Savannah Air Center to be renamed Midcoast Aviation

Jet Aviation, the parent company of Midcoast Aviation and Savannah Air Center, announced today that it will rename its Savannah, Ga., operation “Midcoast Aviation,” effective January 1, 2010. In addition, Jet Aviation has appointed industry veteran Frank DeFelice as new vice president and general manager of Midcoast Aviation in Savannah, replacing Jeff Zacharius, founder and president of Savannah Air Center, who recently retired.

In an effort to strengthen its completions, modification and maintenance services in North America, Jet Aviation acquired Midcoast Aviation in 2006 and, in 2008, Savannah Air Center. The Savannah operation was integrated into Jet Aviation’s maintenance and completions organization in the U.S., and operated by Midcoast Aviation. The name change from Savannah Air Center to Midcoast Aviation, effective January 1, 2010, is a logical step to unify these brands into one.

In the U.S., Midcoast Aviation will now operate two completions and maintenance centers - in St. Louis and Savannah - both under the leadership of Don Petersen, president of Midcoast Aviation. “Midcoast Aviation and Savannah Air Center are industry-leading MRO and completions services providers. As sister organizations, united under the same management, it makes sense that both operate under the Midcoast Aviation brand,” says Peter G. Edwards, president of Jet Aviation. “This change furthers our ability to support our maintenance and completions businesses while broadening our geographic reach.”

The new Midcoast Aviation facility in Savannah will be managed by Frank DeFelice, vice president and general manager, who replaces Jeff Zacharius. DeFelice has 23 years of aviation industry experience, beginning his career as an A&P technician, and culminating in his participation as a member of the G650 maintainability program team for Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation. He also was general manager of Gulfstream’s London Luton Service Center for four years.

Jeff Zacharius, president of Savannah Air Center, who founded the company in 1998, has retired. Prior to establishing the Savannah-based completions and maintenance center, he worked for Dee Howard, Gulfstream Aerospace and Bombardier. Zacharius has been involved with corporate aviation since 1976.

“We’re pleased to welcome Frank DeFelice to our team,” says Petersen. “His operational expertise, leadership skills and technical knowledge will help us strengthen and grow Midcoast’s Savannah operation.”

“We also thank Jeff Zacharius for establishing Savannah Air Center as an industry leading completions and MRO center in the U.S.,” adds Edwards. “He made the company what it is today through his hard work, dedication and many years of service. Jeff is a true entrepreneur and we wish him well in his future endeavors.”