a Bell 407 helicopter that provides sightseeing and travel services across southern Florida.

“Increased demand among both loyal, long-time customers and new and prospective clients means that our jets are in the air more often and our teams on the ground require more support,” said Stephen Myers, CAM, senior vice president at Elite Jets. “Growing our workforce ensures that we continue providing an exceptional travel experience for years ahead.”

Stephen Johnson is Elite Jets’ new Phenom 300 first officer. In that role, he is responsible for assisting the captain with aircraft operations during flights.

His passion for exploration by air started at an early age while traveling the world with his father, who worked in engineering at British Airways London on the Concorde, classic 747 and Vickers VC10s. Johnson earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science and served as a computer systems programmer on U.K. Ministry of Defense projects, including BATES and ADCIS, before transitioning to flight. He has logged over 7,000 hours in flight time and brings more than two decades of experience to Elite Jets as a pilot and flight instructor, along with extensive FAA and CAA credentials.

Kristina Noble is Elite Jets’ new client services manager. Since joining the company in March, Noble has distinguished herself by ensuring that every part of the customer experience is exceptional. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Northern Arizona University and has 15 years of experience as an elementary school teacher.

With an eye for detail and a passion for making guests feel welcome and empowered to fulfill their dreams, Nobles is responsible for arranging catering, special events, transportation and more, as well as accommodating any special requests.

The third new hire is Joseph Koppelkam, CPA, director of finance. In that role, Koppelkam leads the company’s accounting and financing team. He previously served as the head of accounting areas for two successful financial institutions: the $540 million Community Bank & Trust in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, followed by the $800 million FKA-Commerce State Bank and Summit Credit Union in West Bend, Wisconsin.

His responsibilities included corporate strategy and analysis, capital planning, risk monitoring, reporting and compliance, acquisition analysis and more. Koppelkam earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, as well as a bachelor’s in economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

For more information about job opportunities at Elite Jets, please visit EliteJets.com/careers or call 239-900-9000.

About Elite Jets Charters

Founded in 2016, Elite Jets is a premier, safety-focused charter aircraft service that serves destinations across the U.S. and abroad. Elite Jets’ fleet includes four Phenom 300s, one Legacy 500 and a Bell 407 helicopter, as well as management of a Gulfstream G550. The company’s Embraer luxury jets are well-suited for business and leisure travelers while offering an eco-friendly, best-in-class carbon footprint. Elite Jets maintains an Argus Platinum Rating, a prestigious safety and quality designation earned by just 5% of charter operators nationwide. The company also is registered with the International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (ISBAO), a set of industry-leading best practices, and the WYVERN safety data network, which displays its Safety Intelligence Report and regulatory compliance information. Elite Jets also offers aircraft management services, which include providing pilots, training, maintenance, fleet insurance, scheduling and additional services. Passengers enjoy concierge-level service from Elite Jets’ private terminal at the Naples Airport, 125 Aviation Drive South in Naples. Charter flights and empty leg flights are available. For more information, please visit EliteJets.com or call 239-900-9000.