Location Dallas, North Carolina, United States Regions East Coast, Southern US Gender Male
Website www.hawthorne.aero/main/firm-professionals LinkedIn View on LinkedIn
Bill Koch is widely recognized as a leader in the FBO industry. Highlights of Koch’s aviation career include the development and successful sales of premier FBO networks and aviation businesses, representing more than $400 million in completed transaction value.
Koch started his aviation career in the FBO industry in 1989 with AMR COMBS, the
executive aviation affiliate of American Airlines, and subsidiary of AMR Corp., then widely recognized as the industry’s premier FBO service provider. Koch held positions in marketing, operations, and business development and was named President in 1998. He led the business through its most significant era of growth in its 60 year history, and orchestrated the company’s sale at a premium valuation to BBA Aviation for its integration with Signature Flight Support in 2000.
Koch was instrumental in the formation of the Aviation Training Institute and development of the Professional Line Service Training Program that is now the industry standard for FBO operations. Koch served as VP Aerospace & Defense for i2 Technologies, an Internet 100 developer of supply chain software that formed a leading B2B exchange for the aviation industry in 2001.
His next venture was as President & COO of SevenBar Enterprises, a third-generation family-owned FBO business.Koch led the company's redesign and its turn-around to profitability and development of a solid earnings base. The company’s FBO business was sold in 2008 at a premium valuation to Macquarie Infrastructure Company for consolidation with the Atlantic Aviation FBO chain.
Koch has also been a leader in developing Flight Operations businesses. He was responsible for the development of AMR's Worldwide Flight Operations. That unit was sold to Bombardier Aerospace and contributed to the launch of FlexJet. He continues to maintain ownership in SevenBar’s Air Medical business, providing fixed wing air medical transport for six leading hospitals. Koch recently served as CEO of Wayfarer Aviation, a global leader in aircraft management and executive charter services on behalf of private equity investors.
Koch has served as Chairman of the National Air Transportation Association, and as an NATA board member for five years. He has served on the Executive Committee of the Board of Governors of the Air Charter Safety Foundation, and on the Board of NATA Compliance Services. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Frontiers of Flight Museum and numerous civic organizations. Koch is a graduate of Southern Methodist University.
