CAM, Chief Executive Officer
CAM, Chief Executive Officer
Jared was bitten by the aviation bug at an early age. By 14 years old he was flying planes out of the Sarasota/Bradenton International Airport near his home in Anna Maria Island, Florida. At 18, Jared began working for Delta Airlines and was quickly promoted to Operations Supervisor, the youngest to hold the position for the airline.
In 1997, Jared transitioned into the general aviation world when he began working for an FBO in Sarasota. After completing a degree in International Affairs and Business Management at Florida State University, Jared joined Banyan Air Service at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport. During this time, he also obtained a Commercial Certificate and an Instrument Rating.
Next, Jared made the move to the West Coast where he joined American Airports Corporation as Training Coordinator for their Santa Monica, CA based FBO group; Supermarine. After AAC sold their FBO businesses, he transferred to their airport management division and began managing Los Angeles County Airports through contract.
Jared’s successes led him to the aircraft charter industry where he joined Corporate Jets LLC and then TWC Aviation developing multimillion dollar books of business from the ground up.
Mr. Fox continues his commitment to business aviation and today brings 25 years of experience, across nearly every aspect of the industry.
Chief Operating Officer
Chief Operating Officer
As Desert Jet's Chief Operating Officer, Toby oversees the day-to-day operations of the company’s three business divisions and ensures the effectiveness and efficiency between cross-functional teams.
As a key member of the executive leadership team, Toby is instrumental in providing leadership and developing the culture around our core values, ensuring high levels of engagement throughout the company.
Toby’s previous experience over the last ten years includes the position of Director of Mission Control for a large national operator and operational control functions with a national aircraft fractional operation. He is a certificated pilot and aircraft dispatcher.
Toby is also a certified scuba diver and enjoys flying drones, biking and swimming with his two-year old daughter.
Chief Marketing Officer
Chief Marketing Officer
Chris began her marketing career in business aviation services more than 16 years ago, working for an East Coast Part 135 private jet charter and management company and its affiliate FBO. She established the company's marketing department and led successful rebrand strategies and initiatives through multimedia and digital marketing, advertising, PR, targeted events, and promotional activations. She established greater brand awareness and recognition for her previous company, locally and nationally, increasing sales activities and profitability. Chris also launched several internal communications initiatives, contributing to better workflows, increased efficiencies and promoting positive company culture.
Chris relocated back to California and worked for an aviation services company which included marketing aircraft for sale and a Part 145 Maintenance and Repair facility. She led a successful brand merge and launched a new website and fresh marketing collateral.
Inspired by Desert Jet's story, values, and culture, Chris soon joined Desert Jet and moved to the desert to become a part of an incredible company focused on growing together as a team.
Dedicated to her role as the Chief Marketing Officer for Desert Jet, Chris will develop and implement a marketing strategy to increase brand awareness, presence, and recognition for the company's product lines to increase market share and brand loyalty. She will bring her intense passion for excellence, high work ethic, creativity, analytic skills, and enthusiastic determination to enhance the company culture and the brand's continued success. Chris enjoys cooking, traveling, socializing, and photography in her spare time and is a foodie. She loves to volunteer, hike, ride her bike, and spend time with family.
General Manager, Desert Jet Center
General Manager, Desert Jet Center
A Coachella Valley native, Roman first fell in love with business aviation when he was eighteen working for the world’s largest FBO chain. He began his tenure as a line service technician and soon became the operations manager.
As an operations manager Roman was directly responsible for leading his team in safety practices, offering great customer service, training, and professional development. Captivated by the vision and culture of Desert Jet, Roman joined the FBO team as Line Service Manager.
Bringing his 13 years of aviation experience, Roman now leads a team of aviation enthusiast in day-to-day business operations as General Manager. His duties include FBO revenue optimization through business development and hangar leasing.
Apart from work, Roman is passionate about volunteering and giving back to his community. He is currently an ambassador and previous donor for Be The Match, the global leader in bone marrow transplant.
Director of Operations
Director of Operations
Jeff brings 15 years of aviation and leadership experience to his role as Director of Operations.
Jeff graduated from Utah State University with a bachelor’s degree in Aviation Technology- Professional Pilot, and a minor in Business Management.
Before Desert Jet, Jeff served as a flight instructor at TransPac Aviation Academy, where he quickly built a reputation as a high-quality training captain and mentor. He helped to develop a program for domestic flight students that has grown into a full division for the academy and is still being used to train hundreds of students today, well after his departure.
Jeff left his position at TransPac to fly as a Captain for Ameriflight, where he also served as a Training Captain. He credits his time with Ameriflight for honing and strengthening his flight skills and transforming him into a seasoned Captain.
Jeff joined Desert Jet more than five years ago and has served as a Senior Captain, Training Captain, Check Airman, and Chief Pilot before he was appointed the Director of Operations.
In his new position, Jeff advocates and enhances safety, efficiency, communication, and teamwork. He takes his role seriously and genuinely works to build a relationship of trust with each of his co-workers.
Jeff speaks German fluently and enjoys reading, the outdoors, sports, and spending quality time with his family. He is married to a German redhead, and together they have two amazing boys. You could say his hands are full, but he wouldn’t have it any other way!
Mission Control Manager
Mission Control Manager
Teresa brings over 15 years of charter operations and leadership experience to her role as Manager of Mission Control.
Before Desert Jet, Teresa served as the senior Flight Coordinator for a major heavy and ultra-long-range charter operation out of southern California. She also served as Manager of the Operations Control Center, holding operational control authority with a large fractional operator out of west Florida. She is a certified aircraft dispatcher.
Teresa is a member of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, serving as her Flotilla’s Public Relations Officer and Air Station flight support. She enjoys boating and traveling with her 11-year-old twin daughters.
Charter Sales Manager
Charter Sales Manager
Cathy brings eight years of charter operations, flight coordination, and leadership experience to Desert Jet.
Before joining Desert Jet, Cathy served in a management position for a charter company overseeing a diverse fleet of more than 30 aircraft and multiple programs, including fractional share ownership, charter sales, and aircraft management. Her experience has shaped her ability to be adaptable, process-oriented, and proactive to both her team and company’s success.
Outside of work, she stays busy with her toddler, husband, and chocolate lab, with a new baby on the way.
Mission Control Manager
Mission Control Manager
Benita brings over 11 years of aviation and leadership experience to her role as Mission Control Manager.
Benita graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with a bachelor of science degree in aviation. Before Desert Jet, Benita worked for a large charter operator as Director of Operations Control Center. Benita also has management and dispatch experience in commercial airlines and she is a certified Aircraft Dispatcher.
Benita spends her free time traveling to new places. When she is in town she likes to go shooting, hiking and camping.
Maintenance Apprentice
Maintenance Apprentice
Luis is a desert native having been born in Indio and raised in Thermal, California. After high school, Luis attended the College of the Desert and graduated with an Associate’s of Science Degree in Computer Science.
Luis initially joined the Desert Jet team as a Line Service Technician. His interest in aircraft maintenance led him to join the Desert Jet Maintenance team as a parts clerk with the intention of eventually becoming an aircraft mechanics.
Away from work, Luis can be found off-roading, shooting and working on cars. Luis always has a smile, and it spreads to the rest of his team.
FAA Accountable Manager
FAA Accountable Manager
Valente Camarillo joins Desert Jet with more than 18 years’ experience in aircraft maintenance. Valente attended Red Stone College in Los Angeles, California, where he earned his A&P license. Previously with SkyWest, he became crew leader and spent four years in a supervisory role.
Valente was born and raised in Indio, California, and enjoys spending time with his family, playing his guitar and Barbequing on his days off.
Maintenance Technician
Maintenance Technician
Coming soon!
General Manager, Desert Jet Center
General Manager, Desert Jet Center
A Coachella Valley native, Roman first fell in love with business aviation when he was eighteen working for the world’s largest FBO chain. He began his tenure as a line service technician and soon became the operations manager.
As an operations manager Roman was directly responsible for leading his team in safety practices, offering great customer service, training, and professional development. Captivated by the vision and culture of Desert Jet, Roman joined the FBO team as Line Service Manager.
Bringing his 13 years of aviation experience, Roman now leads a team of aviation enthusiast in day-to-day business operations as General Manager. His duties include FBO revenue optimization through business development and hangar leasing.
Apart from work, Roman is passionate about volunteering and giving back to his community. He is currently an ambassador and previous donor for Be The Match, the global leader in bone marrow transplant.
Line Service Technician
Line Service Technician
Jorge is a Coachella Valley native with a strong work ethic and a helpful heart. When he’s not spending time with his family, you can find him at any one of the amusement parks around the area.
Jorge has a passion for sports, whether it be playing or watching football, baseball and basketball. He gives back to his community and coaches softball at Coachella Valley High School, where his passion for sports shines through.
Lead Aircraft Detailer
Lead Aircraft Detailer
Richard was born and raised in Modesto, California. Over the years, his interest in automotive detailing grew, and he began working at car dealerships, and then at very reputable body shops. Richard received a promotion to Parts Manager, and although the work was enjoyable, he missed detailing.
With the downturn of the body shop industry in 2009, Richard decided to start a mobile detailing business. For six years, he served all of the Central Valley detailing cars, trucks, motorcycles, RV’s, boats, even semi-trucks… but no aircraft. He closed the doors in 2015 after a good run, with the hopes of pursuing something new. In 2017 Richard moved his family to the Coachella Valley and joined Desert Jet with a wealth of detailing knowledge and experience. He quickly adapted to detailing aircraft using the skills he had learned in the automotive industry.
Richard now leads our Detail team. Whether onsite at Desert Jet Center or offsite doing mobile work, he takes pride in his job. He hopes to continue to help Desert Jet grow and thrive for years to come.
Richard enjoys spending time with his family. His interests include all things automotive, cooking, reading, and collecting all types of scale automobiles
Line Service Technician
Line Service Technician
Coming Soon!
Line Service Technician
Line Service Technician
Born and raised in Mexico City, Angel came to the U.S. in 1971 looking for better employment opportunities. Angel worked as an industrial mechanic for ten years and an optical technician for five years prior to working in line service at KTRM. He now joins Desert Jet with more than 12 years of aviation experience as a line technician.
Angel enjoys history, sports, cars and motorcycles. He is extremely happy to be a Desert Jet team member!
Guest Service Manager
Guest Service Manager
A Coachella Valley native, Melina joins Desert Jet as a Guest Service Coordinator. Although new to the industry, she is passionate about understanding the fundamentals of aviation. Melina considers herself a “forever student” due to her eagerness to always learn something new. She enjoys meeting new people and finding ways to help them have an uplifting experience. She is dedicated, friendly, and a team player.
In her free time, you can find her spending time with family, watching professional sporting events, or traveling to new places.
Customer Relations Advisor
Customer Relations Advisor
Peni joins Desert Jet with more than 36 years of experience in business aviation. She became interested in flying after moving to the Greater Palm Springs area.
Peni began her career in aviation by washing planes to pay for her flying lessons, and soon after decided to start her cleaning and detailing business and launched Skykleen. From there, the sky was not the limit for her: breaking the glass ceiling for women in aviation was.
Peni's interest turned to the FBO side of the industry when she accepted a position greeting arriving aircraft. She has since held various positions in the FBO business, from janitor to Founding Partner of Tradition Aviation at the Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport.
Peni has her pilot’s license and has flown several types of aircraft, from pistons to jets.
Guest Service Coordinator
Guest Service Coordinator
Born and raised in Coachella, California, Jessica joins our team as a new Guest Service Coordinator.
Although she is new to aviation, Jessica has always been intrigued with the industry and hopes to continue to build her knowledge of aviation. Her experience and background in communications have helped her build a strong customer service background, perfect for her role at the FBO.
Jessica spends her free time with family and friends and learning new recipes for pastries. She also enjoys traveling to concerts and roller skating.
Guest Service Coordinator
Guest Service Coordinator
Coming soon!
Line Service Technician
Line Service Technician
Coming soon!
Aircraft Detailer
Aircraft Detailer
Coming soon!
Line Service Technician
Line Service Technician
Coming soon!
Line Service Technician
Line Service Technician
Coming soon!
Guest Service Coordinator
Guest Service Coordinator
Born and raised in the Coachella Valley with her three siblings, Gabriela joins our FBO team as a new Guest Service Coordinator.
Although she is new to aviation, Gabriela has always been intrigued with the industry. She strives to learn all the nuances regarding business aviation, eager to build her knowledge and experience.
"Behind every great server. Is a great leader"
Her experience and background as a customer service supervisor within the restaurant industry have helped her build strong customer service skills for her role at the FBO.
Gabriela spends her free time not only with her real family but with her previous close work family as well. She loves listening to all genres of music and is a Vans sneaker fan.
Operations Manager
Operations Manager
Coming soon!
Book Keeper, AR/AP Clerk
Book Keeper, AR/AP Clerk
Coming soon!
Director of Talent and Culture, SPHR
Director of Talent and Culture, SPHR
Having worked at Desert Jet previously, Cindy has maintained a close relationship with us since 2015 and was excited to be back in 2020! She prides herself on being an energetic, genuine, and dynamic people leader who drives a culture of positivity, excellence, and accountability. Her management and team-building experience began at 19 and hasn’t stopped! Cindy studied Pre-Medicine and Business Management at the University of Utah. She later spent some time in Washington D.C., and was mentored by multiple CEOs and leadership consultants from Franklin Covey, the U.S. Government, and Brigham Young University. Using this training, she has both organized and taught leadership development training through the University of Utah and with the National Association of Teachers of Singing as a workshop coordinator and keynote speaker.
Cindy is passionate about leadership, humor, music, her family, and leading a fulfilling life. She is a professionally trained vocal artist and coach. Before her career in aviation at Desert Jet, Cindy was in the entertainment industry as a Musical and Casting Director, Co-Founder, and CEO of Desert Harmonies Music Studio. She spent many years performing professionally on the stage in both theater and music. Cindy has also been the general manager of a bookstore and a studio photographer and worked as a “pizza artist extraordinaire” at a local pizza establishment. To her knowledge, she still holds the record for the “most pizza boxes folded in one minute” at that exact location.
Cindy is certified by the Human Resources Certification Institute as a Senior Professional in Human Resources and is happy to be a part of the Desert Jet team.
